Daily Headlines: October 2, 2008

* U.S.: Could Nobel prize for literature judge Horace Engdahl’s rant against U.S. authors hurt Junot Diaz’ odds of winning the prestigious prize?

* Ecuador: Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht has reached a deal with the Ecuadorian government over the state of a hydroelectric plant.

* Paraguay: President Fernando Lugo talks land reform, foreign policy, and liberation theology in this great interview last week on “Democracy Now!”

* Costa Rica: Costa Rica could join the Central American Free Trade Agreement before the end of the year now that their deadline got extended.

Image- Time Out New York

Sources- Democracy Now, Voice of America, Guardian UK, IHT, The Latin Americanist

Today’s Video: Tlatelolco – four decades later

October 2, 1968 was one of the most infamous dates in Mexican history. It was on that day that the Tlatelolco massacre occurred in Mexico City where dozens (if not a few hundred) people were gunned down by Mexican forces. The killings occurred days before the Summer Games as the authoritarian government tried to justify the actions during a peaceful student march.

Then-Interior Minister Luis Echeverría is under house arrest and could possibly be tried for his role in the massacre. Yet in the four decades since the massacre justice has been far from served which was why Amnesty International called on President Felipe Calderon “to establish the truth” and help bring those responsible to justice.

The clip below is from a Spanish-language Discovery Channel documentary on the Tlatelolco massacre. It describes how the growth of the Mexican student movement and the increasingly repressive nature of the government would lead to that fateful day at the Tlatelolco square.


Sources- The Latin Americanist, Wikipedia, YouTube, IPS, Herald Sun

LatAm could benefit over crisis says Carlos Slim

The $700 billion economic bailout plan may’ve been passed by the U.S. Senate tonight yet it has received great opposition domestically and abroad. The lack of a bailout sent Latin American stocks tumbling on Monday though leaders like Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez have vehemently rejected the rescue package.

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim has some misgivings over the bailout though from a different angle as Lula and Chavez. Rather than purchase bad assets, Slim proposed that the U.S. government take up majority ownership of ailing investment banks. The telecom mogul praised Berkshire Hathaway head Warren Buffett for investing $5 billion in Goldman Sachs and also claimed that the financial crisis could be helpful to the Latin American market.

In remarks made to the foreign media on Tuesday, Slim added that China should take a more active role in helping the U.S.

Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim, one of the world's richest men, said Tuesday that China should lead rescue efforts for the US financial crisis, and that worldwide stock markets needed better rules.

"China is now the most important country to help responsibly in this crisis"…

"China has great liquidity, large resources, surpluses in its current accounts and a lot of capital flow," he said.

"There is a systematic crisis in the whole financial system and the problem is that everything is interconnected."

Image- MSNBC

Sources- The Latin Americanist, BBC News, Monsters & Critics, Bloomberg, IHT, Reuters, AFP

Spain’s Calderon: “Racist” photo was a “bad mistake”

Remember the brouhaha caused during the Olympics by the Spanish basketball team’s “racist” photo? At the time, team member and Toronto Raptors player Jose Calderon tried to show contrition by noting that “some of my best friends in Toronto are from China.” Now he has gone a step further in asking for forgiveness:

"It was a mistake, a bad mistake," the Raptor guard said of the picture, which showed members of the Spanish national team pulling back the corners of their eyes. "We weren't meaning to do anything hurtful, I take that like a lesson. ... I wanted to tell the people what I am, I've never had that problem before in my life and it will never happen again."

Calderon sent emails in the last week or so to more than 100 fans who wrote him to say they were hurt by the picture.

"I wrote to the people who really cared about it, the people who emailed me and people who really thought I was saying something bad," he said. "It was a bad mistake, I wanted to tell them."

Calderon’s contrition appears sincere enough since he’s been remorseful ever since the controversy began. Yet as a cynic I cannot help but wonder how if this has anything to do with Spain’s bid for the 2016 Games.

(Hat tip: Deadspin).

Image- Guardian UK

Sources- The Latin Americanist, Deadspin, Torontoist, TheStar.com, Typically Spanish

Daily Headlines: October 1, 2008

* Latin America: In a worrying trend, the growth in money transfers to Latin America continues to decrease according to an Inter-American Development Bank report.

