Ricardo Martínez

Journalist, photographer and video producer. Currently focused on Latin America's untold stories.

Born in Mexico and lived over 10 years in the US –– also Brazil, Chile and Argentina. He has reported on the ground in Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Bolivia.

Portfolio
OZY
05/24/2017
Why Is It Legal for Cops to Use Tear Gas on Civilians?

Police spraying tear gas at crowds of peaceful protesters has become an all-too-common sight in Venezuela. But it's actually part of a bigger problem in the Americas: These less-lethal chemical attacks on people's right to life and physical integrity go repeatedly unchecked because there are no clear, enforceable rules.

Americas Quarterly
04/04/2017
As Threats to LGBT Brazilians Rise, These Trans Singers Take Center Stage

It's one thing to perform for hundreds of spectators at Salvador, Brazil's world-famous carnaval. It's quite another to take the stage as a transgender woman in a region that has become a focal point of rising violence against Brazil's LGBT community.That reality wasn't lost on trans musicians Assucena Assucena and Raquel Virgínia as they performed in February's carnaval in Pelourinho, Salvador's historic center.

Public Radio International
With melting glaciers and mining, Bolivia's water is running dangerously low

The rugged Dakar Rally auto race is about to blaze through Bolivia. But to many Bolivians, the timing could not be worse. Thousands of La Paz residents have been protesting these days. Now they're also shouting online with the hashtag #AguaSíDakarNo - "yes to water, no to Dakar."

Public Radio International
Chile's forest fires have been raging for weeks. What caused them?

It started with a burst of flames in the steep Chilean hillsides of Valparaíso, two days after crowds celebrated New Year's. Then flames started popping up farther south. Since then, almost 100 fires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres across the country.

VICE News
07/11/2016
Brazil's Sweet River still runs orange seven months after a massive mining spill | VICE News

Jen had just dozed off for an afternoon nap, while her two young boys played outside her room, when her husband called. He told her to grab the family's most important possessions and run. As they rushed out the door, people were racing and yelling desperately for everyone to go to higher ground because rivers of waste were about to flood the town.

Public Radio International
Mexico loses millions of dollars daily to fuel theft

Mexico is opening up to private gasoline retailers, and a new wave of fuel imported from the United States is expected to follow. But here's a not-so-little problem: Gangs steal a huge amount of gas, and loose law enforcement and corruption let it happen.