The first 2010 Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean

Welcome to the first Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean of 2010. I hope you had a joyful holiday season and wish you a prosperous and happy year.

LATIN AMERICA
U.S. diplomacy stumbles in Latin America
The Obama presidency was expected to herald closer ties after years of perceived neglect under Bush. But relations have soured amid the Honduran coup and Iran’s increasing ties in the region.

A Look Back at U.S. Engagement in the Western Hemisphere

Wal-Mart Picks New Latin American Chief

BRAZIL
This week’s must-read: 2010 for Latin America (the failure of Lula?)

Brazil Steers an Independent Course
Washington needs to rethink its assumptions on South America.

CAYMAN ISLANDS
Investors could only lose in Goldman’s Caymans deals

COLOMBIA
Álvaro Uribe’s Colombia
Not yet the promised land: A safer and richer country, but one that needs more jobs and better socioeconomic policies—as well as constant vigilance

Bombardment kills at least 18 Colombian rebels. Rebels my foot. They were terrorists.

CUBA
Why they want to end the embargo NOW!

The color of the highway

The New York Times: Carrying Water For Castro, Again
An inexcusable piece hails a Cuban musician’s Castro-approved visit to the States. No mention that Cuban dissidents receive beatings instead of visas.

A Black Market Finds a Home in the Web’s Back Alleys

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Dominican Police colonels jailed as Puerto Rican fugitive case widens

ECUADOR
The B-Cast: Ecuador, Hollywood & Trial Lawyers vs. Chevron = Liberal Hypocrisy

GUATEMALA
Hoping Luis makes it: OMG, I may be going to NASA’s Singularity University in 2010!

HONDURAS
2009 Rainfall Data, La Ceiba, Honduras

MEXICO
Earthquake near Mexicali

Drug Gangs: The Brutal Beast South of the Border

Insidious rise of Gulf Cartel
Interviews, files and court records trace a syndicate’s growth from small-time pot smuggling to a mega-empire with a hub in Houston

PUERTO RICO
Three Kings celebration observes birth of Christ

SURINAME
Racially charged violence claims lives in Suriname
A murder on Christmas Eve sparked vicious riots in the Surinamese town of Albina. Locals took to the streets battering, raping and even killing Brazilian and Chinese immigrants.

VENEZUELA
Highlights of Hugo Chavez’ wisdom in 2009

Invading Venezuela

NI GOBIERNO NI “OPOSICIÓN” PODRÁN FRENAR LO QUE VIENE…

Venezuela begins 2010 with electricity rationing; Chavez’s ‘Bolivarian revolution’ appears to be getting results.

This week’s posts and podcasts:
Bolivia’s prez wants to produce Coca Colla
If it’s cold in Peru, it’s global warming
The insidious rise of the Gulf Cartel: 15 Minutes on Latin America

At Real Clear World:
Hugo Chávez: Now It’s Time to Annoy the Dutch