Follow-up: FIFA partly rescinds on high altitude ban

Note: Later today we’ll review last night’s Copa America action.

After weeks of campaigning by several Andean states, the world’s governing body on soccer retracted part of their ban on hosting matches at high altitudes. FIFA’s new edict now prohibits games from being played at more than 9800 feet above sea level (not 8200 feet plus) and only applies to World Cup qualifying matches.

The ban will help several the protesting countries such as Colombia and Ecuador, but it will not apply to Bolivia’s capital. Bolivian president Evo Morales has been one of the most notable protesters against the ban and according to Reuters it has helped unite the politically divided country:

“While critics say his approach smacks of populism, it is going down well with many ordinary Bolivians, who acknowledge their country's natural advantage in high-altitude matches with unabashed delight. ‘His position in defense of altitude is very admirable and it's meant he's won greater acceptance, even among the middle class,’ said Bolivian military retiree Robin Johns.”

Image- BBC News (Bolivian poster that says “United countrymen, high-altitude nation”)

Sources- BBC News, The Latin Americanist, CNN, SignonSanDiego.com

Brazil to provide subsidized contraceptives

Brazilian Health Minister Jose Gomes Temporao said yesterday that the government will provide discounted morning-after pills as part of an expanded medical program. Temporao argued that doing so would help reduce unplanned pregnancies amongst the country’s poor and, hence, would diminish the amount of illegal abortions.

Temporao’s tenure has been praised by some groups such as social activists and Brazil's poor. Yet at the same time he has alienated more conservative elements such as the Catholic Church and has even drawn the ire of the Pope.

Sources- CBS News, AHN, Reuters AlertNet, The Latin Americanist

Image- Canada.com

Daily Headlines: June 27, 2007

* Newly released CIA documents detail several intricate yet failed plots in the 1960s to assassinate Fidel Castro.

* Brazil may renew construction of what would be the country’s third nuclear reactor.

* U.S. presidential hopeful Fred Thompson defended his record as a lobbyist which included representing ex-Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

* The president of copper firm Codelco said that operations in Chile are running at a normal pace despite a strike by its contract workers.

* Honduran striker David Suazo finalized a transfer deal to Italian soccer giants Inter Milan.

Sources- Guardian UK, ESPN Soccernet, Reuters UK, BBC News, Forbes

Image- RIA Novotsi (Fidel Castro is not looking out for plots to kill him in this early 2006 photo of him)

Video of the Day: Soccer riot in Argentina

It’s never pleasant when ugly incidents occur during the “beautiful game.” In this case, here’s a brief Portuguese news report from of a riot that occurred after the second leg of an Argentine promotion/relegation playoff between Tigre and Nueva Chicago. One person was killed due to the disturbances in Buenos Aires on Monday.

Sources- YouTube, AHN

Follow-up: Immigration reform bill revived by Senate

Almost three weeks ago, the U.S. Senate voted against ending debate on a bipartisan immigration reform bill; thus endangering the possibility it would ever be considered. Yet earlier today, the Senate voted 64-35 to resume debate on the bill which contains the following provisions:

• creating a guest-worker program
• permit certain illegal immigrants to apply for a new visa
• increased border security

The proposal is expected to run into strong opposition though congressional chiefs like Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have worked hard in support of the proposal:

"We have an immigration system that is broken and needs to be fixed," he said. "That is what we are trying to do, is fix this. We would be derelict in our duties if we did not make every effort to get the legislation passed."

Aside from the possibility that the bill may be defeated, another danger comes from several amendments that could dilute the compromise; they include barring illegal immigrants from obtaining green cards and stronger penalties against those who overstay their visas.

Sources- The Latin Americanist, BBC News, Monsters & Critics, Voice of America, Guardian UK

Image- ABC News (According to the photo’s caption “Immigration reform stalled in the Senate but remains a heated subject on the 2008 presidential campaign trail”)

CFR tracks U.S. presidential candidates

Recently a tipster e-mailed us to the Council on Foreign Relations’ page tracking the U.S. presidential candidates and their views on different issues. Two sections of note regarding the Americas have to do with U.S. policy on Cuba and immigration.

