Top Argentine Prosecutor Dead in Possible Suicide (Updated)

Argentine prosecutor Alberto Nisman died less than a week after he accused President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner of a cover-up over the deadly 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish center.

Police located Nisman’s body with a single gunshot wound in the late night hours yesterday in his Buenos Aires apartment. Security Minister Sergio Berni hinted that Nisman committed suicide based on a pistol and used cartridge found near the body. Yet the prosecutor assigned to investigate Nisman’s death claimed that he had not left a suicide note behind.

The fifty-one-year-old passed away on the eve of scheduled testimony to a legislative committee on his allegations against Kirchner, Foreign Minister Hector Timerman and others. Nisman claimed on January 14th that the pair signed a memo of understanding (MOU) with Iran in 2013 in order to protect former government officials suspected of masterminding the bombing. In return for this immunity, Nisman wrote in a 300-page report that Iran was supposed to increase oil and grain exports to the South American country.

“I have been working on this for over two years, because agents of the Intelligence secretary whose names I cannot disclose are involved,” the prosecutor said last week.

Update: "What could have compelled someone to make the terrible decision to take his own life?" asked Kirchner in a lengthy statement issued via Facebook on Monday evening.

The president vehemently defended her government's role in the investigation of the AMIA bombing as well as the MOU signed with Iran nearly two years ago. She also claimed that there is a "very sordid" history behind the investigator's death and criticized numerous "incendiary" headlines in the Clarin daily newspaper.

Today’s Video: Grim Anniversary

On Saturday we took a brief look at the traditional St. Patrick’s Day pilgrimage in Luján, Argentina. Despite the festivities of that day, March 17 is also the grim anniversary of one of the worst killings in Argentina’s post-“Dirty War” era.

Twenty-nine people died on March 17, 1992 when a car bomb exploded outside of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires. The incident, which also injured 282 individuals, destroyed the embassy along with a nearby school and Catholic Church.

The following video via the YouTube page of Argentina’s El Tribuno shows footage of the destruction and chaos following the bombing at the embassy:

Argentine and Israeli officials blamed Hezbollah with help from the Iranian government for the 1992 attack as well as the 1994 AMIA bombing that killed eighty-five people. Hezbollah and Iran have denied these allegations, and thus far none of the suspects in the 1992 and 1994 bombings have been convicted in court.

At a remembrance ceremony last Friday for the victims of the 1992 bombing Argentine Vice President Amado Boudou said that the bombing was “an attack against forty million Argentines.”

“The wounds will never heal, much less if we cannot sentence those responsible (for the bombing) to prison,” added Justice Minister Julio Alak.

Last July the Argentine government approved a proposal providing financial compensation for the families of those killed and injured in the 1992 bombing.

Video Source - YouTube via El Tribuno

Online Sources- Mercopress, BBC News, La Rioja, The Latin Americanist

Daily Headlines: April 4, 2011

* Colombia: The Obama administration implied that a subpoena should not be issued against former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe in a lawsuit accusing Drummond mining company of hiring paramilitaries.

* Brazil: In potentially bombshell allegations made by Veja magazine, militants linked to Al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and Hamas are supposedly hiding out in Brazil.

* Cuba: Ex-U.S. President Jimmy Carter ended his three-day visit to Cuba last week by criticizing the U.S. embargo on the island as well as calling for greater freedom of expression for anti-Castro dissidents.

* Nicaragua: Former U.N. General Assembly Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann of Nicaragua rejected rumors of becoming Libya’s envoy to the U.N.

Image – Zoe Selsky/AP via The Guardian (“Salvatore Mancuso (left) with paramilitary soldiers near Turbo, Colombia.” The former head of the AUC paramilitary umbrella group currently sits in a U.S. prison accused of drug trafficking).
Online Sources- MSNBC, Xinhua, Reuters

Wikileaks targets LatAm

The media furor over Wikileaks may have mellowed out but the muckraking website continues to uncover hundreds of interesting diplomatic cables and documents. Latin America has not been an exception to this and Wikileaks targeted several countries in the past few days.

