Today's Video: Being counted

With the 2010 Census coming soon, NBC Nightly News examined its importance as well as worries from some Latinos:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

What do you think?

Online Sources- MSNBC

Congressmen report on meeting with Fidel Castro

On Tuesday, three members of the Congressional Black Caucus discussed their historic meeting with former Cuban president Fidel Castro.

Castro “was very engaging, very energetic, (and) discussed a wide range of issues," said Rep. Barbara Lee. Rep. Laura Richardson observed that Castro “looked directly into our eyes, quite aware of what was happening, and said to us 'how can we help President Obama?'"

Lee, Richardson, and Rep. Bobby Rush met with Castro in Havana on Monday as part of a visiting group of seven congressional Democrats. The conversation was said to be political in nature and touched on possibly normalizing relations between the U.S. and Cuba. "Fifty years of foolishness is over," said Rush in opposition to the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba.

The meeting may end up being much ado about nothing or (hopefully) the first step in thawing decades of icy relations between the U.S. and Cuba. As the BBC News said:

President Obama is expected to announce soon that he is easing restrictions imposed in 2004 by George W Bush on travel and remittances for Cuban-Americans.

Last week, a bill was introduced to Congress which would allow unrestricted travel to Cuba for all Americans.

Meanwhile, in an article published on Sunday, Fidel Castro said his country was not afraid to talk to the US.

But no-one is yet expecting the lifting of America's 50-year-old trade embargo on Cuba, our correspondent adds.

Image- AFP
Online Sources- First Read, The Telegraph, FOX News, BBC News, Reuters

Study: Latinos apprehensive of police

Latinos have very little confidence in police and the criminal justice system according to a study released today.

The report by the Pew Research Center found that 61% of Latinos feel confidence in their local police; 17% less than whites though 14% higher than blacks. In addition, 45% of Latinos surveyed expressed confidence in being treated fairly and a slightly higher number (49%) are sure of being treated fairly by the courts.

The data on Latinos comes from a survey of over 2000 people conducted in mid-2008. Thus, the survey’s timing came at a particularly sensitive time in Latino relations with law enforcement:

The report… highlights a widening disconnect in racial justice: At a time when Hispanics are interacting more with law enforcement due in part to their growing population as well as stepped up immigration enforcement, they are showing skepticism…

The survey was conducted in mid-2008, when immigration prosecutions were rising due to tighter enforcement during the Bush administration. Citing minority distrust of government workers, Hispanic and other groups are urging the Obama administration to push through immigration reform or temporarily halt raids during next year's census to ensure a more accurate count.

Image- ABC News
Online Sources- UPI, AP, Pew Hispanic Center

Guilty verdict in Fujimori human rights case (Updated)

Update:

Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori was sentenced to 25 years in jail for human rights abuses while he was president from 1990 to 2000. (Link via Bloomberg).

Original Post:

Peruvian high court convicted former President Alberto Fujimori for numerous human rights abuses during his decade in power.

The “mega-trial” took place over fifteen months and Fujimori became the first democratically elected Latin American leader convicted of human rights violations in his own country. The judges were firm in their verdict against the figure who now faces a thirty-year jail sentence:

"The charges have been proved beyond all reasonable doubt," said Cesar San Martin, the chief judge…

The verdict related to two massacres, the first committed on November 3, 1991 when a group of armed and masked soldiers burst into a party in the Lima suburb of Barrios Altos, killing 15 people, including an eight-year-old boy.

Several months later, nine university students and their professor were rounded up by the same "La Colina" squad, taken to a deserted area of the city and executed with shots to the back of the head.

Fujimori was also found guilty in relation to the kidnapping of a Peruvian journalist working for a Spanish newspaper and a businessman, both critics of his government.

The trial was filled with intrigue and controversy including Fujimori being reprimanded for napping during proceedings and facing the testimony of former right-hand man Vladimiro Montesinos.

Ironically, one of the main beneficiaries of today’s guilty verdict could be Fujimori’s daughter, Keiko, who may garner support from her father’s sycophants and possibly launch her presidential bid. Yet the big winners today were the justice that has been served against someone who arrogantly thought he was above the law as well as the victims of the massacres and murders during Peru’s armed conflict.

Image- BBC News
Online Sources- BBC News, Al Jazeera English, The Latin Americanist, Reuters

Ecuador demands return of “kidnapped” inmate

Ecuadorian officials have sought the return of a businessman currently on death row in Florida.

