Daily Headlines: April 15, 2013

* Cuba: In op-ed piece published in the New York Times, Guantanamo inmate Samir Naji al-Hasan Moqbel claimed that he has been detained without trial since 2001 and described his participation in a hunger strike at the U.S.-run military prison. 

* Mexico: Europol warned last week that Mexican drug gangs are allegedly trying to become “key players in the European drugs market.”

* Argentina: Golfer Angel Cabrera fell short of winning his second Masters tournament and ended as runner-up to Adam Scott of Australia.

* Latin America: Guatemala filed a dispute at the World Trade Organization against Peru regarding import duties on several foods.

Video Source – YouTube via euronews
 
Online Sources- The Atlantic, Bloomberg, ESPN, LAHT

Another Green Jacket for 'El Pato'?

The Masters kicks off this week at Augusta National Golf Club with one story dominating all others: Tiger Woods.

At the end of day 1, a series of great subplots have developed: 50-year-old Fred Couples leading the field, 60-year-old Tom Watson one shot back and 16-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero shooting a round of one under par.

Lost in the shuffle is the story of the fantastic Latin American golfers who also hope to contend. Last year, Cordoba, Argentina native Angel "El Pato" Cabrera showed he's one of the greatest pressure players in the world when he knocked off Kenny Perry in a playoff. Also ready to contend on golf's greatest stage is Colombian Camilo "El Hombre Araña" Villegas (so know for his Spiderman-esque flexibility and style in reading greens).

The Latin American golfers are a ways back after day one, but with three more days of Tiger-dominated golf ahead, there's still plenty of time for El Pato or Camilo to steal the headlines.

Online Sources: ESPN, Guardian, Daily Telegraph

Image Source: Guardian

Angel Cabrera wins Masters thriller

It took 74 holes but in the end Argentine golfer Angel Cabrera was the man wearing the iconic Green Jacket at Augusta.

Cabrera won his second major golf tournament with a thrilling Masters victory on Sunday. The Argentine became the first Latin American to win the fabled major after beating beat Kenny Perry and Chad Campbell in a play-off.

The 2007 U.S. Open champ was co-leader with Perry after three rounds yet had an inconsistent Sunday. Perry bogeyed the final two regulation holes, however, and Cabrera hung on to force the playoff. Despite nearly being eliminated in the first extra hole, Cabrera played the second impeccably and became the lowest-ranked Masters champion since the world rankings began in 1986.

Cabrera received plenty of inspiration from fellow Argentine Roberto DeVicenzo who was achingly close to Masters glory in 1968:

"This moment, and also Oakmont in 2007, are the happiest moments of my life," he said before being helped into his Green Jacket by 2008 champion Trevor Immelman of South Africa.

"When I won the U.S. Open (compatriot) Roberto De Vicenzo gave me a nice picture and there was a green jacket in it, making me go for it," added Cabrera through an interpreter…

De Vicenzo came close to Masters glory in 1968 only to submit an incorrect scorecard, giving American Bob Goalby a one-shot victory instead of sending the year's first major to a playoff.

Image- AP (“Defending Masters' champion Trevor Immelman of South Africa helps 2009 Masters golf champion Angel Cabrera of Argentina with his Masters' green jacket at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Sunday, April 12, 2009.”)
Online Sources- Guardian UK, UPI, The Latin Americanist, Reuters, BBC Sport, Times Online

Argie golfer Cabrera triumphs in U.S. Open

Earlier today we congratulated race car driver Lewis Hamilton, but surely the biggest sports story from the weekend involving Latin America was Argentine golfer Angel Cabrera’s victory in the U.S. Open. The 37-year-old became the first Argentine to win the prestigious tournament by one stroke over Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods.

What was Cabrera’s secret weapon for winning? Try tobacco:

“‘Some players have psychologists, sportologists. I smoke,’ Cabrera said. ‘I usually smoke 8 to 10 in a round. This round was not special in terms of number.’”

Cabrera’s win + Manu Ginobili playing for the NBA champs + Boca Juniors’ possible Copa Libertadores title = a very good week for Argentine sports

Sources (English)- The Latin Americanist, Voice of America, Bloomberg, Deadspin

Sources (Spanish)- Olé, La Nacion

Image- Canada.com