This week’s look at upcoming free concerts in New York ends tonight. In the past four days, we’ve highlighted music from Los Amigos Invisibles, Chicha Libre, Curumin, and Alex Cuba. We’re taking a different turn tonight by quickly highlighting two great Latino comics.
Pablo Francisco and Gabriel Iglesias will both be performing in Central Park next Friday evening. Both these comedians have been frequently on Comedy Central and have also had their own specials. Iglesias sometimes uses self-deprecating humor to poke fun at his obesity (e.g. the five levels of fatness) while Francisco is best-known for his impressions and wide-ranging voices.
Here is a brief, somewhat NSFW clip Francisco joking about Mexican (norteño?) music:
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, YouTube, Official websites of Pablo Francisco and Gabriel Iglesias
Friday, June 12, 2009
Solidarity protests held throughout Peru
Numerous marches in unity with protesting indigenous communities were held throughout Peru yesterday.
An estimated 20,000 people rallied in the streets of Lima calling on President Alan Garcia and the government to permanently revoke a series of controversial land-use edicts in the Amazon. "The jungle isn't for sale," chanted some marchers who also accused the government of covering up what really occurred in a series of violent confrontations last weekend between police officers and protesters in northern Peru.
Though most of yesterday’s nationwide protests were peaceful, Lima police launched tear gas at some marchers who threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the Congress building.
The country’s legislature voted on Wednesday to temporarily lift the presidential decrees yet there’s still plenty of tension in the Peruvian Amazon. While indigenous groups worry that they will lose their lands in the name of energy exploration and development, the impoverished region’s economy has been virtually paralyzed:
Online Sources- YouTube, New York Times, AP, Los Angeles Times
An estimated 20,000 people rallied in the streets of Lima calling on President Alan Garcia and the government to permanently revoke a series of controversial land-use edicts in the Amazon. "The jungle isn't for sale," chanted some marchers who also accused the government of covering up what really occurred in a series of violent confrontations last weekend between police officers and protesters in northern Peru.
Though most of yesterday’s nationwide protests were peaceful, Lima police launched tear gas at some marchers who threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the Congress building.
The country’s legislature voted on Wednesday to temporarily lift the presidential decrees yet there’s still plenty of tension in the Peruvian Amazon. While indigenous groups worry that they will lose their lands in the name of energy exploration and development, the impoverished region’s economy has been virtually paralyzed:
Online Sources- YouTube, New York Times, AP, Los Angeles Times
Editor's Story of the Argentine Dirty War
The Associated Press has an article today about the book Dirty Secrets, Dirty War: The Exile of Robert J. Cox by CNN web producer David Cox.The book tells the story of Robert Cox, who was the editor of the Buenos Aires Herald during the dirty war in Argentina. The Herald was one of the early papers to report about the junta's growing repression. "They warned him and tried to keep him in bounds, but he would publish lists of those who disappeared," recalled F. Allen "Tex" Harris, a U.S. diplomat in Argentina at the time.
Cox was sent to prison for a day after writing editorials about what was going on in the country. After his release, he received several death threats. In 1979, Cox fled Argentina with his family.
"This is the book that I could not write," the elder Cox, 75, says in the foreword. "I still find it too painful to relive those malevolent times by writing about them."
Image-AP
Online sources: AP
Ecuador Buys Back 91% of its Debt
Ecuador bought back 91 percent of its defaulted bonds this week, Reuters reported. It also promised to take action against other "illegal debt". Ecuador is now one of the first countries to get away with defaulting on its debt even though it has the means to pay it back.“These debts were imposed by force,” President Rafael Correa said after the government disclosed the buyback results. “We have rebelled against the system that established odious, unfair, illegal, immoral debts.” He believes that Ecuador should not be responsible for paying back debt incurred by previous corrupt governments.
The debt purchase comes as President Obama is attempting to repair the strained relations between the United States and Ecuador. Obama called President Correa on Wednesday to congratulate him on his April re-election, as well as to applaud the Ecuadorian people's commitment to democracy. "The president stated his desire to deepen our bilateral relationship and to maintain an ongoing dialogue that can ensure a productive relationship based on mutual respect," the White House said on Thursday.
Online sources: Reuters, Bloomberg
Palau and Bermuda accept Gitmo inmates. Why?
