Americas Now: Recent Episodes
CGTN America
The Americas Now Podcast features the stories behind the news headlines and current events, directly from our correspondents on the ground. Hosted by CGTN anchor Elaine Reyes, listeners will get both thoughtful analysis and the human stories about the changing social, economic and political landscape in the Americas.
Since 1989, over 3,000 people have been exonerated from prison sentences in the United States after evidence proved they were innocent. But how hard is it for those who are wrongfully convicted to rebuild their lives? Americas Now Podcast host Elaine Reyes talks to correspondent Dan Williams who followed several cases and produced a special report on this issue.
Imagine a choir where some singers cannot see and others cannot hear. That’s the concept of a unique project in Venezuela, which shows how – when pre-conceptions are put aside — music can be made. Americas Now Podcast host Elaine Reyes talks to Stephen Gibbs who deployed in the city of Barquisimeto to meet and interview these talented musicians and artists.
Navajo Nation people are being forced out. The same is happening in Central America, where the rainy season has become shorter and unpredictable. Farmers, most of whom are indigenous, can’t produce like they used to a decade ago, so they migrate north.
Americas Now Podcast host Elaine Reyes talks to award winning correspondent Alasdair Baverstock who has covered this story extensively.
Every morning…dozens of kids in western Venezuela leave their homes before 5-am — to embark on an adventurous journey to school. And it’s not just any school… it’s on the other side of the border, in Colombia. Americas Now Podcast host Elaine Reyes talks to correspondent Michelle Begue who followed students and visited schools for several days to produce a special report.
Peruvian cuisine is a mix of many influences and cultures, including Asian. Two restaurants in Lima have been among the best in the world for few years now but great local food with fresh ingredients and low prices can be found literally in any neighborhood market or eatery. Correspondent Dan Collyns has been reporting how Peruvians have managed to master the art of combining highland Andean products like local potatoes with seafood from the Pacific Ocean.
The US-Mexico border has long been an area of treacherous terrain. And with the number of migrants trying to illegally cross into the US increasing, the number of migrant deaths has risen as well. Since 2020, migrants have been choosing more dangerous routes to the US to avoid apprehension. Hundreds perish from heat exposure and dehydration in the desert. Others drown trying to cross rivers and canals. On this episode of the Americas Now Podcast, correspondent Alasdair Baverstock shares insight, with host Elaine Reyes, from his deployments to the border to cover the migration story.
Illegal mining is a big problem in South America. Thousands of small-time miners are digging up and destroying parts of the Amazon in different countries. The police and the army seem to be a step behind as the miners keep operating. Correspondent-Producer Armando Guerra shares his experience, with host Elaine Reyes, covering illegal gold mines in Peru and Ecuador.
Vallenato is likely Colombia's most popular musical genre and part of the country's identity. Played with an accordion, it's a combination of African, Indigenous and European sounds. Traditionally, the genre has been dominated by male musicians but lately it's female performers who are making themselves heard. Correspondent Michelle Begue discusses the Women of Vallenato with Anchor Elaine Reyes.
Colombia is the world's largest cocaine producer and the cultivation of coca plants, the main ingredient of the drug, is increasing. Elaine Reyes talks to correspondent Toby Muse, who recently reported on the Gulf Clan, the leading drug cartel in Colombia. Muse, who is based in the South American country, deployed to the epicenter of cocaine production and met with coca growers and drug smugglers.
Pirates and robbing ships at sea may seem like a thing from the past. But in Mexico, a country that has been attacked by pirates for centuries, the practice continues. Elaine Reyes talks to correspondent Alasdair Baverstock who has reported on modern-day pirates targeting oil platforms and vessels in the Gulf of Mexico.
Most people associate chocolate with the chocolatiers of Europe. But the main ingredient for chocolate, cacao, comes from Latin America and Africa. Director-Producer Armando Guerra joins anchor Elaine Reyes to recount his journey to Ecuador to interview farmers and producers of cacao.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA, 2022 was one of the hottest years on record. Some scientists believe Florida is among the most vulnerable states when it comes to climate change. How are higher temperatures impacting our oceans and their marine life? Elaine Reyes talks with Americas Now Correspondent John Zarrella, who has covered climate change extensively in the southern US and the Caribbean.
On this week's Americas Now podcast, Anchor Elaine Reyes talks to Correspondent John Zarrella about the inland risk of climate change on parks and lakes in the U.S. They discuss the life-altering changes being seen at Yellowstone National Park and Utah's Great Salt Lake, both of which may not be recognizable in the not-too-distant future.The drought and flooding being observed may foreshadow future climate change disasters to come.
Crime is a significant problem in Venezuela. Politicians and experts have yet to find a solution. So when a company became the victim of gang violence, the owner took matters into his own hands. He offered jobs to gang members and created a Rugby league for prisoners to train, play and learn about values such as teamwork and respect.Elaine Reyes talks to Venezuelan correspondent Stephen Gibbs about this inspiring story that has changed hundreds of lives.
Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending life to avoid pain and suffering. Colombia is the only country in Latin America, and one of only several worldwide, to allow it in non-terminal cases.
On this episode of the Americas Now Podcast correspondent Gerry Hadden tells host Elaine Reyes about his deployment to the Pantanal which is so large it extends to other countries like Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay.
On this episode of the Americas Now Podcast correspondent Alasdair Baverstock talks with host Elaine Reyes about the importance of these native languages hidden in the heart of one of Latin America’s largest cities.
On this episode of the Americas Now Podcast correspondent Alasdair Baverstock explains to host Elaine Reyes how the community of expats around Mexico's famous Lake Chapala dealt with the pandemic lockdowns.
On this episode of the Americas Now Podcast correspondent Joel Richards shares with host Elaine Reyes the conversations he had with these photojournalists who live in countries ranging from Peru and Argentina to Costa Rica.
On this episode of the Americas Now Podcast correspondent Joel Richards tells host Elaine Reyes two amazing stories he recently covered related to horses in Argentina.
On this episode of the Americas Now Podcast correspondent Harris Withbeck shares with host Elaine Reyes the discoveries he made while covering the 100-year-old inhabitants of this area over the course of several years.
The U’wa indigenous people guard the largest expanse of glaciers in Colombia. Their mission is to protect the original source of water.
A Colombian family of four packed their bags and placed them in their 1981 Volkswagen Westfalia to take a life-changing trip along the Pan-American Highway.
Correspondents traveling from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego deconstruct the stories that impacted them the most. Presented by Elaine Reyes, the Americas Now Podcast takes you to memorable places and introduces you to extraordinary people around the map. This is a podcast for in-depth reporting enthusiasts with a taste for Latin American affairs and human stories.