* Bolivia: The Russian ambassador to Bolivia claimed that both countries will strengthen ties and possibly "approach the level" of its partnership with Venezuela.

* Chile: The Chilean government will supposedly seek compensation from foreign banks that held of accounts of late ex-dictator Augusto Pinochet.

* Colombia: A Bogota-based human rights group claims that at least 270,000 Colombians were displaced due to armed conflict between January and June.

Image- SignOnSanDiego.com (“Jaouad Khadim, manager of Murphy's Market in City Heights, helped Carmen Pavon send money…to family in Veracruz state.”)

Sources- MSNBC, The Latin Americanist, USA TODAY, miamiherald.com, washingtonpost.com

Today’s Video: R.I.P. Dionicio Morales

Latino activist Dionicio Morales recently died at the age of 89. Described by publisher of the Hispanic Link news service as “the most consistent Mexican American civil rights leader that I've been associated with”, Morales opened the doors to many of his peers and to future generations of Latinos:

He was organizing garment workers in the early 1960s when he decided to do something to help residents of the largely Hispanic neighborhoods east of downtown Los Angeles who lacked health care, job training, child care and other services.

He created the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation in 1963 and called the White House for help. He was referred to the Mexican Embassy, where by chance then-Vice President Lyndon Johnson was meeting with Mexico's ambassador about the same issue...

The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation has since grown to serve more than 100,000 people. It provides a variety of services, including English classes and immigration assistance, mainly to people with low and moderate incomes.

In the clip below from 2005, Morales reflected on his work but also tried to inspire his audience to keep striving to overcome the obstacles still facing the Latino community. (Part 2 here).

(Hat tip: Guanabee).

Sources- Guanabee, YouTube, Los Angeles Times, San Jose Mercury News

Alberto Gonzales still under fire

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) named a special prosecutor to look into alleged misconduct during the time of ex-Attorney Gen. Alberto Gonzales. Gonzales quit from his post over a year ago amid accusations that nine U.S. attorneys were fired due to political motivation.

Special Prosecutor Nora Dannehy’s investigation could lead to criminal charges against Gonzales relating to obstruction of justice.

A DOJ report released yesterday blasted Gonzales:

In a report released Monday, the Justice Department's Inspector General detailed "substantial evidence" that partisan politics played a key role in the 2006 "unprecedented removal" of the nine officials.

It also said Gonzales "abdicated his responsibility to safeguard the integrity and independence of the department," Inspector General Glenn Fine's office said.

The 390-page report said Gonzales "bears primary responsibility for the flawed US attorney removal process."

Image- BBC News

Sources- The Latin Americanist, BBC News, AFP, washingtonpost.com

Latin American stocks fall

More news on plunging Latin American stocks reacting to a convulsing U.S. economy:

Business Week said Sao Paulo's Ibovespa stock index dropped 13.8 percent.

Many Latin American leaders are insisting U.S. financial problems will not have a large impact on Latin America.

MarketWatch reports that equity markets in Latin America posted steep losses.

Finally, Reuters reports the Morgan Stanley Capital International Latin American stocks index fell 12.64 percent.

Welcome to “Americatown”

Could this be the future of U.S. immigration debate?

Will the economic crises force us all to flee the country and set up our own little villages filled with U.S. immigrants? HBO seems to think so, and just greenlit a drama series titled Americatown. But since most "towns" across the country are crammed with both truly authentic and incredibly commercialized representations of their countries of origin, what would an Americatown be filled with?

In Americatown, our financial crisis causes a mass exodus out of the Americas and into other countries. The new series takes places about 25-40 years in the future, and follows a group of newly evacuated immigrants in a big foreign city.

It may seem like a crazy though to imagine neighborhoods filled with tens of thousands of norteamericanos in San Salvador or Buenos Aires. (Pre-revolutionary Havana doesn’t count as a precursor). But with things like this going on perhaps the idea behind Americatown is not so far-fetched.

(Hat tip: fark.com).

Image- CBS News (Photo of immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, possibly early 20^th-century).

Sources- The Latin Americanist, fark.com, io9,historyofcuba.com

Daily Headlines: September 30, 2008

* Ecuador: As was anticipated, a large number of Ecuadorian voters (roughly 70%) passed the country’s massive new constitution.

