Latin American Economy Will Do Well, but Not Great
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

The news that Brazil and Mexico have come out of the recession and are poised for solid growth in 2010 should be celebrated, and both countries' leaders should be given credit for their sound economic management. But in the global economic context, the two Latin American giants' recovery will be modest.

Latin America Low on Obama's Priority List
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

One year after the election of President Barack Obama, it's time to ask whether his ambitious campaign promises about Latin America are being fulfilled, or whether, like others before him, he has placed the region at the bottom of his foreign policy priorities. Let's look at Obama's key campaign promises for Latin America

Time for Common Latin American Visa
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

While the 27-nation European Union has just approved creation of a common foreign service with embassies throughout the world, Latin American countries cannot even agree on a common visa for tourists from other parts of the world in time for the 2014 soccer World Cup in Brazil.

Royal Spanish Academy Ponders Changes to Spanish Language
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

One of the pleasant surprises I found during a recent visit to Spain is a new trend by the Royal Spanish Academy to officially modernize the Spanish language and make it much easier to read and write.

Spain Nudging European Union to Ease Cuba Stand
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

Spain's announcement that it will seek a major improvement in European ties with Cuba's dictatorship once it takes over the presidency of the 27-country European Union on Jan. 1 is bad news not only for pro-democracy activists on the island, but also for oppositionists in several other authoritarian-ruled Latin American countries.

Brazil a Nuclear Power? Probably Not
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

Brazil's Vice President Jose Alencar made big headlines recently when he stated that Brazil should have the right to have nuclear weapons, which he said would give his country a greater 'dissuasive' power and more 'respectability' in world affairs.

Politics Not Economics Sinking Mexico
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

Everything that could possibly go wrong seems to be going wrong for Mexico, Latin America's worst performing economy this year. But a new government idea could put this country back on the road to prosperity for decades to come -- if government officials really are serious about it.

Alvaro Uribe Is Closer to a Third Term and to Self-destruction
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, who enjoys sky-high popularity rates at home thanks to his successful crackdown on narco-terrorist groups, is a step closer to changing the constitution and running for a third consecutive term. The big question is whether this will turn Colombia into a banana republic.

Some Latin Nations Lead World in Red Tape
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

Once upon a time, it used to be that communist countries like China had more business-phobic bureaucracies, more red tape and a worse business environment than capitalist ones. Not anymore. According to Doing Business in 2010, a new World Bank study, China and Vietnam offer better conditions to local and foreign business people than most Latin American countries.

Despite Crisis, Latin Countries' Military Spending Rising
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

Despite the world's worst economic slump since the 1930s and projections that the number of poor in Latin America will rise this year, countries in the region have embarked on their biggest military spending spree in recent memory.

Venezuela's Iran Ties Raise Eyebrows
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

Here's an issue that is drawing growing attention in Washington, but is going almost unnoticed in Latin America -- allegations that Venezuela is helping Iran develop nuclear weapons, and that Iran's fundamentalist regime is setting up a foothold in Latin America from where to threaten the United States

Fate of Honduras Crisis Will Hinge on Riots
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

Diplomats see three possible outcomes of the bizarre political crisis in Honduras, a country with two leaders -- one in control, the other powerless but recognized by the world community -- since ousted President Manuel Zelaya's brazen return. The final outcome will ultimately depend on.

Presidential Candidates Key to Solving Honduras Crisis
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

There is a new possible solution to the Honduran crisis that is gaining traction in Washington and key Latin American capitals: Bypass the country's two presidents, and get leading presidential candidates to work out a deal that would give credibility to the Nov. 29 elections.

Joseph Stiglitz Left's Favorite U.S. Nobel Economist
by Andres Oppenheimer

U.S. Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz has become a sort of rock star in left-of-center Latin American countries for his vocal criticism of free-for-all capitalism. But in a wide-ranging interview, he offered some advice that many of his fans in the region may not want to hear.

Childhood Tragedy May Affect President Rafael Correa's Policies
by Andres Oppenheimer

I'm not a great fan of using psychological profiles to explain people's political leanings, but a report on Ecuador's rabidly anti-U.S. President Rafael Correa, which I read during a visit to Colombia last week, left me wondering.

Growth With Equity: Brazil's Path to Economic Recovery
by Patrus Ananias

The financial crisis has left few corners of the global economy unscathed, but many of the loudest cries reflecting the deepest pain are largely ignored. These are the cries of the world's poorest citizens whose suffering is not measured in battered portfolios and retirement plans but in their daily survival

'U.S. Bases' in Colombia May Be Less Than Meets the Eye
Andres Oppenheimer

What's most surprising about South America's growing uproar over Colombia's plans to allow 'U.S. military bases' on its territory is that there may be no such thing in the making -- but rather a major Colombian PR blunder.

What's most surprising about South America's growing uproar over Colombia's plans to allow 'U.S. military bases' on its territory is that there may be no such thing in the making -- but rather a major Colombian PR blunder.

Israel Fortifies Presence in Latin America
Andres Oppenheimer

Following three years of frantic Iranian activities in Latin America that included three trips by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the region -- a fourth visit is scheduled in August to Brazil -- and the opening or enlargement of a half-dozen Iranian embassies, Israel is beginning to raise its own profile in the region.

Partisan Split on Honduras Can Be Costly
Andres Oppenheimer

The conflict in Honduras is rapidly becoming the focus of a fierce partisan fight in Washington, D.C. -- and that may not bode well for the future of U.S. policy in Latin America. Sources in Washington tell me that 17 senators -- mostly conservative Republicans and not part of the usual crowd of legislators interested in Latin American affairs -- are trying to open a new front against Obama on top of healthcare accusing him of being "soft" on anti-American leaders in Latin America.

China Rising in Latin America, but Won't Overtake United States
Andres Oppenheimer

The latest figures showing that China is emerging from the global crisis sooner than anticipated is triggering speculation that China will soon overtake the United States as Latin America's top business partner. Granted, speculation about China's impending leap to becoming Latin America's top economic partner spread like wildfire recently when Brazil announced that it will trade more with China than with the United States this year for the first time. It sounds very interesting, but don't bet on it.

Latin America's Economic Forecast Good but Not Good Enough
Andres Oppenheimer

Good news for Latin America: a new United Nations study projects that the region's economy will start recovering in the second half this year, and that it will grow by a respectable 3.1 percent next year.

OAS Oddly Silent on 'Coup' in Caracas
Andres Oppenheimer

While the Organization of American States is rightly denouncing the coup against ousted President Manuel Zelaya in Honduras, there are growing questions about why it hasn't said a word about the coup against Antonio Ledezma in Venezuela.

Argentine Finance Chief's Tenure an Economic Indicator
Andres Oppenheimer

When Argentina earlier this week appointed its sixth minister of economy in the past six years, it was hard not to conclude that there should be a new economic indicator to measure countries' reliability: the length of their economy minister's time in office.

Chile Should Tout Its Passage to First World
Andres Oppenheimer

By the end of this year, Chile is likely to become the first South American country to join the exclusive club of the world's 30 richest countries.

ALBA Bloc Leaders' Main Obsession: Indefinite Rule
Andres Oppenheimer

It's hard to keep cool while watching the dismantling of democracy in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Honduras. When the presidents of these countries met in Venezuela, for a special ALBA bloc summit -- the Venezuelan-led alliance of mostly radical leftist countries -- it was hard not to see the group as a society of mutual support for self-perpetuation in power.

The Real War in Mexico
Shannon O'Neil

Mexico is engulfed by escalating violence. The question is not whether the Mexican state will fail. It will not. The actual risk of the violence today is that it will undermine democracy tomorrow

Another Swine-Flu Casualty: Good Journalism
by Andres Oppenheimer

The swine flu outbreak that has wrecked Mexico's economy may become a case study in reckless journalism. Like most of you, I had taken it for granted that the disease had started in Mexico.

Latin American Region Silent Amid Attacks on the Media
Andres Oppenheimer

The most immediate threat to democracy in Latin America: a concerted move by authoritarian leaders to silence independent media throughout the region. Ecuador's President Rafael Correa, a disciple of Venezuelan President Hugo Ch�vez, said that when he takes over as president of the 12-nation Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) in July he will propose creation of a regional body to defend governments against critics in the media.

Brazil Deserves Criticism for Awful Foreign Policy
by Andres Oppenheimer

Brazil, Latin America's biggest country, has received well-deserved praise in recent years for its responsible economic policies. There is hardly a dictator -- or repressive government -- that Brazil doesn't like, human rights groups say.

Brazil Stretching Clout to Central America
Andres Oppenheimer

Brazilian President Luiz In�cio Lula da Silva's largely unnoticed trip to Central America last week underscored an interesting phenomenon: Brazil is making big inroads into a region that was traditionally seen as Mexico's backyard

U.S. Should Do More to Compete With Cuba's Student Programs
Andres Oppenheimer

The House of Representatives approved a proposal last week to dramatically increase the number of U.S. college students studying in Latin America and other parts of the developing world.

Latin America Foreign Investment Outlook Grim
Andres Oppenheimer

A new United Nations report predicts a 40 percent drop in foreign investments in Latin America this year. I hope I'm wrong about this, but the fall in foreign funds may be even steeper.

Commodity Price Hikes Might Not Save Venezuela, Others
Andres Oppenheimer

The nearly 30 percent rise in the price of oil and other raw materials over the past month raises a big question: Will commodity-dependent populist governments in Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia and Ecuador get a second wind? They are certainly hoping for that to happen.

Will Colombia's President Uribe Run Again?
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

After Tuesday's vote in the Colombian Senate many well-placed Colombians tell me they are convinced that President �lvaro Uribe is serious about running in 2010.

Many Believe End of Argentina's 'K' Era Nears
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer

Seven weeks before Argentina's much-awaited June 28 legislative elections, there is a growing consensus that populist President Cristina Fern�ndez de Kirchner will lose her majority in Congress, and that there will be major political changes in this country.