Numerous nations have been reluctant to take in Guantanamo detainees, Palau and Bermuda decided to accept seventeen and four Chinese Muslim Ulghers, respectively. Yet Bermuda’s move has caused plenty of controversy in the land of its current colonizer- Great Britain- and the decision could be overturned. According to Bermudan Premier Dr. Ewart F. Brown, “I can say on behalf of the Government, we are confident this decision is the right one from a humanitarian perspective.” Yet as Annie Lowrey of the Foreign Policy Passport blog noted, odds are that the real reason for accepting the repatriation can be simplified to one word: money.
So, why Palau and Bermuda? The countries have more in common than warm sands and clear water and tiny populations. They're very friendly with the United States for economic reasons.Image- AFP (“Chinese Uighur detainees talk to reporters at Camp Iguana in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.”)
The U.S. government has military bases on Palau, and has given its government hundreds of millions in aid and financing. (Palau, which was a protectorate until 1994, actually uses the U.S. dollar as its currency.) Bermuda's economy depends on the United States in no small part as well; a large proportion of Bermuda's tourists come from the U.S., and Bermuda is a staple off-shore tax haven for U.S. financial firms.
Online Sources- AFP, Foreign Policy Passport, ABC News, PRESS TV, BBC News
Daily Headlines: June 12, 2009
* Spain: Charges are expected to be filed against the owners of a Valencia bakery who negligently threw out the arm of a Bolivian laborer after it was severed on the job.
* Colombia: Colombian President Alvaro Uribe and several Canadian opposition lawmakers did not see eye-to-eye when Uribe spoke at the House of Commons in Ottawa yesterday.
* Chile: Two former generals were sentenced to three years in jail for illegally selling weapons to Croatia in the 1990s.
Image- Reuters (“People walk outside a Western Union branch in New York March 28, 2009.”)
Online Sources- AP, BBC News, LAHT, Canadian Press
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Today’s Video: Viva (Alex) Cuba!
This week’s look at upcoming free concerts in New York continues with a quick word on Alex Cuba.
The Cuban-Canadian artist has received several Juno Awards for his delightful blend of Latin jazz, rock, and funk. He will be performing at Madison Square Park on the 24th of this month though he will also be touring North America this summer.
Al Jazeera English highlighted Cuba last year; take a look as he explains his musical inspiration as a child:
The Cuban-Canadian artist has received several Juno Awards for his delightful blend of Latin jazz, rock, and funk. He will be performing at Madison Square Park on the 24th of this month though he will also be touring North America this summer.
Al Jazeera English highlighted Cuba last year; take a look as he explains his musical inspiration as a child:
- Wednesday – Curumin, Juana Molina, and El G
- Tuesday - Chicha Libre
- Monday - Los Amigos Invisibles and Aterciopelados
Notable Quotable: Trashcan of the Americas?!
More than ever before, Miami continues to be the great continental trash can for all the defeated oligarchies.---A scathing op/ed piece in the Cuban state-run daily Granma aimed at who they consider as the “strong nucleus of right extremists from various Latin American countries” that call Miami home.
The article centered on the lack of extradition from the U.S. of Luis Posada Carriles- a former CIA operative wanted by Venezuela and Cuba for alleged terrorist activities. According to the piece, Posada is part of a massive conspiracy centered in Miami that is targeting the Venezuelan and Cuban governments.
Posada currently stands on trial facing immigration fraud and perjury charges relating to his accused lying to an immigration judge over his previous activities. His defense team argued for a delay and that request was granted today by a federal justice in El Paso who postponed trial until February 2010.
Image- South Florida Sun-Sentinel (2007 file photo of Luis Posada Carriles)
Online Sources- Granma International, UPI, AP
Tunnel found below U.S.-Mexico border
U.S. Border Patrol agents uncovered an 83-mile long tunnel beneath the U.S.-Mexico border that was allegedly used by drug smugglers.The uncompleted tunnel- which was discovered last week- impressed agents since the chamber was no mere hole in the ground:
"This is one of the most elaborate tunnels I've seen," Border Patrol agent Michael Scioli said.Authorities were tipped off by a resident of Nogales, Arizona who noticed hearing construction activity inside a building. Since last October, police have found fifteen other tunnels in the Nogales area alone.
Measuring 48 feet in the United States and 35 feet in Mexico, the tunnel contains side walls framed with 2-by-4 wooden studs and ceiling construction.
"It's elegant in the sense it has electrical work wired into the Mexico side. It even has a hose for ventilation and lightning," Scioli said.
