At least nine people were killed at a Brazilian elementary school where two young men were seen entering the building and firing weapons early on Wednesday, according to Sao Paulo police. Among the dead were five school children, one adult who worked at the building, one person who was standing just outside the school and […]

Two teenagers have opened fire at a school in south-eastern Brazil, killing at least five students and one employee, police say. The shooting happened at about 09:30 local time (12:30 GMT) when the students were in a break at the state school in Suzano, near São Paulo. Several other people have been wounded. The two […]

As Brazilians vote for a new president, senators and deputies on Sunday, one issue in particular might determine their choice: violent crime. Two recent surveys strongly suggest increasing concern among Brazilians about rising levels of violence. Candidates across the political spectrum have promised in their campaigns to address the issue. Far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro, who’s […]

Venezuela was almost entirely without power yesterday amid a blackout that wrought chaos and was blamed by the Maduro government on sabotage. Communications went down, water pumps failed and transport ground to a halt as much of the country was plunged into darkness on Thursday evening. The power cut was believed to have affected all […]

Venezuela is currently in shut down as the country’s worst ever power cut continues into its second day, causing all schools and workplaces to close. The power cut started on Thursday evening in the midst of rush hour, plunging the capital of Caracas into darkness as commuters attempted to make their way home. The power […]

El Salvador’s supreme court has freed three women jailed for 30 years after being accused of aborting their babies. The women say they suffered miscarriages but were convicted of aggravated homicide. They were welcomed by well-wishers and activists near the capital San Salvador on Thursday. Alba Rodríguez and María del Tránsito Orellana had both served […]

Venezuela’s self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaidó has called for mass protests as he announced his return to the crisis-stricken country. “I call on Venezuelans to gather across the country tomorrow at 11am,” he tweeted on Sunday. Mr Guaidó, who has been recognised by over 50 countries, has called on President Nicolás Maduro to resign. But […]

Venezuela’s political crisis appears to be reaching boiling point amid growing efforts by the opposition to unseat the socialist president, Nicolás Maduro. The South American country has been caught in a downward spiral for years with growing political discontent further fuelled by skyrocketing hyperinflation, power cuts and shortages of food and medicine. More than three […]

Supreme Court will decide in April if Lula will have to serve a 12-year prison sentence over corruption charges. An appeals court in Brazil has unanimously rejected the final procedural objections by former President Luiz Inancio Lula da Silva against his corruption conviction.  The decision, handed down on Monday, raises the possibility that the former, […]

US calls the digital currency an attempt by the Venezuelan government to ‘circumvent US sanctions’. US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning the use of Venezuela’s new crypto-currency, Petro.  The executive order, signed by Trump on Monday, prohibits all US transactions in digital currencies that benefit the Venezuelan government. Trump described the […]