Brazil, China & India Can Mitigate Global Crisis
Global Economic Viewpoint

Brazil, India and even China will not be able, by themselves, to correct the dysfunctions that produced the global crisis. But it is true that the economic power of these three countries can mitigate its negative consequences. ...

Peru arrests 'human fat killers'
Police in Peru arrest members of a gang accused of killing dozens of people to sell their fat for use in cosmetics.

Oprah announces end of talk show
A tearful Oprah Winfrey announces her talk show will end in September 2011 after 25 years on the air.

Honduras leader 'to step aside'
Honduras interim leader Roberto Micheletti says he will step aside briefly ahead of polls scheduled for the end of the month.

Italian sex scandal woman 'dead'
A Brazilian transsexual prostitute linked to a sex row involving an Italian politician is found burned to death, officials say.

Killings prompt US Army inquiry
A review of US Army and Pentagon policies is ordered by the defence secretary in the wake of the Fort Hood shootings.

US father 'shot child abuse son'
A US man is charged with murder for allegedly shooting his teenage son dead on suspicion he had inappropriate contact with a three-year-old girl.

Kercher murder trial nearing end
Italian prosecutors in the trial of two people accused of killing British student Meredith Kercher begin their closing arguments.

China 'steps up US cyber-spying'
Chinese spies are aggressively stealing secrets to help build up China's military and economic power, a US advisory panel says.

'Five killed' in Pacific island shooting
At least five people are killed in a shooting incident on Saipan, one of the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific.

Why children writing to Santa at the North Pole won't get a reply
US children who write a letter to Santa at the North Pole are unlikely to get a reply because of child abuse fears.

Star Trek 'phaser' becomes reality - but only worms need be afraid
Scientists show off an effect not unlike that of "phasers" in Star Trek - but it only works on tiny worms called nematodes.

Political analysis and a British perspective on life in the US
Mark Mardell's take on politics and life in the US and North America.

Obama's diplomatic dance with America's banker
It should come as no surprise that President Obama is dancing deftly around some thorny issues on his trip to China, says Matt Frei, presenter of BBC World News America.

Sniper denied victims' families a story
Matt Frei, presenter of BBC World News America, argues that the Washington sniper's refusal to explain his actions cuts across the need for a healing narrative.

Uruguay take last World Cup spot
Uruguay secure the final place at the 2010 World Cup by drawing 1-1 with Costa Rica in Montevideo to seal a 2-1 aggregate win

Roddick pulls out of Tour Finals
World number six Andy Roddick withdraws from the World Tour Finals at London's O2 Arena with injury, and is replaced by Robin Soderling.

Thousands of Vicks spray recalled
Procter & Gamble is recalling 120,000 bottles of Vicks Sinex nasal spray after small traces of bacteria were found.

Venezuela accused over bridges
Colombia accuses neighbouring Venezuela of blowing up two pedestrian bridges on its shared border.

Obama engages with Cuba blogger
US President Barack Obama replies to a dissident Cuban blogger who asked him about future US-Cuba relations.

Dell sees quarterly profits fall
US computer giant Dell reports another decline in its quarterly profits, sending its shares 7% lower.

Computer glitch hits US flights
A computer glitch affecting aircraft flight plans causes cancellations and delays across the eastern US.

US Army corps blamed for Katrina floods
A US judge rules that negligence by army engineers led to massive flooding in part of New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.

US war crime envoy appears at ICC
The US envoy for war crimes appears at the International Criminal Court for the first time.

Ex-smoker wins $300m in damages
Tobacco firm Philip Morris is ordered to pay out $300m in damages to a former smoker.

Surprise fall in US home building
Construction of new homes and apartments in the US unexpectedly fell in October, to the lowest level in six months.

Microsoft hit by Chinese ruling
A court in China orders Microsoft to stop selling versions of Windows that include fonts designed by a Chinese firm.

Hurricane Palin rolls into town
Sarah Palin's fanbase builds despite defeat

Guantanamo calm as deadline shifts
Guantanamo Bay takes closure delay in its stride

Brazilian girl who was bullied to death
Why girl from Brazil jumped from a window in London

Magic moments
Some of Oprah's most memorable shows

In pictures
Celebrations recall ancestral settlement in Belize

Lights out
What's causing big power cuts in Latin America?

Militants' grip
US Somali youths recruited by homeland radicals

Coaxing Karzai
Will Clinton's approach to Afghan leader pay off?

Sunken treasures
Mexico's mega sculpture park aims to protect reef

BBC News | World | Americas | UK Edition
Get the latest BBC News from the Americas: breaking news, features and analysis plus audio and video content from the United States and the Americas.

 

Interim Leader in Honduras Says He’ll Briefly Step Down
The de facto leader, Roberto Micheletti, said he would hand over power to his cabinet ministers for a week, but he had no plans to cede power to Manuel Zelaya, who was ousted from the presidency on June 28.

Nations Unveil Plans to Rein in Emissions
Prior to a climate change meeting scheduled for Copenhagen, industrialized countries, except the United States, are offering targets to curb greenhouse gases.

Report Says Castro Brother Retains Tactics of Repression
Raúl Castro imprisons people on the charge of being “dangerous” and refuses to free scores of people who were imprisoned years ago, Human Rights Watch said,

Money Trickles North as Mexicans Help Relatives
Some Mexican families are scraping together what they can to support unemployed relatives in the United States.

Officials Search for Answers in Extensive Brazil Blackout
A huge power failure involving the world’s largest operating hydroelectric plant exposed the vulnerability of Brazil’s electricity infrastructure.

Blackouts Plague Energy-Rich Venezuela
With his nation plagued by power failures and water shortages, President Hugo Chávez has turned to lecturing about overconsumption.

Ecosystem in Peru Is Losing a Key Ally
Peruvians pose what might be a final challenge to the ecosystem supported by the giant huarango tree, which is coveted as a source of charcoal and firewood.

Peru’s Police Say Gang Drained Victims’ Fat
A gang in the remote Peruvian jungle has been killing people for their fat, the police said Thursday.

Decision to Restore Ousted Honduran Leader Is Delayed Until After Vote
Several Latin American countries have warned they would not recognize the outcome of the Nov. 29 presidential election unless Manuel Zelaya is restored beforehand.

World Briefing | The Americas: Peru: Officer Says He Spied for Chile
Officials said an air force officer had confessed to spying for Chile, escalating a diplomatic dispute between Peru and Chile.

Argentine Gay Couple Granted Marriage License
A judge ruled that a ban on gay marriage violated the Constitution, but the ruling set no precedent beyond this case though other couples may cite it in court.

In Nicaragua, Opposition Sees an End Run
President Daniel Ortega has been among the most calculated in the region in stymieing opposition to his bid to maintain power.

Grupo Mexico Wins a Copper Producer
A federal judge in Texas has approved the plan for control of the third-largest copper producer in the United States, ending a long takeover battle.

Accused 9/11 Mastermind to Face Civilian Trial in N.Y.
Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and four other men accused in the plot will be prosecuted in federal court, but other detainees will face military trials, the attorney general said.

World Briefing | The Americas: Brazil: Emissions Cut Is Pledged
Brazil will try for a minimum reduction of 36 percent in its greenhouse gas emissions from projected levels in 2020, the government said Friday.

In Canada, a Royal Yawn for Prince Charles
As the Prince of Wales finished an 11-day visit, few Canadians seemed to be looking forward to the day his face would appear on their coins.

Chávez Foe Accuses Him of Allowing Leftist Colombian Rebels
The governor of a Venezuelan border state says the Chávez government gives its blessing to some guerrillas on Venezuelan soil.

An Appraisal: Other Voyages in the Shadow of Lévi-Strauss
In 1978 I made my first reporting trip to the Brazilian Amazon, with an orange-and-white Penguin paperback edition of “Tristes Tropiques” as the only book squeezed into my gear.

Dominicans Try Shots to Boost Rising Players
In the Dominican Republic, boys are routinely receiving injections of over-the-counter vitamins and painkillers.

Cuban Blogger Posts Interview With Obama
In what seems like one step forward for freedom of expression on the island of Cuba, on Wednesday a blogger in Havana named Yoani Sanchez published President Barack Obama's replies to seven questions she put to him on relations between the two countries.

NYT > Americas

 

Police in Peru say gang members killed people to drain their fat for cosmetics
Gang members in Peru face charges of killing people and draining their fat for use in cosmetics, police said today. Police showed journalists two bottles of fat that authorities said were recovered from two suspects and a photograph of a rotting head believed to be of a male victim. The suspects allegedly told police the fat was worth $60,000 per gallon. Police Col. Jorge Mejia said three suspects who confessed to five killings told authorities the fat was sold in Lima, the capital. One suspect said the gang severed body parts and then suspended the torsos, collecting fat in tubs placed underneath, Mejia said. Police named the group the “Pishtacos” after a Peruvian myth dating to pre-Columbian times of men who killed to extract human fat, quartering their victims with machetes, the Associated Press reported. The gang, which has several suspected members who are not yet in custody, allegedly operated in the Huanuco province, police said. Several medical experts said fat has cosmetic uses, but the idea of an international black market for human fat was hard to believe. “I can’t see why there would be a black market for fat,” said Dr. Adam Katz, a professor of plastic surgery...

Mexican authorities predict fewer Mexican immigrants will be back home for Christmas
Mexican authorities predict a decline in the number of Mexican nationals returning to their country during the holiday season due to the current economic crisis and the necessity of having a passport to re-enter the United States, according to Cecilia Romero Castillo, Commissioner of Mexico’s National Institute of Migration. “According to our estimates, approximately 850,000 individuals will return this year, whereas last year the number was more than 1 million,” she said. Romero Castillo was in Los Angeles this week to attend the opening of the Feria Paisano, which was founded 20 years ago to educate Mexican and foreign nationals on the regulations for entry into Mexico. The commissioner emphasized that, thanks to new controls the Mexican government has imposed, both extortion attempts and abuses of immigrants have diminished. According to statistics, authorities received approximately 370 complaints between 2008 and 2009. The issue receiving the greatest number of complaints, more one-third, is extortion. “Additionally,” added Romero Castillo, “the majority of complaints, 28%, have been against state and local police departments, with the state of Tamaulipas receiving the greatest number.” The Mexican government is also attempting to improve the situation of Central American immigrants in Mexico on their way to the...

