John Otis

Every year, the town of San Antero celebrates the hardworking pack animals that haul crops and supplies for farmers who can't afford trucks or motorcycles. There's even a donkey beauty pageant.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government faces a deadline this week — to commit to holding free and fair elections or face renewed U.S. oil sanctions.

A former Venezuelan political prisoner got the idea to create a virtual reality tour from the Anne Frank museum.

Gustavo Petro faces fierce opposition from what he views as Colombia's deeply conservative deep state.

Evangelical Christians are often courted by right-wing politicians. But in Venezuela, left-wing President Nicolás Maduro is trying to secure the church's support in the run-up to elections.

Rigoberto Urán has never won the Tour de France or Olympics gold. But he's still a superstar. "I think lots of people identify with me because they want to win but don't quite make it," he says.

Of the 177 environmental activists killed around the world last year, 60 were murdered in Colombia, says the advocacy group Global Witness. In most cases, no one is tried or convicted.

After the U.S. lifted its sanctions, Venezuela is trying to revive its beleaguered oil industry. But ramping up production is causing more oil spills.

Millions of Venezuelans have migrated to escape authoritarian rule and their country's worst economic crisis. For the first time, they're the largest group detained for entering the U.S. irregularly.

Colombia's capital is home to 11 million people — and to some of the worst traffic jams in the world. Now Chinese companies are building its first metro line.