Woman wins San Salvador mayoral election

Leftist candidate Violeta Menjivar will be the first female mayor of San Salvador after she was declared winner late Wednesday evening. Her victory was met by joy from her supporters, though supporters of right-wing candidate Rodrigo Samayoa accuse officials of electoral fraud.

central america, el salvador, election, women

Water conference underway in Mexico

The Fourth World Water Forum is underway in Mexico City with the stated intention of creating a plan for better managing the vital resource for all the world's people. But many experts fear there may not be enough for the world's growing population unless major steps are taken now. (Voice of America)

natural resources, MEXICO, water

Frist wants to crack down on immigration

Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has moved to initiate a quick vote on immigration, bypassing the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has been debating the issue for some time. Fellow Republican Arlen Specter said he opposed the quick vote without the benefit of discussion and debate on the floor first. (WAPO) The Nation weighs in on the issue. (The Nation)

Immigrants, Immigration, bill frist, senate

Ecuador: Nationwide protests against free trade talks

Indigenous groups from all over Ecuador have spent nearly a week protesting against free trade discussions between the U.S. and Ecuador. President Alfredo Palacio claims that the demonstrations are intended to overthrow his government, and protestors have constantly clashed with police.

ecuador, protest, free trade, alfredo palacio, international politics, South America

Editorial: “How the U.S. went wrong in Latin America”

In the latest edition of the Christian Science Monitor, Alexandra Starr blames the Bush administration’s intransigence and lack of diplomacy for the rift between Latin America and the U.S.

international politics, latin america, bush administration

Weekly Marcela

The Washington Post's Marcela Sanchez discusses Michelle Bachelet's subtle politics in her weekly column on Latin American politics. (WAPO)

Mexico: Rape victims deceived when seeking abortions

Blog VivirLatino highlights a recently released Human Rights Watch report on the obstacles faced by raped Mexican women who seek abortions. Though abortions in the case of rape are legal in Mexico, women usually opt for “back alley” abortions.

mexico, rape, human rights, abortion, women

Colombia: Uribe big winner from legislative elections

In light of high rates of abstentions and confusion over ballots, the 7 political parties representing Colombia’s president won approximately 70% of seats in the legislature. The two main parties opposing president Uribe received slightly over a quarter of the votes.

international politics, alvaro uribe, colombia, election

BBC analyzes Peruvian presidential race

A BBC article published today examines the two leading candidates for Peru’s presidency- former army officer Ollanta Humala and ex-congresswoman Lourdes Flores. While the pro-business Flores is confident that Peru can elect a female president much like neighboring Chile has done, the leftist Humala is relying on a message of nationalism.

lourdes flores, ollanta humala, Peru, election, international politics

Castro's comeback: style or substance?

Newsweek profiles Fidel Castro's image rehabilitation in Latin America and whether it marks a real return to leftist politics in the region or something more superficial. (Newsweek)

caribbean, Cuba,international politics,latin america