Colombia

Colombia daily El Espectador published dozens of documents uncovered by Wikileaks over the past week. According to El Espectador the cables revealed that “the U.S. embassy became a confessional booth” once the para-politics corruption scandal broke out in 2006. One cable from that year revealed that Mario Uribe, senator and cousin to then-President Alvaro Uribe, was eager to meet with U.S. Ambassador William Wood and dissuade him from revoking his visa. (Mario was sentenced yesterday to nearly eight years in prison for his strong ties to the rightist paramilitaries).

Speaking of the former leader, several diplomatic documents revealed that U.S. diplomats were for the most part were content with Uribe’s actions in the para-politics ordeal. He “strongly supported judicial investigations of paramilitary-political ties” according to one 2006 memo after Uribe met with Wood. Wood’s successor, William Brownfield, praised Uribe in 2009 for pledging to “fully investigate” another scandal involving illegal wiretapping by Colombia’s intelligence agency (DAS).

According to other cables there were occasions when the ties between Uribe and U.S. diplomats were not always rosy. Another 2009 cable showed that the U.S. government tried to push Uribe to dismantle the DAS, an action that has yet to be taken. In 2006 Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns personal warned Uribe that reintegration programs of paramilitaries have not materialized” and that some of them are “returning to crime”. (Several of these former fighters would go on to form the base of the so-called “bandas criminales”, emerging narcotrafficking groups that have allied with leftist guerillas).

Chile

The Chilean government’s worries over the Middle East were the focus of several diplomatic documents uncovered by Wikileaks. A 2008 cable showed that Chile and Israel were both very worried over Iran’s ties to Venezuela. According to the document, Israel’s military attaché in Chile worked “with Chile's Investigative Police and 'other agencies' (presumably Chile's Intelligence Agency)” in order to spy on Iranian activities. 


Other cables from the U.S. embassy in Santiago showed that they were concerned with the presence of Hezbollah and similar groups among Chile’s small Islamic fundamentalist community. One 2006 document alleged that a "radical fundamentalist presence" was found in the city of Iquique and that “Hezbollah groups in the northern part of Chile are believed to be financial cells.”

Peruvian daily “El Comercio” revealed another memo via Wikileaks on an international court case between Peru and Chile. An unnamed Chilean diplomat in the 2008 cable worried that The Hague would “grant concessions to Peru” in a maritime border case based on previous rulings including one that year between Nicaragua and Colombia.

Speaking of Peru…

Peru

A 2005 document revealed that the ex-minister former interior minister Fernando Rospigliosi met with U.S. embassy officials where he expressed his “concerns” against “ultranationalist” Ollanta Humala. Along ex-Director of National Defense Ruben Vargas, Rospigliosi suggested several ways to counter the former presidential candidate including that “the Embassy consider supporting an anti-Humala communications program.”

Rospigliosi responded in an editorial published today alleging that his meeting with embassy officials was necessary and not “antidemocratic”. “Due to this ‘intromission of international governments’ (like Venezuela and Cuba), he decided to ‘balance out’ the situation and talk with the U.S. diplomats,” according to a Living in Peru article on Rospigliosi.

Aside from Rospigliosi, Wikileaks also revealed another cable alleging that Inti Gas soccer club president Rofilio Neyra received funds from drug traffickers. The politician, allied with political sectors loyal to disgraced former president Alberto Fujimori, supposedly received the tainted money during a 2006 campaign for local office.

Brazil

Lastly, Brazil’s growing economic and political clout in the Americas was a source of concern for Paraguay. Ex foreign affairs minster Leila Rachid told U.S. diplomats in 2005 that she was worried over Brazilian efforts “to minimize US influence in South America”. She opposed this perceived assertion of “Brazilian dominance” that could’ve lead to “unfettered Brazilian control of Paraguay’s destiny”.

