Intellectually Entertaining. Socially Relevant.
Latinos around the world are rejoicing for the election of Argentinean Archbisop, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis, as the 266th pope and the first ever selected from The Americas. In the U.S., the new pope is being greeted warmly, with great hope. His gentle demeanor and genuine directedness has brought comfort and has forged instant Read More
Whenever I probe a believer on the foundations of their faith, finding themselves fully incapable of producing one rational thought, they faithfully respond with the trite adage “To each their own.” But when you take the time to look around, you notice that it’s mostly the believers who don’t believe in the saying. Just ask Read More
For the those Cubans unable to take advantage of the island’s new travel policies, now they can see the world from their couches: “News-starved viewers watched an Ecuadorean opposition candidate liken the government of President Rafael Correa, one of Havana’s staunchest allies, to a moonwalking Michael Jackson: He walks like he’s moving ahead, but he’s Read More
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto has pushed the drug wars in northern Mexico to the top of his priority list and the U.S. military is stepping in to help. In recent documents and interviews obtained by the Associated Press, the Pentagon has authorized a U.S. military special unit to train Mexican security forces in much Read More
Traditionally, Colombia conjures thoughts and images associated with coffee, rhythms of cumbia and not-so-distant memories of illicit trade. The country that was once better known for Juan Valdez is now more closely associated with robust economic growth, substantial oil and hydrocarbon reserves, and a business-friendly environment. The size of Colombia’s economy, measured in terms of Read More
For better or worse, the Castro regime isn’t going away anytime soon: “Cuba formally assumed Monday the presidency of the Community of Latinamerican [sic] and Caribbean States during the group’s summit in Chile calling for regional integration and independence from the United States. Cuban President Raul Castro hailed the move as ‘a great honour’ and Read More
You have to be mindful of when and where you play your favorite song when you’re in Havana: “At 10 o’clock on a Saturday night, the Mariana Grajales park in downtown Havana pulses with a thumping beat. Young men in drooping trousers and women in miniskirts dance, raise their hands in the air and grind Read More
The New York Times reports on the looming hunger crisis in Guatemala: “In the tiny tortillerias of [Guatemala City], people complain ceaselessly about the high price of corn. Just three years ago, one quetzal — about 15 cents — bought eight tortillas; today it buys only four. And eggs have tripled in price because chickens Read More
I thought this issue was settled by Hamilton and them: “The Mexican government is urging a U.S. court to block a part of the [Arizona SB1070] law that prohibits the harboring of undocumented immigrants. Lawyers representing México asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in a filing Wednesday to uphold a lower-court ruling that blocked Read More
There is little peace or goodwill toward men for much of Central America: “Although Christmas is a sacred celebration in the heavily Catholic countries that make up Central America, this year, the holiday offered no reprieve from the violence and killings which plague the region. According to reports from the Spanish news agency EFE, at Read More