Region Archives - Page 134 of 142

Preview of UNHRC 30 and predictions on how Latin American countries will vote

The United Nations Human Rights Council opened this week, and on its agenda are the heated topics of Sri Lanka, Ukraine and Syria. The region has historically split in votes on these issues, with a majority, led by Argentina and Brazil, supporting the protection of human rights. On the other side, Cuba and Venezuela have helped to lead the movement to prioritize national sovereignty over the human rights.

Amy Williams September 18, 2015

UNASUR’s epic fail… again

UNASUR’s statement that it would not question the judicial decisions of its member states over the recent sentencing of Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez was as predictable as it was troubling. It’s a perfect example of how the region has regressed, with little respect for its troubled past and a warning of things to come.

Christopher Sabatini September 17, 2015

Breaking promises

Corruption scandals and slowing economic growth have forced President Michelle Bachelet to backtrack on her campaign promises. Now facing the lowest levels of popular approval for any elected president since the 1990 transition, can Bachelet re-focus her government’s policy drift in time for the 2016 local elections?

admin September 15, 2015

What happens next in Central America?

In the second of a two part series, Orlando J. Pérez looks at popular protests over corruption in Guatemala’s neighbors, El Salvador and Honduras. He argues that CICIG’s recent successes in Guatemala are precisely why it will never be adopted in El Salvador and Honduras.

admin September 11, 2015

What about Paraguay?

The landlocked, Southern Cone country is experiencing the same, if not worse, corruption scandals, social protests, approaching economic stagnation, and rising levels of violence widely reported on as just about every country of Latin America and the Caribbean. So why isn’t anyone paying attention?

Frank O. Mora September 11, 2015

The cost of Venezuela’s collapse

Was the death of South American rock idol Gustavo Cerati yet another example of Venezuela’s interminable collapse?

Juan Nagel September 11, 2015

What happens now in Guatemala?

Part one of a two-part series, Doctor Perez here looks at the events leading up to the September 6 elections, their implications for the second-round presidential elections and the potential for long-term institutional reform (difficult). The second post will examine the political situation boiling in Guatemala’s neighbors, Honduras and El Salvador.

Orlando J. Pérez September 8, 2015

Tell the truth about free trade

As the tragicomedy of the 2015-2016 election season plays out, falsehoods, hyperbole and mean-spirited attacks among contenders will proliferate. The issue of trade (along with illegal immigration) will be the proverbial whipping boy in this contest. While the contenders choose not to be fully informed of the facts, there is no excuse for individual citizens not to be.

Jerry Haar September 3, 2015

Dilma Rousseff vs. Left vs. Right

Brazil’s president is facing protests from both the left and the right, with an approval rating of only 8 percent. The protests are calling for impeachment based on charges of rampant corruption, but politically that isn’t likely to happen. Why? Impeachment requires a two-thirds majority vote from both Houses: unlikely to happen when politicians from all of the major parties are facing corruption charges themselves.

admin September 3, 2015

Press Release: Presidential Embargo Authority over Cuba: Renew it or Lose it

The Center for International Policy and Global Americans urge President Barack Obama to renew the Trading with the Enemy Act for Cuba. Surprised? According to a white paper by Robert Muse, the President’s authority to make changes to the embargo depends on renewal of the Act. Failure to do so will not only tie the executive’s hands to make further changes but also end the important people-to-people exchanges.

admin September 2, 2015