* Brazil: The country’s National Institute for Space Research reported an alarming 228% spike in Amazon deforestation between August 2007 and last month.

* Argentina: According to a study published in The Lancet, nearly half of injecting drug users in Argentina are HIV-positive.

* Colombia: Are military commanders pressuring troops to kill people in combat including accidently murdering innocenct civilians?

Image- Christian Science Monitor (“My vote: A supporter of President Rafael Correa showed a new Ecuadorean Constitution autographed by Mr. Correa on Sunday after the country voted in the new charter.”)

Sources- MSNBC, The Latin Americanist, Press Association, Reuters Alertnet

Today’s Video: R.I.P. Paul Newman

Renowned actor and philanthropist Paul Newman passed away over the weekend at the age of 83. “The Hustler,” “Cool Hand Luke”, and “Slap Shot” were just some of the movies he appeared in though he was also known for his charitable work. His death has been mourned by many from film expert Roger Ebert to the average Iranian.

Below is a clip to “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” where Butch and the Sundance Kid confront Bolivian bandoleros:


For my part, I’m extremely grateful for Newman’s benevolence since I was able to go free of charge with my junior high school classmates to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut. That trip not only allowed me to bond with friends whom I still hold dear today but also allowed me to be a more independent person. Rest in peace Paul, and thanks.

Sources- Chicago Sun-Times, NPR, Canadian Press, Wikipedia, YouTube

Spain backs Chavez nuclear push?

Shortly after returning from his state tour abroad, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez claimed that Russia will help the South American country develop a nuclear energy program. “We certainly are interested in developing nuclear energy, for peaceful ends of course, for medical purposes and to generate electricity” said Chavez who received an offer last week from the Kremlin to construct a nuclear reactor.

According to AFP, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos gave his conditional approval of Chavez’ nuclear ambitions:

"Lo importante en todo lo que es lo nuclear es estar en conformidad con la AIEA", afirmó el ministro de Asuntos Exteriores español, en una entrevista con la estatal Televisión Española (TVE)…

"Si es para utilización militar como es en el caso y las sospechas que puede tener con Irán, entonces la comunidad internacional le pide que se conforme a las peticiones del Consejo de Seguridad" de la ONU, añadió el ministro español

Translation – “What is important is that any nuclear plans are in accordance with the (International Atomic Energy Agency)” said the Foreign Affairs Minister to Spain’s TVE…

“If it’s for military use like is the case that we suspect with Iran then the international community will request that Venezuela will conform to the appropriate (UN) Security Council resolutions.

It remains to be seen whether other European countries will be as flexible with Chavez as Spain.

Image- The Moscow Times

Sources (English)- The Latin Americanist, CNN, The Telegraph, Xinhua

Sources (Spanish)- AFP

Puerto Rican politicos unite behind Obama

Hillary Clinton may’ve won the Puerto Rican Democratic primary and the island’s political parties generally don’t get along with one another. But earlier today several “high-profile representatives” representing some of Puerto Rico’s main political parties got together to campaign in favor of Barack Obama. The politicos united in an Orlando rally to urge mainland Boricuas to vote for Obama though Puerto Rican residents on the island do not have the right to vote.

Why Obama? The president of Puerto Rico's Senate explains:

* Obama has offered to settle the statehood, commonwealth or independence debate by involving the White House and the U.S. Congress in supporting the island’s decision.
* Obama’s platform includes an offer of parity for federal funding between Puerto Rico and other states on issues such as Medicaid and Medicare.
* Obama represents a radical change from a George W. Bush administration that many believe has largely ignored island issues.

In a visit to Florida earlier this month, Republican presidential candidate John McCain advocated a referendum to decide Puerto Rico’s political status. “It seems to me that we should be guided by a referendum where the people of Puerto Rico decide what their future should be,” said McCain at a town hall meeting held in Orlando.

Image- Time (Barack Obama campaigning in Puerto Rico earlier this year).

