Peru considers lawsuit against Yale to retrieve artifacts

Peru's National Institute of Culture will explore legal options to retrieve Inca artifacts originating in Machu Picchu and transferred to Yale University nearly a century ago. Peru claims the artifacts were sent to the US in a temporary loan, and that the University has declined to return them despite diplomatic entreaties. (CNN)

Sign the petition for transparency in Bolivian human rights

The Bolivian Solidarity Network is circulating a petition that asks former Bolivian President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada and his former ministers to return to Bolivia to to testify in the deaths of 59 Bolivians who were protesting during the "gas war" of September and October of 2003. (Sign the Petition)

Opposition parties vow to boycott elections in Venezuela

Venezuela's three main opposition parties withdrew from this Sunday's congressional elections earlier this week, saying the electoral process is 'vulnerable and open to fraud'. Some say this may be a missed opportunity for the opposition to present itself as a viable alternative to Hugo Chavez. (MyrtleBeachOnline)

Brazil debuts Carmen Miranda exhibit

Brazil's Modern Art Museum will commemorate the 30th anniversary of Carmen Miranda's death by showcasing her life in an exhibit that will feature over 700 items. (Mercury News)

WTO ruled for the U.S. in tariff case against Mexico

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. A WTO panel found Mexico guilty of unfairly forcing tariffs on rice from the U.S. Moreover, the ruling found Mexican trade laws must be modified if they are to coincide with WTO rules. (SeattlePi)

Stolen paintings returned to Argentina

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. The Argentine National Fine Arts Museum recovered three paintings stolen twenty-five years ago and valued at nearly $1 million. The artwork includes paintings by Renoir and Cezanne. (IOL)

Spike in Venezuelans entering U.S. since 1999

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. The number of Venezuelans seeking temporary visas and political asylum in the U.S. has grown rapidly since Hugo Chavez became Venezuelan head of state six years ago. Most of these Venezuelans are upper- and middle-class, and have sought areas like central Florida as refuge from Chavez’ left-wing policies. (Orlando Sentinel)

Q: Will El Salvador send a fresh batch of troops to Iraq next year? A: That’s up to the coalition says Salvadoran prez

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. President Elias Antonio Saca said Monday that coalition forces will decide whether or not El Salvador will send a new group of troops to Iraq next year. El Salvador has nearly four hundred troops in Iraq and has been the only Latin American nation to send troops to Iraq. (XinhuaNet)

Polls: Jamaican race neck-and-neck; Toledo’s popularity remains dismal

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. Angus Reid Consultants mentioned that only one point separates Jamaica’s main political parties in the race to elect the successor to outgoing PM P.J. Patterson. In addition, the arrest of ex-president Alberto Fujimori has done little to help the low popularity of current Peruvian head Alejandro Toledo. Only 14.8% of respondents in a poll in Peru’s two largest cities support Toledo. (Angus Reid)

Oppenheimer: U.S. isolationism towards Americas more dangerous than “Chavez’s 1960s-styled anti-American rhetoric”

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. Echoing the sentiments in a recent editorial from the Los Angeles Times, and comments from the head of the Andean Community of Nations, Miami Herald columnist Andres Oppenheimer’s latest column looks at U.S. isolationism towards Latin America as the greatest threat facing future hemispheric relations. (Miami Herald)

Lavagna resignation may lead to rise in Argentine inflation

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. The resignation of Argentina’s economic minister on Monday, may lead to increased government spending and a rise in inflation according to an U.S. economics professor. In what may be seen as an ominous sign of Argentina’s economy, the main stock index fell over five percent in the two days after Roberto Lavagna quit. (Bloomberg)

Latest celebrity contribution to Mexico: fake Mayan pyramids

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. Several sets from Mel Gibson’s latest film, including several fake Mayan pyramids, will be donated to the Mexican state of Veracruz upon completion of the film’s shooting. (Globe and Mail)

Brazilian samba and Guatemalan traditional ballet two of seven recently chosen international cultural treasures

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. UNESCO chose seven unique cultural treasures from Latin America as part of a list of forty-three global cultural traditions that are in risk of disappearing. Also included on the UNESCO list are Costa Rican ox carts and an island on Lake Titicaca. (Miami Herald)

Cuba blames US for limited Internet use

Cuban Information Minister Ignacio Gonzalez Planas blames the United States for the low rate of Internet usage in his country, citing the economic embargo, the US monopoly on domain names, and lack of satellite access. (Miami Herald)

ICG member writes of recent visit to Haiti

International Crisis Group member Mark Schneider provides the Los Angeles Times with commentary on the political situation in Haiti, detailing his recent visit to the island. (Los Angeles Times)

Despite free trade rhetoric, EU keeps banana tariffs high

Despite encouraging governments around the world to open up markets to European goods, the EU agreed on a 176 Euro/ton tarriff on bananas, angering many trade officials in Latin America. The EU has maintained a policy of favorable tariffs for former European colonies, including the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique. (Reuters)