Mariana van Zeller

The OxyContin Express

2009-10-26T12:46:00.001-04:00

In the season premiere of "Vanguard", correspondent Mariana van Zeller travels to South Florida, the "Colombia of prescription drugs", to expose a bustling pill pipeline that stretches from the beaches of Ft. Lauderdale to the rolling hills of Appalachia. "The OxyContin Express" features intimate access with pill addicts, prisoners and law enforcement as each struggles with a growing national epidemic.

My Reel

2009-05-11T14:09:00.001-04:00

We Won a Webby Award for "Obama's Army"

2009-04-26T03:19:00.007-04:00

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE WHO VOTED!

Chinatown, Africa

2008-12-02T10:48:00.003-05:00

In "Chinatown, Africa", we travel to Angola to investigate China's rapidly growing presence in Africa. While many welcome China's investment, others see reason for concern. Chinatown, Africa is a revealing look at a growing superpower's adventures abroad.

America's Secret War

2008-10-23T23:01:00.002-04:00

Is the US already at war with Iran? In "America's Secret War", I travel to the Iraq-Iran border to investigate claims that the United States is supporting militant groups that are attacking Iran.

Hack the Debate Pre-Show

2008-10-09T15:15:00.005-04:00

I don't normally do much in-studio stuff, but hosting Current and Twitter's pre-debate show was a good time.

Rebels in the Pipeline

2008-07-01T12:10:00.001-04:00

Vanguard's Mariana van Zeller travels to one of the most unstable regions in the world --– Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta. She investigates what's behind the growing number of kidnappings and attacks in Africa's largest oil producer and the US's fifth largest energy supplier.

For more on the situation in the Niger Delta see this dispatch from producer Darren Foster:
Nigeria: The Corruption of Oil

Brazil: The World's Sugar Daddy

2008-06-15T15:59:00.002-04:00

Vanguard's Mariana van Zeller travels to the "Saudi Arabia of Ethanol", and has a few drinks while she's at it.

Obama's Army

2008-04-20T11:24:00.002-04:00

An inside look at the Obama machine and its army of young volunteers and campaign workers.

Elixir of the Toxic Frog

2007-11-19T12:00:00.003-05:00

Searching for the fabled Kambo frog, one of many organisms in the Amazon that could hold secrets for modern medicine.

Lagos la Vida Loca

2007-10-18T12:20:00.000-04:00

By next year, more than half the world's population will for the first time in history be living in cities. Current's Mariana van Zeller tours Lagos, Nigeria, the world's fastest-growing "Megacity".

Nicaragua: Fishing for Blow

2007-05-19T13:21:00.000-04:00

On the coast of Nicaragua, Mariana van Zeller looks into white lobster, the not-so-rare but valuable "species" typically found in the waters and on the beaches along the world's busiest cocaine corridors.

Nicaragua: Diving Too Deep

2007-04-12T15:31:00.000-04:00

As scientists warn of an alarming decline in ocean resources, Mariana van Zeller travels to the Miskito Coast of Nicaragua where the depletion of lobsters is forcing local divers to take ever greater risks to earn a living.

PART 1

PART 2

Sierre Leone: War Wounds

2007-03-01T12:49:00.000-05:00

Five years after the end of the civil war, Mariana van Zeller travels to Sierra Leone to see how the nation is recovering. She finds that for the most vulnerable victims of the conflict – the amputees and war-wounded – there are still many challenges.

Sierra Leone: Zuzu's Inn

2007-01-24T13:15:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Zuzu's Inn. Mariana van Zeller takes you on a tour of her less than luxurious accommodations in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone: Diamond Diggers

2007-01-21T13:25:00.000-05:00

Mariana van Zeller looks at the diamond industry in Sierra Leone where the locals make 30 cents a day digging for bling.

Sierra Leone: Female Genital Cutting

2007-01-19T15:38:00.000-05:00

Mariana van Zeller takes a look at the tradition of female circumcision in Africa. She travels to rural villages in Sierra Leone with an activist who faces a tough battle to put an end to the practice.

Portugal: Ode to a Toothpaste

2006-12-13T13:03:00.000-05:00

Mariana van Zeller reports on the changes globalization has brought to her hometown of Lisbon, Portugal.

Syria 101

2006-11-15T12:55:00.000-05:00

Syria sits just outside Washington's "axis of evil," but the country could play a key role in Middle East peace. Mariana van Zeller takes us inside "the rogue state."

Fleeing Iraq

2006-11-12T15:24:00.000-05:00

Scores of Iraqis have fled for neighboring countries, seeking refuge from the war. Mariana van Zeller speaks with Iraqi refugees who are now living in Syria, but anxious to get back home.

Mauritania: Camel Milk Bar

2006-08-27T13:12:00.000-04:00

Mariana takes a taste of the Mauritania desert drink of choice -- fresh squeezed camel milk.

Mauritania: African Exodus

2006-08-17T13:09:00.000-04:00

Mariana van Zeller travels to Mauritania where a new, deadly route has emerged for African immigrants trying to reach Europe.

Morocco: Goats on Trees

2006-04-19T15:47:00.000-04:00

These goats are tired of being on the ground!

Sweden: Living Library

2006-03-01T13:29:00.000-05:00

Mariana van Zeller visits a library in Sweden that actually loans out humans of all shapes and sizes as a means of promoting tolerance and understanding.

Spain: Machismo

2006-02-19T15:51:00.000-05:00

Mariana van Zeller looks at a new nationwide effort taking place in Spain to tame the Spanish husband.