Image- The Globe and Mail
Online Sources- La Republica, Living in Peru, El Pais, UPI, La Tercera, AFP, MercoPress, BBC News, El Espectador, Colombia Reports

World Watch: Eyes on the prize

* U.S.: Rest in peace Dorothy Height; the civil rights pioneer whose world spanned about seven decades died Tuesday at the age 98.

* Spain: Ex-International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch is in a Barcelona hospital and in “very serious” condition.

* Iran: A Pentagon report claimed that Iranian officials sold weapons to Hezbollah and views the rebels as “an essential partner for advancing its regional policy objectives''.

* World: The havoc wrecked on European travel by the erupting Eyjafjallajokull volcano has had effects around the world including tourism in South Asia.

Image – Washington Post
Online Sources- NPR, NBC Sports, The Age, BBC News

Israeli FM off on diplomatic tour of Americas

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman will begin his 10-day tour of four Latin American countries in order to promote Israeli interests.

Lieberman will stop in Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Argentina with the hope of repairing ties that have been strained since the offensive on Gaza earlier this year. In addition, he will travel with several Israeli businessmen with the aim of promoting trade and commerce between Israel and the Americas.

Lieberman’s tour will not stop in countries like Venezuela and Bolivia that have close ties with Iran- a country viewed as a “main threat” to Isreal. Furthermore, Lieberman will emphasize claims that militant group Hezbollah has infiltrated South America; a claim that has been seen as doubtful by some in the region:

Lieberman was set to leave late Monday. During his trip, Lieberman will tackle the Iranian issue with South American leaders, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said, and chiefly the activities of the Iranian-backed Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah.

"Israel, along with many others, is concerned about Iran's infiltration into Latin America, primarily through Hezbollah, and this will definitely be an issue discussed between the Israeli foreign minister and his counterparts," Ayalon said...

The South American nations deny there is a problem with terrorism in the area.

Image- AP
Online Sources- AP, AFP, PRESS TV, JTA, the Latin Americanist

Bolivia, Venezuela in Iranian nuclear dealings?

It’s no secret that Iran has increased its political and economic influence with several countries in South America. (Much to the chagrin and ire of the U.S. State Department). Yet an Israeli report leaked to the press alleges that Venezuela and Bolivia have gone too far and sold uranium to Iran.

"There are reports that Venezuela supplies Iran with uranium for its nuclear program…Bolivia also supplies uranium to Iran," according to a Foreign Ministry document cited by the mainstream media. If the allegations are true then it would mark the first time either country has been linked to Iran’s much-maligned nuclear enrichment program.

Bolivia’s government responded to the allegations with a strong denial:

Bolivia denied supplying uranium to Iran for its nuclear program, saying Tuesday it has never produced the metallic element, a key ingredient for nuclear energy and weapons.

Mining Minister Luis Alberto Echazu dismissed allegations in a secret Israeli government report, saying "there isn't even a geological study (of uranium deposits), much less export" of uranium to another country…

Bolivia has some uranium deposits but they aren't being exploited, said mining director Freddy Beltran, a subordinate of the mining minister who handles technical issues. His comments were published Tuesday by the Bolivian daily La Razon.

Venezuela’s government has yet to reply to the Israeli paper despite the additional accusation that Hezbollah has established cells in northern Venezuela and on Margarita Island.

The document was released not-so-coincidentally one week before Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon is scheduled to attend the Organization of American States general assembly in Honduras.

Image- BBC News (Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad)
Online Sources- CNN, AFP, AP, The Latin Americanist, MSNBC

U.S.: Hezbollah increases LatAm influence vis-a-vis Iran

Iran has increased its ties with several Latin American countries in recent years; thus unnerving U.S. government officials. In January, for instance, Defense Secretary Robert Gates deemed Iran as a “subversive threat” to the region.

