The Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean

ARGENTINA
Falkland Islands’ bid to grow its own food amid fears of Argentina blockade
The Falkland Islands has announced a plan to become self-sufficient in meeting its food needs amid increased concern about Argentine efforts to blockade surrounding waters.

BOLIVIA
Mother Earth now has legal standing in Bolivia

BRAZIL
A Reality Check for Brazil

Comparing Brazilian states with countries
Brazilian equivalents
Which countries match the GDP and population of Brazil’s states?

CARIBBEAN
Panel on Caribbean migration opens 2nd day of Austin Forum

COLOMBIA
FARC Kill 13-year-old Girl for Desertion

Colombian President Overhauls Military

The reshuffling and rise in defense outlays, along with Mr. Santos’s tough talk, are a tacit recognition of the belief among many Colombians that he and his administration haven’t been hard enough on the leftist rebels, mainly the country’s biggest guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.

CUBA
Good News: Oil Drilling Off Florida Begins Nov. 1. Bad News: It’s in Cuba. As if that weren’t enough, U.S. Is Urged to Plan to Aid Cuba in Case of an Oil Spill.

Iran’s Energy Min: Sanctions cannot halt expansion of Iran’s ties with Cuba and Ecuador
Havana, Sept 8, IRNA – IRI Energy Minister Majid Namjou emphasized here Wednesday Western-imposed sanctions can by no way halt process of expansion of Iran’s trade and business relations with Cuba and with Ecuador.

The Queen in Queen Street

Cuba and the Elephants

GUATEMALA
Guatemala’s presidential election
The return of the iron fist
A former general promises a crackdown on violence

Guatemala’s presidential election
The Sandra Torres question

HAITI
Haiti’s tent cities
Nowhere to go
The government’s housing plan faces an uphill battle

HONDURAS
Corruption but no corruptos in Honduras

MEXICO

Gunwalker Explodes: FBI Hid Weapon, Tax Dollars Subsidized Murder
The depth of the scandal dramatically widened yesterday.

Peña Nieto’s Empty Applause Line

Mexican Finance Minister Quits to Seek Presidency

NICARAGUA
La Constitución Apócrifa de Daniel Ortega

PANAMA
International Mover Question

PERU
Humala’s Drug Czar Vows to Halt Growth in Peru Coca Output

VENEZUELA
U.S. Sanctions Venezuela Officials, Citing Drug Ties

The U.S. added a Venezuelan general, two legislators and a top intelligence official to a kingpins list for their alleged involvement in drug dealing and arms trafficking with Colombian guerrillas, the U.S. Treasury said Thursday.

Is Chavez in such trouble that international pariah statute does not rattle him?

Yes, They Really Said That!

The week’s posts,
After Fast and Furious, Mexican narco’s defense: He was aiding the US
After 20 years, Cuba revokes Spanish journalist’s creds
Chavez throws BRICs for Gaddafi
Jane <3 Che