Sebastián Piñera won Chile’s second-round elections on January 17, marking the first loss by the Concertación coalition in two decades. The billionaire emerged as the clear victor by Sunday evening, pulling in nearly 52 percent of the vote in the race against former President Eduardo Frei.
A devastating earthquake struck Haiti on January 12. Find out ways to support relief efforts and get updated information.
Shoppers flocked to stores over the weekend even as Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez warned companies against price increases. Caracas announced a devaluation of the bolivar in a move that sparked a rally on Venezuelan debt—as well as inflation worries.
The forms get sent out in March, but the U.S. Census Bureau already launched an awareness campaign for the 2010 survey. With federal funding and political clout at stake in the tally, Hispanic leaders urge Latinos—historically undercounted—to participate.
Mexico rang in the New Year with a series of tax hikes in hopes of easing a budget deficit. The tax increases come as President Felipe Calderón kicks off the second half of his term with an ambitious political reform proposal.
From October 2009 through October 2010, seven presidential races are taking place in Latin America, with elections in Uruguay, Honduras, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Brazil. AS/COA offers an interactive guide to the results thus far and poll figures for elections yet to come.
House Democrats introduced a bill for comprehensive immigration reform on December 15, declaring: "The time for waiting is over." A Senate bill is expected in early 2010. Still, even with congressional action up and running, the road to reform could be a slow one.