Image- Arizona Daily Star
Online Sources- Arizona Daily Star, CNN, Houston Chronicle
(Belated) Miercoles Musical: Light and lovely
Sorry for not posting this on Wednesday as I was supposed to. Either way, I hope you enjoy this lovely song from Federico Aubele's recently released album:
Online Source - YouTube
Online Source - YouTube
US cancels remaining MCC funds to Nicaragua
Updating an ongoing story, the US has announced that it will cut the remaining $60+ million in aid through the Millennium Challenge (MCC) grant to Nicaragua, based on the prior suspension of this aid after the disputed municipal elections this past November. "Given the lack of meaningful reforms or progress in these areas by the government of Nicaragua, the board has agreed to terminate these projects," said MCC CEO Rodney Bent, yesterday.
Written before the decision was made, a thoughtful CSM article was written by Tim Rogers earlier this week analyzing the politics at play and the Nicaraguan poor who are affected most.
On Tuesday, the International Budget Support Group (GAP) concluded weeks-long discussions with the Ortega government in Nicaragua, agreeing to temporarily continue aid but with no concrete time frames, amounts, or agreed-upon electoral reform measures for the Nicaraguan government to undertake. They claim that the US decision will be highly anticipated but play no direct role in their decisions to continue or halt aid programs to Nicaragua.
As implied in Rogers' piece, the US decision is likely to heighten tension between the rural poor, indigenous groups and the Sandinista government, tension in part already raised by the imbroglio in Peru with and ongoing in the Miskito region of Nicaragua.
Budget-wise, Nicaragua is in serious trouble. While the Ortega administration continues to flout the necessity of aid from traditional donor countries, the sustainability of Venezuelan aid continues to be questioned and Russian and Iran aid continue to be small fries, by comparison.
Written before the decision was made, a thoughtful CSM article was written by Tim Rogers earlier this week analyzing the politics at play and the Nicaraguan poor who are affected most.
On Tuesday, the International Budget Support Group (GAP) concluded weeks-long discussions with the Ortega government in Nicaragua, agreeing to temporarily continue aid but with no concrete time frames, amounts, or agreed-upon electoral reform measures for the Nicaraguan government to undertake. They claim that the US decision will be highly anticipated but play no direct role in their decisions to continue or halt aid programs to Nicaragua.
As implied in Rogers' piece, the US decision is likely to heighten tension between the rural poor, indigenous groups and the Sandinista government, tension in part already raised by the imbroglio in Peru with and ongoing in the Miskito region of Nicaragua.
Budget-wise, Nicaragua is in serious trouble. While the Ortega administration continues to flout the necessity of aid from traditional donor countries, the sustainability of Venezuelan aid continues to be questioned and Russian and Iran aid continue to be small fries, by comparison.
Sources: NY Times, AP, La Prensa, Tico Times, CSM, IPS
Cristiano Ronaldo off to Spain in record deal
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to join Real Madrid for a world-record $130 million days after Brazilian Kaka completed his $94 million transfer to the Spanish side."At Cristiano's request…United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player” said a statement on Manchester United’s website today. The reigning World Player of the Year could finalize a deal by the end of this month.
Ronaldo had been the subject of transfer talk for quite a while now despite ManU head coach Alex Ferguson grumbling that he would not "sell that mob a virus". Yet the lure of such a big money deal seemed too hard to resist as Real president Florentino Perez is willing to spare no expense to recreate the superstar “Galacticos” squad of years ago.
Ronaldo may not be the only “red devil” to depart Old Trafford; the latest rumors is that Argentine Carlos Tevez will leave for intra-city rivals Manchester City.
Ironically, Ronaldo’s possible replacement may be an Ecuadorian player that Real Madrid has reportedly given up trying to sign:
Manchester United seem to have a clear run if they follow up their informal inquiry about Wigan Athletic's Antonio Valencia with a firm offer, with the player's representatives no longer optimistic about Real Madrid coming in with a bid.Image- Guardian UK
Online Sources- Guardian UK, The Latin Americanist, BBC Sport, forbes.com, The Telegraph, The Independent
Daily Headlines: June 11, 2009
* Brazil: The country may be officially in recession but that won’t stop the government from making a $10 billion loan to (not from) the International Monetary Fund.* Dominican Republic: Dominican cacao farmers are learning the pros and cons of fair trade as cited in the Christian Science Monitor.
* Cuba: Cuba’s ambassador to the U.N. launched heavy attacks against Human Rights Watch calling them a “clown act” paid to act as "mercenaries" for the U.S. government.
* Caribbean: British and Canadian researchers concluded that climate change is to blame for the destruction of Caribbean coral reefs.
Image- CNNMoney.com (“Partial view of a Petrobras off-shore oil platform in Angra dos Reis, 180 km south of Rio de Janeiro.”)
