Puerto Rico became a Rotary country in 1918 with the formation of the Rotary Club of San Juan. In Central America, Panama joined Rotary in 1919. That same year, Uruguay became the first Spanish-speaking country in South America to have a Rotary club. In Spanish-speaking North America, Mexico joined Rotary in 1921. In Brazil, the Rotary Club of Rio de Janeiro was admitted in 1923.
Rotary clubs address a wide range of social issues in their own communities and abroad.
In Latin America, nearly 100,000 members in more than 4,000 clubs undertake volunteer activities that range from AIDS awareness to job training programs. Rotary clubs are in 22 countries in Latin America, including Antarctica. The Caribbean is home to more than 6,500 Rotary members in nearly 200 clubs. There are approximately 1,650 women Rotary members in Latin America and the Caribbean. When Rotary began its scholarships program in 1947, one of the first 18 scholars was from Mexico.