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2012 Anything But Boring in the Americas
Every year brings about changes, but 2012 is likely to be an especially eventful one in the Americas: there will be elections in the United States, Mexico and Venezuela, as well as other news events that could change the political map
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
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
Cuba Asking Advice from IMF? Don't Laugh
Despite big increases in tourism, some investments in mining and massive subsidies from Venezuela, Cuba's economy remains in the doldrums. The main constraint slowing the Cuban economy is not U.S. trade sanctions, but Cuba's own outdated economic model
Mexico's Drug Cartels are no 'Terrorist Insurgency'
Like in every election season, when legislators compete to make headlines, there are some bizarre ideas being discussed in the U.S. Congress these days
The Inequality Behind Chile's Prosperity
Although Chile boasts one of Latin America's most stable economies, the economic inequality amidst Chile's growing affluence has been a significant challenge for the well-reputed Andean nation
Helping Cuban Reforms through Agricultural Trade
The Cuban government is encouraging the creation of small businesses and private farming. More than 180,000 'self-employment' licenses have been issued since 2010, and the government has turned over four million acres of land to 143,000 private farmers since 2008
The Mexican Drug Cartel Threat in Central America
Central America is experiencing increasing levels of crime and the prospect of heightened competition from Mexican drug cartels in its territory. The institutional weakness and security vulnerabilities of Guatemala and other Central American states mean that combating these trends will require significant help, most likely from the United States
FARC Leader Killed in Colombia
Latin America analyst Karen Hooper discusses the killing of FARC leader Alfonso Cano and explains how the violence in Colombia will likely continue
Submarine Near Venezuela Prompts Accusations Against United States
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is again launching accusations of wrongdoing against the United States after he says his navy chased a foreign nuclear submarine away from Venezuela's coast
Anonymous vs. Zetas Amid Mexico's Cartel Violence
The online activist collective Anonymous posted a message on the Internet saying it would continue its campaign against Mexican criminal cartels and their government supporters despite the risks
Child Poverty and Access to Education: Hidden Costs on the Hispanic Community
The Pew Hispanic Center recently published a report on the growing presence of child poverty in the United States. The child poverty rate of the Hispanic population has come to exceed that of both the black and the white populations
Rafael Correa Remains the Strongest Leader in Ecuador, but his Influence is Waning
President Rafael Correa may remain Ecuador's dominant figure today, but deep fissures have developed among his political supporters. At the same time, his opposition, though relatively weak, continues to gain strength
Brazil's Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Brazil has been making great strides toward securing a prosperous future, but one of its recent actions has centered on resolving a troubling aspect of the country's past. On October 27, state officials announced a plan to establish a truth and reconciliation commission that will investigate crimes against humanity from 1946 to 1988
Panamanian Corruption Spreads to Land Holdings and Prominent Politicians
Endemic corruption in Panama's government threatens to jeopardize the recently enacted free trade agreement with the United States and Panama's economic strength
Cuba's Communist Party Condemns U.S. Immigration Policy
An official Cuban government newspaper accused the United States of encouraging the tragedy of Cuban exiles who flee on makeshift rafts and boats for the Florida coast, only to be lost at sea
Cuban Economic Reform Allows Private Home Sales
The Communist Cuban government authorized the legal transfer of private property for the first time since the Castro regime took power in the late 1950s
People ask me where I go for a vacation. Europe is certainly my passion and the focus of my work, but Central America has long held a fascination for me
American Border Law Enforcement Uses More Military Equipment
New surveillance equipment and weapons being deployed along the U.S. border with Mexico are prompting some Mexicans to complain that U.S. law enforcement is becoming too military
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?
Democratic Speed Bumps in Latin America
Attitudes toward democracy are on the decline in Latin America, and U.S. foreign policy isn't helping
Community Of Latin American And Caribbean States Officially Launched
The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) was officially launched at a summit attended by most of the region's heads of state. The new group aims to work on economic and political integration, as well as to adopt joint stands in global affairs, without the presence of the United States or Europe
A 'Major Win' for Panamanian Corruption
After the agreement with Panama was passed, President Martinelli spoke of 'fortifying a great and historic friendship between Americans and Panamanians.' Contributing familiar political hyperbole, he diverted attention from the crucial issue of corruption in Panama
Mexico Seeks to Extradite Americans Linked to 'Operation Fast And Furious'
Mexico's attorney general moved into a political hot seat by asking the U.S. government to extradite six American citizens suspected of smuggling guns during Operation Fast and Furious
Latin American Politicians Renew Suggestions to Legalize Drugs
The president of Colombia and Mexico's former foreign minister suggested that legalizing some recreational drugs might be the only way to stop the violence and smuggling associated with drug cartels
Alabama Law Against Illegal Immigration Suffers Setback
A federal judge's decision this week to block part of a tough Alabama law against illegal immigration is casting doubt on whether the law will survive a court challenge
Colombia and Panama Trade Deals Just a Chance
In the new crisis-ridden global economy, free trade agreements are no longer what they used to be. In the past, when the U.S. economy was growing fast, gaining preferential access to the U.S. market was a make-or-break deal for countries like Colombia or Panama.
