Sorting through a thousand words
Latin American PoliticsThe Continuing deterioration of US-LA ties
The current ties between Latin American and US continue to thin. The US may be a major trade partner and main contributor of aid, however it cannot be denied that many Latin American leftist side with anti-US sentiments. These sentiments mostly rising from Venezuelan President Chavez, who is known for his vulgar comments towards the US, or shall I say US politics.
A BBC article covered the newest game being played between Venezuela, Bolivia, and the US. Bolivia made the first move by dismissing the US ambassador there because the US “has been siding with a violent opposition movement in the east of Bolivia, where groups are demanding greater autonomy and a bigger share of gas export revenues.” To support his friend, Chavez then followed his lead by dismissing the US ambassador of Venezuela, and told the US ambassador to “Go to hell [a]100 times.”
As expected the US fired back in two ways. First, Washington expelled the ambassadors of Bolivia and Venezuela; and second, froze the assets of three men who help Chavez. Washington froze the assets of Chavez’s aids because they are allegedly associated with the FARC. Washington also said that there is no substance to Bolivia’s claim. BBC stated that the US Treasury claimed the following:
“All three had “armed, abetted and funded the Farc, even as it terrorised and kidnapped innocents”, according to a statement from the US Treasury referring to the left-wing rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc).
“Analysts say the trio – Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios, Henry de Jesus Rangel Silva and Ramon Rodriguez Chacin – are members of Mr Chavez’s inner circle.
“Mr Carvajal Barrios is a military intelligence director who has protected Farc drug shipments from seizure, claimed the US statement.”
“Mr Rangel Silva is another intelligence chief who had pushed for greater co-operation between Venezuela and the Farc, the US Treasury alleged”
“And Mr Rodriguez Chacin, who until Monday was Venezuela’s justice minister, is Caracas’ main “weapons contact” for the Farc, the statement charged.”
An interesting factor that will just intensify the situation is the Russian bomber planes doing military exercises in Venezuela.
Honduras also plays a minor role in this controversy. Honduras denied the credentials of a US ambassador however, Honduran President Manuel Zelaya stated that,
“We are not breaking relations with the United States. We only are [doing this] is solidarity with Morales, who has denounced the meddling of the United States in Bolivia’s internal affairs.”
My intake on the situation is how much longer will these games continue before something violent erupts. The thread (relations) is wearing thin. It is a bunch of he said/ she said. I will not deny that the US does not know how to handle diplomatic relations with Latin America, nor does US-LA relations history allow for the US to cry blasphemy. The US has been known to support terrorist groups and dictators in Latin American and else where.
Palin spells trouble
Although this is quite off track from what I usually write about, I felt compelled to touch upon this subject. I cannot begin to explain the distaste I have for the republican party. It was disturbing enough to have the oldest man on earth–who craves war– run for president; but he choose a religious fanatic who is all about restricting rights.
The NY Times covered last week and article on Palin stating that she allegedly tried to ban some books in her local library because “they were somehow morally or socially objectionable to her,” said a democrat who attended Ms. Palin’s meeting on the matter. The article then goes on to say that Palin fired the librarian who refused censorship. Palin’s only comment to “banning books were rhetorical.”
Another disturbing piece of information is that “Ms. Palin also upended the town’s traditional ways with a surprise edict: No employee was to talk to the news media without her permission.”
Republican ideology and religious faith
This is my Take:
It infuriates me that a women like this could become vice president. People were worried about Hilary Clinton representing women look at this women! She represents oppression and censorship! She is stated to be a ideologist (republican) and very religious. To me that equals chaos. As a women I will be ashamed to have her represent women, especially in politics. The republican election will not only signal a continuing step backwards for the United States but for women as well.
False Promises for Paraguay??
Fernando Lugo was sworn into presidency on the 15th. As of now his popularity rate is 93% as reported by IPS. He aims to battle the economic and political problems of the country with a focus on education and immigration. He stated, “Today a new country is born, where the authorities will be relentless with those who steal from the people.” Lugo specifically addresses the problems of indigenous peoples in Paraguay by stating that he will help them recover their ancestral lands. He further emphasizes his devotion by dressing in a Guaraní cotton shirt and sandles. I guess this is his symbol of humbleness and his devotion to his people. His dress also signals an equality stance, for he does not dress as a professional but an equal. An important statement made by Lugo towards indigenous peoples was when he said, “Crimes against indigenous people will no longer go unpunished.” This is a major accomplishment for the indigenous peples of Paraguay, as many times the law is not upheld to the same standards as they only represent around 1% of the population, as IPS pointed out. It is about time that minorities are protected in every country.
