Blog entries

Cuban police detained at least seven people on Tuesday immediately following the funeral service of Oswaldo Payá, a leading opposition figure who died in a car crash on Sunday. Shouting anti-government slogans, Guillermo Fariñas and other activists were detained upon exiting the San Salvador Catholic Church in Havana. Fariñas has staged hunger strikes to protest … Read more

On July 22, the Mexican Education Ministry (Secretaría de Educación Pública, or SEP) published the results for the Knowledge, Ability and Teaching Skills National Exam, the annual test the Mexican government uses to award teaching positions in the country. The outcome paints a grim picture for children seeking quality education in Mexico. A year ago, … Read more

Amid continued crackdowns on anti-mining protesters and growing social unrest, Prime Minister Oscar Valdés stepped down yesterday as part of President Ollanta Humala’s cabinet reshuffle. Valdés, a former army officer, assumed office in December 2011. Two government sources said  the president would likely pick as Valdés’ successor Justice Minister Juan Jimenez, a human rights lawyer … Read more

It’s now been five years since I stopped driving; that is, since I stopped owning and using a private, personal car. Instead, I walk and use public transportation (far from perfect in Bogotá, my city). This is a decision I reaffirm almost everyday, in spite of the occasional inconveniences it might produce. I certainly reaffirm … Read more

Top stories this week are likely to include: release of the new issue of Americas Quarterly; post-election protests continue in Mexico; Argentina gains from grain after U.S. drought; fallout from Oswaldo Payá’s death in Cuba; and dialogue begins in Cauca, Colombia. New AQ to be Released: Americas Quarterly’s Summer 2012 issue, “Gender Equality: Political Backrooms, … Read more

Yesterday the president of Ecuador’s National Assembly, Fernando Cordero, announced via Twitter that voting on communications legislation advanced by the government would be postponed indefinitely, due to a lack of quorum. “The 124 assembly members are not all present, so I would prefer to convene another day,” Cordero said. The legislation to be voted on, … Read more

According to a new report released by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), a record 8 million people are now receiving antiretroviral therapy, thanks to increased domestic investment by low- and middle-income countries. The report, Together we will end AIDS, found that in 2011 there were 34.2 million people worldwide living with HIV, … Read more

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez’ government has intimidated, censored and prosecuted critics and opposition leaders, according to a Human Rights Watch report released yesterday. The 133-page report, titled “Tightening the Grip: Concentration and Abuse of Power in Chávez’s Venezuela,” documents how the socialist leader has eroded human rights and consolidated control over the Venezuelan media, the … Read more

Late last month, the Mercosur alliance met, suspended Paraguay and ushered in Venezuela as a full member in almost as little time as it took the Paraguayan congress to impeach their former president, Fernando Lugo, the preceding week. Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez’ bid to join the South American trade bloc had spent the past three years languishing in the Paraguayan congress, where lawmakers cited fears that Venezuela … Read more

A new Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times/Bay News 9 poll revealed that Florida voters overwhelmingly support comprehensive immigration reform that would give people living in the state illegally a pathway to citizenship. Of the 800 registered voters interviewed from across the state, 66 percent said they support immigration reform that allows people living in the Umted … Read more

Top stories this week are likely to include: López Obrador files a legal challenge to Peña Nieto’s win; cholera spreads in Cuba; standoff between Bolivia and a multinational Canadian mining firm; the Chávez factor in the U.S. presidential election; and Unasur sends a delegation to Paraguay. López Obrador Contests Peña Nieto’s Victory: Although Enrique Peña … Read more

After being stalled in Congress for seven years, a bill formally sanctioning discrimination became law in Chile yesterday. President Sebastián Piñera urged lawmakers to speed passage of the measure after the brutal killing of gay youth Daniel Zamudio earlier this year set off a national debate about hate crimes. The Ley Antidiscriminación, also called Ley … Read more

Just completing a week of instruction at the University of Montreal Summer School on U.S. politics, I am astonished and impressed to see the level of interest of Canadians ,and particularly Quebecers ,for U.S. Presidential politics.  In 2008, Canada was as caught up in the classic Obama – Clinton primary battle as many Americans were.  … Read more

Japanese investment bank Nomura released an analysis yesterday with a very positive outlook for the overall Mexican economy.  The brief highlights the country’s growing middle class and its strong financial sector. As well, it is optimistic about much-needed reforms in the labor and energy industries which will likely have the backing of both the Institutional … Read more

El año 2009 visité Yungas de Vandiola en Cochabamba, Bolivia, colindante por el costado sur con el Chapare, el mayor centro de producción de hoja coca en Bolivia. Allí vivía Silvia, dirigente cocalera. Silvia me contó que el ahora gobernador de Cochabamba, Edmundo Novillo, paisano de la zona y miembro del partido de Evo Morales … Read more