The central-bank-grab Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean

Welcome to this week’s Carnival. This week’s top story? After the pensions, Kirchner Grabs the Central Bank
Argentina’s monetary policy is now subject to the fiscal demands of the government. Citizens can look forward to more inflationARGENTINA
The Strange Case of the American Physicist Jailed in Argentina

Argentina’s economy
Piggy bank
Rootling around for cash

Argentina’s Carlos Menem faces bombing trial
Carlos Menem was president at the time of the attack
Former Argentine President Carlos Menem is to stand trial for allegedly obstructing an investigation into an attack on a Jewish cultural centre in Buenos Aires, officials have said.

Argentina threatens to sue banks helping Falklands oil explorers as trade war with Britain escalates
A group of British and American banks have been threatened with legal action by the Argentine government for advising and writing research reports about companies involved in the Falkland Islands’ £1.6bn oil industry.

How the U.S. Almost Betrayed Britain
Alexander Haig wanted Reagan to side with the Argentines over the Falklands, newly released papers show

BRAZIL
São Paulo’s metro
Not yet fit for a metropolis
Traversing Brazil’s biggest city gets a bit easier

Brazil: Da Silva Says Treatment for Throat Cancer Was a Success

CHILE
Chileans Mourn Death of Daniel Zamudio

Chile Earthquake 2012: 7.1 Magnitude Quake Strikes Country

COLOMBIA
Colombia: Attack Kills 36 Rebels

Colombia’s New Counterinsurgency Plan

CUBA
CNBC Story Touches the Third Rail of U.S.-Cuba Policy, Property Claims

POPE BENEDICT 16 CONTINUES SHAMELESS APPEASEMENT OF CUBA’S ATHEIST TRYANTS

The Pope missed a great opportunity

Cuban dissidents under siege in Cuba while MSNBC’S MITCHELL PRAISES CUBA’S SOCIALIZED HEALTH CARE

EL SALVADOR
Elections in El Salvador and Belize
Separation of powers

FALKLAND ISLANDS
Thirty years after the Falklands war
Short, victorious war
On April 2nd 1982 Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. The war Britain fought to recover them still colours domestic politics

Falklands Rises as Explosive Issue, Again

HONDURAS
Honduran authorities say at least 14 dead in prison fire following riot

Honduras Report and Photos, NYC Library Talk April 4, Miami Visit, Cuba, Haiti and Sudan, 74th Birthday (Yikes!)

MEXICO
Anti-Gun Groups Silent on Fast and Furious
Pressed by PJ Media, they refuse to condemn gun violence facilitated by the Obama administration, via Silvio.

misLEDEing

Mexico’s presidential election
The man to beat
As the presidential campaign officially begins, time is running out to catch up with Enrique Peña Nieto

Public advertising in Mexico
The government’s deafening loudspeaker

PERU
A Race to Satisfy World’s Hunger for Chocolate

PUERTO RICO
Billions Lost In Tax-Refund Scam

Puerto Rico Names New Head of Police Department Amid Crime Wave, Scandals

Alejandro García Takes Lead in Puerto Rico Governor Elections: Poll

Thirteen percent of respondents said they would not vote in November and 12 percent were undecided.

VENEZUELA
Real Academia de la Lengua cita a la Constitución venezolana como ejemplo del mal uso del lenguaje

Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez resumes Cuba cancer treatment, again.

Chavez Ready To Work His Magic On The Crime Problem

Venezuelan Struggle for Chavez Succession Breaks Into The Open, via Irish Spy.

Joel Hirst: Venezuela’s Political Prisoners

The week’s posts:
Carlos Eire on the Pope’s visit
Cuba: The Pope’s shameful trip UPDATE: Did Benedict see Chavez?
Cuba: Pope wants cooperation, protestor yells “down with Communism”
Air Force suspends Embraer contract pending investigation…
Pope now in Cuba, but will he visit Hugo?