Over 100 million Latin Americans live in slums

A study released last Sunday by a UN agency claims that nearly 130 million Latin Americans reside in slums, with nearly half of all Latin Americans living in poverty.

latin america, human rights, poverty, united nations, housing

Puerto Rico: Supreme Court denies voting appeal; Governor in favor of commonwealth status

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court denied an appeal that aimed to allow Puerto Ricans to vote for president. Meanwhile, in an opinion column in the Miami Herald, Governor Anibal Acevado-Vila advocates the island’s current status as a commonwealth and rebukes the findings of a White House task force on Puerto Rico.

puerto rico, commonwealth, plebescite, supreme court

López Obrador has double-digit lead

Former Mexico City mayor Andrés Manuel López Obrador leads presidential polls by 11% and 19% over the candidate from the governing party and the candidate representing PRI, respectively. Another poll has shown that nearly three out of four Mexicans would like to see presidential debates before Election Day on July 2^nd.

mexico, election, president , Andrés Manuel López Obrador

Immigration central issue in 2008 elections

Though the 2006 midterm elections have yet to be held, politicians are preparing the groundwork for possible runs in 2008. Immigration has become a hot-button issue, and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a front-runner for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, has introduced a bill that would "tighten control of the nation's borders without creating the guest-worker program the president wants." (WAPO)


bush administration, Immigrants, Immigration, international politics, senate

Chile deserves praise for economic progress in addition to gender equity

Jorge Castaneda, Global Distinguished Professor of Politics and Latin American Studies at our very own New York University, has written a piece in Newsweek International on 'Why Chile Really Matters'. Though the country has made headlines for ushering in its first female president, the strength of the economy should be the issue drawing our attention. (Newsweek)


Chile, latin america, South America

Op/ed: Spain’s aid to Latin America grows while U.S. share shrinks

Andres Oppenheimer bemoans the steady decrease in U.S. aid to Latin America over the past two decades while other countries are more willing to provide aid. latin america, foreign aid, andres oppenheimer, spain

El Salvador wants to copy Israel’s defense; China training more Latin American personnel

El Salvador’s Defense Minister has sought help from Israeli military officials in order to modernize El Salvador’s army. Meanwhile, a U.S. army general told a Senate committee that the amount of Latin American military personnel training China has increased.

el salvador, armed forces, israel, defense, china

Peru: Humala overtakes Flores in polls

With presidential elections coming up in approximately three weeks, polls show Ollanta Humala finally able to leapfrog Lourdes Flores, and a virtual tie if both were to be in a run-off. Meanwhile, Flores called the Venezuelan government of Hugo Chavez “a regression in Latin America” during an interview.

peru, election , ollanta humala , lourdes flores, hugo chavez, international politics

Venezuela: Is it really socialism?

Reuters examines how consumption has skyrocketed even though the government derides free-market measures and praises socialism. One Venezuelan university professor notes the similarities between current levels of in high consumption and during the latest oil boom during the 1970s.

venezuela, oil, consumer, socialism, consumption, free market, economy

Tallest building in Latin America to be made in Panama

Panama plans to build the tallest building in Latin America, a 97-story tower that would house shops, offices, and a hotel. The building would be constructed in Panama City at a cost of about $130 million.

panama, building, construction

Cuba runner-up in World Baseball Classic

Team Japan defeated Team Cuba 10-6 last night in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic, and the Cuban squad is expecting a grand celebration when they return to their homeland today. Cuban-Americans were divided in supporting their team as Babalu Blog shows in today’s entry which includes a link to an opinion piece in the Miami Herald.

cuba, baseball, human rights, babalu, miami, japan

Venezuelans pose nude for art

More than 1,500 Venezuelans shed their clothes on a main city avenue Sunday to pose for American photographer Spencer Tunick, forming a human mosaic in front of a national symbol: a statue of independence hero Simon Bolivar. (CNN)

latin america, South America, Venezuela

Sumo wrestling, World’s Strongest Man, poker, and now dominoes

ESPN announced that they will tape an annual domino tournament held in Miami later this year, and will broadcast it on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

ESPN, domino,miami, latin america

Bachelet visits Argentina on Tuesday

Recently inaugurated Chilean president Michelle Bachelet is scheduled to visit Buenos Aires and talk with president Nestor Kirchner as well as meet with argentine governors whose provinces border Chile. On Wednesday, Bachelet will fly out to Uruguay and speak with government officials including President Tabare Vasquez.

michelle bachelet, tabare vasquez, nestor kirchner , uruguay, argentina, Chile, international politics

Biodiversity conference began today in Brazil

As the Fourth World Water Forum in Mexico City ends, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity began today in Curitiba, Brazil. Brazil’s Minister of Environment opened the conference by noting how environmental destruction has escalated since the Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted in 1992.

brazil, biodiversity, united nations, environment

Argentines encouraged to cut back on beef to curb inflation

Argentina's President Nestor Kirchner has asked his compatriots to cut back on beef consumption in order to curb the country's 12% inflation rate. Argentines consume more beef per person than in any other country, and many predict a change in eating habits will be difficult to pull off. (WAPO)


argentina,Inflation, Beef, latin america