Week 14

This post begins the final week of our class blog.  I hope its been a way for you to be come more informed about the current issues facing Latin America. I hope the combination of current events articles, class material, and classmates viewpoints has pushed each of you to hold better-informed and better-thought out positions on some of the social, political, and economic issues present in Latin America and beyond. I have enjoyed following the blog and hope you have as well.

This week's first article is a fascinating and somewhat tragic discussion of the Guatemala-Mexico border and its role in the journey experienced by Central Americans hoping to get to the US.  It's worth a read regardless of whether you plan to engage the discussion question.
 In Trek North, First Lure Is Mexico’s Other Line
Discussion question: Central America, Mexico, and the US are united by the illicit flow of drugs, arms, and people across their borders. What steps can the governments of the region take TOGETHER to minimize the economic and human costs associated with these flows?

The second article discusses Latin American politician's love affair with social media.
Latin American Presidents Love Twitter, Maybe Too Much
Discussion question: generally speaking, do you think the presence of elected leaders on social media will help or hurt the quality of democracy? Be specific.

The remaining two articles cover the region's most recent presidential elections. Paraguay, not Venezuela, was the last Latin American country to go to the polls and its new president faces a series of challenges along with low expectations from analysts.  This is a country towards which we have dedicated very little attention.  For that reason, I wanted to give us one chance to 'get to know' the country at least a little before the semesters end.
Paraguay's elections: Return of the Condors
Boom Times in Paraguay Leave Many Behind
Discussion question: Latin America-watchers view Paraguay's president-elect with a mix of suspicion and disinterest.  Despite the country's many challenges, little significant is expected to change under Cartes.  But, the Paraguayan constitution allows for a strong presidency, meaning that significant reforms are possible.  If you were Cartes and enjoyed these strong executive powers, what issues would receive priority with regards to your time, political capital, and budget?

Enjoy!

Week 13

Sorry for the getting the articles and questions up a bit later this week.  I have been too busy 'celebrating' our third Monday in a row (in April) with a significant snowfall.

This week's first article looks at the polarization following Venezuela's recent presidential election.  We have discussed this issue on the blog previously.  But, I was less than fully satisfied with the responses.  And, considering that we are currently studying Venezuela in class it seems a good time to revisit the issue.
Venezuelans are polarized in post-election crisis
Discussion question: what steps could Nicolas Maduro and Henrique Capriles take that would combat the countries political/social/economic polarization without going against their self-interest as rival political leaders?

The second article also revisits a story discussed earlier on the blog.  But, that was during spring break and the story has evolved since then.
Mexico's Vigilante Law Enforcers
Discussion question: what should be the Peña Nieto administration's response to the growth of vigilante justice in Guerrero state and elsewhere?

For our last question we move back to Brazil.  Brazil is obviously an up-an-coming country that is facing a diverse array of challenges. Last week we discussed drug use and immigration on the blog.  Today, the articles cover infastructural woes and the sentencing of 23 prison guards for a massacre 21 years ago.  
Brazil police sentenced over Carandiru jail massacre
Brazil congestion delays export of record soybean crop
Discussion question: every government has limited political capital.  Keeping in mind diverse aspects of the Brazilian political economy, would Dilma Rousseff be wiser to spend her political capital on improving the country's record on human rights and corruption or on modernizing the country's infrastructure?

Enjoy!!

Week 12

This week's readings lack an obvious unifying theme. But, they each highlight a relatively new challenge faced by governments throughout Latin America.  South-south immigration has picked up speed as the world grows more interconnected through technology and transport and western economies slow. Drug consumption has sadly spread among the populations of producing and transporting countries. And, the health problems associated with more calories and less activity have not been limited to the so-called rich world.

Obviously the answers to these challenges are not easily found. They also do not depend solely on growing wealthier or more educated, as evidenced by the fact that each of these issues is arguably found on an even greater scale in the US and Western Europe.  Each challenge may also necessitate a separate response from the others.

Question: With these obstacles in mind, I'm interested in your take on these issues. If you were a policy-maker in Brazil, Mexico, or elsewhere in Latin America, what strategies would you pursue? Could you learn from the struggles of other part of the world (such as the US) who have wrestled with these challenges for decades?

