The Week in Latin America: Sharks, Floods, And Hitler

Obviously, the big international story this week was the death of former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.  But while the Middle East dominated major headlines, we’re bringing you a breakdown of events in Latin America.

• At least 105 people have died as a result of heavy rain and flooding in Central America.  Officials from the governments of the affected nations are calling for international aid and shows of solidarity during the disaster.
• Environmental authorities in Columbia discovered 2,000 Hammerhead, Galapagos and silky sharks massacred near the island of Malpeo, about 500 kilometers off the mainland.
• A two-day demonstration in Santiago, Chile for education reform ended Thursday in violent clashes with the local police force.  Meanwhile, 57,000 Chileans have been called into mandatory military service this week.
• Lawmakers in Mexico City are pushing to outlaw bullfighting.  The sport has already been banned in countries like Argentina, Uruguay and Cuba, while  other nations are fighting to keep the custom alive.
• A new book from a British journalist has found an “overwhelming amount of evidence” to claim that Hitler died not in a bunker in Berlin in World War II, but rather lived out his days in  fascist-controlled Argentina.

And last but not least, Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez attempted to grab the spotlight twice this week, first announcing that he’s cancer-free after undergoing aggressive chemotherapy in Cuba, and then claiming that his old buddy Gadhafi died a martyr, likely prompting millions to wish Chavez’ treatments hadn’t gone so well.

Heard about anything going on in the Americas that we may have missed?  Send us your tips for next week’s Latin America roundup at tips@newstaco.com.