Time for Clarification: Puerto Ricans Need to End their Indecision
On June 9, 2008, the UN Special Committee on Decolonization considered yet again the status of the world’s oldest remaining
Read MoreOn June 9, 2008, the UN Special Committee on Decolonization considered yet again the status of the world’s oldest remaining
Read MoreArgentina’s president Christina Fernandez de Kirchner, wife of ex-president Nestor Kirchner and now the nation’s leader, has drawn many comparisons to now former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton throughout her political career. As a result of her popularity as first lady and later as an influential senator, Fernandez even earned the nickname “the Latin Hillary.” Similarly, as Clinton’s run for the nomination came to an end, Fernandez’s popularity has also spiraled downward, falling from 51 percent to 21 percent in the last two months and after only six months in office. Although scoffed at by government enthusiasts, this sharp decline can be directly linked to a building inflation crisis. Most recently, some of these problems have surfaced in the ongoing farmers’ strike that began with roadblocks to protest steep increases in export taxes and has since received substantial public support highlighted by nationwide demonstrations against the government. On June 4th, the farmers’ were joined by grain-transporters, who have been without work since the farmers’ strike began. The truckers’ counter-strike eventually triggered protests between the two. The heightened tension eventually led the farmers to postpone their strike on June 9th, deeming they had little choice. Although the majority of farmers have halted their protests against the government, some farmers remain on the picket lines as leaders warn that they will resume protests in a day or two if negotiations with the government show no development.
The farmers’ strike began in early March in response to increases in export tariffs on grain and meat from 33 to 44.1 percent, the highest in Argentine history. Protestors like farmer Roberto Bunge argue, “nowhere in the world are income taxes as high as they are in Argentina, and farmers are fed up” (New York Times, “Farmers Cut off Exports”, 9 May 2008). A week earlier the farmers temporarily halted the strikes when the president agreed to negotiations. She has since cancelled each scheduled meeting. Mario Llambias, head of the Argentine Rural Confederation, stated that the government’s refusal to hold dialogue has continuously forced the confederation to resume protests to increase pressure on the government.
Chávez should call an immediate ceasefire and offer the FARC a safe haven in Venezuela
President Hugo Chávez’s statement on Sunday regarding the increasingly unproductive and ill-focused guerrilla war being staged by the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) could be a hugely positive step towards reframing the terms and goals of hemispheric relations in this era. But the full realization of this development’s potential benefits hinge upon the Bush administration’s willingness to engage in constructive diplomacy. It must not allow itself to be gripped by a radical ideology or drowned by repetitive propaganda that all along has characterized its foreign policy making style. For once, Secretary of State Rice should urge negotiations rather than enflame the two warring sides to seek far-fetched goals thus guaranteeing that the conflict will not be resolved.
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This analysis was prepared by COHA Director Larry Birns and Research Associate Jessica Bryant.
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A Sampling of Citations from the Period of May 14, 2008 to June 9, 2008
Mexico and the Merida Initiative – A Difficult Call
The Merida Initiative initially would provide US$550 million in aid aimed at countering criminal organizations in Mexico and Central America. It would supply training, equipment and long-term technical support to recipient governments. However, the plan would impose several conditions on the aid, stipulations which Mexico believes threaten its sovereignty. Mexico’s Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa was only one of a number of Mexican Public figures who informed the United States Congress that the Merida Initiative does not represent “genuine cooperation and co-responsibility,” and is unacceptable in its current form.
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Lula’s Brazilian Growth Acceleration Program: The Best that Government Funding Can Buy?
As Brazil’s economy continues to improve, social programs are receiving increased funding and visibility from the government. In particular, many of the region-specific projects of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) aim to improve the country’s infrastructure as Brazil’s overall economic growth further benefits the country, including earning a coveted high investment rating from Standard & Poors (S&P).
The recognition alone has helped to maintain the trend of increasing flows of foreign investment into Brazil and, combined with an ever-increasing demand for food and oil- Brazil’s two strongest exports- the country has a unique opportunity to direct more funding towards social improvement. But are these programs the best vehicles for sustainable social change in the areas of poverty, corruption and racial and sexual inequality? With this economic opportunity comes great responsibility to use government funds in the most effective and equitable way, and it remains to be seen whether the PAC is up to the challenge.
Mexico’s failure to adequately confront its rampant gang activity has allowed the number of local armed groups to significantly increase.
Read MoreA humanitarian agreement to exchange or liberate hostages held by the FARC, as well as involving FARC members imprisoned by
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