Latin America

Images from posters made by relatives show 10 of the 12 young people kidnapped in broad daylight from a bar in Mexico City on May 26. No one has claimed responsibility for the brazen abduction.

World News

Mass Kidnapping Puts Mexican Legal System On Trial

5:00pm July 02, 2013

by Carrie Kahn

Mexico City has largely been spared the drug violence in other parts of the country. But a brazen daylight abduction of 12 young people from a Mexico City bar is putting the spotlight on one of the capital's roughest neighborhoods, and putting the popular mayor on the defensive.

Queue Listen Now

Construction is underway on the Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo, shown here June 12. The stadium will be the venue for the opening ceremony and game of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and many migrants are among the laborers working on the project.

World News

Amid Construction Boom, Migrants Flow Into Brazil

5:34am June 27, 2013

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

For decades, Brazilians migrated to Europe and the United States in search of better jobs and opportunities. But as Brazil's economy has grown, more and more of the world's desperate are coming to Brazil.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Protests Allow Brazilians To Feel Part Of Global Movement

11:54am June 24, 2013

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

Brazil's government has been caught by surprise by the size and scale of recent protests. But analysts say they shouldn't have been. In a connected world, what happens in one part of it — say Turkey — can inspire social movements as far away as Brazil.

Queue Listen Now

Spanish director Pedro Almodovar's new film is called I'm So Excited.

World News

'I'm So Excited': Pedro Almodovar's Spanish Metaphor

8:29am June 23, 2013

by Jasmine Garsd

The legendary film director's new film is about a group of passengers stuck on an airplane. It's a comedy: In between panicking, the passengers find time to fall in love, make love — and come out of the closet. It's also a return to the filmmaker's Spanish roots.

Queue Listen Now

World News

Brazil Protests Continue

10:59am June 22, 2013

Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon talks with Brazil Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota about the mass protests taking place in that country over corruption and the rising cost of living.

Queue Listen Now

Enrique Lima is a co-founder of Publish 88, a Mexican startup that develops software for publishing companies.

World News

Mexico's Tech Startups Look To Overcome Barriers To Growth

6:18pm June 18, 2013

by Mónica Ortiz Uribe

In the past decade, Mexico's tech industry has flourished, growing three times faster than the global average. Most of that growth has been fueled by demand from the United States. But as Mexico's startups strive to make it in foreign markets, they say they need more engineers and ways to finance their growth.

Queue Listen Now

The small, hillside community of Babilonia, situated above the Leme and Copacabana neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro, has ocean views.

World News

Once Unsafe, Rio's Shantytowns See Rapid Gentrification

5:38pm June 10, 2013

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

First came the day trips for foreigner tourists to the shantytowns. Now, young Westerners are living in formerly no-go areas — with yoga classes and sushi restaurants following. Business is booming in Rio de Janeiro's favelas, but some residents complain they're being priced out of the market.

Queue Listen Now

Extortion Common For Latin American Businesses

1:16pm June 10, 2013

by Carrie Kahn

High crime rates are holding back economic development in Latin America. One element of the crime is extortion, which cuts into the bottom line for local businesses and ordinary citizens.

Queue Listen Now

German Garcia-Velutini, a banker, was kidnapped in Caracas and held for 11 months in 2009. Now, he says, he is imprisoned by his bodyguards and feels free only when he is out of the country.

World News

For Venezuelans, Kidnappings Are Simply Business As Usual

8:18pm June 06, 2013

by Steve Inskeep

Latin American cities rank as the most violent in the world. The region suffers from sky-high homicide rates, drug wars and gang violence. NPR is examining the region's turmoil in a series of reports, beginning with a look at the rampant kidnapping problem in Venezuela.

Queue Listen Now

Rio's Operations Center brings together more than 30 agencies and allows them to coordinate on daily issues such as traffic, as well as on emergencies such as the frequent flash floods in hillside slums.

World News

Rio Goes High-Tech, With An Eye Toward Olympics, World Cup

10:27am June 03, 2013

by Lourdes Garcia-Navarro

New technology is changing the way cities are run, with cutting-edge urban innovations around the globe. Sprawling, chaotic Rio de Janeiro has built a state-of-the-art operations center as it gears up for two major events.

Queue Listen Now