Movie has 2012 wrong, says Canadian archaeologist
Kenneth Turan reviews "2012," the latest disaster movie portraying the end of the world. The movie is directed by Roland Emmerich, who seems to be stuck on the same theme, after movies like "The Day After Tomorrow" and "Independence Day." "2012" is based on a premise apparently laid out in an ancient carved monument found in the Mayan region, which covers the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and parts of Central America. The region has been home to the indigenous Maya people since 900 BC. But Canadian archaeologist Kathryn Reese-Taylor, who teaches at the University of Calgary, says in a statement that although the monument, called the Tortuguero Monument Six, refers to the date Dec. 21, 2012, it is not an end-of-the-world prophecy. She says the translation of the text essentially says that something will occur on Dec. 21, 2012 and that it will be similar to something that occurred on another date in the past. "We don’t know what that past occurrence was or what the future occurrence will be. At no point do any of the Maya texts actually prophesize the end of the world," she said. Reese-Taylor says that the prophecy has never meant the end of the...

Mexico's reaction to economic crisis has been weak, says Nobel winner Stiglitz
Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel Prize-winning economist, thinks Mexico's reaction to the global economic crisis has been one of the worst anywhere. "Statistics showing growth have been very weak and pessimistic" for Mexico, Stiglitz said. "The combination of a very weak recovery in the United States and a fiscal policy that doesn't stimulate the Mexican economy is worrying." Stiglitz spoke to attendees of an event organized by Grupo Mexicana and Grupo Posadas, two major Mexican companies. El Universal newspaper reported that Stiglitz said Mexico's position in the face of this crisis was "unusual." "In contrast, countries such as Australia, which was the first country in the developed world to emerge from the recession," Stiglitz said, "applied strong measures through a packet of well-defined incentives." Although Mexico is dependent on the U.S economy, that represents a risk, he warned. "Many people hope that a recovery in the U.S will be the solution," he said. "But Mexico needs an alternative." -- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Immigrants in the U.S suffering more than native-born workers from economic downturn
Immigrants in the United States surpassed native-born workers in several key ways from the mid-1990s through 2007, recording higher employment and lower jobless rates. But that trend was reversed with the onset of the current recession, according to the latest report from the Migration Policy Institute. The report titled "Tied to the Business Cycle: How Immigrants Fare in Good and Bad Economic Times" analyzes employment and unemployment patterns over the last 15 years and two recessions. It shows that economic measurements for immigrants began deteriorating before the current recession officially began in December 2007, tracing immigrants' declining fortunes largely to the housing bust that began in spring 2006. Immigrants now comprise 13% of the U.S. population and a slightly larger share -- more than 15% -- of the labor force. The report goes on to say about immigrants from Latin America: "The fact that Latino immigrants have particularly cyclical labor market outcomes is interesting because several forces exacerbate cyclicality while others smooth outcomes among this group. The relatively low education levels among Latin American immigrants increase their vulnerability to the business cycle. Unauthorized immigration also plays a role. Over half of Mexican immigrants are in the United States illegally, and...

YouTube partners with Univision to offer Spanish-language programs; creates citizen journalism service
The largest Hispanic media company in the United States has agreed to feature short and full-length programs on YouTube, including new and archived programs from the Univision, TeleFutura and Galavision networks, Reuters and AFP report. The agreement is the latest in several YouTube ventures with major entertainment partners, reports the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas. Revenue will come from ads featured around the programs, and Univision will receive most of it, Reuters says. YouTube has also created a citizen journalism tool, YouTube Direct, which allows news organizations to request and rebroadcast YouTube clips directly from users. You can read about it here on the YouTube blog. Read more on this story here. -- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Hondurans in Los Angeles prepare to vote in presidential election
Members of the Los Angeles-area electoral board that will oversee local voting in the Nov. 29 Honduran presidential election have been sworn in by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Honduras. There are 10 people on the board, with representatives from six Honduran political parties. “We’re working to organize the entire election process in Los Angeles,” said Zulma Gutierrez, president of the board and a member of the Christian Democratic Party. “Currently we’re passing out ID cards to people who applied for them more than two months ago." The tribunal gave the board 1,029 identification cards for the upcoming election. Gutierrez said Hondurans are particularly interested in voting in this election "because they want change.” Honduran national Noemi Xiomara Sabillon, who came to the board’s office in downtown Los Angeles to pick up her registration card, said, “I’m very happy to have this because ... it gives me a voice in my country. We need to return peace and democracy to Honduras.” The Central American country has been plagued by unrest since the June 28 coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya. Polling places in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, New Orleans and Washington will be open to Hondurans registered to vote....

Peru says air force officer confessed to spying for Chile
Peru today pressed accusations that Chile is assaulting its sovereignty, saying an air force officer has confessed to passing national security secrets to its South American neighbor. The proof of espionage includes an Internet address allegedly used by the Peruvian officer to provide information to Chile and money transfers, Peru's chief Cabinet Minister Javier Velasquez told America Television. Chilean military officers are among others suspected in a spy ring, Velasquez said. The Velasquez comments followed those by Peruvian President Alan Garcia, who on Monday said Chile was buying national security secrets. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet responded today by calling Garcia's comments "offensive and haughty" and saying they "do not contribute to the integration and cooperation that neighbors should enjoy," according to Reuters. The Chilean government has denied any involvement in the alleged spying. Late last week, a judge in Peru ratified charges against Victor Ariza, 45, and an unidentified member of the air force for allegedly revealing national secrets, espionage and money laundering, according to media reports. — Efrain Hernandez Jr.

Marriage license granted to gay couple in Argentina
A gay couple received a marriage license in Buenos Aires today, a victory in their legal battle to become "man and man" during World Aids Day on Dec. 1. A judge ruled last week that a ban on gay marriage violates Argentina's constitution and then granted the couple, Jose Maria Di Bello and Alex Freyre, permission to wed. “On December 1st we will become man and man,” a teary-eyed Di Bello said as a clerk gave him the documentation, according to the Associated Press. Freyre and Di Bello sued the city after they were denied a marriage license earlier this year. Judge Gabriela Seijas ruled that the nation's provisions for equality may not be violated by restrictions allowing only heterosexual marriages. World Aids Day features efforts around the globe to increase HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. -- Efrain Hernandez Jr.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to join airborne scientists seeking rain
Venezuela's efforts to combat severe drought conditions may include President Hugo Chavez going airborne with scientists as they try to generate rain from clouds. Chavez has said a team of Cuban scientists are in Venezuela to fly aircraft with special equipment designed to influence weather patterns, specifically to bring on much-needed precipitation. “I’m going in a plane; any cloud that crosses me, I’ll zap it so that it rains,” Chavez said late Saturday, according to Reuters. Though Chavez did not explain what method would be tried in Venezuela, many countries have attempted to influence weather through what is often referred to as cloud seeding. The practice involves shooting substances into clouds, such as silver iodide, salts and dry ice, that bring on the formation of large raindrops, triggering a downpour. Meteorologists in China actually used similar "weather modification" techniques to try to prevent rain during the 2008 Summer Olympics by reducing the size of raindrops and delaying any rainfall. The drought in Venezuela has resulted in water rationing and government calls for residents to do whatever they can to save water, including taking shorter showers. -- Efrain Hernandez Jr. Photo: Venezuelan President Chavez greets supporters at a recent protest in...

Former guerrilla Cesare Battisti on hunger strike in Brazil
Former leftist guerrilla Cesare Battisti may be ready to die of hunger in a Brazilian prison rather than face multiple murder charges in Italy, his home country. Battisti, who is wanted in Italy on four murder charges, reportedly went on a hunger strike and gave Brazilian Sen. Jose Nery a letter addressed to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva saying he favors death in Brazil. “I am ready to die if I have to but never at the hands of my executioners,” Battisti's letter said, according to Reuters. The 54-year-old Battisti denies responsibility for the deaths, which occurred in the 1970s when he belonged to a group called Armed Proletarians for Communism. Battisti's judicial fate is in the hands of Brazil's Supreme Court, which is expected to make a decision on whether to extradite him. Earlier this year Lula granted Battisti political refugee status, but Italy considers him a terrorist. He escaped from an Italian prison in 1981 and lived in France for years, then fled when his extradition was approved in 2006, Reuters reported. He was on the run when he was arrested in Brazil. -- Efrain Hernandez Jr.

Mexico Decries Forbes' Powerful People
MEXICO CITY — Mexico decried Forbes magazine’s decision to name the country’s most-wanted drug lord to its “World’s Most Powerful People,” calling it an insult to the government’s bloody struggle against drug cartels. A spokesman for the Interior Department — which oversees domestic security — described the listing of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman as No. 41 of the 67 most powerful people as “a justification of crime.” “(This) is a mockery of the struggle the government is waging against organized crime,” Luis Estrada said. “This not only goes against the efforts of the Mexican government, but the international fight to eliminate mafias and organized crime.” Nearly 14,000 people have died in drug-related violence in Mexico since President Felipe Calderon launched an offensive against drug cartels in late 2006. Some residents in the border city of Ciudad Juarez — which has suffered the highest rate of drug violence, with about 2,000 killings this year — also expressed outrage. “I think this is bad, because the news media are putting a drug trafficker above people who have legitimate businesses,” said Josefina Ramirez, a Ciudad Juarez accountant. Guzman is even considered more powerful than Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez — No. 67 — and...

