America

Over 11 million pilgrims visited Mexico City's Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the Virgin of Guadalupe celebration (9-13 December); many traveled from across Mexico and abroad, on foot or crawling, to honor the 493rd anniversary of her apparition

UN experts have urged Nicaragua to end arbitrary arrests and forced disappearances, following reports of 229 torture cases, with many victims facing violent and inhumane treatment, while the government minimizes international criticism

29.229 dengue cases and 50 deaths have been reported this year, with the number of cases more than doubling compared to 2023; the Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of prevention and community involvement in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds

El Salvador's new cybersecurity and data protection laws, establishing a state cybersecurity agency, risk limiting press freedom and privacy by enabling government censorship through a broad "right to be forgotten" clause, warns Human Rights Watch

Guatemala, alongside Taiwan, celebrated 90 years of diplomatic relations with a ceremony highlighting their historical cooperation, free trade agreements, and joint initiatives in education, health, and rural development

The Jonestown massacre site in Guyana, where over 900 people died in 1978, will become a tourist attraction; a South African company will offer tours starting January, focusing on educating visitors about cult psychology and the tragedy's lessons

President-elect Donald Trump and Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son announced a $100 billion investment in the US aimed at generating 100.000 new jobs; Trump called the investment "a monumental demonstration of confidence in America's future"

It is projected that Chile's copper production will rise by 6% in 2025, maintaining its position as the top global producer, while Peru is expected to drop to third place behind the Democratic Republic of Congo due to slower production growth

A bill was proposed to congress that would allow controlled hunting of crocodiles and caimans to address public safety concerns in areas with frequent human-crocodile interactions

A humpback whale completed an extraordinary 13.000 km migration from Colombia to Zanzibar, Tanzania; one of the longest ever recorded, it is possibly driven by climate change or breeding behavior shifts

Electricity rationing, caused by severe drought and lasting since September, will end on December 20 due to improved hydroelectric output, energy imports from Colombia, and recent rains, announced President Daniel Noboa

Increased safety measures are urged for delivery personnel after fatal robbery, specially as the holiday season, when delivery activities surge, makes workers especially vulnerable to criminal attacks