As I have followed the Paraguay elections and wrote a little about it I hope for the people that Lugo is able to accomplish some of his goals, as to fulfill them all in 5 years is unpractible. More importantly, I hope his words are not false promises. To me it will be interesting how power will affect him, and I hope he will stand by his Liberation theory, and how much religion he will inflict in the law. IPS noted he is nicknamed the “bishop of the poor” but as we often see many time power corrupts good people and they loose sight of their vision, especially in a country that is in economic shambles. Now he has 93% popular rate, I’m sure it will change as people do not see change within the country right away. I do not mean to seem cynical like I said I hope he can stabilize the country, and I realize that hope is good for people, it just sounds like what every country wants and needs…better education, equality, better economy, and less corruption. It will be a hard road for Lugo, when he has to start from scratch.
Survey concludes less immigrants sending money back home
The International Herald Tribune covered a survey by the Inter-American Development Bank which was “conducted in Spanish from Feb. 9-23 with a sample of 5,000 interviews and a margin of error of 1 percentage point,” found that in the last two years Latin American immigrants in the US have stopped sending money back home to their families. The percentage dropped by 73% to 50%, a 23% decrease in 2 years. Although remittances have increased from 2006 by $500 million dollars, it may not be long until the remittances decrease along with senders. The survey found that immigrants are deciding to save their money instead of sending it back to their families because ,
“…life is becoming more difficult for them here (US) . Of those interviewed, 81 percent said it was harder to find a good-paying job. Almost 40 percent said they were earning less this year. The largest group of immigrants in the survey, 18 percent, worked in construction, which has been especially hard hit in the slowdown.”
The survey also found that the immigrants have been hit hard by the Bush administration cracking down on illegal immigrants by penalizing companies for hiring them, and also been affected by the economic trouble the US is experiencing.
Remittances are a vital source of income for many families in Latin America, as well as important to the economies of Latin American countries. Decreases in remittances could mean serious trouble for not only the families who may rely on them to survive, but also for the economies of these countries as less money will be available for circulation (less purchasing power on consumers).
Cuba, a humanitarian decision.
Since the introduction of Raul Castro many countries have jumped on the opportunity of pressuring the government for much needed change. So far, Cubans have been opened up the capitalist world of technology: use of cell phones, and computers; as well enjoying luxury tourist hotels, and now a change in prosecution? Raul Castro has changed most death sentences by extending prison terms, he says for humanitarian purposes rather than due form international pressures, according to BBC. The death sentence will remain legal. Human rights organizations have been putting pressure on Cuba to end the death sentence because it is conducted using a firing squad, inhuman right? There are two exceptions to using longer sentences than the death penalty and that is the two central American men who bombed a hotel, and a Cuban American who is accused of murder during a armed “infiltration of the island.”
Raul claimed that excuses these peoples, “It would be irresponsible and disingenuous to renounce the dissuasive power that capital punishment has on the real terrorists, the imperialist mercenaries.”
Although more change is needed to liberate the oppressed Cubans, I find the international pressures interesting. The international organizations have become obsessed with Cuba for change maybe because they see this as an opening. To me it seems ironic that human rights organizations are trying to make Cuba abandon the death sentence instead of just changing it, because as we have witnessed in the US the death sentence has and will be a controversial topic that maybe never be resolved or compromised. As I stated it seems that a lot of international attention is focused on changing Cuba, who seems to be starting it on their own; maybe organizations should focus more on the Middle East and Africa where humanitarian issues are not changing.
Argentina’s extradition request denied
Argentina asked Spain to extradite Isabel Peron, whom has been living in Spain since 81, for human rights violations associated with the disappearance of two leftist activists in 1976. Peron was also accused of being involved with the with activities of the paramilitary squad, whom according to ” Argentine investigators [have] kidnapped and killed about 1,500 government opponents, including politicians, lawyers and journalists.” The National Court located in Madrid denied the claims of Argentina on the basis that they “charges did not constitute crimes against humanity and that therefore the statute of limitations had expired.”
