In Venezuela, protests against the soaring crime rate, high inflation and a lack of basic necessities began on Feb. 2 in San Cristobal and spread to the capital, Caracas, where anti- and pro-government groups staged rival demonstrations.

Antigovernment protesters erected barricades across roads, causing traffic in some areas to come to a standstill. Demonstrations in support of President Nicolas Maduro took place in other parts of the city. At press time, 17 people had been killed and...

Weeks of heavy rains caused massive flooding throughout Bolivia, particularly in the central and northern lowlands, in February. At press time, the floods had caused the deaths of 59 people and more than 100,000 cattle.

Bolivia’s rainy season lasts from November until April, but the 2013-2014 season has been particularly disastrous. With homes flooded and crops rotting, over 58,000 families have been affected. Rivers filled with sewage and rotting animal carcasses have inundated wells...

The Department of State warns of an increasing frequency of terrorist bombing attacks throughout Lebanon.

On Aug. 15, 2013, a car bomb in the Rouweis neighborhood in south Beirut killed at least 27 and injured over 200. On Aug. 23, car bombs were detonated outside of two mosques in Tripoli, killing over 40 and injuring more than 500. On Nov. 19, two suicide bombers targeted the Iranian Embassy in south Beirut, leaving at least 25 people dead and 150 injured. On Dec. 27, a car bomb in...