66-year-old ex-businessman Nelson Serrano was convicted and received the death penalty for the murders of four people in 1997. Ecuador has no death penalty yet the problem is not his punishment, according to Deputy Ecuadorean Interior Minister Franco Sanchez. Rather, the point of contention is over Serrano’s arrest which occurred while he was living in Ecuador:

"The issue is not his guilt or innocence," said Deputy Ecuadorean Interior Minister Franco Sanchez. "This is called a kidnapping, not an arrest"…

Ecuador maintains Florida officials bribed police there to help capture Serrano, and that he was kept overnight at the Quito airport in a dog kennel to avoid detection. They also say he was beaten so badly a flight attendant tried to stop him from boarding the plane until an assistant state attorney and a law enforcement agent from Florida intervened.

The allegations on Serrano’s alleged mistreatment were denied by Floridian authorities. "We made sure we did everything by the book once we got there…We didn't want anything to go wrong," said Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent Tommy Ray. Ray admitted that $300 was paid to Ecuadorian police in Serrano’s arrest but claimed that it was a “reimbursement” rather than bribery.

Image- AP (“Francisco Serrano, son of Nelson Serrano, who was convicted in Florida of first degree murder in 2007, speaks at a news conference Monday, April 6, 2009 in Miami.”)
Online Sources- The Ledger, miamiherald.com, The Latin Americanist

Daily Headlines: April 7, 2009

* Venezuela: President Hugo Chavez’ trip to Asia continued with the signing of several major energy deals with Japan.

* Latin America: Stocks throughout the region slipped yesterday partly due to fears of a Brazilian recession.

* Chile: Could ex-President Eduardo Frei regain the Chilean presidency in December’s elections?

* Costa Rica: Chinese police broke up a human trafficking ring after noticing a surge in visa applications to the Costa Rican embassy in Beijing.

Image- AP (“Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, left, shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso at the latter's official residence in Tokyo Monday, April 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Kazuhiro Nogi, Pool)”).
Online Sources- CNN, The Latin Americanist, Reuters, forbes.com, Javno

Today’s Video: Tragedy in Italy

Update:

According to Italy's government the death toll has increased to 207 people though that number is expected to rise. (Link via Guardian UK).

Original Post:

It only took a scant twenty seconds. But in that brief span of time the earth shook violently today in central Italy and has thus far cost the lives of 150 people:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Several groups have established relief efforts where you can help those affected by this terrible tragedy. Here are two organizations which would appreciate any help you can provide:

• GlobalGiving
• National Italian American Foundation
  

If you know of any other ways to help the victims of the earthquake in Italy please mention them in the comments to this post. (We will subsequently add them to this post.)

Online Sources- MSNBC, BBC News, GlobalGiving, National Italian American Foundation

Notable Quotables: Stay

“If I were they, I would think carefully before setting foot outside the United States. They are now, and forever in the future, at risk of arrest. Until this is sorted out, they are in their own legal black hole.”

--- British human rights attorney Philippe Sands remarked in reference to the six former White House officials indicted by Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon.

As we recently mentioned, ex-attorney general Alberto Gonzales and five others have been named in a criminal case regarding human rights abuses at the Guantanamo Bay prison.

Garzon is best-known for issuing an arrest warrant against former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet several years ago. Garzon’s tireless crusade has earned him the wrath of supporters of the late Spanish fascist strongman Francisco Franco as well as criticism from Venezuela’s government.

(Hat tip: The Daily Dish.)

Image- Der Spiegel (Alberto Gonzales testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2007).
Online Sources- The New Yorker, The Latin Americanist, Guardian UK, The Daily Dish

Follow-up: Garcia Marquez denies retirement claims

To paraphrase Mark Twain: “reports of my retirement have been greatly exaggerated.”

As we mentioned last week, the agent of Gabriel Garcia Marquez said that he will retire from writing. "I don't think that García Márquez will write anything else", mentioned Carmen Balcells to Chilean newspaper La Tercera on the possible future of the famed author.

“Gabo” subsequently denied the rumors that he was putting down his pen forever. According to a very brief interview published in Colombia’s El Tiempo:

El Tiempo: Maestro, could you answer some questions for El Tiempo?"

Gabriel Garcia Marquez: Call me later; I'm writing,

We called him later at his Mexico City studio and he accepted answering only two questions.

Is it true that you will no longer write?

