Time

26

COVER: Powerful drug thugs spread corruption throughout Latin America

Capitalizing on the U. S. appetite for narcotics, the czars of cocaine and marijuana are buying off police, judges, local and national officials in a drive for political power. The conspiracy is so successful that it has superseded leftist insurgencies as the main threat to the region' s fragile democracies. -- An informant tells of bribery, gunrunning, violence and death. See WORLD.

46

RELIGION: Sexual sins sideline Jimmy Swaggart, the fiery king of televangelism

It was the preacher' s most spectacular performance -- a public confession following a private admission of meeting prostitutes along a motel strip near New Orleans. So it' s scoundrel time again for Pray TV, a raucous realm that was stumbling toward recovery after ptl and a disastrous 1987. At stake: a $150 million- a- year empire and Evangelicalism' s tattered public image.

60

OLYMPICS: Once again, brilliant moments on the snow and a sad stumble on the ice

In the finale, Debi Thomas bobbled to third as Katarina Witt held her figure- skating title and a plucky Canadian, Elizabeth Manley, sparkled her way to silver. Tomba la Bomba and a quiet Swiss, Vreni Schneider, each zigzagged to double skiing gold. And Bonnie the Blur cheered frequently downcast Americans with a speed- skating world record plus a bronze for good measure.

16

Nation

Who might be the Democratic front runner after Super Tuesday? Try Jesse Jackson. -- Voices from the South assess the candidates. -- What Ed Meese cannot remember. -- A fight over campaign reform leads to a filibuster -- and a Senator' s arrest. -- AIDS has led to a new wave of violence against homosexuals.

49

Law

In the noisome case of Jerry Falwell v. Hustler, the Supreme Court rules that even offensive parody is protected by the Constitution.

50

Economy & Business

Frequent- flyer plans threaten a vulnerable airline industry. -- The Fed may be facing political pressures. -- Welcome to "hell camp."

58

Medicine

The presidential AIDS commission releases bold recommendations for fighting the epidemic. -- Are some people born to be fat?

72

Cinema

Babette' s Feast is just that, a movie that brims with artistry, wisdom and secrets. -- Latest trend? Adults back in movie theaters.

80

Books

The Yellow Wind vividly portrays Jewish- Arab tensions in the West Bank. -- Coming of age in World War II. -- An investor' s lament.

85

Sexes

CBS' s Meredith Vieira joins the growing band of female TV journalists who flout the old rules by flaunting their glamour and sex appeal.

8 Letters

12 American Scene

59 Milestones

76 Art

84 Health & Fitness

87 People

Cover: Illustration by Wilson McLean