America may be closely divided – but in many states, the majority party has all the power, leaving the other side without a voice. How does that affect a place? 

As Britain draws closer to leaving the European Union, tensions with Iran are underlining the value of long-standing alliances.

Dramatic action creates the expectation of dramatic change – fast. In Venezuela, fans of self-declared president Juan Guaidó are readjusting their timeline. But hope often needs glimmers of progress.

In Louisiana, the loss of thousands of acres of coastline each year is driving residents to build common ground together. This story is part of an occasional Monitor series on “Climate Realities.”

When children pick up a newspaper or look at the TV and see other children in trouble, what do you say? Our Mexico City correspondent shares stories that have helped her family talk about migration.

For the past five years, a surge of anti-corruption protests has overwhelmed politics in much of the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking parts of the Western Hemisphere, from Brazil to Mexico. Now it is Puerto Rico’s turn. On Monday, nearly half a million people in the United States territory took to the streets demanding that Gov. Ricardo Rosselló resign.

So far the embattled leader of that troubled island refuses to step down, despite the recent arrests of former associates on corruption charges and the release of damaging comments made by the governor on a messaging app. Perhaps by staying put, Mr. Rosselló hopes to redeem himself and become an aggressive anti-corruption reformer.

Indeed, he would not be the first leader in Latin America to do so.

The governor’s isolation is much like that of Chile’s president in 2015, Michelle Bachelet. After a series of scandals, starting with accusations of influence-peddling against her son, Ms. Bachelet at first dodged the media and stood her ground. Then in a sudden turnaround, she appointed a commission to propose reforms “based on global best practices and listening to citizens.”

In quick order, Chilean lawmakers passed a dozen major pieces of legislation aimed at reducing incentives for corruption. Ms. Bachelet left office last year and her successor, President Sebastián Piñera has continued the reform effort.

The former Chilean leader has redeemed herself. Last month, a new index of Latin American countries by Americas Society/Council of the Americas and the consulting firm Control Risks gave Chile the highest score in battling corruption (6.66 out of 10). Chile “is deemed the most likely country in the study for corruption to be uncovered, punished and deterred,” the index’s authors stated.

In politics, where moral rage comes easy while providing an opportunity for redemption comes hard, Puerto Rico could yet oust Mr. Rosselló. The governor has already resigned as head of his party and vows not to run for reelection. Lawmakers are gearing up to impeach him. But this crisis should not go to waste. If Chile is any model, Puerto Ricans might seek reform and reconciliation rather than retaliation.

Corruption didn’t start with Mr. Rosselló. Its roots run deeper than one person. But it could end with him.