“Not only is it untrue but the truth is that I do nothing else but write.

But it has been said that you will not publish any more books?

My job is to write, not to publish. I'll know when the pastries that I have in the oven are ready to be eaten. – [ed. personal translation]

In retrospect, as the Guardian UK noted, Balcells’ comments are “somewhat galling for her, given that she also revealed García Márquez represented 36.2% of her agency's income.”

Image- Reuters
Online Sources- El Tiempo, The Latin Americanist, LAHT, Guardian UK, brainyquote.com

Chavez lauds Arab-LatAm union

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez spoke out in Qatar about a two-day summit of South American and Arab countries, supporting what he said is the "coming together" of the two regions.

Chavez blamed the U.S. for creating Al Qaeda in an effort to "impede the unity of the Arab world."

At the summit, Chavez proposed a few ideas, including creation of the "petro," or currency backed by oil and gas reserved, and creating an OPEC bank.

Chavez also swung by Russia and China.

Later, he offered to "reset" relations with the U.S., and specifically said the upcoming Summit of Americas in Trinidad and Tobago -- which U.S. President Barack Obama will attend -- will be a nice place to "reset relations of all kinds between the United States and Venezuela. . . I am inclined to push the reset key."

Source: greenleft.org.au, presstv.ir

Photo: presstv.ir

T & T Summit nears; Obama's regional rep on the line

Todays' piece by Abraham Lowenthal in the Boston Globe synopsizes the rising chorus of experts calling for Obama's unique opportunity at the April 17 - 19 Fifth Summit of the Americas. "Above all else," Lowenthal implores, Obama should take the opportunity to "listen."

Little doubt exists that Obama will be able to do this much, and do it well.

The speculation abounds, however, on whether Obama will use the opportunity to make any major proclamations. It seems unlikely that he'll give more than passing mention to Cuba (which will not be sending official envoys) -- though he may announce something beforehand. How much he'll devote to regional powers Mexico and Brazil (with whose leaders he's already met) over reaching out to smaller countries or less amenable leaders remains to be seen. It will be interesting to gauge his inevitable mention of immigration policies and hints at what he would like to see changed (though will probably have little power bring to fruition).

The media will be on the lookout for the chance handshake (or the money shot -- a hug) with Chavez -- Morales or Ortega, would do, however.

A number of other recent entreaties on how Obama should approach the summit are available below:

• VP Joe Biden's take.


• Undersecretary of State Tom Shannon's take.


• Inter-American Dialogue President Peter Hakim's take (and testimony).


• A Trinidadian skeptic's take.

Daily Headlines: April 6, 2009

* Bolivia: "It's like giving money to the wolves, or to entrust the care of the flock: the wolf is not going to keep the sheep, it will devour them,” said President Evo Morales in opposition to last week’s $1 trillion G20 deal.

* Argentina: Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of Buenos Aires on Thursday and bid farewell to recently deceased ex-President Raul Alfonsin.

* U.S.: Thousands of protestors rallied in south Florida and called for the granting of temporary protected status for Haitians.

* Colombia: A former commander of Colombia’s rightist paramilitaries claimed that he “never felt pursued by either the army or the police or any other state institution.”

Image- BBC News (Thousands of people took to the streets of the London last week to protest during the G20 summit).
Online Sources- LAHT, PRESS TV, Palm Beach Post, The Latin Americanist, Reuters

Today's Video: Dr. Rudy the car salesman

We're going to end the week on a lighter note with what may possibly be the best commercial ever:

(Hat tip: FARK.com).

Online Sources- YouTube, FARK.com

Beyond Borders: Thirteen dead at N.Y. immigration center

Details continue to be a little sketchy but the latest reports say that at least thirteen people have been killed in a shooting today at a Binghamton, N.Y. immigration center.

The gunman entered the front door, blocked the back door, and firing upon occupants at the American Civic Association (ACA). The attacker held over forty hostages and may've possibly died of a self-inflected gunshot wound. At least 26 people have been reported as wounded including five taken to local hospitals.

As part of their preliminary investigation police are examining if the attacker had a possible accomplice. Furthermore, police said that suspect was a 42-year-old man who lived in upstate New York and some sources claimed that he was of Asian background.

Nothing has yet been reported in terms of possible motives for today’s action. Thus, it’s unknown if there’s a connection to the activities at the ACA. (People had been studying for their citizenship exam before today’s tragic shooting).