Brazil immigrants face long wait at border town
Drugs in Brazil: Cracking up
Diabetes in Mexico: eating themselves to death

Enjoy!

Week 11

We are entering the home stretch of the semester.  And as you all begin work on your final papers, staying up to date on Latin American current events will provide you food for thought and examples (or counterexamples) for your case-based papers.  This is also the 4th last blog post of the semester. Those of you have been holding off on participating are running out of time!

This week's first set of articles involve allegations made against two Latin American leaders.  As we learned earlier this semester, Luis Ignacio Lula da Silva served as president of Brazil from 2002-2010.  He oversaw a period of mainly strong growth where the economy was largely stable and inequality and poverty fell significantly.  He left office with sky-high approval ratings and his chosen successor, Dilma Rousseff, was easily elected to the presidency.  Lula's time as leader saw extensive allegations of corruption against those close to him as part of the Mensalão scandal. This scandal culminated in the conviction and sentencing of several high level members of Lula's political party, the PT.  Many wondered how such extensive corruption could occur without the knolwedge of the president. But, until now, Lula has avoided being implicated in the scandal.  It's important to stress that no convictions have occurred.  But, this could have important consequences for Lula's legacy, the PT, and Brazilian democracy.

The second leader is the current president of Guatemala, Otto Perez Molina.  Mr. Perez Molina has held office in Guatemala for only 15 months but has already overseen a large fall in crime an has been an outspoken advocate for a change in how the international community conducts its war on drugs. Prior to entering politics, Perez Molina was a military man and served in the military during Guatemala's long and bloody civil war, which was ongoing from 1960 to 1996.  As former Guatemalan leader Efraín Ríos Montt faces charges that he oversaw crimes against humanity during his rule in the early 1980s, Perez Molina has now been mentioned during the trials as someone who ordered death and destruction of civilians during the same time period.

Brazil Opens Inquiry Into Claims of Wrongdoing by Ex-President
Guatemalan president accused of involvement in civil war atrocities

Discussion question: both of these leaders have been praised inside and outside their countries as visionary and effective leaders.  What would convictions - or at least clearer evidence of their wrongdoing - mean for the quality of democracy in Brazil and Guatemala?

The remaining two models highlight competing visions on the extent to which commonly excepted 'Western' positions on human rights and the economy should guide Latin American leaders and the policies they pursue.  The first article details efforts of Ecuador's Rafael Correa to restructure the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).  The IACHR previously led pressures against military governments.  But, Correa argues that the Commission is married to a vision trumpeted (and not necessarily followed) by the US and other western powers.   He sees it as unfairly targeting leftist governments in Latin America.  Thus, he has proposed a series of reforms to weaken the IACHR and related organs with ties to the Organization of American States (OAS).  His proposals have failed to gain much support outside of a few countries but they highlight differing views within the Western Hemisphere on democracy and human rights.  The second article - written by Correa's National Secretary of Planning and Development - praises Ecuador as having successfully broken with failed western dogmas and reaped the benefits of a more indigenous and progressive development model.

Human rights in the Americas: War of attrition
Ecuador begins to roar

Discussion question: who should Latin American leaders look to for inspiration for their policies? Also, to what extent is it important for Latin American governments to be bound by regional norms on human rights and democracy?

Enjoy!

Week 10

Welcome back from Spring Break!  This week's blog post revisits a couple important stories

First, we are closing in on Venezuela's presidential elections.  With that in mind we will (once again) look at the legacy of Hugo Chavez. But, this time I want to specifically examine how a country can go about engaging a previously marginalized/ignored sector of society in politics without creating a polarized society.  Chavez has been credited with making political citizens out of the Venezuelan poor but he - and his allies - also demonized anyone who dared to support another leader, ideology or movement.  These 'opposition' groups were labored as fascists, golpistas, nazis, and more. The first of the following two articles descries a recent case of this labeling while the second explores how Chavez's impact on the Venezuelan lower class exceeds economic outcomes.

Maduro Calls Venezuela Opposition 'Heirs of Hitler'
Chávez Transformed the Way Venezuelans View Themselves

Discussion question: considering 21st century Venezuela,  as well as 1970s Chile, how can a society go about addressing historical inequalities and injustice without contributing to a deeply polarized society?