Marc and Jennifer are not in crisis
Photo courtesy Fanny Garcia/Designing Digital Pixels Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony’s relationship is not in crisis, as was reported everywhere recently. New rumors surfaced when Jennifer was seen walking alone on the red carpet for the premiere of Michael Jackson's movie "This Is It" a few weeks ago, leaving some to wonder: Where is Marc? But Wednesday night, Jennifer was sitting front row enjoying her husband’s concert at the Gibson Amphitheater. The famous actress, singer, model and entrepreneur looked happy and in love. Marc dedicated the song "Valio La Pena" and blew kisses to her several times during the show. Too bad we couldn’t get pictures of the Puerto Rican Diva. The Gibson´s security team was instructed that anyone approaching JLo should be escorted out, apart from confiscating the camera card. On Friday, November 13th, Marc will hold another concert at the Honda Center in Anaheim and surely Jennifer will be in the front row. It seems it will be a family Thanksgiving and Christmas after all for the Muñiz-Lopez couple and their children, Max and Emme, at their Long Island, New York mansion. --Tommy Calle/Hoy To read this and other stories in Spanish, visit http://www.vivelohoy.com/losangeles

Jenni Rivera and Alejandro Fernandez leave their fans, and press, waiting
The 11th annual Los Premios de la Radio concert Tuesday at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles drew thousands of people hoping to see their favorite Mexican regional singers. But two much awaited stars, Jenni Rivera and Alejandro Fernandez, left hundreds of fans and the media disappointed when they stayed off the red carpet at the LA Live venue. It’s amazing how celebrities’ attitudes appear to change for different events, even at the same location. A few weeks ago, Michael Jackson fans, dressed like him packed the venue for the premier of "This Is It." On Tuesday night, fans had donned hats and cowboy boots. Some stars who walked the red carpet then, included Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Love Hewitt and many more who did not shy from shaking hands with fans and posing for photos. Meanwhile, at Los Premios de la Radio, which for the last 10 years was held at the Gibson Amphitheater, both "El Potrillo" and "La Diva de la Banda" refused to speak with the media or fans. But others who did oblige by walking the red carpet Tuesday night were Vicky and Marisol, members of Los Horoscopos de Durango, Lupillo and...

Consuls from Latin America nations will help with the census
U.S. Census officials met with the consuls of several Latin American nations to ask for their support in spreading the word about the 2010 Census and the importance of being counted and to allay any concerns that immigrant communities may have. “It is vital that every person living in the United States takes part to assure accurate representation and funding for vital services”, said Marycarmen Moran, promoter of the 2010 Census, adding that the consuls agreed to do all they can to make the census a success. Census officials need the consuls' cooperation because Latino immigrants, mainly undocumented, have expressed concern regarding the confidentiality of the information obtained during the process, consulate officials said. “The immigration status of the individual is an issue that has generated some fear among immigrants,” said Eddie Bedon, Ecuador’s consul general. “The Office of the Census has assured us that the confidentiality of the information will be safeguarded, and the census is being conducted irrespective of immigration status.” “For Ecuador,” Bedon continued, “the information gleaned from the census will be very important. The statistics regarding the number of Ecuadoreans who live and work here will help us meet their needs, and defend their rights and...

A shakeup expected at Chivas USA
It was a sad view: An empty clubhouse, only one player in the locker room. It was no accident that the weeping player was Yamith Cuesta, the Colombian defender whose foul on Mike Magee inside the box resulted in the converted penalty shot by Landon Donovan for the only score of the game, a brutally intense playoff MLS game in the Home Depot Center on Sunday night. L.A. Galaxy's 1-0 victory (an aggregate of 3-2 in the two-leg match) gave the team, led by Donovan and David Beckham, a ticket to the Western Conference championship game on Friday (Nov. 13) in Carson. It also left Chivas USA with the sour taste of loss for the fourth straight postseason — it lost each time in the first round. A cleanup should be coming to the Chivas USA team, one with the most connections to Mexico in the MLS. The team owners are Mexican and the fans, for the most part, are also Mexican. However, it is perceived and certainly seen, that the coach, Preki Radosavljevic, prefers to play the non Mexican players. For instance, Eduardo Lillingston, the Mexican forward who led the team in goals this season, played only the last...

Honduran civil leaders denounce intimidation and fraudulent elections
Honduran labor and civil leaders embarked today on a “Honduran Justice Tour” around Los Angeles to decry the human rights violations, threats and violence they say the de facto government of Roberto Michelletti is inflicting on those who support President Manuel Zelaya, who was ousted June 28th in a military-backed coup. “There’s a lot of fear. For me there is no normal life,” said Iris Munguia, coordinator of women’s programs with the Coalition of Latin American Banana Unions, who was arrested and detained by police for several hours after taking part on one of the many massive demonstrations held in support of Zelaya. Munguia and the rest of the leaders visiting Los Angeles, all part of the Coordination of the Movement for Dignity and Justice, say they are asking for a boycott of the Nov. 29th presidential elections, which they call a “farce.” “These are not legitimate elections because they happen in the middle of a coup,” said lawyer Sarah Janet Aguilar, another member of the movement. Aguilar says the elections would only “legitimize” the unconstitutional removal of Zelaya as president. The week-long visit to Los Angeles takes place just days after a deal to end the crisis fell through....

Pacquiao thanks Latinos for their support
Just days before his highly anticipated fight against Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao looks a little distracted this time. Pacquiao’s fans, most of them Filipino, filled the Montalban Theater in Hollywood in a send-off for their idol organized by Nike. Pacquiao also took the stage to sing with Melissa R. Before going on stage, Pacquiao told HOY that he understands the responsibilities of his worldwide fame. The interview took place in a small room with his trainer, Freddie Roach, and about 20 others, including some family members. The ‘Pacman’ thanked Latino fans for their support. “Les quiero agradecer a los mexicanos” (I want to thank Mexicans), he said in Spanish, when asked about his growing popularity in this community. Pacquiao said he’s not surprised that so many Latinos admire him, even though nine of his last 10 victories were against Mexican fighters, including greats such as Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Márquez and Erik Morales. — Ricardo Lopez/HOY To read the full story in Spanish this Friday, visit http://www.vivelohoy.com/losangeles

Salvadorans in Los Angeles ready to lend their country a hand
Two women embrace in the midst of devastation. Photo by EFE. Salvadoran community organizations in Los Angeles have mobilized to help their country after a tropical storm over the weekend left at least 130 people dead in the small Central American nation. Groups including Clínica Monseñor Romero, the Central American Resources Center [CARECEN] and the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund [SALEF] are already collecting donations and there are plans for more fundraising activities over the weekend. In the meantime, the Salvadoran Consulate in Los Angeles reports receiving dozens of calls since Monday morning from people looking for information about their relatives and how to help their country in this time of need. Reports from El Salvador call for more rains tonight and the arrival of a cold front that would further dampen the rescue efforts along the Chichontepec volcano, where a landslide destroyed many homes. The states more affected are San Salvador, Cuscatlan and San Vicente. Paula Diaz To read the full story in Spanish this Friday, visit http://www.vivelohoy.com/losangeles.

Beck will reach out to Latinos
Charlie Beck, the mayor’s nominee to head the Los Angeles Police Department, told Hoy Newspaper he will make a particular effort to reach out to Latinos through community meetings and by conducting news conferences and any other police function in English and Spanish. “I need to get the concerns of all the communities in Los Angeles and some communities have more problem communicating with me than others,” Beck said. He will also maintain Special Order 40, which prevents LAPD officers from inquiring about people’s immigration status. “Special Order 40 is part of the core values of LAPD and that will continue as is,” noted Beck, who has also designated Michoacan, Mexico-born captain Rigo Romero to be his Special Agent for the Latino Community. “Rigo is not just a Spanish speaker. Rigo’s personal history ties him deeply to the immigrant community. He and I are going to work very closely making sure that the police message goes out just as clearly in Spanish as it does in English,” Beck said. “Rigo knows me, he knows my philosophy. He can tell you what it is that I think because he and I have that kind of relationship,” he said. -- Francisco Castro/Hoy...

L.A. Times - Latin America Blog
Latin American news from L.A. Times correspondents

 

Number of poor in Latin America to rise by 9 million this year, says UN report
Nine million more people in Latin America will fall into poverty this year due to the global economic crisis, bringing the total number of poor in the region to 189 million, or 34 per cent of the population, according to a United Nations report released today.

Ban to focus on climate change during Trinidad and Tobago visit
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is hoping to boost momentum for December's climate change conference in Copenhagen when he meets with political leaders at the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago next Friday, his spokesperson said today.

UN, partners launch $13 million appeal for flood victims in El Salvador
The United Nations and its partners launched a $13 million Flash Appeal for El Salvador today to provide immediate aid for six months to 75,000 victims of Hurricane Ida, covering food, shelter, water and sanitation, education, agriculture and early recovery.

UN-backed media forum calls for concrete action on murders of journalists
Broadcasters attending the United Nations-backed fourth World Electronic Media Forum (WEMF 4) have called for sustained and concrete global action to address the murder of journalists in peacetime and in war.

Top UN official calls for probe into murder of Mexican journalist
The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has condemned the murder of Mexican journalist Vladimir Antuna García, and called on authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Afro-Brazilians and indigenous groups face serious bias, says UN rights chief
While Brazil has an "impressive" set of laws and policies to promote human rights and improve socio-economic well-being, indigenous groups and Afro-Brazilians face serious discrimination, injustice and violence, the United Nations human rights chief said today.

Ban calls on US to put full weight behind agreeing new climate change treaty
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the United States to take a leading role in forging a new international pact to combat global warming, warning that the consequences of failure outweigh the cost of tackling climate change.

UN rushes aid to flood victims in El Salvador
The United Nations has sent a disaster assessment team to El Salvador and released a $50,000 cash grant to help the small Central American country recover from torrential rainfall that caused massive flooding and triggered landslides, killing at least 140 people and displacing nearly 14,000 others.

Millions in the United States lack access to affordable, adequate housing - UN
An independent United Nations expert has warned that the United States is an increasingly expensive place to find housing, leaving many more people homeless at a time when the financial crisis is hitting hard across the country.

Top UN human rights official to embark on first official visit to Brazil
The United Nations human rights chief will begin her first official visit to Brazil on Saturday during which she will discuss a range of issues with Government officials, members of civil society and others in three major cities.