Image- AP (”In this photo rendered from video and released by WBNG-TV in Binghamton, N.Y., authorities remove a person on a stretcher, Friday, April 3, 2009, in Binghamton, N.Y.”)
Online Sources- New York Times, Bloomberg, ABC News, Los Angeles Times, UPI, MSNBC

The Onion: Day laborers aid Army in Afghanistan

A little bit of Friday fun courtesy of The Onion:

Online Source - The Onion

OECD: Costa Rica on tax haven blacklist (Updated)

Update:

The OECD removed Uruguay from its blacklist one day after it was placed there. Uruguay was subsequently bumped down to the "grey list" where it joined fellow South American country Chile. (Link via Economic Times.)

Original Post:

In the aftermath of the $1 trillion deal reached by G20 leaders yesterday, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) placed Costa Rica and Uruguay on its tax haven blacklist.

Along with Malaysia and the Philippines, these four countries have been targeted by the OECD for not doing enough to aoid being tax havens. According to an OECD statement, Costa Rica and Uruguay are two “jurisdictions that have not committed to implement the internationally agreed tax standard(s).”

Uruguay’s president denied being blacklisted by the OECD:

"In Uruguay, we are not a tax haven," President Tabare Vazquez said.

"Uruguay may not be a monastery, but it is not a casino," he added.

Chile, meanwhile, was placed in a separate "grey list" of countries that have partially improved their tax standards.

These classifications along with a third "white list" were completed after the G20 agreed to crackdown on international tax havens. "The time of banking secrecy has passed," French President Nicholas Sarkozy said after him and Germany’s Andrea Merkel campaigned hard against tax havens during the G20 summit.

Image- travelcostaricaonline.com (Costa Rican currency)
Online Sources- BBC News, AFP, Reuters, Los Angeles Times, Foreign Policy Passport, the Latin Americanist, OECD

“Capitalism needs to go” says Hugo Chavez

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez had a few choice words to say about the international economy and U.S. diplomatic efforts in Iran.

“Capitalism needs to go down. It has to end. And we must take a transitional road to a new model that we call socialism" said Chavez during his state visit to Iran. Chavez also blamed the U.S. and Great Britain for imposing a financial model that exacerbated the global financial crisis.

Aside from the interview, Chavez also expressed doubts that the U.S. can seek peaceful relations with Iran. "I don't have much hope, because there is an empire behind him. He's the president of an empire," Chavez said about U.S. President Barack Obama.

Earlier today, Venezuela and Iran strengthened their economic ties:

Iran and Venezuela on Friday inaugurated a joint bank to finance their development projects, during a visit by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to Tehran, state media reported.

The Iran-Venezuela Joint Bank, based in Tehran, has an initial capital base of 200 million dollars, with each nation providing half of the funds, the state broadcaster said…

"What happened today represents a strong will to build a new world," Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said, attending the opening ceremony with Chavez…

Chavez, a vocal cheerleader in Latin America for Iran and its nuclear ambitions, was quoted as saying that the two countries should "further strengthen their trade cooperation."

Image- PRESS TV
Online Sources- AFP, PRESS TV, AP, Milenio

Daily Headlines: April 3, 2009

* Mexico: After Wednesday’s embarrassing 3-1 loss to Honduras, Sven-Groan Eriksson was fired as head coach of Mexico’s men's national soccer team.

* Latin America: President Barack Obama pledged $448 billion in food aid to developing countries such as those in Latin America.

* U.S.: “I’ve come to the United States so justice is done…They killed a human being who was important for us,” said the mother of slain Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero in an interview.

* Honduras: The Committee to Protect Journalists has called for a full investigation into the murder of a radio journalist at the hands of gunmen.

Image- The Telegraph
Online Sources- BBC Sport, AFP, LAHT, Committee to Protect Journalists

Today’s Video: The art of Jose Fuster

It would be easy to enter a political discussion on pro-Castro Cuban artist Jose Fuster; instead, perhaps it would be best to focus on his very colorful and stunning artwork:


Online Sources- Reuters Video

Notable Quotables: A change in the “war on drugs”?

Our nation's demand for drugs often fuels drug production and trafficking, as well as violence and corruption, within other nations. Domestic drug use directly funds the terrible drug-related crime currently wracking Mexico and fuels illegal armed groups in Colombia. Our international drug control programs help strengthen law enforcement and judicial institutions, while providing alternative livelihoods for poor farmers.