Sources- The Latin Americanist, Politico, Orlando Sentinel, miamiherald.com

LatAm economists, leaders differ over bailout

A controversial $700 million bailout was defeated by U.S. legislators on Monday, thus triggering a massive 777 point drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Other stock indices in the Western Hemisphere also plummeted in trading today. The Morgan Stanley Capital International Latin American stocks index sunk to its lowest point in a decade with a 12.6% drop. Brazil's Ibovespa index nosedived by over 10% this afternoon before closing with a 9.5% loss. Meanwhile, Argentina’s Merval index plunged by 8.7% while Mexico’s main index tumbled by over 6%.

Regional financiers panicked over the lack of a bailout unlike Latin American leaders who have been upset at the plan from the get go. Presidents like Michelle Bachelet and Leonel Fernandez expressed resentment at their northern neighbor for advocating helping tycoons instead of the impoverished masses. As Fernandez mentioned yesterday at a forum with ex-Chilean president Ricardo Lagos:

In light of the current financial crisis, Lagos and Fernandez both questioned international economic institutions in relation to Latin America.

Lagos criticized the unregulated free markets as showing "arrogance," insisting instead that the market should focus on improving citizens' lives by alleviating poverty and bettering education and health care - a premise for which he received rousing applause.

Fernandez agreed. "Globalization needs rules," he said, pointing to the hyperinflation, debt and deficits that free-market policies caused in his country, which resulted in a distrust of democracy.

Image- SignOnSanDiego.com (“Traders work on the floor of the Brazilian Mercantile and Futures Exchange in Sao Paulo, Monday.”)

Sources- AFP, Reuters, BusinessWeek, IHT, Guardian UK, Brown Daily Herald

Volz memoir in the works

Eric Volz, the American who was convicted of murdering his Nicaraguan ex-girlfriend in 2007 and then freed earlier this year after serving time in a Nicaraguan prison, has contracted with St. Martin Press in New York to produce his written memoir of his ordeal, according to his website.

Personally, I have remained fascinated by the story -- perhaps because I am roughly his age and work in Central America. Yet there is something Dostoyefsky-like about most all of the elements of the bizarre back-story, from the accounts of his alibi and innocence and the clearly biased trial he underwent to accounts of his personality as a devious expat or as a social entrepreneur working on an eco-tourism magazine that both the leftist Nicaraguan press and the unflinching American support launched over the internet spoke about (on opposite ends) with absolute certainty. In the media hodge-podge that existed around his case, I don't know that anything new or convincing will result from his memoir, and it will apparently follow what appears to be the generally supportive book released last month (The Bridge, by Michael Glasgow).

Still, I am curious to see what sort of tone it takes; since I imagine that such a memoir would offer insight into the mind of the writer, if not unbiased facts on the case (a la OJ's If I Did It). I would also hope that the book focuses on moving forward in the case, and not just Volz's own harrowing Nicaraguan Midnight Express story -- after all, there is still a murderer on the loose in San Juan del Sur.

To me, the more interesting story, regardless of what truth emerges or in which one believes, is the cultural touchstone that his case has come to symbolize in Nicaragua; in newly Sandinista Nicaragua, where anti-Americanism is again on the rise, Volz's name now invokes all things disdainful about American imperialism and exceptionalism.

On both trips I've taken to Nicaragua this year, I have found myself asking taxi drivers if they still talk about Volz's case. "Not too much anymore," they've told me. But once asked if they think he was innocent or guilty, they invariably launch into a soliloquy about foreign privilege, media bias, corrupt courts, small-town ruralism in Nicaragua, and a number of other issues not even so closely connected to his case -- all which goes to show how deeply Eric Volz's case struck at the heart of a country with a lot of open wounds.

Daily Headlines: September 29, 2008

* Venezuela: President Hugo Chavez’ trip abroad continued with a deal for 1 million laptops from Portugal and then chatting with Fidel Castro in Havana.

* Mexico: In response to rampant crime several legislators have suggested restoring the death penalty.

* Nicaragua: The stepdaughter of President Daniel Ortega dropped her case against him accusing him of child abuse and rape.

* Brazil: Could the G8 be expanded to include Brazil? One Italian official hopes so.

Image- Guardian UK (“Hugo Chavez visits Fidel Castro in hospital, August 2006. Photograph: AFP-Getty.”)

Sources- MSNBC, IHT, El Universal, Reuters India, Monsters & Critics