James Rivera
Americas Desk
James Rivera runs Americas coverage at The Taiwan Times, following US politics, elections and developments across Latin America, with a particular focus on technology and trade policy.
He connects shifts in Washington to global supply chains and their real effects on Taiwan’s industries — a single tariff announcement or export control can rewrite a Taiwanese company’s plans for the year. He also tracks Latin America’s political cycles and resource economies.
He believes the United States remains the single variable that moves the world most, and that understanding it is the first step to understanding the environment Taiwan lives in.
Areas of expertise
- US politics
- Latin America
- Trade
Latest by James Rivera
Pakistan troops clash with Afghan forces near Torkham, several Afghans killed
Pakistan’s military announced on Tuesday that its troops had engaged in a series of gun‑battles with Afghan security forces along the porous Durand Line, r
Croatia Approves Extradition of Ukrainian to Germany Over Pipeline Sabotage
A Croatian court on Tuesday approved the extradition of Ukrainian national Volodymyr Zhuravlov to Germany, where he faces charges over his alleged role in
US and African Union Launch Joint Quad-Quintet Talks to Address Sudan Conflict
The United States and the African Union convened their inaugural joint Quad-Quintet talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, marking
Nine dead as sleeper bus catches fire on Yamuna Expressway near Greater Noida
At least nine people were killed and dozens more injured after a sleeper bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway near Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh, Indi
ACSN paramilitaries seize Santa Marta streets, impose citywide shutdown after clash.
In the early hours of Thursday, 27 April, armed men belonging to the Conquering Self‑Defense Forces of the Sierra Nevada (ACSN) seized control of Santa Mar
North Korea's Ri Song Gum Wins Asian Games Gold with Three World Records
North Korean weightlifter Ri Song Gum secured the gold medal in the women's 49-kilogram category at the Asian Games, delivering a dominant performance that
Taiwanese prospect Chen Mu-heng to make major home debut against SoftBank Hawks
Taiwanese young pitcher Chen Mu-heng is set to reach a major milestone in his Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) career. Following a week-long observation
Executive Yuan Pre-sale Housing Inspection Finds Only 11 Violations, Fining 3.54 Million
The Executive Yuan officially released the inspection results for this year's presale housing contracts today. Out of a total of 69 real estate development
US Invitation to Putin for Miami G20 Signals New Diplomatic Dialogue
The U.S. Department of State announced today that it has formally issued an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend this year's Group of T
TPLF says it seized three Tigray airports amid renewed fighting
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front announced on Saturday that it had taken control of three key airports – Axum, Mekelle and Humera – in the northern Tig
Atlantic Hurricane Season Concludes Without a Single Storm Reaching Hurricane Status
The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season has officially rewritten the record books, marking a rare meteorological milestone not witnessed in over a century. For
Eleven Injured in Rare Mass Shooting at Turkish High School
Eleven people sustained injuries on Tuesday in a mass shooting at a high school located in Turgutlu, a district in Turkey’s western Manisa province. Local
Fire breaks out at Taipei Ambassador Hotel demolition site, no injuries reported.
A fire broke out today at the demolition and reconstruction site of the Ambassador Hotel, a well-known landmark in Taipei City's Zhongshan District. Accord
Taiwan men's table tennis team sweeps Iran to secure fourth consecutive Asian Games medal
The Taiwan table tennis national team has once again demonstrated its formidable strength and consistency on the international multi-sport stage. In today'
Saudi Arabia resumes East-West pipeline to bypass Strait of Hormuz bottleneck
Saudi Arabia announced on the 22nd of this month the restart of its East-West crude oil pipeline. Stretching from the northern city of Arar to the southern
Taiwan Tightens Rules on Hospital Care Staffing Amid Quality Concerns
Since 2022, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has progressively promoted the inpatient integrated care service, aiming to enhance the quality and safety o
Rapid Support Forces Attack on North Kordofan Gold Market Leaves Five Dead
An assault by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a bustling gold mining market in Sudan’s North Kordofan state has left five civilians dead, local sources c
Guangdong Textile Facility Fire Leaves Eight Dead and Prompts Safety Probe
A tragic fire at a textile facility in Guangdong Province, southern China, has left eight people dead and one other injured. Local emergency services respo
US Treasury Lifts Financial Sanctions Against Eritrea’s Ruling Political Party
The United States Department of the Treasury announced the removal of economic and financial sanctions previously levied against Eritrea’s ruling political
Denmark and United States Sign Greenland Defense Pact to Block Rivals
Denmark and the United States have formally concluded a strategic defense agreement that significantly broadens the American military footprint in Greenlan
Sanae Takaichi to Meet Trump at UN, Reaffirming US-Japan Alliance on Taiwan
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is scheduled to depart for New York, United States, today to attend the United Nations General Assembly and deliver
Philippines defies Beijing to deepen Taiwan ties, plans Cebu office opening
In recent years, Taiwan has continued to advance its diplomatic and economic deployment in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. Among these initiative
Takumi Hojo Wins Gold, Sets Asian Games Record in Nagoya Triathlon
Takumi Hojo of Japan secured the first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya by completing the triathlon’s 750‑metre swim, 20‑kilometre bike ride an
Venezuela Restores Access to Seventeen Blocked News Websites Amid Political Talks
In a significant development for regional media freedom, Venezuela’s interim government and opposition factions have restored access to 17 prominent news w