Mexico City has been experiencing severe air pollution, leading to emergency measures that kept 40% of vehicles off the roads for three days. Despite past efforts to improve air quality, such as the Hoy no Circula program and improved fuel quality by Pemex, the city is facing its worst pollution in over a decade. Experts like Luis Manuel Guerra and physicist Héctor Riveros suggest that corruption, inefficient public transport, and the city's geography contribute to the problem. The situation is exacerbated by climate change and phenomena like El Niño. Temporary measures are not seen as a long-term solution, and there are calls for systemic changes to reduce the need for long commutes and improve fuel monitoring. The article also notes the health impact of pollution, with an estimated 20,500 deaths annually due to respiratory diseases linked to air quality in the region.

Motley Crue and Def Leppard performed in Mexico City, energizing a passionate crowd of metal fans. The event highlighted the enduring popularity of metal in Mexico despite past government repression of rock and metal genres. The concert at Foro Sol was a nostalgic trip back to the 80s, with fans of all ages, including those who experienced the music scene's evolution in Mexico. The bands' performances were well-received, with the audience celebrating the metal community's resilience and the genre's continued relevance.

The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have reached a historic peace deal, concluding negotiations that have been ongoing in Havana, Cuba. The agreement aims to end a conflict that started in 1964, which has resulted in over 220,000 deaths and the displacement of nearly 7 million people. The deal includes a definitive ceasefire and plans for the FARC's transition into a political party, addressing issues such as land access, treatment of war criminals, and disarmament. A plebiscite will be held to allow Colombian citizens to vote on the agreement. Despite international support, there is domestic opposition, with polls indicating a potential 'no' vote. The deal also outlines the demobilization of FARC fighters and the role of UN officials in overseeing the process.

A study by the U.S. Immigration Policy Center reveals that one in four asylum seekers forced to remain in Mexico under the Trump administration's Migrant Protection Protocols program have faced threats of physical violence. Roughly 60,000 asylum seekers have been sent back to Mexico, where they are vulnerable to crimes by drug cartels and gangs. Human Rights First reports over 630 violent crimes against migrants in this situation. Asylum seekers struggle with language barriers, lack of legal representation, and dangerous conditions while awaiting their hearings in the U.S. Despite these challenges, a kidnapping victim named Delmary Arias was granted asylum and is now living in the Washington, D.C. area.

Jamaica has reached an agreement to pay off its oil debts to Venezuela by providing food, medication, and fertilizers instead of cash. This barter deal is part of the PetroCaribe agreement, which allows Caribbean nations to pay for Venezuelan oil over a 25-year period, with the option to use cash substitutes for delayed payments. Venezuela, facing a severe economic and political crisis with shortages of basic goods, is resorting to barter practices reminiscent of the 1940s. The crisis has led to violent clashes over food shortages and mass crossings into Colombia for supplies. Amnesty International has criticized the Venezuelan government for a decree that could force workers into food production. Details of the Jamaica-Venezuela deal, such as the specific food products and the source of medication, remain unclear.

Colombia is challenging pharmaceutical giant Novartis by threatening to end its monopoly on the cancer drug imatinib, sold as Gilvec or Gleevec, if the company does not reduce its price. The Colombian government's stance has been praised by activists and could set a global precedent for improving access to expensive medications. The dispute has been ongoing since 2012 when Novartis was initially denied a patent in Colombia, a decision that was later reversed by a judge. The cost of imatinib in Colombia is nearly double the per capita income, and generic versions could significantly reduce this expense. Leaked diplomatic papers reveal US pressure on Colombia to resolve the issue favorably for Novartis, citing potential impacts on peace process funding and free trade agreements. Health experts internationally have defended Colombia's right to issue compulsory licenses to ensure access to affordable medicines.

El Salvador's Human Rights Ombudsman, David Morales, has reported that police and soldiers have executed gang members and falsified evidence to suggest the deaths occurred in gunfights. After a nine-month investigation into two incidents from last year, Morales concluded that eight gang members were executed by the police in March 2015, and the army lied about a clash in August where they reported killing five gang members. The report comes amid a surge in violence, with El Salvador having the highest murder rate for a peacetime nation and a 158 percent increase in killings from the previous year. The government has taken a hard stance against gangs, classifying them as terrorist organizations and creating an anti-gang military unit. Critics, including human rights activist Raul Mijango, argue that these repressive measures will worsen the situation and ignore the need for dialogue to resolve social issues.

San Luis de la Loma, a small town in Guerrero, Mexico, has been abandoned due to the control sought by the drug cartel Los Caballeros Templarios, leading to a mass exodus of residents. Local entrepreneur and activist Leopoldo Soberanis, under government protection due to threats, describes the economic paralysis and the dire situation of those who had to flee, with many now begging in the streets. The cartel's presence since mid-2010 has eradicated the local economy, including the dairy production which dropped from 10,000 liters a day to zero. The Mexican Army has pushed the cartel into higher parts of the Sierra Madre del Sur but is also accused of committing abuses, including the alleged torture and killing of a 16-year-old and five other locals, which the army attributes to a confrontation with a local gang.