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
Mexicans Complain About Secret U.S. Infiltration of Drug Cartels
Mexican government officials are again concerned that U.S. law enforcement agencies might have trampled their sovereignty by infiltrating drug cartels
Since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) became the law of the land, millions of Mexicans have joined the ranks of the hungry. Malnutrition is highest among the country's farm families, who used to produce enough food to feed the nation
Rethinking Mexico's relationship with the United States is an urgent priority, according to leading Mexican politician Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
Redeployment of Mexican Soldiers to Urban Areas Boosting Illegal Drug Production
Domestic production of marijuana and opium poppy in Mexico are at high levels because of the deployment by the government of soldiers to urban areas to fight criminal gangs
Caricatures of Cuba as intolerant of political expression may contain a kernel of truth, but they miss the richness of dissent in the daily life of Cuba's political culture
Chinese Investment Flows Continue to Aid Brazil's Ascendency
Brazil has been able to avoid a major setback from the global financial crisis, due largely to its burgeoning trade relationship with China
Animal Spirits: Shaping Patterns of Economic Growth
'Birds of a feather flock together,' the old saying goes. So, too, do investors. Increasingly, talk is of a 'double-dip recession', 'Euro zone collapse' and the United States and Europe 'turning into Japan' -- that is, experiencing years of economic stagnation
This time exactly 10 years ago, in December 2001, Argentina was sinking under the weight of its debts and hardly anyone was watching. In Argentina, you could feel the relentless slide towards catastrophe
China and the End of the Monroe Doctrine
Is a superpower confrontation over the Falkland islands a real possibility?
Gingrich Brings Common Sense to Immigration Debate
Finally, there is a voice of reason on immigration among the front-runners for the Republican nomination, who until recently seemed to be competing with one another to see who could take the craziest stand against Hispanic immigrants
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
OAS Makes Bad 'Error' in Nicaragua
What was most surprising about Nicaragua's election was not that President Daniel Ortega was reelected after a highly questionable electoral process, but that his victory got a seemingly unconditional blessing from 34-country Organization of American States chief Jose Miguel Insulza
Venezuela Among World Leaders in Red Tape
Following the announcement that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has created two new Cabinet ministries it may be time to propose a new economic theory: that countries' economic development is inversely proportional to their number of ministers
Never-Ending Drug War Moves to Central America
While Mexico's bloody war against the drug cartels is making headlines worldwide, there is a little-known fact that is sounding alarm bells among U.S. and Latin American officials: Central America's drug-related violence is far worse than Mexico's
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
Mexican Constitution Now Recognizes Right to Food
For more than fifteen years, Mexico's lawmakers -- absurdly -- seemed to prefer to abolish the desire to eat rather than comply with international agreements on human rights signed by Mexico regarding the recognition of the right to food
Learning From Mexico's Coalition Debate
A group of 46 high-profile Mexican politicians and academics from across the ideological spectrum shook this country recently with a daring proposal to end Mexico's political gridlock: forcing whomever is elected president in 2012 to form a coalition government
The Conservative Case Against a Border Fence
A fence along the U.S. border with Mexico illustrates a lack of understanding of the logistics and costs, the historical motivations driving U.S. immigration, and ignores a profound systemic change that must be achieved in order to address illegal immigration problems in a sustainable and cost efficient manner
GOP Uses Border Fence as Immigration Distraction for 2012
In GOP primary politics, the U.S.- Mexico border fence is an immigration litmus test, but an apparently unhelpful one. Nevertheless, some 2012 candidates continue to find political capital in touting the fence
Islamic Plot to Bomb U.S. Embassy Reported in Mexico
