Technological advances and globalization change concepts of borders and national identity

The phenomenon of transnationalism has become increasingly apparent with advents in technology and economic globalization. For instance, videoconfencing services for immigrants trying to communicate with their homelands has grown, especially in urban centers such as New York.

(Disclaimer- Professor Vincent Gawronski, interviewed in the first article, taught several undergraduate courses I took at Florida International University).

transnationalism, technology, globalization, national identity , immigration

Kidnappings down in Haiti

The number of kidnappings in Haiti has decreased dramatically since presidential elections took place last month, according to a senior UN official.

haiti, crime, caribbean, kidnapping

“Discover the Gold of the Incas”: Peruvian beer expands into Britain

Two young businessmen from England have helped push the popularity of Peruvian beer Cusqueña in Great Britain to the point that Cusqueña is being served in some of the country’s most posh bars. Last year, the Belgian owner of Brazilian beer Brahma planned to sell Brahma into more countries including the U.S.

Peru, beer, cusqueña, brahma, globalization

Morales ends coca eradication activities

Bolivian President Evo Morales has remained true to his campaign promise by ending the forced eradication of coca plantations around the country. Observers in Washington have expressed dismay at the policies of the man once called a 'narco-terrorist' . (Der Spiegel)

bolivia, evo morales,international politics, latin america, natural resources, South America

Intel to invest $50m in Brazil

Intel CEO Paul Otelini has announced that his company will invest $50 million in technology projects in Brazil. Intel will also be introducing their Centrino Duo notebooks into the national market. [Port.] (InfoOnline)

technology, South America, latin america, international finance, foreign investment, brazil

Addicted to failure: forever? US drug policy and Latin America

Two of our fellow grad students at NYU have put together a fantastic program that I urge you all to attend:





"Many people today agree that drug prohibition policies have failed to achieve their objectives both in the US and in Latin American countries. Is drug legalization a viable option? Are there any alternatives?"

Keynote speaker:
Ethan Nadelmann
Executive Director, Drug Policy Alliance

Panelists:
Alvaro Vargas Llosa
Senior Fellow, The Independent Institute

Another panelist TBA

Moderator:
Patricio Navia
Adjunct Assistant Professor, CLACS

When: Wednesday April 5, 2006, 12pm – 2pm
Where: KJC Auditorium, 53 Washington Square South, New York

To be followed by audience discussion. * Lunch will be served. * Event co-organized by CLACS students. * To RSVP and for more information please contact NYU_drug_policy@yahoo.com.

Argentina and the legacy of los desaparecidos

The Nation writer and former Latin America correspondent for the Washington Post Joanne Omang discusses her time in Argentina thirty years ago and what has and has not changed in the country over the years. (The Nation)

argentina, human rights, international politics, latin america, South America

Battle-scarred Salvadorans fighting in Iraq

The small contingent of troops from El Salvador aiding the United States in the Iraq war includes some who fought as teenagers in their home country's civil war two decades earlier. WAPO discusses the factors that led to El Salvador's decision to send troops, the only Latin American country to do so. (WAPO)

Tony Saca, Iraq, international politics, el salvador, central america, bush administration

Hunger strike by Cuban dissident about to enter second month

Imprisoned Cuban journalist Guillermo Fariñas is close to death as the two-month anniversary of his hunger strike is coming up this Friday. Fariñas’ case highlights the deplorable situation of human rights in Cuba in the three years after the Castro regime’s harsh crackdown on dissidents. Babalu Blog questions why more media attention has not been placed on Fariñas’ hunger strike.

cuba, human rights, Guillermo Fariñas , media

Latin America’s newest revolutionary: George W. Bush

Tongue-in cheek article from Mother Jones on how George W. Bush has united most of Latin America…against him.

bush administration, international politics, latin america

Chile to OAS: Stay out of coastline controversy

Chile does not want the OAS to intervene in a dispute with landlocked Bolivia's request for a coastline. Most Chileans are against ceding any coastline to Bolivia, according to a recent poll.

bolivia, OAS, coast, Chile

Thousands march in L.A. pro-immigrant protest

More than 500,000 people marched in Los Angeles on Saturday against anti-immigrant measures to erect a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and to make illegal immigration a felony offense. Though President Bush has advocated for a guest-worker program, Republican and Democratic senators are pushing different plans, such as Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s bill emphasizing border security.

bush administration, bill frist, immigration, international politics, border, mexico, security

Argentines remember 30th anniversary of military coup

Last Friday was observed as a day of national remembrance in Argentina in commemoration of the March 24, 1976 coup that led to nearly a decade of military rule. Families of the thousands of “disappeared,” such as the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, somberly commemorated the coup’s anniversary as many declared “Never Again!” would such a tragedy occur in Argentina. The BBC’s website has a slideshow of the events held last week.

argentina, human rights, coup, democracy, mujeres de la plaza de mayo

Rocio Durcal dead at 61 years of age

Spanish singer and actress Rocio Durcal died yesterday after a five-year battle against cancer. Durcal was well-known for her interpretations of Mexican rancheras, as well as duets with musicians like Joan Manuel Serrat and Juan Gabriel.

rocio durcal, music, mexico, spain, ranchera