UN News Centre - Americas
A world of news from the world organization.

 

Brazil court rules to extradite former Italian guerrilla
Brazil's top court rules to extradite former Italian guerrilla Cesare Battisti on murder charges but leaves the final decision to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who granted him refugee status early this year

Recession hits Venezuela
As its neighbours recover, the country has posted a contraction in the third quarter of 4.5% year on year after a second quarter decline in economic activity of 2.4%. Inflation is forecast to exceed 26%

Nations try to cool hot money
A string of countries have edged towards imposing capital controls to stop short-term speculative inflows driving their currencies higher amid concerns about the...

Report hits at Cuban regime on human rights
Cuba's regime has failed to improve its dire record on human rights under the leadership of Raúl Castro with Cubans continuing to be stripped of basic rights and freedoms, a Human Rights Watch report said

Deal nears to end 'banana wars'
European and Latin American trade officials are close to a deal over bananas that would end the longest-running dispute in the history of the World Trade Organisation and could lead to lower prices for consumers

Peru demands response on alleged spying
Peru's president demands that Chile addresses allegations that it paid a Peruvian air force officer to supply it with military secrets, blaming 'Pinochet-like' forces

Transport hampers Brazil's booming farms
Brazil has become the world's biggest exporter of a basket of foods, but analysts say output is reaching its limit and the investment needed for growth is falling short

Locals suffer in spat over US-Colombia pact
The political crisis in the violent region has hit businesses and people hard

Inquiry ordered after Brazilian blackout
Lula demands answers after more than half the country and all of neighbouring Paraguay were plunged into darkness - raising concerns about Olympics preparedness

Brazil minister voices currency concerns
Brazil's finance minister has sparked speculation the government will introduce further capital controls after he said foreign exchange markets were giving the Brazilian real an "exaggerated" valuation

Bolivarian bully
Hugo Chávez should call off mobilisation plans. Colombia and the US should respond with guarantees that the bases will be used to battle insurgents and drug trafficking within Colombian territory

Narco-bling overdose leaves museum in a fix
Mexico's overflowing drugs museum's litany of colourful exhibits lifts lid on President Calderón's three-year war on narcotics and the industry's less-than-modest characters

Colombia appeals to UN over Chávez threat
Colombia says it will appeal to the UN Security Council and the OAS after Hugo Chávez, the fiery leftist president of neighbouring Venezuela, orders his army to prepare for war

The real reward
As Brazil, barely hit by the global crisis, lifts ever more citizens from poverty, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva nears his final year in office held in high regard

Honduras pact crumbles over unity government
An agreement to end a four-month political crisis in Honduras collapsed after two rival leaders failed to form a government of unity to heal the damage from a June coup

FT.com - World, Americas
FT.com - World, Americas

 

Mexican Border City Calls for UN Peacekeepers
Just yards away from El Paso, Texas, violence engulfs a city of 1.5 million.

Now Venezuela Wants to Go Nuclear

Venezuela Recognizes Pro-Russian Breakaway Provinces of Georgia
Russian influence expands in America’s backyard.

Defending Dictators
U.S. response to Honduras crisis is beyond shameful.

Venezuela and Iran Continue to Boost Ties
The two petroleum economies sign more energy deals.

Russia Returns to America's Back Door
As the struggling U.S. administration thrashes around to save a sinking U.S. ship, an old enemy sails up to its back door.

World Prepares to Dump the Dollar
American economists think the world can’t afford to let go of the dollar’s reserve currency status. The world is about to teach them differently.

China Stepping Up Trade Presence in Latin America
Business is booming between China and Latin America as the competition for resources continues.

"Stand With Democracy" in Honduras
Right alongside Hugo Chávez and other champions of freedom

Argentina Wages Economic War on the Falklands
Is Great Britain too weak and too distracted to respond?

Report: Drug Cartels, Terrorist Organizations Cooperating
More than just drugs could be crossing the border.

Venezuela, Bolivia Accused of Sending Uranium to Iran
Uranium flows out, and terrorists flow in.

China Flexes Economic Muscle
Beijing seizes the global economic crisis as an opportunity to assert its influence.

Reaching Out to Our Enemies
While the new U.S. administration cuddles up to confirmed enemies at its back door, other nations have already sealed vitally strategic alliances with Cuba and Venezuela destined to threaten U.S. security.

Hezbollah Agents Flood Into America
Iran is using the Mexican drug cartels to smuggle terrorists onto American soil.

The Drug Cartels Are on Our Payroll
A vivid illustration of how America’s sins are becoming curses

Is a Trade War With Mexico Imminent?

China Reaches Out to Africa and Latin America

Mexico: Bordering on Collapse
The United States faces a number of serious crises. Here’s one many Americans haven’t yet considered.

Iran Sends Explosives Lab to Venezuela
The Islamic Republic tries to send a suspicious package containing “nothing important” to Latin America.

Will Mexico Fail in 2009 or 2010?
A brilliant oil bet may pay off for Mexico. But time is running out.

Mexican Drug Cartels Growing Problem for U.S.

Vatican Set to Turn Against America
A Catholic backlash against America is on its way.

America's Enemies Flock to Venezuela
A neighbor of the U.S. dallies with America’s most dangerous enemies.

Russia Infiltrates Latin America
Russia’s dalliance in Latin America is part of the Kremlin’s broad campaign to undermine and oppose the United States.

theTrumpet.com: Latin America
theTrumpet.com -- Understand your world.

 

VOA English - Americas
VOA English - Americas

 

British Columbia's salmon: Socked

Another inquiry into vanishing stocks

A MYSTERIOUS decline in the numbers of spawning salmon has become one of the rites of autumn in British Columbia, bringing worries of financial and job losses, threats of extinction and a perplexing lack of answers. This season only 1.7m of the 10.4m sockeye salmon that were forecast to return to the Fraser river in fact made it—a 50-year low. That prompted Stephen Harper, Canada’s prime minister, to ask Bruce Cohen, a justice of British Columbia’s Supreme Court, to hold an inquiry into the causes of the sockeye’s decline.

Applause was muted. Four other federal inquiries held over the past three decades have failed to halt the decline. Many British Columbians fear that the province’s rich salmon fishery, worth about C$500m ($475m), could disappear like that for Atlantic cod. Of the five species of wild salmon involved, two (pink and chum) remain relatively abundant. But stocks of coho, chinook and sockeye are down by more than 70% since the early 1990s. Chinooks on the Thompson river are officially listed as endangered. Hardest hit are Fraser sockeye, once the most valuable fishery. Two groups of sockeye that spawn in lakes near Vancouver are also listed as endangered. ...

Cuba and the United States: Resistant to sticks and carrots

The difficulty of pressing for change in a police state

THOSE who hoped that the arrival in power of Barack Obama and Raul Castro would bring a thaw in the continuing 50-year cold war between the United States and Cuba so far have little to cheer. The Obama administration has lifted restrictions imposed by George Bush on visits and remittances to the island by Cuban-Americans, and has resumed discreet talks on co-operation in practical matters such as migration, drug-trafficking and postal services. But administration officials have said that they will not lift the economic embargo imposed on Fidel Castro’s regime in 1960 until Cuba takes steps towards political and economic freedom. For his part, Raul Castro, who replaced his brother at the head of Cuba’s government in 2006, has offered to talk to the Americans, but insists that the island’s communist political system is non-negotiable.

On both sides there are pressures for further change. These are more visible in the United States. On November 19th the foreign-relations committee of the House of Representatives was due to discuss a bill to lift the ban on Americans travelling to Cuba. Supporters of this measure claim to have close to the 218 House votes required to approve it. Its chances in the Senate look slimmer. ...

Mexico's economy: A different kind of recession

In some ways the pain is less bad than the statistics suggest. But recovery will be harder than in the past unless complacency gives way to reform

THE last time Mexico suffered an economic slump, in 1995, it turned to its northern neighbour for help. The United States organised a $50 billion bail-out. Together with the boost provided by the enactment of the North American Free-Trade Agreement shortly before, that helped Mexico to rebound smartly from devaluation and recession.

This time the United States is the problem, rather than the solution. The impact of the recession triggered by the bursting of America’s housing bubble has been even more severe south of the Rio Grande: although data for the third quarter, due to be released on November 20th, should confirm that Mexico has finally pulled out of recession, its GDP shrank by 9.7% in the year to June. That is a shocking number, far worse than the performance of countries like Canada or the Dominican Republic whose economies have similarly close links to the United States. ...

Peru and Brazil: Messing around with dams

First build a road, then flood it

JOSE CHAVEZ, a farmer, is one of the few people in the Inambari area who welcomes a plan to build a huge hydroelectric dam where the departments of Madre de Dios, Cusco and Puno meet in Peru’s south-eastern jungle. He says that the waters of the Araza and Inambari rivers, which merge a stone’s throw from his back porch, regularly flood his rambling wooden house. It would be permanently flooded if the dam is built. Mr Chavez trusts in the promise he has received of relocation.

Inambari is one of up to six proposed hydroelectricity schemes on Peru’s jungle rivers, costing around $16 billion, contained in an agreement signed in April by the president, Alan Garcia, and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The Inambari dam would be the first to be built. It would generate 2,000 megawatts of electricity—twice the output of Peru’s largest existing hydroelectric plant, and almost half its current electricity consumption. Most of the power would be exported to Brazil to start with, but the proportions would slowly reverse and after 30 years Peru would own the $4 billion project. ...

Venezuela and Colombia: Jaw-jaw war

A hundred years of bombast

HUGO CHAVEZ’S belligerent rhetoric trades at a substantial discount. So when on November 8th he announced during his weekly television show that Venezuela’s army should “prepare for war”, apparently with Colombia, this was greeted with concern but not panic. Sure enough, three days later Mr Chavez was denying his message was meant as a threat. But his verbal salvoes aggravate the mistrust between the two neighbours.