The following are some excerpts from a few of the candidates on those two sections.

-On Cuba:

“(Senator Hillary) Clinton ‘is going with the status quo’ on Cuba policy, said Sergio Bendixen, an expert in Hispanic public opinion research, in the Washington Post in 2007. In a recent Senate vote, Clinton supported maintaining funding for TV Marti, television programming that the U.S. attempts to broadcast in Cuba.

(Rudy) Giuliani is critical of Castro, which he made clear during the debate over whether or not to return Cuban child Elian Gonzales to Cuba in 2000…His views of the embargo or on other U.S. policy toward Cuba are unknown, however.”

-On immigration:

“Sen. (Barack) Obama proposed three amendments that were included in the Senate Immigration Reform Bill last year, including one that mandates that jobs be offered to American workers at a “prevailing wage” before they are offered to guest workers…Obama opposed an amendment to the Senate immigration reform bill of June 2007 that would prevent immigrants with a criminal record from gaining legal status (AP).

Sen. (John) McCain (R-AZ) has been a moderate voice who supports both increased border security and a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. McCain was the only GOP candidate (FOX) to support the recent immigration reform bill.”

Please feel free to examine these and the other “issue trackers” for the U.S. presidential hopefuls.

Sources- Council on Foreign Relations

Images- Fora.tv (Hillary Clinton speaking at the Council on Foreign Relations in October 2006)

Governor under investigation may influence Puerto Rico's status

Puerto Rican Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila (image) admitted yesterday that he is under investigation by a U.S. grand jury. Despite repeatedly denying the allegations, Acevedo’s campaign finances are being looked into, and if the inquiry takes a long time then his possible reelection bid could be sunk.

Yet more importantly, it could bring in a governor that would try to push away from commonwealth status. Opposition politicos on the island would surely love for that to occur aside from campaigning for a referendum on Puerto Rico’s political status.

Stay tuned.

Sources- CBS News, The Latin Americanist

Image- BBC News

Ecuadorian faces death penalty in Florida

Nelson Ivan Serrano (image)- a former businessman from Ecuador- was sentenced to death earlier today in the murders of four people. “We feel that was an appropriate sentence,” said one of the prosecutors in the case against Serrano despite complaints from the Ecuadorian government over Serrano’s arrest:

“In February, Ecuador's Foreign Ministry requested Serrano be returned to that country because he was ``illegally'' taken to the United States to face charges.

Ecuador will not extradite fugitives who are facing the death penalty in other countries, but U.S. authorities were able to use Serrano's status as a U.S. citizen to get him deported in 2002. Serrano had U.S. and Ecuadorian passports when he was arrested. “

Only a simple majority was required to sentence Serrano and the 9-3 vote by the jury sealed his fate.

Sources (English)- Monsters& Critics, Guardian UK

Source (Spanish)- El Universo

Image- Prada

Daily Headlines: June 26, 2007

* Could former Uruguayan Juan Bordaberry’s ailing health save him from being jailed while on trial for murders during his nine years in power?

* In Argentina, the debate is intensifying between indigenous people and U.S. energy firms over land ownership.

* By a slim margin the House of Representatives voted not to close the military institution formerly known as the School of the Americas.

* Colombia, Haiti, and Chile will be some of the countries that will be visited by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper in July.

Sources- International herald Tribune, Indian Country Today, Canada East

Image- BBC News

Weekly Debate: Copa America 2007

Tuesday night will be the start of this year’s Copa America- the top regional soccer tournament for South American states. For the first time, Venezuela will host the 42^nd edition of the tourney and the Chavez administration has spent about $1 billion on construction and infrastructural improvements in an effort to showcase the country. (Hopefully, neither government plans to “to neutralize any effort aimed at disrupting the Copa America” nor any political protests will get out of hand.)