While these international supply reduction programs play a vital role in improving security, supporting the rule of law, and denying terrorist and criminal safe havens around the world, the greatest contribution we can make toward stability would be to reduce our demand for illicit drugs. – [ed. emphasis added]

---"Drug Czar" nominee Gil Kerlikowske read from a prepared statement during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

As one article noted, the choice of the Seattle Police Chief to head the Office of National Drug Control Policy may signal “part of a broader shift away from long prison sentences for drug offenders and toward an emphasis on prevention and treatment.”

Image- AP
Online Sources- ABC News, U.S. Senate

Chavez offers to take in Gitmo detainees

Forgive me for sounding cynical, yet I cannot help but wonder if the following is a late April Fools Day joke or not:

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said he is prepared to receive detainees held by the US military at the Guantanamo Bay camp in Cuba…

"We wouldn't have any problem in taking in human beings," Mr Chavez told Arabic TV channel al-Jazeera at the summit in Doha, Qatar, where he has been pushing for closer ties with the Arab world.

President Chavez also renewed his calls for Guantanamo Bay to be returned to Cuba, saying the US should finish with "this miserable prison".

Earlier today, Chavez visited Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and both leaders promised “a common revolutionary front ... in the world.”

Online Sources- BBC News, AFP
Image- AFP (“Camp Delta area at the US Naval Base in Guantanamo, Cuba.”)

G20 announces $1 trillion deal

Amidst a flurry of violent protests, the G20 leaders hammered out a $1 trillion deal to combat the global financial slowdown.

The arrangement would pledge $750 billion in order to strengthen the International Monetary Fund (IMF) including creating a Financial Stability Board designed to serve as “an early warning mechanism for the financial system.” The funds destined for the IMF also contains $250 billion for the purpose of lending among the IMF’s 185 members.

In addition, $250 billion will be spent in financing for global trade including $100 billion in aid to impoverished countries. The conference’s final statement pledged to "name and shame" countries that have established protectionist measures.

The deal is sure to ruffle the feathers of some Latin American countries that have recently raised tariffs and have added red tape to incoming foreign investment. The deal is likely to help one of the G20 countries- Mexico- who yesterday sought a $47 billion credit line from the IMF. Another G20 member- Brazil- will be obligated to contribute funds to the IMF for the first time in the country's history.

We finish this post with President Obama’s possible man-crush towards his Brazilian counterpart:

"That's my man right here," President Obama said this morning at the G-20 summit as Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva approached him. "Love this guy. He's the most popular politician on earth. It's because of his good looks."

Image- MSNBC
Online Sources- Guardian UK, washingtonpost.com, Xinhua, The Latin Americanist, WSJ.com, BBC News, forbes.com, New York Times

Gabriel Garcia Marquez calls it quits?

Rumors had been swirling in recent months that Gabriel Garcia Marquez would be writing a new novel. Yet those notions have apparently been put to rest by his agent who claimed that the famed Colombian writer will put down his pen for good:

His agent, Carmen Balcells, told the Chilean newspaper La Tercera : "I don't think that García Márquez will write anything else."

Despite longstanding rumours he would never write again, hopes were raised last year when the Colombian writer Plinio Apuleyo Mendoza, a friend, said Marquez was in fact working on a new novel.

But Balcell's comments seem to put paid to that, and were supported by García Márquez's biographer, Gerald Martin, who told La Tercera he too doubts anything new will be published in his lifetime.

"I also believe that Gabo won't write any more books, but I don't think this is too regrettable, because as a writer it was his destiny to have the immense satisfaction of having a totally coherent literary career many years before the end of his natural life," said Martin.

“Gabo” hasn’t written anything since the 2004 publication of his most recent novel- “Memoirs of My Melancholy Whores”. Reviews of that book were mixed though the harshest critique came from the Iranian government which banned the text.

Not all is dour news in the world of “Gabo”; Salma Hayek is rumored to play the lead role in the upcoming film adaptation of "News of a Kidnapping".

Image- The Telegraph
Online Sources- Guardian UK, metacritic.com, Xinhua, The Latin Americanist

Argentine anguish after 6-1 upset

It all seemed to be going so well for Diego Maradona. Maradona was given the reins to Argentina’s men’s national soccer team in November despite having little coaching experience. Since then he had “hit the ground running” with a pair of exhibition wins over Scotland and France and a 4-0 thumping of Venezuela in qualifiers on Saturday. Things had been looking rosy for los albiceletes ahead of their Wednesday match against an underperforming Bolivian squad.

