Authorities detect drug shipments in crates of pineapples, religious statuettes.

Report details economic costs of region’s security problems.

Created in 2001, the initiative already has inspired more than 50 open microphone nights in the city of São Paulo.

The nation’s counter-narcotics agencies seek to end small-scale narcotics operations.

Presidents throughout the region highlight triumph against international terrorism.

Guatemala moves to protect the environment from damage being caused by criminal groups and illegal extraction of wood.

Argentina: 1.3 metric tons of marijuana seized.

The death of Osama bin Laden does not signal the end of al-Qaeda's activities, but Yemeni analysts said the organisation's operations will be hindered.

Analysts and writers said bin Laden's death dealt a major blow to al-Qaeda operations.

Martín del Potro slamming competition on tennis court.

General in charge of anti-terror agency wants remnants of guerrilla group in custody.

Federal Police clamp down on criminal activity in indigenous communities.

Analysts say that recent events in the Arab world have delegitimized al-Qaeda's violent tactics.

Colombia: Medina suspended after failing drug test

She’s the National Anti-drug Secretariat’s first female director of operations.

Three suspected members of the National Liberation Army were arrested by Colombian authorities in connection with the murder of Judge Gloria Constanza Gaona.

Occupation and policing of slums allows for the recovery of skeletal remains and evidence needed to complete investigations.

The government is promoting the social development of families living in the most dangerous areas where coca leaves are cultivated.

Security reinforced for country’s bicentennial, authorities said.

Police reported a 55% increase in the stealing of ATM machines during the first quarter of 2011.

Spilled oil and fertilizers threaten Lake Maracaibo, analysts say.

Brazil’s Internacional fails in bid to defend Copa Libertadores.

Central Banks throughout the region adjust interest rates to maintain financial stability.

Narco-traffickers dilute the drug to deceive counter-narcotics agents.

Sgt. Yane Marques is the world’s sixth-ranked pentathlete.

Police trained through simulators of crime and dangerous operations.

Argentina’s David Nalbandian pulls out of French Open.

Agents seize large shipment of cocaine.

Diego Calegari’s main goal is to obtain sound information from residents.

Venezuelan golfer aims to be number one player in the world.

Mother of ailing Argentine rocker greets fans at vigil outside clinic.

Countries’ partnerships leading to seizures, arrests.

São Paulo pioneers use of the system.

Long-tailed mice are the main carrier of the virus.

Brazil’s Neymar starring for Santos.

City Hall officials find remains of wharf used to bring slaves into the country.

Integrated National Program to Fight Organized Crime expected to be implemented between August and September.

European and African states must share information to curb the dangerous nexus of terrorism and narcotics smuggling, the G8 ministerial summit concluded.

Initiative of the National Confederation of Municipalities will survey the number of addicts in the nation.

Argentina’s Juan Martín del Potro to play in French Open.

Bivalve exports grow due to their quality.

Stolen cell phones being sold abroad.

More than 4.6 tons of marijuana and 686 pounds of crack have been confiscated by Federal Highway Police in 2011.

Environmentalists call for an end to illicit animal trafficking in the home of 5% of the world’s biodiversity.

About 52,419 deserted guerrilla groups in the Andean nation from 2003 to 2010.

Authorities discuss how to stop illegal aircraft from entering country.

Panama: 6.5 tons of drugs destroyed.

A growing number of Peruvians try to reach Chile’s central region looking for work.

Argentina to launch soccer championship next year.

Filmmaker and former pilot calls for a solution to the entry of illegal airplanes into Argentine air space.

Former drug user Luiz Vicente Pires, the mayor of the city of Cachoeirinha in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, is investing in rehabilitation for drug addicts.

Public therapeutic community in Cachoeirinha offers treatment to 30 drug addicts.

Argentine forward Sergio Agüero wants to leave Atlético Madrid.

Rapid growth of new business model stimulated by country’s growing Internet access.

Goal is to improve measures to combat narco-traffickers, organized crime.

Analysts say region needs to be more aware of cyber attacks.