Daily Headlines: June 3, 2014

* Mexico: Representatives of numerous Latin American governments including Mexico’s foreign secretary praised King Juan Carlos I of Spain who announced yesterday that he will abdicated his throne.

* Cuba: Could the exchange of a U.S. soldier held captive in Afghanistan for five Guantanamo detainees serve as a precedent for a possible swap of a U.S. civilian jailed in Havana for three imprisoned Cuban spies?

* Peru: Peru’s government postponed a planned coca eradication program that would’ve been partially funded by the U.S.

* Brazil: The Foreign Minister of Brazil rejected U.S. intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden’s claims that he has formally sought asylum in the South American country.

Video Source – Associated Press via YouTube

Online Sources – USA TODAY; Time.com; LAHT; ABC News; Xinhua

Daily Headlines: June 2, 2014

* Spain: King Juan Carlos I of Spain will abdicated his throne after nearly four decades that included numerous accomplishments like promoting better political, economic and cultural ties with the Latin America.

* Colombia: 2013 Tour de France runner-up Nairo Quintana of Colombia became the first Latin American cyclist to win the Giro d'Italia while his compatriot, Rigoberto Uran, finished in second.

* Mexico: President Enrique Peña Nieto announced that the government would spend some $4.5 billion to modernize ports throughout Mexico.

* Latin America: Mexico’s Luis Montes and Ecuador’s Segundo Castillo will miss the upcoming World Cup after they both collided with each another during a friendly match on Saturday.

Video Source – euronews via YouTube

Online Sources – CNN; The Latin Americanist; ESPM; SI.com; LAHT

Spanish king witness to a “¿Por qué no te callas?” moment

In 2007, the infamous “¿Por qué no te callas?” incident happened when King Juan Carlos of Spain ordered Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez to shut up during a summit. The two leaders have since patched up their differences yet his Highness witnessed a somewhat similar occurrence last week.

The King and Queen Sofia attended a South Beach Wine & Food Festival dinner during their visit to Miami. Celebrity chef Mario Batali appeared at the $1,000-a-person gala to say a few words. Much like the King two years ago, Batali ad-libbed his remarks:

After stepping up to the microphone, he swore and sarcastically asked the audience if they could spare him a moment.

"All you weasel f***wads in the back corners, can I have ten seconds of your time?" said the chef, who appeared intoxicated.

He then swore again in front of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia when introducing chef José Andrés, who runs the Los Angeles restaurant, The Bazaar.

Mr. Batali said his friend had received: "The most mother-f***ing stars of any
Spanish restaurant in the US." He finished by grabbing Andres' bottom.

According to the Times Online, Batali’s choice comments made the Queen turn white while “Gloria Estefan, the singer, started giggling.” Other celebrity guests including Julio Iglesias and Florida Governor Charlie Crist were reportedly “shocked” by what happened.

It’s unknown if the King and Queen publicly replied to Batali, though Andrés jokingly told the audience that "this is what food and wine from Spain will do to you."

Image- BusinessWeek
Online Sources- The Telegraph, LAHT, Times Online, AP, The Latin Americanist

Hugo Chavez and Spanish king on the outs?

It was roughly a year ago that King Juan Carlos of Spain and Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez faced off during the infamous “¿Por qué no te callas?” tiff. Both leaders kissed and made up in July during Chavez’ visit to Spain. But could a photo-op hurt their relationship again?

A top aide to Venezuela's president criticized Spain's King for rubbing shoulders with owners of Venezuela's privately-owned and often anti-government media — even as he insisted that Venezuelan officials support free speech.

"Be careful who you pose with, King Juan Carlos," Information Minister Andres Izarra said, referring Venezuelan private press photos that showed the king posing with some of President Hugo Chavez's most outspoken critics.

Izarra dismissed concerns raised this week at a meeting of the Inter American Press Association, where Venezuelan newspaper and television network owners accused Chavez of harassing and intimidating the media.

Thus far there has been no official reaction from Spain. One hopes, however, that the king’s snapshots doesn’t result in a diplomatic spat between the European nation and Venezuela.

Image- CBS News (“Spanish King Juan Carlos gestures towards Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez as Chavez got involved in a heated verbal exchange with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, during the last working session of the XVII Iberoamerican Summit in Santiago, Chile, Nov. 10, 2007. King Juan Carlos said to Chavez, "Why don’t you shut up?"”)
Sources- The Latin Americanist, IHT

“Exclusive”: Chavez and Spanish king hit the beach

On Friday, it was mentioned that a beach trip was suggested between Spanish King Juan Carlos and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez after both reconciled.