The response of the National Court is confusing to me, maybe because I am not an international law expert and know little on the subject. What I find fascinating is that Spain jumped on the opportunity to extradite Pinochet, but not to take a look into Peron as her presidency was followed by the Dirty War. Spain listened to Chile when they wanted Pinochet back to Chile to try him there, so maybe Argentina needs to try ask of the same. Prosecution of human rights offenders in Latin America is stalemate. Some countries like Guatemala, are still awaking trials and justice. One thing I know about international law is that is is complicated. Therefore, I just may not know enough about international court to fully comprehend the legal situation, however I know that justice may never come for Argentina whether Peron is tried there, and it appears that she won’t be tired abroad either. Another interesting phrase, or food for thought, is from the article was that Peron has been branded as a “ineffectual leader” meaning that any of her mistakes were not her own as her decisions were based upon her advisers. My take on the subject is that as a leader one takes upon the responsibilities of the events that occur within that country. Mistakes under ones rule, is that rulers mistakes for they were weak to let another make a decision for them, and can simply be put as guilty by association.
The healthy Caffeine suppliment
I found this video interesting, especially because I am not a coffee nor soda drinker; and find energy drinks disgusting and make me sick. In other words, I try to find what is portrayed as healthy energy supplements, and now I have my eye on this. Maca is a indigenous root of Peru, used by indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The video is self-explaining and I am just wondering when I can try some 
Check out the Video: it’s called the Medicine Hunter in Peru
And the winner is….
The left has yet again reaped sweet victory in Latin America, as former catholic bishop, Fernando Lugo won the presidential elections with 41% of the votes, as reported by the NY Times. The NY Times noted that this is the fourth free elections since the dictatorship of Stroessner. As i previous noted there were concerns about rigged election but the OAS ” found no evidence of foreign interference.”
This is a very interesting gain for Paraguay as it just may be the first political freedom in decades, by this I mean a signal to the end of domination whether its from one person or one party. I did learn from this article which makes the election even more incising, and im sure the losing opponents will jump on is that, the” Paraguayan constitution prohibits church officials of any denomination from being elected president.” The material that followed was confusing for me as they noted that he resigned as bishop in 2006, but that the Vatican refused to acknowledge his resignation; but suspended his “clerical duties.” So what I gather from these two statement is that one the Catholic church is being particular on their wording to enable more power on their part, or help Lugo manipulate the law; and two the international response (or just the US) will be in a frenzy because a left-Catholic leader will be in power, and that just seems like a total nightmare for the Bush administration.
The left just might take this one…
Today were the presidential elections for Paraguay. As of now with half the votes counted the left-wing and former catholic bishop, Fernando Lugo is ahead by 8%, as reported by BBC. Many opposition leaders were worried about rigged elections due to the domination of the 61 yr ruling Colorado Party, “the longest-serving party in continuous rule in the world.” Lugo’s party called the centre-left Patriotic Alliance for Change, is made up of indigenous peoples, poor farmers, and leftist unions.
It is a very exciting time for Paraguyans I believe because it is a signal for change. Whether it is a woman in charge, or the end of domination it is nonetheless going to affect politics and whom has power in Paraguay. It is so typical as the BCC article touched upon and I did not until here, of criticize if Lugo becomes president for his left ideas and being compared to Venezuela and Bolivia. If Lugo is elected I am sure that we will be reading more about them in the US papers. I wouldn’t be surprised at the increase attention the country will receive if Lugo is elected. I am sure the US will respond in a typical manner and have a heart attack (Bush) to have one more leftist leader in power in the western hemisphere. I assume that because the Bush administration criticizes Venezuela, Bolivia, and Chile for the left leader, or leftist policies (as with Chile). I will this week be paying attention to what if any gets covered in the US mainstream news. It just may be interesting.
Another thing Colombia has to worry about
Thousands of people are displaced with Mondays eruption of the volcano, Nevado de Huila, which lies about 149 miles from the capital, Bogota. Colombia has issued a state of red alert, and experts are not sure if the situation is going to escalate.
The eruption is significant to politics, because if the situation worsens it will be interesting to see how the government will respond in aid, and how much attention those displaced people will receive. How is the government going to help the thousands of people who lost their homes? where will they all go? They cannot stay at the schools for long. Maybe for a second Colombia can take its focus away from the FARC and violating human rights to help some of its people. Although I know that could be asking a lot. I tried looking on three Colombian (Bogota) news websites, and nothing about the situation was found on the front pages. We can see how much concern there is.