The latest batch was triggered by an agreement signed on October 30th under which Colombia has granted the United States access to up to seven military bases. Both governments insist that this poses no threat to other countries. It formalises existing arrangements under which the United States helps Colombia combat drug traffickers and guerrillas; Colombia will now also host anti-drug surveillance flights over the Pacific by American planes previously operating from Ecuador. ...

Presidential politics in Brazil: Her master's voice

Dilma Rousseff, Lula’s preferred successor, is a more interesting politician than she appears to be. But would she be different from her boss?

WHEN Brazil’s president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, identified Dilma Rousseff, his chief-of-staff, as his preferred successor in the top job, the collective response of people who follow such things was a puzzled frown, as if perhaps there had been a misprint in the newspaper. Ms Rousseff had proved herself an able administrator. But if she had the natural political gifts required for electoral success in the world’s fourth-largest democracy they had been well hidden. Her campaigns for local office in Rio Grande do Sul, her political home, were unsuccessful. Her sentences go on for a long time and contain lots of subclauses. But she has one thing that nobody else in Brazilian politics has got: Lula’s unqualified backing. Given that the president’s approval ratings are still north of 80% as he enters the final year of his second term, this is worth a lot.

Despite their difference in manner, Ms Rousseff has become Lula’s political shadow. Her duties include the government’s “Growth Acceleration Programme”, which aims to mobilise investment of $301 billion in infrastructure between 2007 and 2010. So the two constantly traverse the country opening roads and the like, or even just announcing that they might be built. ...

Gloomy Jamaica: Unfixable?

The burden of debt and crime

JUST over two years ago when Bruce Golding’s Labour Party came to power in Jamaica, ending 18 years in opposition, there were modest hopes that it might make progress in tackling the island’s endemic problems of economic stagnation and gang violence. Quite how hard that is has become clear in the past fortnight with the departure first of the central-bank governor and then the police chief.

Mr Golding’s people inherited a huge national debt, much of it borrowed in the markets at interest rates that have sometimes topped 20%. Just servicing this eats up about 60% of government revenues. Then came the world recession, which has hit tourism, bauxite and remittances from Jamaicans abroad, the island’s three big foreign-exchange earners. UC Rusal, the country’s biggest bauxite operator, has shut most of its Jamaican mines because of low world prices. With tax revenue down and privatisation plans stalled, the fiscal deficit has soared. ...

Canada's prime minister: Home thoughts from abroad

Stephen Harper does foreign policy

ALTHOUGH he has been Canada’s prime minister for almost four years, Stephen Harper has devoted little time to foreign policy. Beyond the standard quick trips to summits, the inevitable ties with the United States and a military commitment in Afghanistan he inherited from his Liberal predecessor, the only hints he has given suggest a move away from Africa and towards Latin America, and a preference for bilateralism over multilateralism. So the trips he plans to make over the next three weeks to Singapore, India, Trinidad and Tobago, China and South Korea are a novelty. “The Canadian beaver has sprouted wings,” says Fen Hampson, an international-relations specialist at Ottawa’s Carleton University.

That may be because Mr Harper is more confident of his position at home. Throughout his tenure he has laboured in a parliamentary minority, facing frequent threats from the opposition to bring his government down. Now the outlook is unexpectedly tranquil. The Liberals, the main opposition, have slid in the opinion polls after a brief surge in popularity over the summer. On November 9th the Conservatives picked up two seats in four by-elections, in all of which the Liberals performed dismally. Mr Harper has persuaded Canadians that the recession was a foreign import, while his Conservatives have exploited a C$47 billion ($45 billion) fiscal stimulus for partisan advantage. Michael Ignatieff, the Liberal leader, miscalculated in threatening (but failing) to bring the government down. He is overhauling his team of advisers. ...

Public morality in Brazil: Hemlines and headlines

Less licentious than it sometimes looks

ON OCTOBER 22nd Geyse Arruda was escorted from the campus of Bandeirante University, a private college in a Sao Paulo suburb, her thighs shrouded by a lab coat, watched by several hundred jeering fellow students. Her offence? Wearing a dress so short as to constitute “a flagrant lack of respect for ethical principles, academic dignity and morality”. How could this happen in the land of topless carnival dancers and buttocks swaying on the beach? Has Brazil returned to the 1960s, when wearing a miniskirt was a mini-political act to shock the country’s then military government? Or have hemlines become the new headscarves?

This week Ms Arruda, who is studying tourism, was reinstated. It seems that the university authorities were as confused as everyone else about whether they had been offended, or had offended by their intolerance. Ms Arruda had apparently worn the dress several times before without incident. ...

Chile's Mapuches: The people and the land

A fight over history and poverty

HOW far can the clock be turned back? That is the question facing Chile’s government in the Araucania region, the homeland of the Mapuche Indians in the country’s forested south. Under a law approved in 1993, soon after democracy was restored, Chile has gradually been returning land to its indigenous peoples. Far from satisfying the Mapuches, the largest of them, this has fuelled further claims, land seizures and, recently, violence.

Some 600,000 of Chile’s 15m people are Mapuches. Three-fifths of them now live in the cities rather than their traditional rural communities. But all are united in demanding the restitution of their former lands—for them, a matter of religious significance as well as custom. In their own, still widely spoken, language, Mapuche means “people of the land”. ...

Honduras's political conflict: Zelaya's scrap of paper

Unless outsiders continue to press, a deal to end a stubborn political conflict risks coming unstuck even before it is implemented

EVEN before it was signed on October 30th, the Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord was hailed as a diplomatic breakthrough. For four months after Manuel Zelaya was roused from bed at gunpoint, flown to Costa Rica and replaced as president of Honduras by Roberto Micheletti, outsiders failed to reverse what they universally saw as a coup. Despite the withdrawal of foreign aid, the severing of diplomatic ties and the cancellation of dozens of American visas, Mr Micheletti refused to contemplate Mr Zelaya’s restoration. Yet diplomats from the United States took just two days to get the two men to strike a deal that, on paper, ends Honduras’s political stalemate. “I cannot think of another example of a country in Latin America that, having suffered a rupture of its democratic and constitutional order, overcame such a crisis through negotiation and dialogue,” said Hillary Clinton, the American secretary of state.

In fact it is too soon to declare victory. The agreement requires Mr Zelaya to drop his plan for a referendum on constitutional reform, which his foes saw as a bid to allow him another term. A national-unity government is to be formed by November 5th. Next year a truth commission will be set up to look at the coup. Another committee, of four people, will oversee the accord’s implementation; Ricardo Lagos, a former president of Chile, and Hilda Solis, Barack Obama’s secretary of labour, were named as its international members. ...

Rebuilding Haiti: A step backward

The dumping of the prime minister raises fears of drift

FIVE years after the United Nations set out to build a nation in the poorest territory in the Americas, and after three years of relative political stability under President Rene Preval, outsiders have begun to express modest optimism about Haiti. Bill Clinton, a former American president and now a UN special envoy for the country, last month took a large group of foreign businessman to Haiti and told them that political risk there was “lower than it has ever been in my lifetime”.

Then came a swift reminder that Haiti’s democracy is still precarious. On October 30th the Senate voted to dismiss the prime minister, Michele Pierre-Louis, claiming that in a year in office she had done too little to solve Haiti’s miseries. Ms Pierre-Louis, who formerly ran an NGO promoting education, was widely seen as honest and capable. Appointed after food riots toppled her predecessor, she sought to cut unnecessary spending, raise tax revenues and make government more open and efficient. This checked corruption but caused political frustration. She was “refreshingly critical of the selfishness of Haiti’s political class,” says Robert Maguire, a Haiti analyst at Trinity University in Washington, DC. ...

Venezuela's energy shortage: Losing power

Communism is a cold shower

THE economy is in recession but sales of at least two items are booming in Venezuela: water-storage tanks and portable generators. A country that has claimed the world’s biggest oil reserves and is home to its fourth-mightiest river, the Orinoco, has recently been forced to ration both water and electricity. Hugo Chavez, the leftist president, blames the profligacy of consumers and a drought caused by El Nino weather. Certainly, lower rainfall has cut the flow to the country’s main hydroelectric dam (which provides three-fifths of its electricity) by a tenth. But the opposition, and several independent experts, say the underlying cause is the government’s failure to plan, maintain and invest in the necessary infrastructure.

Only a quarter of the funds budgeted for power generation have in fact been spent on it, says Victor Poleo, who was deputy minister for electricity early in Mr Chavez’s decade in power. In 2007 the president compounded the problem by nationalising what remained of the private power industry. Since then there have been half-a-dozen national blackouts. Meanwhile, demand for electricity has grown by an annual average of 4.5%. ...

Argentina's debt negotiations: Settling up

The government seeks a deal on its remaining defaulted bonds

FOR more than a year Argentina has been mulling an offer put forward by three big foreign banks. It would let the government settle up with the holders of around $20 billion in bonds, part of about $95 billion-worth on which Argentina defaulted in its economic collapse in 2001. The holders of the rest reluctantly agreed to a debt swap in 2005 in which they got just 35 cents on the dollar. So far the terms of the deal being proposed for those who held out against the 2005 swap are unclear—but they are likely to be slightly worse than that. This week Amado Boudou, the economy minister, signalled the government’s keenness by asking Congress to repeal a law that bans negotiations with those who rejected the 2005 deal.

Investors representing about half of the remaining debt, on whose behalf the three foreign banks are mediating, have privately agreed to the proposed settlement. Many of the original holders of the bonds, weary of waiting for a deal, have sold them to others for as little as 12 cents on the dollar, so the purchasers of these bonds stand to make a tidy sum. Some others may choose, once again, to refuse a deal, betting that they will get a better one after 2011, when a more business-friendly candidate is likely to pick up the presidency from Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, the unpopular incumbent. Miguel Kiguel, a financial consultant in Buenos Aires, judges this a poor bet. ...