An Islamic terrorist tried to detonate explosives to destroy the American embassy in Mexico City last year, according to Mexican media reports this week
The Suppression of Democracy in Haiti
The U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti has suppressed both electoral democracy and free speech in Haiti by organizing fraudulent elections and shutting down peaceful protests, which has helped to exclude Haiti's poor majority from participation in the electoral process
Colombia: Human Rights Issues Unanswered
President Santos, by labeling illegally armed actors as 'delinquents' and 'criminals', marks a significant departure from the hardly nuanced dialogue of his predecessors. It foretells -- perhaps falsely, or at least somewhat optimistically -- the return of dialogue and the embracing of a political solution to Colombia's long-standing armed conflict
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
Americas to Become Mecca of World's Energy
The turmoil for reform sweeping most Middle Eastern oil producers is grabbing big headlines today, but that region may lose some of its economic clout in the future: there are signs that the Americas will replace the Middle East as the world's biggest oil-producing region
Time for United States to Think Big on Latin America
Latin Universities Index Doesn't Tell Full Story
Blind Eye to Colombia's Questionable Human Rights Record
United States - Cuba Policy Staggers from Inept to Pedestrian
Rick Perry Proposal of American Troops in Mexico Stirs Criticism
GOP Candidates Look at Narco-Terrorism Risks
Other Leaders Should Copy Brazil's Anti-graft Measures
The Drug War Spreads the Bloodbath South
Obama's U.N. Omission: The War Next Door
Mexican Cartels and Pan American Games: A Threat Assessment
Big Agriculture's Latin American Exploits
Is Free Trade Good for Colombia
China in Search of Energy Security
Cuba's Domestic Reforms Surge Past Immobilized United States
Making Room for Brazil's Growing Clout
Brazil's Deforestation Quagmire
Rupert Murdoch's Legacy -- Greater Press Controls
Three Venezuelan Scenarios -- None of Them Good
Spain May Change Tone on Latin America
South Korea's School Tablets -- a Test for All
Mexican President Congratulates Troops for Huge Marijuana Discovery
Chavez Should Get Credit for Economic Miracle
Deadlier American Guns Raise Death Toll in Mexico
Mexico Roars Past United States For Second Straight Gold Cup Title
Most Illegal Immigrants Come From Mexico
Confusing Reports of a Battle in Matamoros
Implications of El Chango's Arrest
Former Mexican Attorney General Suspected of Helping Drug Cartels
Region Ignoring Venezuela Coup Threats
To Fight Corruption, Start Cutting Red Tape
New Congress Won't Lead to 'Fortress America'
Bachelet Faces Uphill Battle at U.N. Women
A New Global Player: Brazil's Far-Flung Agenda
Rise in Tourism to Miami May Signal Danger Ahead
Peru May Be Next Latin American Success Story
Nobel Winner Right About Risks of e-Books
Nestor Kirchner's Death May Mark End of an Era
Chavez Lost Ground but Will Fight Back
Education Too Important to Be Left in Government Hands
Latin America In Denial About the Quality of Its Schools
Economic Woes Put Brittle Nations on Edge
Hugo Ch‡vez May Lose Even if He Wins
Brazil Needs Dose of Constructive Paranoia
Commodity Exporters Need to Diversify
Chavez's Obsession With Past Turns Creepy and He's Not Alone
Obama Could Help Stop Mexico's Bloodshed
Human-Rights Cause Gets a Shot in the Arm
United States Losing Latin America Market Share
Mexico Needs U.S. Help But Not Troops
Mexico's Narco Problems Are Our Problems, and Vice Versa
Pro-Arizona Immigration Rhetoric Will Haunt Republicans
We Are Playing Fidel Castro's Game
Has the Time Come to Legalize Drugs?
Haitian Quake Hasn't Dislodged Status Quo
United Nations Can't Save the Oppressed, But It Can Give Them a Voice
The Mottled Relationship: Iran and Latin America
Fears Over Environmental Affects Prompt Court To Halt Mega-Dam Project
Bolivian Workers Strike to Protest Controversial Highway
State Department Answers For Congressman's Criticism Of Mexico Policy
Central American Migrants in Mexico
Mexico Shock: Gunmen Dispose of 35 Bodies in Two Trucks
Chevron Charged $18 Billion in Reparations to Ecuador
Latin America's Blind Love With China May Be Over
Ex-Border Security Chief Calls Fence a Dumb Idea
Argentina: Funding for a Cause
Mexico and the United States: Surgical Strikes in the Drug Wars
All Wheat Varieties Will Have To Be Replaced
Peru's Humala Won't Be a Chavez -- For Now
New Mexican President, Same Cartel War?
