John Otis

The country wants to shake its image as an illicit narco nation. Now it's already home to more than two dozen legit cannabis companies, with exports to Canada and the U.K.

Colombia has come a long way from the days of murderous drug cartels. In fact, it's now home to more than two dozen legal medical marijuana companies.

A faction of Colombia's FARC rebel group announced they plan to re-arm, three years after signing a peace agreement with the government. They accuse of the government of failing to follow through.

Power outages, increased crime and gasoline shortages are hurting Venezuela's once-vaunted cattle industry. Herds have been halved and meat production is down by more than 60 percent.

More than 1,400 members of Venezuelan security forces crossed the border hoping to one day return. Some say they're losing steam as efforts to depose the administration have fizzled.

When the going gets tough and entertainment becomes too pricey to afford, Venezuelans go to the barbershop. They are entertained by a singing barber and musicians who gather to create great sound.

Cocuy was once stigmatized as moonshine, but with hyperinflation putting other drinks out of reach, many Venezuelans have turned to this cheap form of alcohol. It tastes similar to tequila and mezcal.

Amid Venezuela's catastrophic economic meltdown, education experts say that it's getting much harder for children to get a good grasp of history, geography and their ABCs.

Most Venezuelans looking to emigrate cross land borders into Colombia or Brazil. But for many, Caribbean islands like Curaçao are much closer escapes from their country's turmoil.

Despite being home to the world's largest oil reserves, Venezuela is suffering a major gasoline shortage. It's because of economic mismanagement and U.S. sanctions.

Local aid groups play a growing role amid Venezuela's unprecedented humanitarian crisis marked by widespread malnutrition and deaths from preventable diseases.

The refugee crisis in Venezuela is growing. A U.N. agency says the number of people fleeing the country is staggering. Most of the people who have left Venezuela remain in Latin America.

"Time is not on our side," opposition leader Juan Guaidó told NPR in an interview in Caracas on Wednesday. "Time is running against all Venezuelans."

Rather than arresting rival Juan Guaido, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is targeting lower-ranking members the opposition party stripping their legal immunity and threatening them with arrest.

Representatives for President Nicolás Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaidó are slated to hold direct talks in Norway this week aimed at breaking months of political gridlock.

The United Nations refugee agency set up a facility in Maicao near the Venezuelan border, providing help for more than 300 migrants. The facility aims to expand to meet the growing need.

On Easter, people will gather to pray in the cathedral, situated 600 feet underground in the Andean mining town of Zipaquirá. It was built in the caverns and tunnels left behind by salt miners.

Those service members who have escaped amount to less than 1 percent of the Venezuelan military, but they now pledge allegiance to Juan Guaidó as their country's president.

Colombia says about 1,000 Venezuelan soldiers have defected and back opposition leader Juan Guaido. The defections have done little to undermine the military's support for Nicolas Maduro.

Venezuela's authoritarian leader has closed the border with Colombia to frustrate opposition efforts to bring in humanitarian aid. But that hasn't stopped Venezuelans from crossing the border for aid.