This week's curated selection of top photographs from Latin America and the Caribbean, compiled by Associated Press photo editors, presents two powerful and contrasting narratives of resilience and cultural pride.
A Christmas Celebration of Returned Hope in Venezuela
The gallery opens with a poignant scene from Maracay, Venezuela. It captures a group of Venezuelan migrants who, after abandoning their arduous quest to reach the United States, have returned to their homeland. There, in the week of 19–25 December 2025, they gathered to celebrate Christmas together. The image tells a silent story of changed dreams and the complex solace of homecoming, offering a intimate look at the human stories behind migration statistics.
Scaling New Heights in Traditional Dress
Shifting from the emotional landscape to the physical, another standout image features Bolivian mountain guide Ana Lia Gonzales. In a striking act of cultural affirmation, Gonzales undertook a climb of the formidable Huayna Potosí glacier while wearing a pollera. This is the vibrant, multilayered skirt that serves as the traditional dress of Indigenous women in Bolivia's highlands. The photograph symbolises a powerful fusion of heritage and adventure, challenging stereotypes and showcasing tradition in a modern, extreme context.
The Curator's Eye
The weekly gallery was curated by AP photo editor Jon Orbach, who is based in Mexico City. His selection for this period highlights the diverse tapestry of life across the region, from personal familial moments to public declarations of identity. The full breadth of Associated Press photography can be explored online, offering further visual journalism from across the globe.
These images serve as a compelling reminder of the stories unfolding every day across Latin America and the Caribbean. They document both the quiet moments of personal significance and the bold statements of cultural endurance, all captured through the lens of world-class photojournalism.
