Blog entries

From Americas Society/Council of the Americas. AS/COA Online’s news brief examines the major—as well as some of the overlooked—events and stories occurring across the Americas. Check back every Wednesday for the weekly roundup. Sign up to receive the Weekly Roundup via email. Rio+20 Kicks off in Brazil The United States Conference on Sustainable Development—known as … Read more

The Falkland Islands government (referred to as the Malvinas Islands in much of Latin America) announced Tuesday that it is planning a referendum next year to decide its political future. In early 2013, some 1,500 registered islanders will decide whether to remain a British Overseas Territory or become Argentine land. The announcement comes during a … Read more

Here’s one of the best ever openings to a paper in any academic discipline you care to name: “The economic changes that occurred in this country during recent years are sufficiently striking to be apparent to any observer without the assistance of statistical measurements. There is considerable value, however, in checking the unarmed observation of … Read more

Preparations for Venezuela’s presidential campaign took a notable step forward yesterday when President Hugo Chávez registered his candidacy with the Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE). Chávez used the occasion to gather thousands of his supporters and public employees, and to project an image of physical strength amid ongoing speculation about his nearly year-long battle with cancer. … Read more

The second and final debate between Mexico’s four presidential contenders last night acted in accordance with public polling. Enrique Peña Nieto of the Partido de la Revolución Institucional (PRI) succeeded in not jeopardizing his lead.  Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) of the Partido de la Revolución Democrática (PRD), now in second place, held back negative … Read more

It’s been 40 years since the Watergate scandal surfaced in June 1972, making this month an important moment to reflect on the lessons learned for the U.S. political system today. In 1972 America was still mired in the Cold War. President Richard Nixon was in full electoral mode, trying to win a second term. Coming … Read more

Top stories this week are likely to include: the Mexican presidential election pushes forward after last night’s debate; Chávez to file presidential candidacy today; Fernández de Kirchner to visit UN on Thursday; new UNASUR Secretary-General takes over; Brazil responds to lowered GDP projections; and B-20 business summit in Los Cabos. Mexican Presidential Election: After last … Read more

With 24 days remaining until election day, Mexico’s National Action Party (PAN) has been unable to manage its public relations faux pas with former President Vicente Fox (2000-2006). Over the weekend, Fox said the nation will need to unite behind the winner on July 1—referring to Enrique Peña Nieto of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) … Read more

The United States opens World Cup qualifying today against Antigua and Barbuda, a game described by the Washington Post as David versus Goliath and his two snarling brothers.  There is little drama to the outcome or indeed purpose to playing the game.  True, if the Faroe Islands can have a team in World Cup qualification … Read more

Venezuela’s political opposition coalition, the Mesa de Unidad Democrática (Coalition for Democratic Unity—MUD), yesterday called for the Venezuelan government to immediately create a polling station for registered Venezuelan voters in Miami. According to MUD spokesman Pedro Mena, “Venezuelans legally registered in the National Electoral Council (CNE) in the consular area of Miami cannot exercise their … Read more

Former Guatemalan President Efraín Ríos Montt will face a second genocide trial on the civil war-era Dos Erres massacre after Judge Carol Patricia Flores Blanco issued her ruling last week. After a marathon hearing that lasted more than 10 hours, a packed court saw relatives of civil war victims as well as human rights activists … Read more

Results of California’s primary elections, held Tuesday, show that two Hispanic politicians will compete for seats in this November’s congressional elections. José Hernández will represent the Democratic Party in the contest for the newly redrawn 10th district, while Abel Maldonado will serve as the Republican candidate for the 24th district. Both districts are in the … Read more

OAS General Assembly Weighs Defense, Human Rights The Organization of American States (OAS) 42nd General Assembly took place in Cochabamba, Bolivia, from June 2 to 5. Delegates from throughout the hemisphere met to discuss food security as well as reforming the OAS human rights system. Countries from the Bolivarian Alliance bloc argued that the Inter-American … Read more

It is almost tautological to say that Colombians desire peace. Who wouldn’t, especially in a country that has suffered decades of internal confrontation? Desiring peace, however, is not the same as desiring a peace process, or desiring any peace process. Rushing into peace talks lacking a clear strategy, proceeding upon false assumptions and believing that … Read more

Following a 10-hour public hearing held in the Argentine Senate chamber on Wednesday, the Agreements Committee voted for the appointment of Daniel Reposo as attorney general. For Reposo to secure the appointment, he must now win the vote of two-thirds of the full Senate. Reposo was nominated by President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s Frente para … Read more