Online Sources- Christian Science Monitor, AP, BBC News, LAHT, Reuters
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Today’s Video: A triple threat
We continue with our look at this summer’s free concerts in La Gran Manzana with a can't-miss gig in Central Park.
The tenth Latin Alternative Music Conference in July will bring numerous artists to New York and while some are more recognizable than others rest assured that the quality of the music is always superb.
Take the July 8th Central Park Summerstage concert as an example; Argentine songbird Juana Molina is relatively well-known having been covered by the likes of Spin and Rolling Stone. (Shameless plug: us too!) Curumin and El G are definitely not slouches and their music is excellent in their own forms. All in all, the ambient sounds of Molina, the Brazilian funk/rock of Curumin, and the varied combinations from Buenos Aires’ El G combine to form a buffet for the ears and mind.
All gushing aside, here’s "Vem menina" by Curumin:
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, YouTube, Latin Alternative Music Conference, Central Park Summerstage, Spin
The tenth Latin Alternative Music Conference in July will bring numerous artists to New York and while some are more recognizable than others rest assured that the quality of the music is always superb.
Take the July 8th Central Park Summerstage concert as an example; Argentine songbird Juana Molina is relatively well-known having been covered by the likes of Spin and Rolling Stone. (Shameless plug: us too!) Curumin and El G are definitely not slouches and their music is excellent in their own forms. All in all, the ambient sounds of Molina, the Brazilian funk/rock of Curumin, and the varied combinations from Buenos Aires’ El G combine to form a buffet for the ears and mind.
All gushing aside, here’s "Vem menina" by Curumin:
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, YouTube, Latin Alternative Music Conference, Central Park Summerstage, Spin
Peru to suspend controversial land decrees
Peru’s legislature voted to temporarily suspend two controversial decrees that have been at the crux of conflicts between indigenous protesters and police.The stop-gap measure by Peru’s Congress halts President Alan Garcia’s decrees over land use in the Amazon region. Today’s 59-49 vote could conceivably be vetoed by Garcia though it would hurt the slim odds of negotiations between the government and protest leaders.
Thousands of indigenous people have protested over Garcia’s orders which they view as an illegal land grab while also ignoring the region’s social needs. Garcia claimed that the U.S.-Peru free trade pact gave him special powers to implement the laws. In the meantime, at least fifty people died over the weekend in clashes between soldiers and demonstrators.
Today’s congressional decision comes as local groups in solidarity with those in the Amazon are planning their own rallies:
The vote also comes on the eve of a strike called by the country's powerful leftist labor umbrella group, the General Confederation of Workers of Peru (CGTP).Image- BBC news
Mario Huaman, the CGTP's top leader, said there would be a protest march ending at the presidential palace in Lima to reject "the arrogant, intolerant, overbearing and discriminatory attitude of the government towards the Amazon communities."
Other protest marches, including marches held by indigenous protesters in Amazon cities, are planned in Peru's main cities.
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, Reuters, AFP, Al Jazeera English, BBC news
Will Monserrate, Espada affect NY gay marriage bill?
On Monday, New York State Senators Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada, Jr. defected to the GOP and ousted Democratic control of the chamber. It’s unknown as to how exactly the new Republican control of the NYS Senate will affect several issues like gay marriage.Espada became the new acting state Senate President as a result of his defection and in the past he has supported the gay marriage initiative. Espada recently said that he would allow the Senate to vote on the gay marriage proposal even though he was unsure if there are sufficient legislators to approve the bill.
Joining Espada on the gay marriage issue is Joe Bruno- the Republican former Senate leader who still has plenty of influence in Albany. "It's time. Now. For the government to back off, let people make their own life decisions...." said Bruno in a sudden about-face from his past views on the issue.
But could the proposal be doomed due to the Senate coup? Espada’s predecessor- Sen. Malcolm Smith- had put the vote on hold citing insufficient support and he has been unwilling to handover the reins to Espada. Both Monserrate and Espada are mired in controversy; the former for awaits trial for supposedly beating-up his girlfriend and the latter for allegedly using a nonprofit health-care as his personal piggy bank. One of the top Latino politicos in the state senate- Rubén Díaz Sr.- is an evangelical preacher who is vehemently against the bill.
In the meantime, the Senate has been literally deadlocked while they continue with their political power struggle. Hopefully they’ll figure something out soon (ha!) and get on with the business of leading the state.
Image- New York Daily News
Online Sources- Towleroad, New York Daily News, AP, NPR, Reuters, newsday.com, Gothamist
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