Latest news: Latin America
Small trees offer hope for rainforests
Small trees that grow up in drought conditions could form the basis of more drought-resistant rainforests, new research suggests.
Earliest humans stayed at the Americas ‘oldest hotel’ in Mexican cave
A cave in a remote part of Mexico was visited by humans around 30,000 years ago – 15,000 years earlier than people were previously thought to have reached the Americas.
New soap opera, comic and apps being used to tackle kidnappings in Mexico
A new soap opera, comic and app are the latest weapons being used to tackle the epidemic of kidnappings in Mexico.
Palm trees most abundant in tropical forests in the Americas
Palm trees are more than five times more numerous in tropical forests in the Americas than in comparable Asian and African forests, a new study shows.
‘Gatekeepers’ of biodiversity hotspots facing COVID crisis
Impoverished communities and diverse ecosystems in Colombia are under threat due to the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers say.
Innovation by ancient farmers adds to biodiversity of the Amazon, study shows
Innovation by ancient farmers to improve soil fertility continues to have an impact on the biodiversity of the Amazon, a major new study shows.
“Unparalleled” discovery of ancient skeletons sheds light on mystery of when people started eating maize
The “unparalleled” discovery of remarkably well-preserved ancient skeletons in Central American rock shelters has shed new light on when maize became a key part of people’s diet on the continent.
Young Venezuelans distrust all politicians and mourn lost childhood, study shows
Young Venezuelans distrust politicians of all parties and are doubtful anyone can improve their daily lives or give them more opportunities, a new study shows.
Take a tour of Exeter in Brazilian Portuguese
Gregor Fuller is studying Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Exeter and is part of an exciting new programme in Luso-Afro-Brazilian Studies.
‘Uplifting’ project nourishing Amazon people and soil
Thousands of trees have been planted in former rainforest land in the Amazon, nourishing the soil and providing impoverished Brazilians with food and increased incomes.
Earliest humans in the Amazon created thousands of “forest islands” as they tamed wild plants for food, study shows
The earliest human inhabitants of the Amazon created thousands of artificial forest islands as they tamed wild plants to grow food, a new study shows.
South American volcano shows potential signs of instability, research shows
One of South America’s most prominent volcanoes is producing early signals of potential instability, new research has shown.
Ancient stone tools found in remote rock shelter reveal vital clues about life in ancient Central America
Ancient stone tools found in remote rock shelters have revealed new clues about life in ancient Central America.
Climate change had significant impact on Amazon communities before arrival of Europeans, study shows
Climate change had a significant impact on people living in the Amazon rainforest before the arrival of Europeans and the loss of many indigenous groups, a new study shows.
Major new study will rewrite history of human colonisation of South America
A major new study will uncover the secrets of how humans colonised one of the most challenging landscapes on earth - and the legacy of their actions on today’s plants and wildlife.