The next article looks at the Cuban dissident community and the recent visit of Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez to the Cuban-American areas of Miami.  As we have discussed in class, the Cuban-American community has played an important role in shaping US policy towards Cuba. While she is being received as a hero in Miami, Yoani Sanchez is very different than your average Cuban dissident.  First, she plans to return to Cuba shortly.  Second, she opposes the US embargo. The video gives you a better idea of who she is and what she thinks.

New Breed of Cuban Dissident Finds Changed Miami
Video: Yoani Sanchez with NY Times

Discussion question: how will the Cuban populations new ability to travel internationally legally impact the sentiments and influence of the Cuban American community towards US-Cuba relations?

Enjoy!

Latin America doesn't take Spring Break off

As promised, I'm posting a few articles during Spring Break to provide an opportunity to comment for those of you looking to improve your participation on the blog.  Plus, the news isn't any less interesting during Spring Break!

I've gathered a diverse mix of stories.  Each of them are similar to issues and/or cases we have already engaged on the blog. As this is an extra and 'unplanned' blog post I am not including discussion questions.  Instead, I'll let commenters decide where they want to take things.  The only expectations are that comments are clearly informed by at least one of the articles and make a clear point.  Additionally, as always, all dialogue is expected to be polished and respectful.  I would encourage you to tie the issues from these articles into the debates and concepts from previous classes and blog posts.

Enjoy!

Petrobras, Once Symbol of Brazil’s Oil Hopes, Strives to Regain Lost Swagger
Mexico vigilantes detain police
Mexico's new president: Sacred cows no more
Painful search for Argentina's disappeared

Week 9

A lot is happening in Latin America.  Venezuela remains in an uncertain period of transition.  More reforms are being proposed in Mexico. And, the Vatican has its first Latin American Pope!! However, alongside these big headlines the region continues to undergo social transformations that are often more subtle but can be - over time - just as transformative.   This week's blog focuses on these social issues, current and historic.

In Effort to Try Dictator, Guatemala Shows New Judicial Might

 Question: To what extent does addressing historical wrongs in cases such as Guatemala’s help solve today and tomorrow’s challenges?

A Transgender Elected Official Reflects an Evolving Cuba
In Brazil, a Mix of Racial Openness and Exclusion

Question: As evidenced by the article on Guatemala, inter-ethnic relations have often been a point of tension in many Latin American countries.  The articles on Cuba and Brazil highlight how, despite changes in the treatment of different types of minorities, challenges remain.  What factors will determine the breadth and depth of social change in the coming years?

Catholicism in Argentina: Move over

Question: will the choice of a Latin American Pope imply a larger influence for organized religion in the politics of Latin America?

Note: this week's articles and questions deal directly with issues of identity and related policies and views.  These are important issues in Latin America and beyond but they also have the potential to lead to divide and provoke. Please remember that, while disagreement and debate are expected and encouraged, each blog participant is expected to avoid name-calling and other forms of unprofessional behavior.

Enjoy!!

Week 8

This week two topics will be up for discussion.The first is the death of Hugo Chávez.  Chávez was polarizing while alive and continues to be polarizing after his death.  Thus, I have chosen two articles from the same source - the New York Times - which present fairly different interpretations of the man, his work, and his legacy. 

The second topic is one which we will study later in the semester.  However, I wanted to get the converation started now as it is a very pressing issue for many Latin Americans.  The issue is crime and insecurity and the articles I have chosen look at the issue in the region where it has been most pressing and tragic.  Central America is likely the world's most violent region, even when war zones are included.  Violence is an issue that destroys futures while also influencing political stability, economic growth, gender equality, and countless other important outcomes. 

Here are the articles:
Hugo Chávez, a polarizing figure who lead a movement
Latin America after Chávez (by Luis Ignacio 'Lula' Da Silva)

Central America: out of control
El Salvador's Gangs: The year of living less dangerously

Discussion questions:
1) 20 years from now, what will Hugo Chavez's legacy be in Venezuela and beyond?
2) Honduras and El Salvador are states with limited political and economic resources. How should their governments best use those resources to address elevated rates of murder, extortion, robbery, and other violent crimes?

