The Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean

ARGENTINA
The Argentine president and her empire in the south
Argentine President Cristina Kirchner has been quick to accuse Britain of ‘imperialism’. But, as Ian Mount and Philip Sherwell write, she has been creating a rather impressive empire of her own.

Argentina in UK ‘nuclear’ claim
Argentina accuses the UK of sending a nuclear-armed submarine to the South Atlantic, and makes an official complaint to the UN over the Falklands.

Barack Obama’s shameless Falklands betrayal will overshadow David Cameron’s Washington visit

Repsol Says Argentine Shale-Oil Formation Requires $250 Billion Investment

BRAZIL
Concerns with the Brazil Narrative

Privatising Brazil’s airports
Fasten your seat belts
Sky-high prices raise the prospect of more sell-offs

Drippy No More
Once viewed as filler for mass-market brands, Brazilian coffee is hot. A look at its sweet and nutty charms

The Wall Street Journal has a Brazil Special: Have It Your Way
There’s a lot to see in a country with 4,600 miles of coastline and nearly half the landmass of South America. But whether you’re into art, urbanity or the outdoors, you’ll find something to love in this destination trifecta

CHILE
Chile drops brush fire charges against Israeli

COLOMBIA
Colombia seizes Farc rebels’ explosives cache
The Colombian security forces have seized three tonnes of explosives and arms belonging to the country’s biggest left-wing rebel group, the Farc.

CUBA
How Kennedy bought 1,200 hand rolled Cuban cigars just hours before he ordered blockade of communist state 50 years ago

Will The Pope Absolve Fidel Castro?

Hey Fidel, Abuse of the Sacrament of Confession is a Mortal Sin

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Dominicans in deadly migrant boat accident say they pleaded to return

GUATEMALA
U.N. Investigative Body to Stay in Guatemala

IMMIGRATION
California’s Demographic Revolution
If the upward mobility of the impending Hispanic majority doesn’t improve, the state’s economic future is in peril

The problem some Texans have with border fence

LATIN AMERICA
The Obama Effect in Latin America
Placating enemies instead of strengthening partnerships with friends.

President BO’s “not much of a policy” toward Latin America

Self-deportation works

MEXICO
Cynthia Vanier’s Background and Activities in Libya
Ms. Vanier, who traveled to Libya in 2011 as a consultant to a large Canadian construction company and is now jailed in Mexico, is accused of trying to help smuggle Saadi Qaddafi, the son of the former Libyan dictator, into the country

Mexico mob kills three suspected kidnappers
Security officials in Mexico say three men have been killed by a mob for allegedly trying to kidnap a group of youths.

Candidacy tests Mexico’s culture of machismo

Mexico’s Presidential Election and the Cartel War

PANAMA
Potrerillos Neighborhood Watch & Public Safety Report: 2/9/2012

PERU
Sendero Luminoso, fragilidad institucional y socialismo del Siglo XXI en el Peru, PDF file.

PUERTO RICO
Puerto Rico Referendum Could Revitalize D.C. Status Debate

VENEZUELA
On Obama’s Watch

Venezuela’s presidential campaign
Mano a mano
The opposition has got its act together at last. Will that be enough to topple a convalescent and vulnerable Hugo Chávez?

Threats against Venezuelan state employees may suppress turnout for Sunday’s primary election

The week’s posts:
Ecuador: More persecution of journalists
Drugs, guns, and bundlers UPDATED