Colombia's paramilitaries: Militias march again

The “justice and peace” process the Colombian government offered to right-wing paramilitaries is at risk of falling apart

ONE of the most horrifying testimonies to Colombia’s gruesome internal conflict is a video sent to prosecutors that shows a paramilitary fighter in the northern town of Aguachica wielding a machete to hack off the hands of a victim who is still alive. The town was in one of the areas hardest hit by militia violence in the late 1990s and early 2000s. On October 24th former members of the same paramilitary forces donated blood at a local hospital in a public act of contrition. The 120 donors are among 32,000 members of right-wing paramilitary groups who laid down their weapons in a demobilisation deal with the government that began in 2005, raising the hopes of war-weary Colombians that such unbridled violence would end.

The paramilitaries were set up in the 1980s by ranchers to protect them from attacks by the country’s main left-wing guerrilla group, the FARC, but they turned into a powerful federation of bandit gangs, accused (like the FARC) of thousands of indiscriminate killings as well as rape, torture and drug-trafficking. Since coming to power in 2002, President Alvaro Uribe has treated the two sides differently, waging war on the FARC with some success, but no final victory, while offering a “justice and peace” process to the paramilitaries. ...

Canada and the monarchy: Heir not so apparent?

A royal visit as republicanism rises

WHEN Michaelle Jean, the governor-general of Canada, was described as “head of state” on her website earlier this month, the government issued a quick and very public correction. “All Canadians know that Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state,” huffed Dimitri Soudas, the prime minister’s spokesman. However, in a poll last December only 24% of Canadians did know this. Almost double that number thought that the prime minister was head of state; and one-third thought it was the governor-general, who is in fact the queen’s representative in the country.

Whereas monarchists condemn such ignorance, republicans believe it is a natural consequence of keeping what they see as an archaic and increasingly meaningless link to Canada’s colonial past. Both sides think the ten-day visit of Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, beginning on November 2nd, will help their cause. ...

Panama's financial industry: Shades of grey

The unfinished job of cleaning up the country’s financial reputation

UNDER Manuel Noriega’s dictatorship in the 1980s the world saw Panamanian banks as synonymous with suitcases stuffed with drugs money. So there was little surprise when in April the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a rich countries’ club, included Panama on its “grey list” of countries that show insufficient financial openness. Since then, once-notorious tax havens like the Cayman Islands and Liechtenstein have reluctantly accepted reforms to get off the list and escape the threat of sanctions. In contrast, Panama has not budged, reinforcing its reputation as Latin America’s leading financial miscreant.

The country’s business and political leaders insist its financial system has become a paragon of integrity, and that Panama is being unfairly targeted by rich countries starved of revenue by the recession. “The US is the biggest tax haven in the world,” says Juan David Morgan, a lawyer, noting that America exempts foreigners from levies on interest. “But they want to scapegoat us because we’re visible and have a canal. It’s a double standard.” ...

Drugs and violence in Rio: The bottom line

Why a tight market for drugs may be contributing to recent violence

ALL of Brazil’s big cities have a vigorous market in illegal drugs. If surveys of drug use are to be believed, consumption of cocaine, crack and cannabis per head in Rio de Janeiro is near the median when compared with other state capitals. So why is the city that has just won the 2016 Olympics so prone to paroxysms of drug violence, as seen on the weekend of October 17th-18th, in which about 25 people were killed (including three policemen), ten buses were set on fire and a police helicopter was shot down?

The city is pockmarked by a history of bad government. Past mistakes include making accommodations with drug-dealing factions in the hope of keeping them peaceful. Rio’s police force is also part of the problem. Some of the weapons used by drug dealers are sold to them by the police, and officers still execute too many people on the spot rather than bother with prosecuting suspects, making favela-dwellers regard them as no more a source of justice than the drugs gangs. ...

Uruguay's elections: The mystery behind Mujica's mask

The ruling Broad Front’s flower-growing ex-revolutionary is well ahead in the presidential race. But how far left would he push Uruguay if elected?

THE son of a dictator, neoliberalism’s booster-in-chief and a roly-poly former guerrilla, who, after 14 years in prison, grows flowers on a small farm and swears by vegetarianism. That is how some Uruguayans characterise the options they will face on October 25th when they choose a new president and Congress. The latest presidential polls show Pedro Bordaberry of the Colorado Party and the unfortunate family background trailing far behind Luis Alberto Lacalle of the centre-right National Party. In turn Mr Lacalle, who was president in 1990-95, trails the green-fingered Jose Mujica of the ruling, soft-left Broad Front coalition by 18 points. Weeks ago, a run-off between the two main candidates looked inevitable; now there is a chance Mr Mujica will win in one round.

That is because the pool of undecided voters has swollen. Mr Lacalle has lost support since the primary elections in June. Uruguayans are a traditional, well-mannered bunch. Some have taken offence at the way Mr Lacalle refers to those claiming welfare benefits. Mr Mujica has also let his tongue slip, but has nevertheless retained his popularity. In a long interview published as a book, for instance, he calls Argentina “a nation of morons”—forgetting that without the votes of Uruguayans living in Argentina, his party would have faced a run-off in 2004. They could prove as influential this time. Such unpresidential comments may hurt him more in a second round, in which Mr Lacalle can expect the backing of the Colorados. ...

The Economist: The Americas
The Americas

 

Monumento a la Revolución

_{Photo by Ivan Hernandez, licensed under Creative Commons}

This week marks the 99th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution and there's a big celebration in store next year, when besides being 100 years since the Revolution, it will also mark the bicentennial of Mexican independence. Read more about Mexico's 2010 Bicentennial Celebrations.

The Monumento a la Revolución is located in Mexico City in the Colonia Tabacalera. The monument was built between 1932 and 1938 using the foundation of what was to be a legislative palace under president Porfirio Diaz, who was deposed during the revolution. The remains of some of the important leaders of the Mexican Revolution are contained in crypts in the four columns of the monument, including Francisco Madero, Venustiano Carranza, Francisco "Pancho" Villa, Plutarco Elías Calles and Lázaro Cárdenas. A museum dedicated to the Mexican Revolution is located beneath the monument.

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Monumento a la Revolución originally appeared on About.com Mexico Travel on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 12:47:09.

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H1N1 Risk in Mexico

The H1N1 virus (formerly known as swine flu) first came to the world's attention when several cases were detected in Mexico in April 2009. The flu gradually spread over the world, and was declared a pandemic. At no point has the World Health Organization recommended that people avoid travel to Mexico, however, the US Centers for Disease Control, as well as the US Department of State and the governments of several other countries advised their citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Mexico from April 27 until mid-May, when these recommendations were rescinded.

The fact that the H1N1 strain of influenza sprang up in Mexico, and the initial recommendations against travel to this country, have left a cloud of doubt in the minds of many about whether there is a greater chance of contracting H1N1 in Mexico than in other places. A recent news report from KSTP television station in Minneapolis looked at this question. See the video here: Fears of Higher H1N1 Risk in Mexico Debunked. In the video, Dr. Gregory Poland of the Mayo Clinic says that your chances of contracting H1N1 in Mexico may be less than if you stay home: "The warmer the weather, generally the lower the transmission risk."

If you're still concerned about catching the flu on your trip to Mexico, here are some tips to help you avoid it: H1N1 travel tips

H1N1 Risk in Mexico originally appeared on About.com Mexico Travel on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 11:21:30.

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Revolution Day - Dia de la Revolucion
The 20th of November is the Día de la Revolución in Mexico, a day for Mexicans to remember and commemorate the Mexican Revolution which was fundamental to Mexico's development as a modern nation. This year the Revolution Day holiday was moved forward to the 16th, so we're enjoying a long weekend (called a "puente" in Spanish), but some civic events and parades will still be taking place on the 20th.

Revolution Day is celebrated on the 20th of November because this is the date in 1910 that Francisco Madero set in his Plan de San Luis Potosi for the people to rise up in arms against president Porfirio Diaz. The ten years of the Mexican Revolution saw great destruction, war and mayhem and left a deep mark in Mexican culture. Read this short overview to get a grasp of the main events, causes and outcomes of the Mexican Revolution, or read a detailed explanation from About.com's Guide to Latin American History, Christopher Minster.

Find out about other Mexican national holidays.

Revolution Day - Dia de la Revolucion originally appeared on About.com Mexico Travel on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 10:05:31.

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Mexico in 2010: Bicentennial Celebrations

Mexico will be celebrating two important anniversaries in 2010. The year marks the bicentennial of Mexican independence - the independence movement in Mexico began in September of 1810 - and the centennial of the Mexican Revolution, which began on November 20, 1910.

Many projects are in the works to celebrate these anniversaries. Several museums that have been chosen to serve as venues for the Independence Bicentennial and the Revolution Centennial celebrations are being remodeled. Many of the country's ancient sites are receiving maintenance, and ten new archaeological sites will be opened. There are exhibits of prehispanic, Spanish, modern and contemporary Mexican art planned at museums in Mexico and around the world, and infrastructure and memorial architecture construction projects are also being planned.

Countdown clocks have been strategically placed in cities throughout the country which mark the days until September 15, 2010. When traveling around Mexico you may also notice signs posted along Mexican highways that say "Ruta 2010" which is part of a project of tracing historic routes of military campaigns of both the War of Independence and the Mexican Revolution.

Read more about Mexico's 2010 Bicentennial Celebrations

Mexico in 2010: Bicentennial Celebrations originally appeared on About.com Mexico Travel on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 13:37:23.

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Tour Group Travel in Mexico

One of the first things you might consider when planning a trip Mexico is whether to travel independently or with a group. Travel with a tour group may be a good option for you if: it's your first trip to Mexico; you're going on your own and you would prefer the companionship that you would have as part of a group; you don't speak Spanish and you're concerned about being able to communicate and get your basic needs met; or you want to cover a lot of distance but you want to avoid the hassle of having to make travel arrangements for buses and hotels.

Traveling with a tour group has advantages and disadvantages, and you should give some thought to how you like to travel before deciding whether to travel as part of a group and what type of tour is right for you. About.com's Guide to Senior Travel, Nancy Parode, has a great resource for exploring the pros and cons of tour groups.

