Intellectually Entertaining. Socially Relevant.
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
In Venezuela, the end is near: “President Hugo Chávez delegated to Vice President Nicolás Maduro increased administrative duties on a bunch of financial areas, further sparking rumors about the real health condition of the Venezuelan leader. In a decree issued Wednesday from his hospital bed in Havana, Chávez granted Maduro the power to perform all Read More
There has been much talk regarding the transparency of the non-binding referendum held on Nov. 6 of this year in Puerto Rico. Most recently, the singer and actor Ricky Martin suggested the last referendum election doesn’t reflect public sentiment. This statement comes as no surprise considering 54 percent of the population voted against Partido Nuevo Progresista Read More