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Central America

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, speaks and gestures during an event to announce a scholarship program in San Salvador. | Camilo Freedman/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Latin America

El Salvador Just Made It Legal for Bukele To Stay in Power Indefinitely

With near-total control of Congress, Nayib Bukele’s party eliminated key limits on presidential power.

Katarina Hall | 8.1.2025 9:06 AM

El Salvador and bitcoin | Mykhailo Polenok | Dreamstime.com

El Salvador

El Salvador Walks Back Its Bitcoin Law

But it's also investing more in the cryptocurrency.

Katarina Hall | 2.3.2025 1:56 PM

gietl v Avelar thumb v4 | Graphic by John Osterhoudt

El Salvador

El Salvador's Bukele: Authoritarian or Model President?

Frontier magazine's Peter Gietl and Salvadoran journalist Ricardo Avelar debate the merits of Nayib Bukele's criminal justice policies.

Gene Epstein | 1.27.2025 5:00 PM

El Salvador scales back crypto agenda in exchange for IMF loan | Stefano Ember | Dreamstime.com

Central America

IMF Pressures El Salvador To Stop Pushing Bitcoin

In exchange, the government is getting a $1.4 billion loan.

Katarina Hall | 12.19.2024 1:58 PM

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele and bitcoin | Illustration: Lex Villena; Camilo Freedman/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom, Stefano Ember, Asafta | Dreamstime.com

Central America

A Week of Failing To Pay With Bitcoin in El Salvador

The country claims to be a leader in crypto transactions. But you can't force people to take a currency they don't want.

Katarina Hall | 10.31.2024 11:45 AM

President Nayib Bukele | Ron Sachs - CNP/Sipa USA/Newscom

El Salvador

El Salvador's New Congress Strengthens Bukele's Grip on Power

With 54 out of 60 seats in Congress, President Nayib Bukele’s party holds significant influence over legislative decisions.

Katarina Hall | 5.6.2024 4:48 PM

Nayib Bukele is a dictator in El Salvador. | Illustration: Adani Samat

El Salvador

The Bukele Model Means Security Without Liberty

El Salvador stands at a crossroads between popular sentiment and adherence to constitutional principles.

Katarina Hall | 2.27.2024 4:35 PM

Roadblocks in Guatemala have led to scarcity in supermarkets | Cristina Avendaño/Fernando Chuy/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Protests

In Guatemala, Protests Have Brought Economic Life to a Halt

Few doubt the right of Guatemalans to protest. The challenge arises when protests exact a heavy toll on the well-being of its citizens.

Katarina Hall | 10.17.2023 12:55 PM

libertarian-city | Lex Villena

Latin America

A Private Libertarian City in Honduras

Próspera Inc. is creating a voluntary free market mini-state inside one of Latin America's poorest nations.

Zach Weissmueller | 7.6.2023 11:00 AM

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele | Camilo Freedman/dpa/picture-alliance/Newscom

El Salvador

El Salvador's Latest Gang Crackdown Includes Human Rights Violations

President Nayib Bukele is using brutal tools to solve a problem driven partly by U.S. immigration policy.

Eric Bazail-Eimil | 6.9.2022 11:09 AM

polspphotos804544 | CNP / Polaris/Newscom

Immigration

Kamala Harris Campaigned on a Kinder, Gentler Migration Policy. Now She's Telling Guatemalans, 'Do Not Come.'

By discouraging Guatemalans from coming to the U.S., Harris hopes to keep migrants away from a legal immigration pathway they’re eligible to pursue.

Fiona Harrigan | 6.8.2021 4:40 PM

upiphotostwo780094 | Al Drago/UPI/Newscom

Immigration

Trump's Immigration Policy Was Brutal and Inhumane. Will Biden Fix It?

Obama was also no immigration hero.

Billy Binion | 1.20.2021 11:33 AM

antonyblinken_1161x653 | Pool/Sipa USA/Newscom

Biden Administration

Biden Should Strive To Be Better Than Both Trump and Obama on Central America

The administration’s approach should discourage the drug war, encourage immigration.

Tana Ganeva | 12.8.2020 1:30 PM

polspphotos481563 | Bob Daemmrich/Polaris/Newscom

Reason Roundup

545 Migrant Kids Snatched by the U.S. Government Are Still Missing Parents

Plus: What Jeffrey Toobin teaches us about Section 230, Wisconsin's Foxconn boondoggle, Breonna Taylor juror speaks out, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 10.21.2020 9:43 AM

dpaphotosthree934031 | Mauricio Valenzuela/dpa/picture-alliance/Newscom

Reason Roundup

Supreme Court Makes It More Difficult for Refugees To Find Asylum Here

Plus: 4 myths about social media law, Trump wants to ban cigarette alternatives, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.12.2019 9:35 AM

RioGrandeCenter1_1160x653_1161x653 | OIG

Refugees

Trump's Asylum Ban Violates Standing American Law

It is unlikely to withstand legal scrutiny

Shikha Dalmia | 7.18.2019 10:50 AM

Asylum Seekers | Abaca Press/Cascio Antonio/Abaca/Sipa USA/Newscom

Immigration

President Trump's New Asylum Ban Will Lead to More Illegal Immigration

It will backfire bigly. The better border solution is more work visas for Central Americans

Shikha Dalmia | 7.16.2019 12:55 PM

asylum | ANDRES MARTINEZ CASARES/REUTERS/Newscom

Immigration

To Discourage Migration, Trump Orders Asylum Seekers Pay Fees to Apply

The plan is likely to backfire and cause more illegal border crossings by the people most desperately in need.