When all is said and done, the important factor is not politics but the game itself. The ten members of South America’s futbol confederation plus two invitees will play with the hope of becoming champion on July 15^th. Of the twelve teams vying for the title who has the best chance of winning? Here’s my very brief, not-so-expert analysis:

Crème de la Crème

• Argentina – By far the team to beat with a very strong squad that would usually be more appropriate for a World Cup match. Juan Roman Riquelme’s Copa Libertadores resurgence should compliment up-and-coming star Lionel Messi who’s been working wonders with world giants FC Barcelona.
• Brazil – The defending champions will look to keep the title that they captured after beating Argentina in penalties. Despite the loss of four key players from last year’s World Cup team (Ronaldo, Adriano, Ronaldinho, Kaka), players like Robinho and Wagner Love are expected to guide the team at least to a finals appearance.

Strong Contenders

• Mexico - Simply put, if “el Tri” performs as well as they did in their Gold Cup finals loss then they can definitely reach the semifinals. Several holdovers from that Gold Cup squad- such as Andres Guardado and Nery Castillo- will appear in a difficult yet manageable Group B.
• United States – The other invited team from CONCACAF is coming off a thrilling comeback win in the Gold Cup finals on Sunday. Nine players from that team along with a roster full of domestic players will be in the very difficult Group C. The team could crash and burn after playing the Gold Cup, but they have the talent to repeat their best Copa America performance (1995- fourth place).
• Uruguay - Despite losing star striker Diego Forlan for the opener against Peru, Uruguay should have no problems in making it to the quarters. Their team is very well-balanced throughout all positions and they definitely have the potential to repeat, if not surpass, their 3^rd place finish in the previous Copa America.

Dark Horses

• Chile – Stuck in a tricky group, Chile could easily end up either winless or in second place behind Brazil. The attack is bolstered by speedy ex-Colo Colo star Matias Fernandez, but their spotty defense may be their undoing.
• Colombia- Colombia would ideally like to return to the finals after winning the tournament at home in 2001. The team consists of a good mix of foreign-based veterans and youngsters, but making it past Brazil or Mexico into the semis could be very difficult.
• Ecuador – It’s been a year since Ecuador was eliminated from the World Cup. Since then, their record has been a lackluster 3-2-4 and they are perennial underachievers in the Copa America.
• Paraguay – Though one of the best teams in South America, their lack of offensive power (aside from Roque Santa Cruz) may do them in. They are stuck in the tourney’s “group of death” and may have to rely on goal difference to make it past the group stage.

No Chance Whatsoever

• Bolivia – Aside from leading the South American contingent against FIFA’s asinine high altitude ban, Bolivia tends to have a poor record away from La Paz. The team will rely mostly on players from established domestic clubs.
• Peru – It’s been a quarter-century since Peru made it to the World Cup and since then it has not gone very well for them. The speedy Jefferson Farfan may be the lone reason to watch this team.
• Venezuela – The host country has improved somewhat since being South America’s perennial doormat and they could make it out of a very weak Group A. In an interesting political twist, they could meet the U.S. in the quarterfinals.

So what are your thoughts on this year’s Copa America? Who do you feel are the main teams to watch? Could an upset winner occur? How much will politics influence the tournament? Will the tournament be a success not only for Venezuela but for the res of South America?

Give us your opinion via commenting to this post and/or voting on the poll located at the sidebar.

Quote of the Day: “Ask a Mexican” won’t go Hollywood

“A movie director told me, ‘You can be the next Cantinflas,’ ” he said, referring to Mario Moreno, a revered Mexican comic actor who died in 1993. “I just said ‘No, no, you’re missing the point. This is satire. Outrageousness mixed in with jarring truth.’ ”

--Author Gustavo Arellano (best known for his weekly “Ask a Mexican” column) via a New York Times article.

(Hat tip: Hispanic Tips).

Image- theLatinaVoz.com

Sources- New York Times, Wikipedia, Hispanic Tips, OC Weekly

News briefs on immigration

* The Senate is gearing up to vote again on a bipartisan compromise bill on immigration reform nearly a month after it was “defeated.”