Enjoy!

Chavez is Dead

Breaking News!!!

Sources in Venezuela have just announced that Hugo Chavez has died.

<http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/05/world/americas/obit-venezuela-chavez/?hpt=hp_t1>

Week 7

You will see a longer list of articles on this week's blog post.  Let me explain.  The first three articles all deal with the case of Elba Esther Gordillo, the (until recently) head of Mexico's powerful teacher's union and the subject of recent imprisonment and prosecution for embezzlement of funds and abuses of power.  I find this to be a fascinating case that highlights a lot of the topics we have talked about on the blog (and in class) so far this semester. If you are worried about the higher number of article's on this week's blog feel free to read only two of the three articles on Elba Esther Gordillo.  That should give you enough context to understand the basic details of the case and answer any reading quiz question. The fourth article briefly details the most recent efforts by the Brazilian police and military to 'pacify' Rio de Janeiro's favelas.  I'm interested to continue the conversation started in Friday's class about how the relations between the government, favela residents, inequality, crime, and Brazil's international image. The last link leads you to a short video about a commercial agreement signed between the Guatemalan sugar industry and the European Union.  I find this case to provoke interesting questions about the whether the West should push for domestic reforms in Latin America and, if so, how.

The articles:
La Maestra of Mexico faces her biggest challenge
Power in Mexico: The Teacher in detention
Luxury Villas, Designer Labels: Jailed Mexico Union Boss' U.S. Oasis
Brazil troops move into Rio airport shanty towns
A trade deal with a difference, but will it improve workers' lives?

Discussion questions:
1) How do you interpret the recent detention of Elba Esther Gordillo? Is this more of an effort to crack down on corruption and special interests or is it targeted justice aimed at weakening political enemies?
2) What approach should the government of Rio de Janeiro take to limit crime and insecurity in the short-run?
3) Should Western governments aim to shape the practices of Latin American governments with respect to issues like labor rights, the environment, and the treatment of minority groups? If not, why? If so, what would be the best mechanisms for applying this pressure?

Note: please remember that those of you signed up for longer blog posts should be using some form of citation to reference content from the assigned articles or any other content you wish to bring in for your post.

Enjoy!

Week 6

The Cuban National Assembly is currently meeting and there is a lot of speculation surrounding the naming of a younger generation of leaders to positions of political and influence.  The Castro brother are both in their 80s and most of the country's other most influential politicians and military officers are also well past a conventional retirement age. Will we see a generational change in Cuban leadership without a few further nudges in the form of illness or death? To go along with this story I've chosen a couple other articles which address the difficulties surrounding power transitions.  Leaders are often loathe to give up their power.  Some leaders are considered irreplaceable by their supporters. 

Along with Cuba, this week's articles consider the continuing uncertainty surrounding the health and leadership of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and Pinochet's loss of the 1988 plebiscite in Chile.

Here are the articles:
Cuba's Castros prepare to step back after end-of-era election
Venezuela: the homecoming
Chile's Pinochet tried to cling to power in 1988

Questions:
1) Do term limits strengthen or hinder government responsiveness and accountability?
2) How best can a country transition from an autocratic to a democratic government while minimizing economic and political instability?

Enjoy!!

Week 5

This week I've chosen articles that highlight the challenges that special interests and corruption present to reformers.  Corruption is a major problem in most Latin American countries.  In some cases, citizens see it as an inevitable part of politics and doing business.  Progress has been made in some cases.  According to Transparency International's 2012 Corruption Perception Index, not a single Latin American country was more corrupt in 2012 than in 2011.  Even in Brazil, the subject of two of this week's articles, recent legal changes have led many to conclude that the culture of impunity is being eroded.

Here are the articles:
Brazil, Where a Judge Made $361,500 in a Month, Fumes Over Pay
Brazil's zombie politician's: unstoppable?
Mexico's politics: tearing up the script

Question 1: given a history of systemic corruption, how can a society best go about reducing corruption?
Question 2: as highlighted in the article on Mexico, monopolies and other special interests often constrain the extent to which leaders govern in line with the will of their voters.  How can the citizens of a country produce a system which is more responsive to their needs and desires?

