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Bogota
Chris Kraul, Bureau Chief
Chris Kraul is a Berkeley native who graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in journalism. Prior to joining the Times in 1987, he worked for numerous newspapers including the San Jose Mercury News and the San Diego Union. He also contributed to Barron's and was a freelance news photgographer. He started at the Times as the business editor of the San Diego edition, then covered Mexican and Latin American business and economic stories from San Diego before moving to the Mexico City bureau in 2001. He has done several stints covering Iraq and reopened the Times Bogota bureau in 2006. His beat includes Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama. EMAIL
Growth in population and tourism contaminate the islands' environment with alien species and pollution. But some say tourists, not citizens, should be kept out.
The Brazilian president has emerged as the chief mediator in the region, riding a wave of popularity and galloping economic growth at home and acting as a counterweight to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez.
But some are also scolding Washington for its 'ironhanded evangelizing' that free markets trump state-run economies.
New laws would concentrate power in the hands of socialist President Rafael Correa.
DISPATCH FROM BOGOTA
Northrop Grumman contractor Tom Janis was slain in 2003 after making a difficult crash landing in the jungle. His three American colleagues were held hostage by the FARC until this summer.
There was a time that when the 'the United States coughed, Brazil got pneumonia' but after its own share of crises, Brazil has seen a period of economic stability and rapid growth.
President Hugo Chavez says he's acting in solidarity with Bolivia, which ordered the U.S. envoy there to leave. The move is another setback in the region for Washington.
Four Russian vessels and 1,000 Russian military personnel are to participate. The move could further strain Washington-Moscow ties.
Containers sank into the Magdalena River when barge went down. Two are unaccounted for.
The nation says its neighbor must do more to prevent its civil conflict from spilling over.
DISPATCH FROM CARACAS
Traditionally the home of beauty queens, the nation ends a dry spell at Miss Universe contest. Behind it all is Osmel Sousa, a man with a passion for preparing women for pageants.
SOUTH AMERICA
Feverish imports by China and India in particular are boosting the continent's producers of soybeans, sugar cane and meat.
A poll shows Uribe's popularity has climbed since the raid in Ecuador. Many slam Hugo Chavez instead.
One woman hijacked an airplane to escape her guerrilla life, another was arrested after infiltrating the military.
Some in U.S. fear the tactic may inspire terrorists.
The Venezuelan leader gets the 'green light' from Colombia's Uribe to talk with rebels about releasing key detainees.