* Texas Baptists are bucking the trend of some conservative groups campaigning against the compromise proposal.

* U.S. immigration officials acknowledged that while the number of deportations has increased they are not via “random sweeps” such as during immigrants’ rights protests.

* Let’s see if I get this straight- woman emigrates from Cuba to the U.S. at the age on one year, becomes a naturalized citizen, grows up and raises a family, becomes a local legislator, and is threatened to be deported over illegal voting?

* An immigrant Ecuadorian mother defied threats against her children’s lives and was able to legally bring her children to the U.S. and away from her overly abusive husband.

Sources- Yahoo! News, El Paso Times, Boston.com, Guardian UK, CBS News, New York Daily News, The Latin Americanist

Image- aiga.org

Trade impasse continues after G8 summit

Earlier this month, there was hope that the G8 summit would renew global trade negotiations between wealthy and underdeveloped states. Yet by the end of the summit last Friday no compromise was found and this has seemed to have caused a division in the Americas.

Despite Brazil representing undeveloped countries during the talks in Germany, a group of eight countries from Asia and the Americas will present a proposal that would call for finding a “middle ground” involving major concessions from rich and poor countries. The plan appears to agree with the viewpoint of most economic experts in that something is far better than nothing:

“‘The losses and missed gains associated with a failure or freezing of the (Doha round) far outweigh the costs of a less than perfect agreement,’ said the proposal of the eight WTO members. ‘The time has come for all WTO members to show the flexibility needed to conclude the negotiations by early 2008 at the latest.’”

The break from Brazil and India may represent a turnaround in trade talks since the Doha Round first started in 2001.

Image- Turkish Press

Sources- Christian Science monitor, Monsters & Critics, Forbes, Reuters UK, Wikipedia

Costa Rica: Congress considers same-sex civil union bill

Opposition legislators in Costa Rica introduced a bill that would grant rights to gay civil unions. The proposal stops short of giving same-sex couples the right to adoption but would allow them certain rights such as power over medical decisions and inheritance.

Governments in Latin America have recently made several inroads in recognizing the rights of gays such as permitting civil unions in Mexico City. However, obstacles remain as was shown last week when conservative senators in Colombia defeated a gay rights bill.

Sources- Washington Post, Advocate.com, The Latin Americanist, Al Jazeera

Image- Reuters

Peru: Cameron Diaz apologizes for fashion faux pas

Actress Cameron Diaz issued an apology for carrying a bag embroidered with a quote from Mao Zedong during a visit to Peru last week. Some Peruvians viewed the bag as offensive based on the still fresh wounds from the country’s civil conflict with Shining Path guerillas during the 1980s and early 1990s.

Said Diaz (whose father is Cuban American) in her mea culpa:

"I sincerely apologize to anyone I may have inadvertently offended. The bag was a purchase I made as a tourist in China and I did not realize the potentially hurtful nature of the slogan printed on it."

Sources- Monsters & Critics, Guardian UK Film, Wikipedia

Image- CTV.ca (Cameron Diaz visits Machu Pichu last Friday)

Daily Headlines: June 25, 2007

* Less than a week after Boca Juniors captured the Copa Libertadores title, its owner Mauricio Macri was elected as Buenos Aires’ next mayor.

* Last Monday we congratulated Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton. Today we give kudos to Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya and Mexican golfer Lorena Ochoa for their respective victories on Sunday.

* “If the young people fail, everything will fail” wrote Fidel Castro in a letter to a Cuban communist youth group.

* Peru’s legislature overwhelmingly approved a law lowering the age of consensual sex to 14-years.

* To move or not to move Bolivia’s capital, that is the question.

Sources- The Latin Americanist, Yahoo! Sports, Yahoo! News, BBC News, CTV.ca, CBS News

Image- BBC News (Mauricio Macri at a Buenos Aires polling station on Sunday, only a few hours before exit polls indicated he would be the next mayor of Buenos Aires)