Remember, if you signed up for the week of February the 18th your post is due by 8am on Friday, February 22nd.  Comments are always accepted on my two most recent posts.  Post and comment away!!

Week 4

This is the week I'm really expecting the floodgates of comments to come open :) I've really enjoyed seeing many of you engage the material and each other and I hope that even more of you do this in the coming weeks.

This week's articles
Ecuador's Election: the man with the mighty microphone
Falkland Islanders 'must decide own future', says Hague
Colombia's Farc proposes legal coca and marijuana crops

I had trouble finding new articles with a unifying theme or two this week.  Thus, I am posing three questions for discussion.
1) To what extent should Latin American leaders and their voters give liberal democratic principles (traditionally defined) priority over other goals?
2) Can legitimate colonial territories exist in the 21st century.  If so, under what conditions?
3) How much (and what) should the Colombian government be willing to give up in their quest for peace with the FARC and other guerilla groups?

Remember, if you signed up for a weekly post than your post must address at least one of the articles and one of the questions.  Comments should be informed by at least 1 article, respond to either a discussion question or a classmate's post, make a clear point, and be professional.

Remember that your study of Latin American current events does not have to be limited to this blog.  Below I am posting links to several great information sources:
BBC News: Latin America and the Caribbean
BBC Mundo
BBC Brasil (Portuguese)
Economist Americas section
NY Times Americas section
Americas Quarterly

There are also an abundance of foreign-language on-line newspapers specific to every country in the region.

Enjoy!

Week 3

Here are this week's articles:
Latin American Integration: past and future
Venezuelan Oil Deals: poor nations worry about future
Argentine-Iranian Relations: a pact with the devil

Questions:
1) What countries/parts of the world should be given priority by Latin American leaders when looking for deeper political and economic ties?
2) Given the region's recent history, what Latin American country(ies) do you see as increasing their influence in the region during the coming decade? 

Enjoy!!

Week 2

Here are the articles for this week:

Latin America is enjoying the good times - at last
Security in Colombia: fear of missing out
Rio’s Exploding Manholes Menace Residents and Highlight Aging Infrastructure

Questions:
1) To what extent should Latin America be optimistic about the coming decade's political, economic, and social realities?
2) Thinking about the region as-a-whole, what changes need to be made (or continue to be made) in order to facilitate a brighter future?

Remember that blog posters have a fair bit of flexibility with regards to the extent they focus solely on these questions or even these articles.  You should focus extensively on at least one question and one article but can draw from other stories and address other questions as well.

Blog posters (those who signed up) should include their posts as a comment on this original post.  Other participants should include their posts as comments on either this original post or on the comments/posts of their classmates.

Enjoy!

William Buick

PSCI 3032

In Response to - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-21008571

            The most recent economic liberalization of Cuba has come in the form of labor. More specifically, Raul Castro has enabled workers to search for more competitive job markets abroad. The country has the ability to succeed with an increased diversification of income through remittances. However, the new legislature does not include “vital workers”, a visa, in addition to a passport is still necessary to travel, and immigration tensions with the United States remain in place.

            When liberalizing the movement of people there is always a larger economic gamble. The negative side effects include the fleeing of human capital and an overall decrease in labor. Cuba is hoping that an increase in remittances, money sent from working relatives abroad to Cuban citizens, will offset any economic downturn. Cuba already has a considerable diaspora outside the island’s borders. It is the hope that present and future workers abroad will send remittances back to their families in order to stimulate growth from the bottom up. As previously mentioned, this diversification of income, especially in foreign currency, has the ability to fund additional schooling, travel, and investment for citizens residing in Cuba. In my opinion, the gamble will work; the remittent flows eventually will offset the flight of human capital and then add to the economy. However, Cuba will have to mitigate certain restrictions on the acquisition of a passport to truly open its borders.

