Today’s Video: The grim legacy of "Papa Doc" (Updated)

April 22nd is an important date in the history of several Latin American and Caribbean countries. Eleven years ago, the Elian Gonzalez affair came to a stunning climax in a pre-dawn raid in Miami. Meanwhile it was on this day in 1997 that seventy-one hostages held in the Japanese ambassador's residence in Peru were freed in a military operation.

On this day four decades ago Haitian dictator Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier died at the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince. The "president for life" ruled the Caribbean country with an iron fist and a cult of personality. His fourteen years in power came with the help of the ruthless Tontons Macoutes militia while his kleptocracy led to worsening poverty for the Haitian populace.

The following is part of a 1966 documentary that gave a critical look at the many problems in Haiti under Duvalier:

Duvalier's death led to the presidency by his son, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, who would continue his father's checkered legacy. A popular uprising in 1986 forced "Baby Doc" to flee Haiti yet he controversially returned in January. Francois may've died in impunity but Jean-Claude could soon face trial on charges of corruption and human rights abuses.

Update: Blogger Kevin Alvarez brings up the possibility that Haitian president-elect Michel Martelly could provide a full pardon to "Baby Doc."

Online Sources - RPP, The Guardian, BBC News, Voice of America
Video Source - Wolfson Archive via YouTube

House committee backs easing Cuba travel ban

Elian Gonzalez commemorated the tenth anniversary of his return to Cuba by claiming that he has “no anger” towards those family members in Florida. His return to Cuba came under very unique circumstances but what about the possibility that more visitors could travel to the island?

Some politicians who have tried to ease the U.S. travel ban on the island scored a very important victory on Wednesday. By a 25-20 vote the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee approved lifting the decades-old ban on travel to Cuba as well as other export restrictions. “This is a great opportunity to expand trade,” said Committee Chairman Collin Peterson on the bill that would also permit U.S. goods to be sold directly to Cuba. Hence, business and farm groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Farmers Union back the proposal.

The bill awaits numerous hurdles in Congress including pivotal votes by other committees followed by the full House and Senate. Furthermore, the plan faces staunch opposition from some legislators including Cuban-American politicos on both sides of the aisle.

On the same day as the committee vote Amnesty International issued a report blasting the woeful human rights situation in Cuba. The study harshly criticized the Castro regime for creating "a climate of fear that stifles and criminalizes dissent":

According to the report, which was released on Wednesday, Cuban laws are so vague and arbitrary that any act of dissent can be deemed criminal…

"No matter how detrimental its impact, the US embargo is a lame excuse for violating the rights of citizens, as it can in no way diminish the obligation on the Cuban government to protect, respect and fulfill the human rights of all Cubans,'' the report said.

Image- New Zealand Herald
Online Sources- Al Jazeera English, CNN, AFP, New York Times, Reuters, The Age

Daily Headlines: April 7, 2010

* Brazil: At least 95 people are dead in Rio de Janeiro after floods and mudslides were caused by nearly twelve inches of rain falling during a 24-hour period.

* Peru: Human Rights Watch has called on the government to investigate the deaths of six people who were slain during clashes between striking miners and police.

* Cuba: Images of a now 16-year-old Elian Gonzalez emerged showing him attending the Cuban Young Communist Union conference.

* Argentina: Lionel Messi continues to prove that he’s the world’s best soccer player; yesterday he scored all four of Barcelona’s goals and led the Spanish side into the Champions League semis.

Online Sources- YouTube, Bloomberg, BBC News, MSNBC

Senate confirms Eric Holder

On Monday night the Senate confirmed Eric Holder as the next U.S. Attorney General. The career federal prosecutor, judge and Washington lawyer thus becomes the country’s first African-American Attorney General.

Holder’s links to certain Latin American-related affairs was a point of controversy after he was picked by Barack Obama last December. In confirmation hearings last month, Holder was grilled over his role at the Department of Justice (DOJ) during the Clinton era including the 1999 pardons to sixteen convicted Puerto Rican nationalists. Holder’s views during the hearings against torture and waterboarding were later criticized by ex-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

In addition, several lawmakers questioned Holder’s role at the DOJ during the Elian Gonzales saga and his work for negotiating a plea deal over Chiquita Bands’ hiring of Colombian paramilitaries.

Despite doubts by some Congressman, Holder won bipartisan support and backing from law enforcement groups:

Even though 21 GOP senators voted against him, Holder’s nomination was never in danger. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee and one of Holder’s biggest critics, announced last week he was backing the nomination, and that sealed the deal...

Holder also had widespread support from outside advocacy groups, including law enforcement associations. Former FBI Director Louis Freeh and other prominent Bush DOJ officials backed him as well, undermining any potential GOP opposition to his nomination.

Image- AFP
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, politico.com, ABC News, Vivirlatino, CNN

Report: Grand jury probes Bill Richardson

Bill Richardson’s nomination to be the next Commerce Secretary will likely face scrutiny during congressional hearings in February. But surprisingly it could be more than just the Wen Ho Lee affair.

A grand jury in Albuquerque is looking into the New Mexico governor’s dealings with a California firm that received several lucratrive contracts. That in itself is not illegal, yet eyebrows have been raised since the head of CDR Financial Products contributed heavily to Richardson’s political activities. One of these “activities” allegedly includes a Latino registration campaign.

According to the AP:

A person familiar with the proceedings told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the panel is looking into possible "pay-to-play" dealings between CDR Financial Products and someone in a position to push the contract through with the state of New Mexico. The person asked not to be named because the proceedings are secret…

Richardson served as chairman of the Boston convention, and the committee, Si Se Puede! Boston 2004 Inc., helped pay convention expenses for Richardson's staff and supporters. The contribution was reported by the committee as coming from Chambers, Dunhill, Rubin and Co., a former name for CDR.

Richardson may not be the only Obama nominee likely to face criticism by Congress; prospective Attorney General Eric Holder may be grilled over his role in the Elian Gonzalez case.

Image- UPI
Sources- The Latin Americanist, MSNBC, New York Times, AsianWeek, Bloomberg, Guanabee

Miami protest against Obama’s Elian connection

“A few dozen protesters” congregated in Miami to show their disapproval of the role two of Barack Obama’s top advisors had with the Elian Gonzales case eight years ago. As Obama met with leaders during the U.S. Conference of Mayors this weekend, the demonstrators were upset that Greg Craig (a representative of Elian’s father during the 2000 custody dispute) and Eric Holder (deputy U.S. attorney general under the Clinton administration) were both members of Obama's campaign team.

When reporters on Friday asked about the connection between his advisors and the Gonzales case, Obama chose to emphasize his planned policy towards Cuba:

"That was eight years ago, and obviously it was a wrenching situation for the families involved," Obama said. "But I’m running for president in 2008, and my focus is on how do we create a US-Cuba policy that will create political freedom on that island and allow the people who live there to prosper. That’s not what we have right now and I outlined just as recently as a month ago an extensive approach that I think can lead to liberty in Cuba."

Meanwhile, the now fourteen-year-old Gonzales (image) continues to live in Cuba and last week was officially inducted as a member if the island’s Young Communist Union.

Image- BBC News

Sources- La Plaza, The Swamp, Political Punch, CBS News