Latin America

Former Cuba Diplomat Feels Joy, Relief As Havana Embassy Reopens

9:35am July 19, 2015

The U.S. will reopen its embassy in Havana Monday. Wayne S. Smith was there when it closed in 1961. He was later in charge of the U.S. Interests Section. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with Smith.

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NPR's Mexico City correspondent Carrie Kahn sketched a rough map showing how El Chapo escaped, based on information from Mexico's National Security Commissioner, Monte Alejandro Rubido, in a press conference on July 12.

World News

A Visit To El Chapo's Prison Cell (Now That He's Gone)

12:46pm July 18, 2015

by Carrie Kahn

The Mexican drug lord escaped from a maximum-security prison via an elaborate tunnel that led to the shower stall in his cell. NPR's Carrie Kahn got a tour and shares what she saw.

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World News

A Look Inside El Chapo's Prison Escape Through A Tunnel

7:55pm July 16, 2015

by Carrie Kahn

Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman escaped from a Mexican maximum security prison earlier this week. NPR gets a tour of the tunnel he used to escape.

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Top Official Says Inside Help Was Likely In 'El Chapo' Escape

2:50pm July 16, 2015

U.S. authorities had wanted Joaquin Guzman extradited, in part over fears that he would get out again. Mexican authorities refused. His escape likely will deepen distrust between the countries.

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World News

Maximum Security Not Enough As Mexican Drug Lord Stages Second Escape

8:12pm July 13, 2015

by Carrie Kahn

One of Mexico's most notorious cartel leaders, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, escaped from prison this weekend — for a second time. A manhunt is underway after he fled his cell through a mile-long tunnel.

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A federal police Black Hawk helicopter flies over a house at the end of a tunnel through which drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman could have escaped from Mexico's Altiplano prison.

LISTEN: El Chapo's Second Escape, As Told Through Mexican 'Corridos'

6:59pm July 13, 2015

by Eyder Peralta

Singers of the ballads have for decades detailed the lifestyle of drug dealers in Mexico, so it was no surprise that when the country's most notorious kingpin escaped, it was memorialized in song.

World News

Mexican Drug Lord Escapes From Prison For The 2nd Time

2:39pm July 13, 2015

NPR's Lynn Neary speaks with correspondent John Burnett about the prison escape of Joaquín Guzmán, the Mexican drug lord known as El Chapo.

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"Monky" silk screens posters for some of Peru's top chicha bands.

Peruvians Love Their Chicha Street Art. City Officials ... Not So Much

2:22pm July 13, 2015

by Ina Yang

Walk down a street in Peru and you'll likely see an example of the glow-in-the-dark posters and murals. Lots of people love them. But the upper crust isn't always impressed.

World News

Manhunt Underway For 'El Chapo,' Who Escaped Maximum Security Prison In Mexico

5:24pm July 12, 2015

Convicted drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán escaped his maximum security cell through an elaborate, nearly mile-long tunnel, Mexican officials say. NPR's Arun Rath speaks with correspondent Carrie Kahn in Mexico City about Guzmán, his escape and his Sinaloa drug cartel.

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World News

Mexican Drug Lord 'El Chapo' Guzman Slips Out Of Prison ... Again

1:12pm July 12, 2015

by Scott Neuman

The kingpin reportedly went to the showers Saturday night and was not seen again. He made a similar escape in 2001 with help from prison guards.