If you do decide to take a tour group trip to Mexico, there are different types of tours to choose from. Some groups are geared towards senior travelers, some toward younger travelers, and some have a mix of ages. Some group tours are coach tours and others are backpacking groups with a leader who will take you on public transportation.

Here's a list of tour companies offering multi-day group tours in Mexico: Group Tour Companies Operating in Mexico.

More Mexico travel planning resources:

• Mexico Travel Planner
• Best Mexico Guide Books
• Top Mexico Destinations

_{Photo Tim Hall/Getty Images}

Tour Group Travel in Mexico originally appeared on About.com Mexico Travel on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 20:14:42.

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Yucatan Bird Festival
The 8th annual Yucatan Bird Festival is taking place this month, from November 19 to 22. This festival aims to promote the rich diversity of bird species found in the Yucatan and develop a conservationist culture among tourists and tour providers. Activities will include field trips, conferences, photographic exhibits and a "bird-a-thon." Events will be held in Merida, Celestun and the archaeological site of Uxmal.

The Yucatan Peninsula is home to over 500 bird species, and besides being an excellent destination for birdwatching, visitors can also enjoy beautiful beaches, water parks and ecological reserves.

Read up about other events taking place this month: Festivals and Events in November.

Yucatan Bird Festival originally appeared on About.com Mexico Travel on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 09:44:13.

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Day of the Dead: In the Cemetery

_{&copy Suzanne Barbezat}

A woman lights candles on the grave of a family member during Day of the Dead.

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Day of the Dead: In the Cemetery originally appeared on About.com Mexico Travel on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 14:20:11.

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Day of the Dead Treats
With Day of the Dead just a few days away, you may want to make a few treats to get into the spirit of the holiday. Just like turkey is associated with Thanksgiving, Day of the Dead has certain foods that are considered an essential part of the celebration. Chelsie Kenyon, About's guide to Mexican Food has put together some recipes and instructions for making these special foods. You can learn how to make pan de muertos, candied pumpkin or chocolate coffins and skulls.

Day of the Dead Resources:

• What is Day of the Dead
• Where to celebrate Day of the Dead
• Day of the Dead photo gallery

_{Photo of pan de muertos &copy Suzanne Barbezat}

Day of the Dead Treats originally appeared on About.com Mexico Travel on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 10:00:48.

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Mexico Trivia Quiz

Think you know Mexico? I've put together a quiz to test your knowledge of Mexican geography, history and culture. It's a difficult quiz, so don't feel bad if you don't score very high. When you finish you'll see the correct answers and links to more information.

Take the Mexico Trivia Quiz and then come back here to let us know how you did in the comments section, below.

Mexico Trivia Quiz originally appeared on About.com Mexico Travel on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 10:31:49.

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Sugar Skulls

_{Photo by Glen Van Etten, licensed under Creative Commons}

Sugar skulls, or calaveras de azucar, are made for Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations, and used to decorate Day of the Dead altars.

Learn how to make sugar skulls from About.com's Guide to Mexican Food, Chelsie Kenyon.

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Sugar Skulls originally appeared on About.com Mexico Travel on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 11:50:05.

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"Guyana is a rare opportunity for travellers"

Tourism professionals say Guyana is a rare opportunity for travellers (caribbeannetnews): "Guyana played host to an esteemed group of tourism professionals - tour operators, researchers, journalists, and conservationists - on a product familiarization trip spotlighting the South American country's nature and cultural tourism activities. The participants were all seasoned world travelers and their feedback places Guyana on par with other top nature destinations.

The trip featured birding, wildlife watching and cultural activities in Georgetown, Kaieteur Falls, Karanambu Lodge, Caiman House at Yupukari Village, Rock View Lodge, Aranaputa Village, Surama Village and Eco-Lodge, Fair View Village, Iwokrama River Lodge, Atta Rainforest Lodge and Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, and Baganara Island Resort."

Explore Guyana with a view to your own familiarization tour.

View of Kaieteur Falls, a favorite destination in Guyana, is displayed with the kind permission of Bill Curtsinger / Getty Images.

"Guyana is a rare opportunity for travellers" originally appeared on About.com South America Travel on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 06:27:38.

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Biking in Peru: Trip Reports

There's more to this feature about biking in Peru than just the Lake Titicaca: The Bike Tour (livinginperu.com).

There are blogs about rides in and around Cumbe Mayo in Abancay, Traveling the Milky Way in Cajamarca, Cuzco, El Refugio de Francesca in Ancash, Chasing the Sun from Lima to sunnier spots, Lambayeque, Back Road from Cajamarca to Chachapoyas, Ballestas islands and an overall view of biking in Peru.

View of Santa Apolonia Church in Cajamarca is displayed with the kind permission of Paul Kennedy / Getty Images.

Biking in Peru: Trip Reports originally appeared on About.com South America Travel on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 06:00:37.

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Hot tips for 2010 South American travel

Adventure holidays: hot tips for 2010 (guardian.co.uk) "We asked the experts to reveal the trips they are most excited about - from Papua New Guinea's jungles to Greenland's ice floes."

Two of South America's locations made the list: Off the beaten track in Northern Peru and Island-hopping in The Falkland Islands.

View of the adobe pyramid of Huaca del Sol is displayed with the kind permission of Peter and Jackie Main.

Hot tips for 2010 South American travel originally appeared on About.com South America Travel on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 19:45:45.

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Cholitas in La Paz battle it out

The author describes an entertaining evening at a wrestling match in the Los Altos section of La Paz in which women, called cholitas tackle each other and male contestants in free-for-all matches: Slammin' ma'ams win over the fans (brisbanetimes.com)

Included are some recommendations for reasonable accommodations.

Cholitas in La Paz battle it out originally appeared on About.com South America Travel on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 06:00:06.

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Meatless in Argentina

With descriptions of meals, photos and some suggestions, the author asks: Can a Vegetarian Survive in Argentina? (concierge.com)

And the answer is Yes! Take a look at more traditional Recipes from Argentina for ideas and you can always ask to have a vegetarian dish prepared for you.

Meatless in Argentina originally appeared on About.com South America Travel on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 16:14:23.

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Power Outage in Brazil and Paraguay

Brazil blackouts hit up to 60M, spur Olympic fears (AP): "Brazil emerged Wednesday from a widespread power outage that plunged as many as 60 million people into darkness for hours, prompting security fears and concern from residents about another black eye for a country hosting the 2016 Olympic Games."

Paraguay, who shares the power from the Itaipu dam, the world's second biggest hydroelectric producer, also lost country-wide power, but for a much shorter time.

View of the Itapu dam thanks to ArtToday.com. For more views, browse through Sampling of Paraguay.

Power Outage in Brazil and Paraguay originally appeared on About.com South America Travel on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 13:49:19.

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Trip Report: Providencia Island

Colombia's unspoilt island idyll (guardian.co.uk): "A strange mix of South America and the Caribbean, the tiny Colombian island of Providencia enjoys a pace of life that makes Antigua or Barbados look frenetic."

The author recounts his adventures in four days spent swimming, diving, cruising around the island and relaxing in a hammock.

"Providencia was all about pace. I really don't remember the last time I switched off to such a degree. Imagine a place with no mobile reception, no internet cafe other than in the main urban area, no shops, no chains of any kind, no chefs, no TVs in the bedrooms. Less is more, nothing is everything. Providencia by name and by nature. Colombia being off the map for so many years has ensured this island's isolation from Latin America's anxious, often half-baked urge for European-style development."

This view of a Providencia island beach is displayed with the kind permission of Glowimages / Getty Images.

Trip Report: Providencia Island originally appeared on About.com South America Travel on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 06:00:34.

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Minas Gerais Trip Suggestions

On your next trip to Brazil, make sure you check out the scenic views and the hospitable towns and people in The Other Brazil: Minas Gerais (NYTimes): The author explains that he "had taken my two friends to Minas Gerais to show them what I think too many foreign travelers like them miss: the Brazil that lies beyond the Christ on the hill in Rio, the eco-lodges of the Amazon and the model-flecked beaches of Florianópolis. Instead of a cross on a hill, Minas has colonial towns loaded with Baroque-style churches. Instead of vast rain forests, Minas has gorgeous mountains and countless waterfalls. And instead of beaches, it's the home of a country cooking style famed across this nation of more than 190 million."

With descriptions and recommendations for Ouro Prêto and surrounding locales, the author gives us an on-the-spot look at the area. See more with this Visit to Ouro Prêto, Brazil, with the historic Praça de Tiradentes. Also on their itinerary was a visit to the state capital, Belo Horizonte and Tiradentes, named for Joaquim José da Silva Xavier, a dentist or tooth-puller, who was executed in 1792 for his role in encouraging Brazilian independence from Portugal, and is today honored each April 21st as the Civic Patron of the Brazilian nation.

View of the Praça de Tiradentes with a statue of Tiradentes and a baroque-style church in the background,, seen from this location, is displayed with the kind permission of Peter and Jackie Main.

Minas Gerais Trip Suggestions originally appeared on About.com South America Travel on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 15:05:48.

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Witches Market, La Paz

Need a potion to succeed in business, love, or insure good health? Or maybe a more sinister reason? You'll find them all in the witches market stalls of Bolivia's not-so-wicked witches (globalpost.com) also known as the Mercado de la Hechicería.

Photo of a witch's market stall thanks to ArtToday.com.

Explore more about La Paz, the city that touches the sky.

Witches Market, La Paz originally appeared on About.com South America Travel on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 06:00:09.

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Unspoiled Beach Escapes: Sound good?

Are you looking for a great holiday with fewer visitors? If you are looking for peace and quiet, a restful communication with sand and sky, take a look at these suggestions for Unspoilt Latin American beach escapes (guardian.co.uk) in Uruguay, Peru, Brazil and Venezuela.

This view of Lover's Beach near Natal, while not listed by name in this article, is displayed with the kind permission of Peter and Jackie Main and gives us a good idea of an unspoiled beach.

Unspoiled Beach Escapes: Sound good? originally appeared on About.com South America Travel on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 14:44:14.

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