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The Hemisphere’s State of Same-Sex Partnership Recognition: Canada Very Much in the Lead

Gay couples are rejoicing in California, where they have recently obtained the right to marry, but in other parts of the Western Hemisphere, same-sex partnership-recognition is more of a dream than a reality. In Latin America, the historical influence of traditional rigid Catholic values toward gender and sexuality as well as the societal norm of machismo have created a cultural prejudice profoundly adverse to homosexuality. Many Caribbean nations, long known for their homophobia, lie on the opposite end of the spectrum from their North American neighbors such as Canada, which legalized same-sex marriage in 2005 with the Civil Marriage Act. Though there has been pro-gay legislation proposed by governments throughout Latin America, little headway has been made in actually passing laws that would expand marriage rights to homosexuals.

Successful National Legislation
Only two countries in the Western Hemisphere have passed national legislation legalizing gay partnership rights; one allows gay marriages and the other recognizes civil unions. Canada is by far the most progressive country in granting equality to its homosexual population, as evidenced by its nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage in 2005. According to the 2006 Canadian Census—the only time the government has collected data specifically counting same-sex married couples—there were nearly 15,000 married homosexuals in the country. It is not surprising that the most socially liberal nation in North America would be the first to pass such a controversial law.

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This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associate Taylor Holt.

Rebels With a Vanishing Cause: The FARC in Colombia

On Sunday, July 20th, hundreds of thousands of Colombians took to the streets on Sunday, July 20 to protest Colombia’s ongoing forty year civil war. Chants of “Libertad” echoed throughout not only Bogotá but also Paris, the home of recently-released FARC hostage Ingrid Betancourt, a figure who could be of extraordinary importance to the nation’s future. Colombian immigrants also staged rallies throughout the U.S. to call for the unconditional release of all hostages by the armed group.

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This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Associates Suzana Shepard-Durini and Jessica Bryant.

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Critics Contend that Argentine Farmers’ Grain and Meat Export Strike Wrongfully Blamed by President for Government’s Irresponsible Mismanagement of Economic Policy

Argentina’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.

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Still on the Drawing Board: the Banco del Sur a Half Year Later

COHA and the history of the Argentine human rights situation

COHA Director Larry Birns was recently mentioned in Hugo Alconada Mon’s article, “Piden desclasificar los archivos sobre los desaparecidos,” in La Nación. The article may be accessed by clicking on the following link:

http://www.lanacion.com/ar/politica/nota.asp?nota_id=1013271

• In the wake of the third summit of heads of state for the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the newest development is the creation of a South American Defense Council. One question still in the air, however, is what happened to the Banco del Sur, the South American development bank that was so heavily hyped a half year ago?
• The Banco del Sur may become an important actor throughout the continent, but for this to happen its members first need to agree on the subscribed capital upon which it will be levied.
• Once the bank’s capital subscription is decided, future challenges await: How to allocate the voting shares distribution and how to achieve high quality portfolios and credit ratings.

In December 2007, presidents from seven of the thirteen South American countries met in Argentina to create the Banco del Sur, a development bank originally advocated by Venezuela’s President Hugo Chávez as a substitute for international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF )and the World Bank. However, as the Banco del Sur is still on the drawing board and its purpose still debated, the only relatively fixed points are the countries which have agreed to be members: the leftists Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela, and the moderate left-leaning Mercosur countries, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The question at hand is whether the newborn Banco del Sur will be able to live up to the challenges of running a successful sub-regional development bank while still making a coherent and strong ideological statement.

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