Latin America

U.S. Policy Must Reflect “New Reality” in Region

May 14, 2008 -- "Latin America is not Washington's to lose; nor is it Washington's to save," finds a CFR-sponsored Independent Task Force. "U.S. policy can no longer be based on the assumption that the United States is the most important outside actor in Latin America. If there was an era of U.S. hegemony in Latin America, it is over," the Task Force concludes. However, "Washington's basic policy framework, however, has not changed sufficiently to reflect the new reality."    » read more »

Members of Congress, Colombian And U.S. Unions Pledge Continued Opposition To Pending Trade Deal

May 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Seven leaders from the largest Colombian unions joined members of Congress and U.S. labor leaders for a news conference on Capitol Hill today to pledge their continued opposition to the pending U.S. – Colombian Free Trade Agreement, despite continued lobbying by the Bush administration and the Colombian government.

Colombia FTA protesters: Photo by b.wu (CC)    » read more »

12 May 2008 -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has accused neighboring Colombia of trying to provoke a war in order to justify a U.S. intervention in Venezuela.

President Chavez made the accusation Sunday during his weekly radio broadcast.

Hugo Chavez: Photo by Bernardo Londoy (CC)

Both Colombia and the United States have dismissed similar statements by Mr. Chavez.

The remarks came days after U.S. intelligence sources said that documents seized by Colombian forces during a raid on FARC, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia rebels in Ecuador showed Venezuela had deeper ties with the rebels than previously thought.    » read more »

May 8, 2008 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Miley Gonzalez announced that Mexico has reopened its border to U.S. cattle, paving the way for a cattle crossing Wednesday evening at Santa Teresa. This is the first cattle export to Mexico since many countries banned U.S. beef and beef products in 2003 as a result of Mad Cow Disease in the Pacific Northwest.

New Mexico cattle ranch: Photo by katiew (CC)    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- CHIHUAHUA CITY - New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson traveled to Mexico today to deal with a number of economic development, tourism, border health, education and security issues. Tourism Secretary Mike Cerletti, Economic Development Secretary Mondragon, Health Secretary Alfredo Vigil and State Police Chief Faron Segotta accompanied the Governor.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson: Photo by Mike Disharoon (CC)

Governor Richardson met with the Governor of Chihuahua, Jose Reyes Baeza to sign 4 Memos of Understanding between the State of New Mexico and the State of Chihuahua.

A brief description of each MOU follows:    » read more »

May 6, 2008 -- PRESIDENT BUSH: It's been my pleasure to welcome my friend, the President of Panama. Mr. President, welcome back. It's good to see you, sir. I can't thank you enough for your friendship and your leadership. Under your leadership, relations between the United States and Panama are strong and healthy and vibrant.

George W. Bush sits near the President of Panama, Martin Torrijos: White House photo    » read more »

May 5, 2008 -- After announcing the new Spanish-language page of his website during a press conference in Arizona this morning, John McCain once again tried to have it both ways on the immigration reform debate, demonstrating yet again that he's not able to lead his own Party, much less the country.

John McCain = 3rd Bush term sign: Photo by Matt Ortega (CC)    » read more »

April 28, 2008 -- PRESIDENT BUSH: It's been my honor to welcome to the Oval Office the President and First Lady of a close friend of the United States. Mr. President, thank you for coming.

We've had a good discussion about a variety of issues. We discussed bilateral relations between Guatemala and the United States, which are very strong. We are friends. We treat each other with respect.

George W. Bush listens to Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom: White House photo by Chris Greenberg    » read more »

April 21, 2008 -- New Orleans, Louisiana -- PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, thank you very much. We've had a very long and very good discussion on a variety of issues. U.S. and Mexican relations are very important. And sometimes we in America take those relations for granted, but we share a large border, we share the same values, we've got people on both sides of the border, we've got friends and family members. And it is fitting that you and I have this kind of conversation.

George W. Bush and Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon: White House photo by Chris Greenberg    » read more »

Hoffa Disagrees with Bush Statement on Benefits

April 14, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) –Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa on Monday said President George Bush is out of touch with American workers when he says a trade deal with Colombia would be good for them.

The Teamsters strongly oppose the agreement.

James Hoffa, Jr at Teamsters Dinner: Photo by Rob Jacob (CC)

"George Bush is dead wrong when he says a trade deal with Colombia would be good for American workers," Hoffa said. "That's the same lie that was told about NAFTA, CAFTA and PNTR. American workers know these trade deals are a disaster."    » read more »

A glacial lake in southern Chile suddenly disappeared last week in a phenomenon that scientists are attributing to global warming.

Scientists say higher than normal temperatures caused the Colonia glacier to melt into nearby Cachet Lake.

The melting ice filled the lake and put tremendous pressure on it, causing the water to eventually burrow a tunnel through the glacier.

On April 6, the tunnel, which extended at least five kilometers, reached nearby Baker River and emptied the lake waters into it.

Glacier scientist Gino Casassa said global warming is responsible for the unusually warm weather that caused the glacial melting.

Source: VOA News

April 11, 2008 -- Economies in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region have generally held up well so far in the face of recent global financial strains, according to the IMF's latest Regional Economic Outlook: Western Hemisphere, released today. Many countries in the region are benefiting from stronger fiscal and external positions and improved credibility of policy frameworks, said Mr. Anoop Singh, Director of the IMF's Western Hemisphere Department.    » read more »

Deal Marks the First Production of Original Terrestrial Formats Since the Success of "Desperate Housewives" Local Versions in Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil and the US-Hispanic Market

Buenos Aires, Argentina April 7, 2008 - Disney Media Networks Distribution Latin America announced today the signing of a strategic agreement with Vista Productions & RCN to produce local versions of the popular series "Grey's Anatomy" and "Brothers & Sisters" in Colombia. The deal marks the first production of original terrestrial formats since the success of "Desperate Housewives" local versions in Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil and the US-Hispanic market.    » read more »

April 8, 2008 - Brazilian civil defense officials report that at least 21 people have died and 82,000 have been driven from their homes by floods and mudslides in the country's northeast.

The Brazilian government is releasing more than $300 million in emergency aid for the states affected by the flooding.

Scene of a 2005 flood in Brazil: Photo by Shelly "Nikki" Montes (CC)

Governors of the affected states met with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia on Monday to request aid.

Officials say 17 of the dead drowned in the state of Paraiba, where 14,000 have become homeless.

Source: VOA News

April 8, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Change to Win sent a letter to all members of the United States Congress today demanding they reject the Colombia Free Trade Agreement that President Bush sent to Congress and has promised to sign, despite strong opposition expressed by the Democratic leadership. Congress has 90 days to act on the Colombia trade deal.

Colombia Free Trade Agreement protesters: Photo by A Look Askance (CC)    » read more »