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Argentine President May Be Hurt by 'Francismania'
After the election of Argentine Pope Francis, the euphoria over his designation - or 'Francismania' - has unleashed a wave of Catholic fervor in Argentina. But there is a growing debate over whether it will help or hurt this country's leftist-populist government
Latin America's Fastest-Growing Economies
New economic projections from the World Bank and the United Nations show that Latin America countries will keep growing at moderate rates this year, except for the booming economies of Paraguay, Panama and Peru
Argentine Pope Could Impact Politics in Latin America
One of the biggest questions about Pope Francis is whether he will be a politically activist pontiff who - much as he has done in Argentina - will be a thorn in the side of leftist-populist governments throughout Latin America
Argentina Shoots Itself in the Foot Over Falkland/Malvinas Islands
The Argentine-British dispute over the Falkland/Malvinas islands is once again heating up, and the latest events point at a new diplomatic setback for Argentina's legitimate claims over the South Atlantic islands
Pope Francis Ties with Jews, Muslims Could Strengthen Vatican
The most interesting thing about Argentine Pope Francis may be not just that he's the first Latin American to head the Vatican, but also that he may become the Church's biggest champion of interfaith dialogue ever
Pope Francis Staunch in Conservatism and in Defense of the Poor
A pope from Latin America brings to Rome an attunement to the nature of poverty. This is the social question of the moment. How far will Francis go to press his natural constituency on the right wing to establish a more just economic order?
United States - Europe Deal Will Impact Latin America
President Barack Obama's vow in his State of the Union address to seek free trade deals with Asia and Europe has raised a thorny question south of the U.S. border: Will Latin America find a place in the new global economy of giant trade blocs?
Argentina-Iran Deal Makes a Mockery of Justice
Argentina has crossed a line by making a deal with Iran to jointly investigate a 1994 terrorist attack against the AMIA Jewish community center, which according to Argentine prosecutors and Interpol was masterminded by top Iranian officials
Militarizing Latin America: Four More Years
After decades of peace and economic development, why is the United States engaged in a major military buildup in Latin America? Why has the U.S. turned a blind eye to two successful, and one attempted, coups in the last three years?
Super-Rich Pay Lower Taxes in Latin America
French movie star Gerard Depardieu made the wrong choice by seeking Belgian and Russian citizenship to avoid paying higher taxes in France. He should have moved to Mexico
Latin America's Corruption Starts at Top
A new study on corruption in Latin America contains some alarming figures -- an average of about 20 percent of the region's people say they have been asked to pay a bribe by a policeman or another public official in the past year
The Cost of Feeding Soya to All the Pigs in China
Producing feed for 500 million pigs is no mean feat and China's agricultural sector is already operating at its limits. As a result China has been forced to look abroad for its animal feed, in particular for soya beans
Lionel Messi Wins Ballon D'or Title for Fourth Straight Time
Lionel Messi made history anew when he became the first player to capture FIFA's prestigious Ballon d'Or title for a fourth time. The Barcelona forward beat Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and teammate Andres Iniesta
Latin America Needs More Engineers
In most Latin American countries, companies complain about the shortage of well-trained engineers. And the experience of China, India, Taiwan, and other Asian countries shows that producing large numbers of engineers pays off
Argentina's Leader Populist, But No Longer Popular
Things are not going well for Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. Barely a week goes by in which she doesn't do something that raises questions about her political wisdom and emotional stability
The Falklands Referendum: A Hemispheric Balancing Act
How will the United States and Latin American governments respond to the Falklands Islands referendum?