Via our super-duper-top-secret-hush-hush-say-no-evil-hear-no-evil “source”, we were able to find “exclusive” video of Chavez and el Rey walking on the beach in Mallorca! If you listen closely, you can even hear them singing:

Sorry for the deception, ladies and gentlemen. We just wanted to end the week on a silly note.

Have a great weekend!

Sources- The Latin Americanist, YouTube

Hugo Chavez Gets His Hug From the King

Spanish King Juan Carlos and Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez have hugged and made up. The two met in the King's summer home in Mallorca for breakfast this morning.

As you can see the two were all smiles. It's being reported that no one was told to shut up and rather a trip to the beach was proposed.

The best part is that in this encounter, instead of a "Por qué no te callas?!" there was a "Por qué no vamos a la playa?" The president and the king joked around as Chavez proposed a jaunt to the beach.

The Spanish media is also reporting that el Rey gave Chavez a special gift: one of those famous "por qué no te callas?!" t-shirts!!!

Source : VivirLatino

Chavez to Spanish king: Why don’t we hug?

Months after the infamous “Why don’t you shut up?” incident Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez offered to hug Spain’s King Juan Carlos if they meet again. “I'd like to give the king a hug, but you know, Juan Carlos, that I am not going to shut up,” said Chavez yesterday in anticipation of his tour of Europe.

Juan Carlos’ outburst against Chavez during a summit last November (image) turned into a worldwide phenomenon as songs and ringtones celebrated the King. Tensions between Venezuela and Spain have eased since then, however, and full diplomatic relations could soon be restored.

Chavez first stop on his trip will be in Moscow later today. His stop in Russia will be vital in that he will reportedly purchase Russian arms:

In an interview with Itar-Tass in Caracas…Chavez…said his country was planning to buy from Russia state-of-the-art tanks. He also expressed interest in supplies of Russian systems of air-to-air defense and means to strengthen the Venezuelan Navy.

Chavez said Russia had offered loans for the purchase of its military hardware and armaments.

Image- Typically Spanish

Sources- Reuters, Pravda, ITAR-TASS, BBC News, The Latin Americanist, Guardian UK

Daily Headlines: July 2, 2008

* Bolivia: November 2007: Spain’s King Juan Carlos tells Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez “why don’t you shut up”?

July 2008: Peruvian President Alan Garcia tells Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales (image) to “shut up” and “keep his nose” out of Peruvian affairs.

* Latin America: The New York Times published a scathing editorial on how the U.S. is losing the “war on drugs” and must change a “strategy that focuses overwhelmingly on disrupting the supply of drugs (mainly in Latin America).”

* Chile: Authorities are keeping a close eye on the erupting Llaima volcano in southern Chile.

* Argentina: Spain has overtaken Argentina’s spot at the top of the FIFA soccer rankings.

Image- CCTV International

Sources- BBC News, The Latin Americanist, Guardian UK, New York Times, Voice of America

Video of the Day: Coming soon to Caracas' nightclubs

First it was the reggaeton version.

Now there’s a trance interpretation of the recent squabble between King Juan Carlos of Spain and Hugo Chavez.

(Video link):

So who do you think will be behind the next adaptation of “¿Por qué no te callas?” – Alejandro Sanz or Miguel Bosé?

Sources (Spanish)- ABC.es, El Pais.com

Sources (English)- YouTube, The Latin Americanist, Wonkette

Is the Spanish monarchy in danger?

Spain’s King Juan Carlos defended his country’s system of parliamentary democracy in a rare public speech given on Monday. In spite of growing protests in Catalonia and an official inquiry into the monarch’s expenses, the king backed the role of Spain's royalty:

Speaking in Oviedo, northern Spain, the king insisted his 31-year reign has seen the country "live its longest period of stability and prosperity in a democracy" since the death of military ruler General Francisco Franco in 1975.

Juan Carlos, 69, also urged all Spaniards to stand up for "democratic harmony, understanding, mutual respect, tolerance and freedom".

He also pointed out that the Spanish constitution of 1978 justifies their "parliamentary monarchy".

The center-right opposition Popular Party criticized the government for failing to quickly and strongly defend the monarchy during the protests against him. However, one of the most prominent critics of the king is a popular conservative radio talk show host who wants the king to abdicate in favor of the prince.

Sources- Voice of America, Foreign Policy Passport, Monsters & Critics, International Herald Tribune, Independent Online

Image- BBC News