            Not everyone in Cuba has the ability to become an economic migrant, “athletes and vital professionals as well as communist party leaders” will not be permitted a passport. To retain economic growth this statute does not seem necessary and simply prolongs the issue of immigration for the island. The dangerous practice of taking a boat to the coast of Florida will continue as long as select individuals cannot travel internationally. The United States exacerbates the issue by granting citizenship to any Cuban denizen that makes it to Florida. Some argue that this provides proper incentive to risk ones life to reach the Florida Keys only ninety miles away. Current United States immigration law permits family reunification. If immigration law within the U.S. liberalizes, i.e. the passing of the DREAM act and begins granting amnesty citizenship, it will be interesting to observe the movement of people between Cuba and the U.S. In the end, one must ask if Cuba has done enough, or rather, the slow change in migratory reform will result in a more stable transition to the free movement of people and eventual opening to international markets.

           

What came first, Improvement or Democracy?

In the articles for this week, the overarching themes were of the impacts of both service related political actions; and what would appear to be gradual improvement. If not universally, then certainly in some of the more chilling aspects of Central and South America (i.e. murder rates).

Approaching the articles with this in mind we can begin to analyze whether or not these events are occurring because somewhere the wheels of democracy are turning, or if the actions are setting them in motion. I would like to focus on what could tentatively be called a trend in Guatemala.

This article in the economist gives us a glimpse at what appears to be an increasingly "positive" trend in the decline in the murder rate. The article focuses mainly on the decline itself and not too much is said about the possible causes. A brief mention towards the end indicates that perhaps, in part, the medias reporting on the matter has helped bring the down the numbers. But what is the actual cause? In a 

seperate article the Vice-Minister of Security Marke Benitez is quoted, We have improved coordination between the state prosecutor's office and the police ... and we have a new school with more advanced training for officers." The same article describes President Otto Perez use of new more elite soldiers in order to combat the cartels who are being cited as responsible for a majority of the violence. So, do the actions by the government speak to an increase in its accountability to its people, or are these the actions of a state trying to maintain a semblance of control so that what little democracy does exist their can flourish?

My own opinion on this particular matter is closer to the latter. Considering that Guatemala has many other problems, not least of among them is the rampant malnutrition, or the states inability to raise revenue through taxes (as discussed in this article). It seems to me that at the moment Guatemala is fortunate to have a leader that appears to be tackling some of the more obvious issues; however, these issues also have the much more obvious answers and the more glamourous solutions. If President Perez is successful in bringing his country back from the edge, and manages to avoid being declared a failed state, then the real measure of Guatemalas ability to maintain a democratic state will begin. After all, it is easy enough to fight an enemy that you haven't elected into power. The test of a true democracy is when you don't have to fight to move on to the next leader.

So what do you think? Is Guatemalas improvement based on embracing more democratic values? Will a more secure population give rise to a more secure democracy? And what does the future hold? Will President Perez be able to confront the myriad of other problems facing his country, or will he be relegated to annals of history as a purely military leader?

EDIT: Sorry for the change in spacing halfway through the paragraph, I have no idea what i did.

Week 1

Welcome to the Latin America Current Events Blog!! This week's articles have been chosen to provide you a brief introduction to a few of the ongoing stories in Latin American politics and society.  My hope is that as the semester goes on your understanding of these and other stories will grow and it will become easier for you to identify connections between Latin American current events and our other class material.  Remember that all class members should read each article thoroughly and that it is never to early to begin commenting on the articles, the related questions, or your classmates' blog posts.

Here are the links to this week's articles:
Violence in Guatemala: Got to admit it's getting better
Nationalising utilities in Bolivia: From tap to socket
Cubans set for foreign travel as permits abolished
Hugo Chavez: Continuity or crisi as swearing-in delayed?

Each week I will include approximately two questions on the blog after the week's articles.  Blog posters should address at least one of these questions while they will also provide points of discussion for those who comment.  These questions will grow more specific as the semester advances and we have covered more material in class.  For now they will be pretty open-ended and posters should feel free to bring in personal opinions and information from other classes or outside experiences to support their points. Remember, your entire blog post does not have to address these questions.  Your posts can also connect multiple articles, connect one or more articles to class material (lecture, readings, debates), or bring in outside information with some connection to the week's material.

Q1: Do economic liberties and/or services have anything to do with the quality of a democratic government? For example, is the free market an inherent part of democracy or is democracy better promoted by policies that pursue economic equality by lowering prices or providing free or subsidized services?

Q2: In what ways can you see 'history' at work in current Latin American politics or society? Do we see evidence of path dependence in any of these stories?