Latin America's Growing Media Conspiracy
We must give credit to populist leaders in Latin America for doing a masterful brainwashing job -- they have somehow convinced millions that there is a huge world capitalist media conspiracy out there
College Rankings Should Alarm Latin America
Few paid attention to a news item that should have raised eyebrows -- a new ranking of the world's best universities shows a near total absence of Latin American schools
Latin America's Challenge: The 'Boring Stuff'
We all know what conventional economists say about the future of Latin America: countries that pursue populist policies will go downhill, whereas countries that pursue 'responsible' economic policies will do great
Two Roads to Economic Recovery
With financial crises spreading across the globe, lessons from Uruguay and Argentina appear paramount in formulating an alternative method for recession-recovery economics
Latin American Region Shares Blame for Paraguayan Crisis
Excuse my impertinence, but Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and several other Latin American countries deserve much of the blame for the recent forced exit of former Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo
Argentina's Economic Fiesta is Over
The biggest economic bonanza in Argentina's recent history has suddenly turned into a sharp downturn, and optimism has given way to general anxiety, if not panic
United States Unlikely To Condemn Argentina's 'Outlaw Behavior' -- Yet
A U.S. congressional proposal aimed at expelling Argentina's populist-leftist government from the G-20 group of the world's leading economies faces an uncertain future, not the least because it lacks significant support from unexpected quarters
Latin American Countries Raising Trade Barriers Despite Vows to 'Connect The Americas'
The rising trade barriers that Argentina is erecting to protect their industries imports are causing growing concern in the hemisphere
Argentina Hurts Itself in Falklands/Malvinas
One thing seems clear: Argentina's government is pursuing the worse possible course to recover the British-controlled South Atlantic islands
Falklands: Masterclass in UN Tactics
Most UN resolutions matter little. This one was an exception. For a British government reeling from its failure to foresee the invasion, humiliated by the Argentine coup de main, it was a lifeline
Latin America Still Growing, But Economic Fiesta Is Over
A key United Nations think tank that has been very bullish about Latin America in recent years is sounding a little less optimistic about the region's economies for 2012
China and the End of the Monroe Doctrine
Is a superpower confrontation over the Falkland islands a real possibility?
Latin America is Beating Poverty -- Sort Of
A new United Nations report has good news for Latin America: it says that poverty levels in the region have dropped to their lowest levels in 20 years. But are the U.N. figures about Latin America as great as they sound?
A Call for an Enlightened Foreign Policy toward Latin America
With a little under a year remaining until the next U.S. presidential election, a coherent and sustainable area policy toward Latin America remains absent from the campaign literature and both parties' electoral strategies
Condoleezza Rice Book Shows 'Inattention' to Latin America
Condoleezza Rice, whose boss President George W. Bush vowed during the 2000 campaign to make Latin America a 'fundamental commitment' of his presidency, devotes only two of the 58 chapters of her memoir 'No Higher Honor' to the region. That's about 15 pages of the 766-page book, plus a few sporadic references here and there
A President-for-Life in Argentina? Not Likely
President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner's impressive victory in recent primary election makes it almost certain that she will be easily re-elected in October, but she is not likely to follow the Venezuelan model and try to change the constitution to seek indefinite re-elections
Latin America's Security Dilemma
Across Latin America, governments are hailing security gains against organized criminal groups. Yet in spite of more arrests, criminal networks are stronger and criminality just as pervasive, suggesting that another reality lies behind the numbers.
Power and Politics in an Autonomous Latin America
Across the region in recent years, the United States has seen its influence decline. Latin American countries are increasingly looking for solutions among themselves, forming their own regional organizations that exclude the United States and seeking friends and opportunities outside of Washington's orbit. Some allies are even reconsidering the primacy of relations with the United States
South America Enters Middle East Quagmire
Following the recent decisions by Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador to officially recognize a state of Palestine, supporters of the Palestinian cause are preparing for their next big step: a South America-wide declaration recognizing a Palestinian state in a territory that would include East Jerusalem and other territories currently held by Israel
Rocky Road to Gender Equality in Latin America
Women leaders do not by definition implement policies promoting women's rights
Argentina's Grab of Oil Firm: Bad Idea, Worse Timing
President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's decision to nationalize Argentina's biggest oil company has placed her nation in the camp of Latin America's radical populist countries
Chile's Interest in the Falkland Islands Dispute
Chile's support is crucial in the longstanding dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom
Tragic Argentine Crash Highlights Need for Transportation Reform
Argentina once again attracted unwanted international attention following another disastrous commuter train crash that claimed 50 lives and injured more than 600 people
Regionalists need a reminder that development doesn't end politics and that contemporary Latin America has its own power dynamics
Latin America May Split into Pacific and Atlantic Blocs
President Obama's announcement that he will seek to create what may be the world's largest trading bloc along the Pacific rim raises an interesting question in this part of the world: whether we will see a de facto split of Latin America into a Pacific and Atlantic bloc
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner Wins Re-election by a Landslide
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was re-elected by one of the widest margins in the country's history. Sra. de Kirchner obtained fifty-four percent of the votes while her challenger, socialist Hermes Binner, acquired just seventeen percent
Steve Jobs May Have Failed Abroad
A Tweet I received after the death of Steve Jobs caught my attention. It said, 'In Spain, Jobs wouldn't have been able to do anything, because it's illegal to start a business in your garage, and nobody would give you a penny.' The comment raises the interesting questions of why there aren't more innovators such as Jobs in other parts of the world
Latin Universities Index Doesn't Tell Full Story
A new ranking of Latin America's best universities shows that Brazil is way ahead of the pack, with the No. 1 school and 65 of the best 200 in the region. It suggests that Brazil may become 'the next university superpower'
Other Leaders Should Copy Brazil's Anti-graft Measures
I read a press report that Brazil's tourism minister was illegally using a government driver as his wife's private chauffeur. By the time I arrived in Brasilia seven hours later, the minister had already been sacked. What a difference with what is happening in many other Latin American countries
Argentina Needs to Face Education Debacle
Argentina, which once was one of the world's richest countries, is suffering from an educational debacle. But what struck me the most during a visit here was that very few -- including those in the government -- seem to care about it.
