Latino USA

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New Pope: From Chicago to Chiclayo May 11, 2025

Show notes

In the news this week: Pope Leo XIV, or Papa León 14, has been selected to lead the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion congregation worldwide. And on his first moment in a global spotlight, he chose to speak… Spanish.

Robert Francis Prevost was born in Chicago but spent most of his life as a missionary and bishop in Peru, where he has citizenship. He’s the first-ever pope from the U.S. and the second from the Americas, which made him an unexpected choice.

Chicago is claiming him, of course, but to Peruvians and Peruvian-Americans, he’s Peruvian. Period. Listen to the latest with reactions from our listeners.

Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa.

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I’m Not Dead May 09, 2025

Show notes

In the early 70s, Miguel Angel Villavicencio was focused on making his most ambitious dream possible: to become a famous singer in Bolivia and across the world. And he was halfway there—his love songs were on the radio and he was appearing on TV. But to take his singing career truly international, he needed money. So he decided to work for Bolivia’s most powerful drug cartel in the 80s—a major supplier for Pablo Escobar. Choosing this path would lead him on a journey of self-destruction, unexpected betrayal and finally, redemption.

Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa.

Follow the show to get every episode.

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This story originally aired in January of 2019.

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Venezuelans, 'The Most Vulnerable Diaspora,’ Fight Back May 04, 2025

Show notes

The National TPS Alliance and seven plaintiffs, including Temporary Protected Status holder Cecilia González, recently sued the Trump administration for illegally terminating TPS for about 600,000 Venezuelans. Though a federal judge temporarily blocked the termination, the legal fight to defend the status, and to advocate for long-term immigration reform, continues.

Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa.

Follow the show to get every episode.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Francisco: The Legacy of the First Latin American Pope May 02, 2025

Show notes

Pope Francis, history’s only Latin American pope, died on April 21st. As the cardinals of the world set to choose a new leader, we look back on Francisco's papacy, his most praised achievements and his most criticized shortcomings. Plus, how his leadership may influence the church for years to come. Guest host Fernanda Echavarri speaks with professor and feminist theologian Natalia Imperatori-Lee and Argentinian-American journalist Antonia Cerejido. Together, they offer different perspectives to Francisco's legacy.

Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa.

Follow the show to get every episode.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'We Are in a Constitutional Crisis': A Mega Prison and What's at Stake Apr 27, 2025

Show notes

What began as an ordinary traffic stop for Kilmar Abrego Garcia escalated into a nightmare at the center of a Supreme Court decision. The immigrant Maryland father was deported to El Salvador’s mega prison because of an “administrative error.” But even at the Supreme Court’s direction, the Trump administration has still not brought Kilmar back.

This case has tipped the scales: “We are in a moment of constitutional crisis.”

We break down what this case means and also bring you exclusive reporting about a Venezuelan man with no criminal record who was taken simply because of his tattoos.

Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa.

Follow the show to get every episode.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suave: Parole & the Pursuit of Happiness Apr 25, 2025

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This week, Latino USA shares episode 2 of Suave: Season 2.

Suave can’t drink. He can’t smoke weed. He can’t travel. He can’t visit old prison friends, or basically have any interaction with the police. And that’s because even though he’s free, he’s on parole for a lifetime. In other words, he’s just serving his prison sentence on the outside. Sometimes all these rules make Suave ask himself, “Will I ever really be free?”

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Suave: Roses and Manure Apr 20, 2025

Show notes

This week, Latino USA shares episode 1 of Suave: Season 2.

Years have passed since Season One, and Suave is thriving. He’s got a great job. He’s on the news for his work on prison reform. He’s even got a new nickname on the block: Mr. Pulitzer. Suave is doing what he always dreamed of – and he’s making a real difference. It almost seems like “happily ever after.” Or is it?

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‘Loca’: Migration and Queerness in Alejandro Heredia’s Literary Debut Apr 18, 2025

Show notes

Alejandro Heredia’s debut novel “Loca” has been praised as “quintessentially American”. It takes place in both the Dominican Republic and the Bronx, New York, where Alejandro was shaped into the person he is today.

In this episode, Latino USA producer Reynaldo Leaños Jr. speaks with the Afro-Dominican author about his —and his family’s— migration journey to the United States, his queer awakening, and being a writer during this moment in history. They also reflect on family, grief, joy—and what it means to reclaim your story on your own terms.

Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa.

Follow the show to get every episode.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Culture Is Freedom: Remembering Garifuna Legend Aurelio Martínez Apr 13, 2025

Show notes

On March 17, Honduran recording artist Aurelio Martínez died in a tragic plane crash. Aurelio was the voice of the Garifuna people and a fierce defender of their music in culture. Almost two decades ago producer Marlon Bishop became friends with Aurelio, living and traveling with him for several months. He shares the story of their time together.

Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa.

Follow the show to get every episode.

Follow us on TikTok and YouTube. Subscribe to our newsletter.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'We Need to Reimagine Latinidad': Being Latino in 2025 Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

What does it mean to be Latino/Latina/Latinx in 2025?

Is Latinidad a fiction?

Should Latino be considered a race?

On this episode of Latino USA, Maria Hinojosa asks those questions in a conversation with Jean Guerrero, journalist and columnist, and Julissa Arce Raya, author and activist.

They also speak about colorism, recent headlines, and how simply existing as a Latino today can make you a target.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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