Gifted jewelry from Saudi Arabia entangles Brazil's ex-President Bolsonaro
A scandal is unfolding in Brazil involving millions of dollars worth of jewels, the Saudi government and former President Jair Bolsonaro.
South America
Inside the emerald mines that make Colombia a global giant of the green gem
NPR ventures into a Colombian emerald mine — which used to be more dangerous, with potential explosions inside and gunfights outside. The CEO, a former U.S. diplomat, says he wanted to change that.
Why some Brazilians won't be wearing their national soccer colors for the World Cup
Brazilians who voted against President Jair Bolsonaro are torn about sporting the yellow soccer jersey after the far-right leader and his supporters adopted the shirt.
The U.S. is trying to mend ties with Venezuela. One big reason? Oil
The Biden administration has extended an olive branch to Venezuela. It might sway Caracas to resume talks with the opposition for elections, and eventually let Venezuelan oil back on the world market.
What you need to know about Brazil's presidential election
As one of the world's largest democracies heads to the polls on Sunday, here are the main candidates and issues in the Brazilian election.
In Chile's desert lie vast reserves of lithium — key for electric car batteries
Chile is part of a South American region known as the "lithium triangle," where miners are trying to meet skyrocketing demand for the material.
Brazil's firearm ownership booms, and gun laws loosen, under President Bolsonaro
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has issued more than a dozen decrees in favor of Brazilians' right to bear arms. Sales have spiked and gun shops and shooting ranges have opened up all over Brazil.
After Colombia's election surprise, a populist TikTok star poses stiff competition
A 77-year-old populist who campaigns over TikTok and promises budget cuts and jail for corrupt officials is now neck and neck with his leftist opponent ahead of Sunday's runoff election.
Colombia goes into elections Sunday with a leftist looking to make history
Colombia's presidential election is Sunday, and for the first time, a leftist candidate is favored to come out ahead. Business elites are nervous.
South America's traditional cowboys are still at home on the range in Colombia
livestock in Colombia are raised on vast, open ranges. Overseeing the herds requires the special skills of Colombian cowboys who are known as llaneros — Spanish for "plainsmen."