Latin American Leaders Could Have Learned From South Korea
When the presidents of Brazil, Mexico and Argentina attended the G-20 meeting of the world's biggest economies in South Korea, they should have taken some time off from the conference to take a look at the host country. They could have learned why South Korea has done so much better than their own nations
Nestor Kirchner's Death May Mark End of an Era
The death of former Argentine President Nestor Kirchner will most likely make it difficult for current President Cristina Fernandez -- his widow -- to govern, and may speed up Argentina's reluctant insertion into the global economy.
Commodity Exporters Need to Diversify
A new World Bank study is likely to raise high hopes in Brazil, Argentina, Peru and other South American commodity exporters. It says that, contrary to the recent conventional wisdom, raw materials can be the engine of long-term economic growth. But is it true? Or is it World Bank wishful thinking?
Argentine President Takes It on the Chin
Argentina's nationalization of a renegade energy company evokes outrage in the international press
Latin America Delivers a Good, Swift Kick to the United States
Latin American countries are forging a multi-polar world in which the U.S. looks increasingly out of touch
This time 10 years ago, Argentina was sinking under the weight of its debts and hardly anyone was watching. In Argentina, you could feel the relentless slide towards catastrophe
Latin - Asian Technological Gap Keeps Growing
Latin America should take a close look at the latest U.S. technological innovation figures: They show that, despite signs of progress in several countries, the gap between Asian and Latin American countries keeps widening
Pele: 'Messi Doesn't Match Up to Me in Soccer'
Brazilian soccer great Pele stated Argentine and Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is miles away to equaling his legendary feats
The Mottled Relationship: Iran and Latin America
Iran and Latin America have been fostering closer relationships for more than a decade, working towards building cohesive diplomatic relations and strengthening economic agreements
Argentina: Funding for a Cause
Argentine President, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner should be applauded for her recent increase in the funding of Argentina's Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program
Prosperity, security, and a lowered level of poverty generally accompany economic growth; however, Brazil's economy, though growing rapidly, is experiencing record inflation and an appreciating currency. However, the practical consequences of a sudden currency appreciation can prove to be ominous, often contributing to greater economic insecurity
Despite Victory, Argentine Leader Faces Hard Choices
When I asked a group of 10 influential business people at a luncheon here last week whether Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner is likely to intensify or moderate her leftist-populist policies after her expected victory in the Oct. 23 elections, a majority of six raised their hands indicting that they fear she will become more radical.
'Maradona Syndrome' Bad for Argentina
In Argentina, where soccer and politics are so closely intertwined, the humiliating defeat of superstar coach Diego Maradona's national team in the World Cup could be an excellent opportunity for the country to rethink its worship of individualism over teamwork. But it's not clear that it will happen.
No Allies -- But Plenty of Enemies
Almost 30 years after losing a war over the Falkland Islands, Argentina is once again warning Britain that it still wants back what it calls the Malvinas. In response, the Obama administration announced that it would remain neutral. There are many reasons why American neutrality here is a bad idea.
Corruption Puts Argentines in Sour Mood
Contrary to what one might think, the general sense of hopelessness is not due to the economy. Argentina has sailed through the world economic crisis relatively unscathed thanks to high commodity prices, and economists project a growth of at least 4 percent this year. Rather, it's because Argentines see no way out for the massive political corruption
Street Blockades Breed 'Anything-Goes' Culture
The street blockades that almost paralyzed Mexico City and Buenos Aires in recent days, interrupting traffic and keeping millions of people from going to work, are becoming a major economic problem. But their invisible costs may be larger than their immediate monetary impact
Many Believe End of Argentina's 'K' Era Nears
Weeks before Argentina's much-awaited June 28 legislative elections, there is a growing consensus that populist President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner will lose her majority in Congress, and that there will be major political changes in this country.