Billy Binion | 4.30.2019 5:14 PM

Large image on homepages

Border Crossings

A Costless and Humane Fix to the Border Crisis

Give the asylum seekers work visas, but attach a condition.

Shikha Dalmia | 4.8.2019 9:52 AM

Large image on homepages | ARIANA DREHSLER/UPI/Newscom

Reason Roundup

Trump Wants $5 Billion for a Border Wall. Here Are Some Better Alternatives: Reason Roundup

Plus: Postmodern marketplaces or fraud? And the Reason webathon continues!

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 11.28.2018 9:50 AM

Large image on homepages

Latin America

Students Are Bringing Capitalism to Latin America

Q&A with economist Gabriel Calzada Alvarez on trade barriers, higher education, and bringing free markets to the region.

Nick Gillespie and Paul Detrick | 10.21.2017 12:21 PM

Large image on homepages

Reasontv

What Caused Venezuela's Tragic Collapse? Socialism.

A vital lesson, as we confront calls for more regulation and government control in all aspects of our lives.

Nick Gillespie and Todd Krainin | 8.10.2017 3:30 PM

Economics

New Republic Takes Weirdly Pants-Wetting Look at Honduran ZEDEs (Free Zones)

Brian Doherty | 12.17.2014 5:15 PM

Large image on homepages

War on Drugs

Volunteer Medics on the Front Lines of the Drug War

Ambulance drivers in Guatemala see the costs of prohibition up close every day.

Zach Weissmueller | 9.10.2014 10:30 AM

Politics

Honduran 'Free Cities' Get One Step Closer to Reality

Will they provide legal innovation, or merely business-friendly regulation?

Brian Doherty | 8.6.2014 4:30 PM

Large image on homepages | Credit||| Raúl A.-/ Flickr Creative Commons

Politics

U.S. Government Creates a Catchy Anti-Immigration Propaganda Song for Central Americans. It's a Hit!

Brittany Morrisey | 7.18.2014 6:00 PM

Politics

Honduran Government Hypes Its New "Free Zones" with New President

Brian Doherty | 1.27.2014 11:31 AM

World

The Libertarian Trend in Costa Rica

Ronald Bailey | 12.18.2013 1:53 PM

Culture

Catholic Church Recalls Envoy over Abuse Claims

Was serving in the Dominican Republic

Reason Staff | 9.4.2013 6:30 PM

World

221 Arrests in Joint US-Central American Anti-Gang Initiative

In El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras

Reason Staff | 8.14.2013 12:28 PM

Politics

U.S. Spy Agency Employee On the Run Internationally From His Crimes; Wicked Cold War Relic Nation Offers Refuge

Brian Doherty | 7.19.2013 5:02 PM

World

McAfee Admits Playing Sick, Crazy To Win Release

Better than jail, right?

Reason Staff | 12.13.2012 11:24 AM

Policy

Guatemala To Send McAfee to the U.S.

Lucky fellow

Reason Staff | 12.12.2012 5:00 PM

World

McAfee Rushed to Hospital

Had been denied asylum in Guatemala

Reason Staff | 12.6.2012 3:50 PM

World

John McAfee Requests Asylum in Guatemala

When Guatemala is a refuge, you're in trouble

Reason Staff | 12.5.2012 7:40 PM

Politics

Another Blow to the Cause of Honduran "Free Cities": Future Cities Development Organization Closing Up Shop

Brian Doherty | 10.30.2012 1:36 PM

Politics

What Has Hugo Chávez Done for Venezuela Lately?

The Venezuelan strongman has been annoying for our country, and a lot worse for his own.

Stephanie Rugolo | 10.7.2012 10:00 AM

Politics

Honduran Private City Plan Shot Down by Its Supreme Court

Brian Doherty | 10.4.2012 11:38 AM

World

Guatemalan Volcanic Eruption Becomes Tourist Draw

"Let's go look at some lava!"

Reason Staff | 9.14.2012 9:00 PM

World

Belching Volcano Scares Away Nicaraguans

Burps out mile-wide ash cloud

Reason Staff | 9.8.2012 7:27 PM

War on Drugs

US to Stop Sharing Drug Trafficking Info with Honduras

The nation keeps shooting down planes in violation of agreements

Reason Staff | 9.7.2012 4:30 PM

War on Drugs

Drug Traffickers Pose as Television Crew in Nicaragua

Well, at least they were prepared to film their own bust

Reason Staff | 8.31.2012 11:00 PM

War on Drugs

DEA-Backed Honduran Commandos Put Gun to Honduran Boy's Head, Tell Him, "If you don't talk we'll kill you."

Mike Riggs | 5.23.2012 12:55 PM

War on Drugs

The President of Guatemala Wants to Legalize Drugs, the President of El Salvador is Okay With Talking About It

Lucy Steigerwald | 2.14.2012 5:45 PM

Politics

Seasteaders Take to the Land in Honduras

Brian Doherty | 12.6.2011 4:41 PM

Politics

Manuel Ayau, R.I.P.

Brian Doherty | 8.4.2010 2:38 PM

Employee Ownership

An ESOP Fable

What's good for the workers is good for the bosses.

Robert Rauth | 8.1.1986 12:00 PM

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