Fate had a much different tale in store, however:

FIFA and several South American countries including Bolivia argued last year over playing international matches at altitudes above 8200 feet. Yet the high altitude of La Paz was a minor factor in a game that was thoroughly dominated by the Bolivians.

Argentina’s defeat was the first since 1958 where that were hit with six goals against them and their worse loss since the historical “cinco a cero” loss to Colombia in 1993.

The shocking result leaves Argentina in the fourth and final South American World Cup qualification place behind Paraguay, Brazil, and Chile, respectively.

Online Sources- YouTube, Latin Americanist, Bloomberg, CNN, Reuters

Daily Headlines: April 2, 2009

* Puerto Rico: Prosecutors believe that over 12,000 Puerto Ricans were the victims of an unscrupulous identity theft ring.

* U.S.: Coming soon with a late-night television talk shows – George Lopez.

* Latin America: According to U.N. prognostications Latin America’s economy will decrease by 0.3% this year.

* Venezuela: Weeks after an indictment was issued against him, chief opposition figure Manuel Rosales claimed that he will go into hiding “from police persecution”.

Image- femaleforum.com
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, forbes.com, LAHT, CNN

Today’s Video: Remembering Pedro

We hope you enjoyed our slate of fake posts in honor of April Fools Day. Now we want to change gears and discuss a very serious film airing tonight.

According to a press release we recently received:

MTV, mtvU, LOGO and MTV Tr3s, with subtitles in Spanish, will present the world television premiere of Pedro, a movie based on the remarkable life of The Real World’s Pedro Zamora, on Wednesday, April 1 at 8:00 PM ET/PT. BMP Films, in association with MTV, produced this biopic written by Academy Award-winner Dustin Lance Black (“Milk”).

In 1994, Zamora captured the hearts of millions as the first-ever openly gay, HIV-positive main character on TV—on MTV’s The Real World: San Francisco. Zamora’s time in the house on Lombard Street brought a face to the AIDS crisis. President Bill Clinton has long credited Zamora with personalizing and humanizing the epidemic, and he will introduce Pedro when it makes its world television premiere April 1st.

“To this day, Pedro Zamora remains an extraordinary example of what a huge impact one young person can make in our world,” President Clinton said. “I’m glad to have known him, and I’m grateful his life has been able to inspire and enrich so many others.”

Below is a brief clip from the film which is being shown as part of STD Awareness Month:
Embed code:

Real World Cast Make a Toast in MTV's New Movie, 'Pedro'
Uploaded by wiredset

Online Sources- Dailymotion.com

Evo Morales denounces U.S. time ploy

Bolivian President Evo Morales accused U.S. diplomats of secretly plotting to coordinate Bolivian time to that of the U.S.

As reported by The Democracy Center, Morales denounced several “conspirators…(who) have their sights set on changing our clocks.” He went on to blame a secretary at the U.S. Embassy in La Paz for trying to change Bolivian clocks to adopt Daylight Savings Time.

A State Department spokesperson rejected Morales’ claims and said that he was distracting from Bolivia’s “potential loss” to Argentina in tonight’s World Cup qualifier. Nevertheless, Morales has support from a very close regional ally:

In Caracas, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced his country's solidarity against "the conspiracy by the empire to manipulate the comings and goings of our Bolivian brothers and sisters." Chavez then issued an executive decree setting all of the nation's clocks forward by 37 minutes, "to demonstrate our refusal to be a party to the U.S. government's iron-handed attempt to force other nations to synchronize themselves to U.S. time and U.S. policies."

Image- numberworks.com
Online Sources- The Democracy Center, goal.com

Gitmo to become casino says Pentagon

Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza may’ve had "a loooot of fun!" during her recent visit to the controversial detention center at Guantánamo Bay but she’ll likely go crazy over possibly visiting a casino there.

According to several leaked Pentagon papers the jail will be converted into a 1940s style casino called. The plans call for the gaming venue to be built in 2011 after the military prison is closed and after the possible dropping of travel restrictions to the island. The leaked documents also claim that a “full-fledged” resort may be built in the area if the casino becomes a hit with tourists.

Ex-leader Fidel Castro responded today via an article printed in the Cuban press. Castro seemed to be unusually speechless in his brief reply:

“You’ve got to be joking.”