Mexico Is Not Condemned to Failure
Brazil Doing Better on Human Rights
Corruption: Why Texas Is Not Mexico
Protective Intelligence Lessons from an Ambush in Mexico
Obama Is Deceiving Hispanics on Immigration
It's Obama's Time to Reset United States - Latin America Ties
Wanted: New U.S. Chief of Latin American Affairs
Washington Says It's Not Scared by China's Inroads in Latin America
Latin Americans Should Police Their Police
Ongoing Conflicts You May Not Be Paying Attention To But Should
Chinese Investors Are Coming to Latin America
Venezuela - Colombia Spat to Pass, Return
Hugo Chavez Might Keep Congress Despite Vote
Cuba's Prisoner Release No Sign of New Era
'Maradona Syndrome' Bad for Argentina
Mexico: The New Cocaine Cowboys
Under Santos Colombia Could Rise to the Next Level
Autocrats' Latest Weapon: Indirect Censorship
Latin America's Rich Should Be More Generous
World Cup Soccer Can Have Political Impact
Colombia Vote Showed Social Media's Limits
New Political Winds in Latin America
Colombia: Moving Beyond 'Narco-Democracy'
Is Colombia's Front-runner Too Romantic? Not Really
Mexico has its own 'Arizona' problem
Brazil Diplomacy Needed Closer to Home
Six Questions for Supporters of Arizona Law
Hugo Chavez Ceding too Much Control to Cuba
Is Latin America Booming? Not Quite Yet
Cuban Cardinal Says Too Little Too Late
Mexico's Big Hope: Get 5 Million U.S. Retirees
Latin America Must Diversify Trade With China
Cuba After Fidel and Raul Castro
China Should Be Ashamed of Its Aid to Haiti
Colombian Race Rhetoric Could End up Aiding Hugo Chavez
Mexico Facing Six Wars Not Just One
Mexican Violence Rising but Less Than in Washington
Despite Victory, Argentine Leader Faces Hard Choices
Chilean 'Model' Is Shaken, but Very Much Alive
Student Protests May Lead to a Better Chile
Winds of Change: Uruguay's Sustainable Energy Plans
Latin America's Security Dilemma
A President-for-Life in Argentina? Not Likely
Chile: The Fight to Make Education a Guaranteed Right
There's Hope for Mexico and Central America
Stiglitz Upbeat About China and Latin America
Latin America Not Immune to U.S. Debt Deal
Brazil Joins Race for Globalized Students
OAS Is a Basket Case - but a Needed One
Brazil and IBSA: Blueprint for Future Cooperation?
Democracy in Mexico: The Past, Present, and Future
A Bad Idea for Latin American Universities
Bolivia - Chile Dispute Could Turn Ugly
Cuba's Regime Buys Time for Aging Leaders
Time Magazine's List of 100 Most Influential People a Joke
Power and Politics in an Autonomous Latin America
New Fears Over Latin American Economies
Panama's Economy Is Booming, but Institutions Aren't
Latin America Provides Cautionary Tale for Middle East
Ecuador's Ouster of United States Envoy Is a Sideshow
Solving Mexico's Jobless Youth Crisis
The United States Needs a Crusade for Hispanic Students
As Latinos Go So Goes the United States
President Obama's 'New Model' of U.S.-Latin American Ties
Obama Said He Doesn't Mind Criticism on Libya Mission in Latin America
Obama's Biggest Challenge -- Central America
Obama's Card in Latin America: Education
Nicaragua Headed for One-Man Rule -- Again
Egypt and Tunisia Could Learn From Chile's Transition
Time for Colombia to Think Big
UK - Latin American Relations: Rearranging The Deckchairs
South American Stock Exchange: The Way to Go
United States Should Cut Waste in Immigration Budget
'Latin American Decade' or Wishful Thinking?
U.S. Aid Cuts Could Be 'Diplomatic Suicide'
Peru Faces a New Threat: Complacency
It Might Be Time to Rebrand It the 'South American Dream'
Latin America Needs a 'Sputnik Moment'
'Egypt Effect' Will Help Chavez -- But Not Much
Obama's Trip May Lead to United States - Brazil Honeymoon
Mexico's Gun Supply and the 90 Percent Myth
Latin America's Economic Bonanza May Be Short-Lived
South America Enters Middle East Quagmire
What Haiti Really Needs: A Lot More Trees
Culture Matters: Real Obstacles to Latin American Development
Obama's Pending Assignment: Reconnecting With Hispanics and Latin America
Spanish Classes Thriving in U.S. Colleges
Argentina Needs to Face Education Debacle
Colombia Takes a Step Back From United States
American Colleges See Fewer Latin Americans
Latin American Militaries Playing With Fire