Last November former CIA official John Kiriakou wrote in the Los Angeles Times against the possibility that Iran run “a terrorist base of operations in the United States’ backyard.” To this, fellow blog contributor Miguel had the following response:

(…) With respect to Latin America, where US policy has rarely been multi-dimensional, it will be easy for the new Obama administration to bite into this wedge issue for fear of looking soft. Doing so, though, will only hamper its ability to engage difficult, independent-minded leaders such as Chavez, Morales, or even Lugo. And to be clear, I think engagement -- yes, talking -- is good. Clearly, Iran is a country to be taken seriously, and clearly, it's a different story if evidence surfaces that these LAC governments are harboring terrorists (and not just visa-free Iranians). Thus, I hope that the new administration doesn't just take the bait, that they listen to the credible intel reports from current CIA staff, and if possible, can avoid having it's first LAC policy statement being just another Monrovian ultimatum about who should or shouldn't play with whom.

It appears as if the new administration has “taken the bait”:

The commander of U.S. forces in Latin America (Admiral James Stavridis) says the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is involved in drug trafficking in Colombia. The admiral is worried about increased Iranian and Hezbollah activities throughout the region…

"We have seen in Colombia a direct connection between Hezbollah activity and the narco-trafficking activity," he said.

Stavridis also warned that Hezbollah activities have been concentrated around the shared border area between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.

Do you agree with Stavridis? Is he accurate in characterizing the Iranian “threat” to the Americas or is he grossly exaggerating? Are you surprised that U.S. officials are making the same claims under both the current and previous White House?

Image- BBC News (Hezbollah militants hold a 2008 rally in Beirut)
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, Voice of America, Los Angeles Times, Reuters

Argentines seize Iranian property

The property of an ex-Iranian diplomat was seized as part of the Argentine government’s investigation into a deadly 1994 bombing.

The judicial order by an Argentine magistrate allows the government to seize and auction off the property to pay for victims of the 1994 attack of a Buenos Aires Jewish center. According to the judge’s order, the seized property was owned by fugitive Mosehn Rabbani, the former Iranian cultural attaché to Argentina.

The argentine government has accused Iran’s government of masterminding the bombing (image) which killed 85 people. Interpol has warrants out for six Iranians and several intelligence agencies believe that Hezbollah carried out the attack.

During her September appearance at the U.N. General Assembly, Argentine president Cristina Kirchner called for Iran to extradite five Iranians wanted in connection with the bombing:

``I ask Iran to please allow Argentine justice to judge, in public and transparent trials with all the guarantees of a democratic system, those citizens who stand accused,'' Fernandez said during a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Image- BBC News
Sources- BBC News, New York Times, Xinhua, Reuters, Bloomberg

Daily Headlines: August 27, 2008

* U.S.: A Census report concluded that the average Latino household income increased slightly yet so did the Latino poverty rate (21.5%) and more Latinos are uninsured than any other racial category.

* Venezuela: Has Hezbollah increased its presence in Latin America by taking advantage of closer relations between Venezuela and Iran?

* Ecuador: Most Ecuadorians would vote in favor of a new government-backed constitution according to a recent poll.

* Chile: President Michelle Bachelet is pushing a bill that would facilitate equal pay for equal work.

Image- AFP (“Men eat free lunch at the Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen.”)

Sources- Associated Press, CNNMoney.com, Reuters UK, Forbes.com, Los Angeles Times

Venezuela denies Hezbollah links

The Venezuelan government rejected charges made on Wednesday by the U.S. Treasury Department (USTD) regarding links with Hezbollah. The USTD accused the Chavez administration of “employing and providing safe harbor” to two people who reside in Venezuela and allegedly aided Hezbollah.

The Venezuelan government denied any wrongdoing:

In response to Treasury's action, the Venezuelan government issued a statement saying that "Hezbollah is a political party legally operating in Lebanon".

"We do not have any formal complaint from Lebanon regarding this or other issues," said Andres Izarra, the Minister of People's Power for Communication and Information. "If they had any problem requiring investigations, they would have informed our country about it, and they have not."

U.S. officials have previously blamed Venezuela with ties to Hezbollah vis-à-vis Iran.

Image- BBC News

Sources- ABC News, CNN, Reuters, The Latin Americanist