As the trial on the disappearance of Marita Verón continues in Tucumán, Jess Cotton exposes the sordid underworld of human trafficking in Argentina and the corruption that makes it so difficult to stop.

Hannah Flint spends an uplfting day with the clowns of Hospi Sonrisas, a volunteer group with the mission of bringing smiles and fun to young hospital patients.

Lillo Montalto Monella interviews Marta Alanís, a key campaigner for the legalisation of abortion in Argentina, about the recent case of an abused 11-year-old girl and her hopes for change this year.

Two weeks after the tragic train crash at Once station, Robin Minchom looks at how a lack of investment and maintenance have led to deteriorating conditions and poor safety on Argentina’s urban trains.

Lillo Montalto Monella heads to Argentina´s first ever zero carbon festival, which aimed to create awareness about sustainable living and show how ordinary citizens can reduce their carbon footprint.

Ambientate produced Argentina’s first zero carbon ecological festival. Over a hundred organisations participated in events spread out over two days at CheLA, an old factory-turned cultural space in Parque Patricios. Beatrice Murch and Patricio Murphy share their photos below.

As protests against mining in Argentina’s Andean provinces reach the capital, Allendria Brunjes takes a look at the struggle to find a balance between economic development and environmental conservation.

From Paraguay, Indy contributor Guillermo D’Angelo weighs up the economic opportunities and social challenges presented by the country’s boom in soybean production.

Under pressure from international bodies, Argentina updated its anti-terrorism laws at the end of 2011, drawing criticism from human rights and social organisations. Charlie Ramsay reports.

Argentina is a growing consumer of electronic products, but safe disposal of e-waste is a growing issue. Natasha Sá Osório analyses a proposed bill that aims to deal with the issue.