Image- BBC News
Online Sources- BBC News, The Latin Americanist

U.S. plans large maze for southern border

Last week the White House announced plans to stem the overflow of violence from Mexico. Hidden in the proposal’s small print is a unique idea for entry into the U.S.

The secret clause in the plan calls for the building of a fifty acre shrubbery maze several miles away from the San Diego-Tijuana border crossing. Though Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano admitted recently that she’s not too keen on a lengthy barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border she appears to be okay with the shrubbery maze.

As a DHS spokesman admitted today:

“The maze adds an element of fun for those who wish to cross our border by foot. Migrants who are smart and strong enough to make it to the center will be allowed to enter the country legally. We hope they enjoy the challenge”.

The maze plan is expected to peeve off groups on both sides of the immigration debate. Immigrants rights’ activists worry that the maze is too big and the walls will be too high. Meanwhile, some border vigilantes are worried that they’ll have no webcams to look at and that they may have to do something better with their time.

Image- Guardian UK (Artistic rendition of the planned border shrubbery maze)
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, Al Jazeera English

Lionel Messi off to MLS?

Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi is beloved by the millions of aficionados behind FC Barcelona who are in awe of his amazing skills. Yet they are likely to be shocked after Messi reportedly said that he will bolt Spain for the U.S.

According to several “sources”, Messi is rumored to leave Barca and join a Major League Soccer (MLS) team. During practice for tonight’s World Cup Qualifier against Bolivia, Messi allegedly told teammates that “if el mellizo can do it then why can’t I?” (This remark would be in reference to countryman Guillermo Barros Schelotto who played a key role in the Columbus Crew’s championship last season).

MLS commissioner Don Garber was unavailable for comment though some eyewitnesses said that he made drunken, disparaging remarks about David Beckham during an impromptu party yesterday. In addition, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has yet to speak out on the rumors despite his insistence last month that "Messi is not for sale and that's it.”

Messi’s transfer will likely fall under the Designated Player Rule where MLS teams are allowed to sign one player outside the approximately $2.3 million salary cap. Thus, Messi could join Barros Schelotto in Columbus or his fellow Argentine Claudio Lopez in Kansas City. Bookmakers in England placed their best odds on Messi joining Beckham at the Los Angeles Galaxy. Apparently, the bookies have anticipated that MLS execs will bend the rules and favor a star-studded squad in L.A.

Image- Daily Mail (The sight of Lio Messi in a Barca jersey may soon come to an end).
Online Sources- Times Online, SI.com, MLS, Wikipedia, ESPN.com

Lula and Bachelet sitting in a tree…

Latin America will soon have a new power couple after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet announced plans to get married.

Citizens from Santiago to Sao Paulo are stunned after last night’s press conference from the Chilean resort city of Viña del Mar where both leaders appeared jointly and hand-in-hand. “I just love twirling my fingers through his beard” cooed Bachelet as Lula chuckled heartily. The soon-to-be newlyweds declared their amorous intentions shortly before Lula left for the G20 summit in Britain.

The Brazilian leader was effusive in his praise of the woman who will soon be his third wife:

“What can I say? My Achilles heel has always been bright women in positions of power. Besides, she has the cutest little smile which brings out a quaint twinkle in her eyes… I’ve never been happier!”

Bachelet is currently a separated mother of three and her divorce is expected to be relatively swift. Lula’s divorce will likely be a more tempestuous affair after his wife was seen throwing his clothes out of the presidential residence in Brasilia. “I wonder of Evo is single?” she was heard muttering in reference to Bolivia’s president.

Image- daylife.com (Lula can’t help but gaze adoringly at Michelle Bachelet as she talked politics during the 2008 UNASUR summit).
Online Sources- Wikipedia, Bloomberg

Daily Headlines: April 1, 2009

* Argentina: Rest in peace Raul Alfonsin. Argentina’s first post-“Dirty War” president passed away yesterday at the age of 82.

* U.S.: Immigration officials vowed to change their policy to focus more on employers who hire illegal workers but didn’t pledge to end controversial workplace raids.

* Brazil: Critics claim that the move by Rio de Janiero’s government to build walls around slums is discriminatory and a pitiful attempt to separate the extremely wealthy from the very poor.

* Mexico: Did Hillary Clinton really commit a silly faux pas during her visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe last week?

Image- BBC News
Online Sources- Reuters, Gawker, MSNBC, AHN