South American nations take unexpected steps in climate and politics this fall

At the UN bio-diversity meeting in Cali (known for its salsa-dancing culture)‚ Gustavo Petro leads Colombiaʼs eco-friendly push this fall. The summit checks progress on nature protection goals set-up about two years ago in Montreal

The host country shows its green-minded approach: Colombiaʼs putting together a huge $40-billion eco-project list‚ while its neighbor Lula da Silvaʼs Brazil presents a $10.8-billion plan. Both countries want to get money from rich nations and big banks; these ideas look better than South Africaʼs old-style transition deal which didnt work well

• Four Amazon countries made a science group
• Nine Indigenous groups created the “G-9“ team
• Rich nations promised $163-million for nature (way less than planned)

Environmental money expert Sandra Guzmán points out a big issue: “its been very difficult for the resources to arrive where they need to go“

In other regional news‚ Brazil says no to Chinaʼs Belt-and-Road plan – a move that shows Lulaʼs careful balance between East and West. Uruguayʼs having a close election race between two middle-ground candidates‚ who dont differ much on world politics

Down in Venezuela‚ things are getting worse: the government now has almost 2000 political prisoners (up from about 300 last year)‚ and its fighting with Brazil. Nicolás Maduro pulled his ambassador out after Brazil wouldnʼt accept him as election winner

Mexico brings some cultural relief as it celebrates Day of the Dead – with La Catrina (the fancy-hat skeleton lady) becoming more than just a death symbol; shes now a real Mexican cultural icon thats been around since the early 1900s