The Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean

As Colombia aims for peace, some see the guerrillas diversifying
As Colombia and the FARC guerrillas negotiate peace in Havana some fear the rebel group is diversifying beyond the drug trade.

COLOMBIA
Central America’s tiny states caught in deadly crossfire of battle with cartels
Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and even tourist-friendly Costa Rica are now caught up in the drugs trade

CUBA
On revolutionary icons and news not fit to print

ECUADOR
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DARWIN

FALKLAND ISLANDS
Falkland Islanders to hold referendum on their future March 10-11

LATIN AMERICA
COUNTERING IRAN: A BILL SIGNED, SEALED, BUT WILL IT DELIVER?, via Joel Frewa.

MEXICO
China Plan Raises Ire in Mexico

Plans to build a large, permanent exposition center for Chinese-made goods near Cancún have triggered an outcry from Mexican industrialists who struggle to compete with Chinese manufacturing.

NICARAGUA
Nicaragua sentences 18 Mexicans to 30 years

PUERTO RICO
Despite Advocates’ Claims, No Clear Consensus on Puerto Rican Statehood

Puerto Rican Stars Gear Up for World Baseball Classic, via Dick.

VENEZUELA
Pablo Medina denuncia presencia de 4.500 militares cubanos en Fuerte Tiuna

Is Hugo Chavez Schrödinger’s Cat?

Chávez’s useful idiots
The demagogue of Caracas has helped sustain a long tradition of left-wing fellow travelling

Another day, another scandal. Or is it all planned provocation?

ezuela’s presidency
Brotherly love in the Bolivarian Republic
With the president ill, who is really running the country?

Tweet of the week:

Dios bendiga a Venezuela que tiene ahorados presidentes… uno maduro y el otro podrido..

— Willie Colón (@williecolon) January 16, 2013

The week’s posts:
Venezuela, Cuba: Chavez deathwatch.

Holder withholding Fast & Furious docs

Ampuero now in translation

In Silvio Canto’s podcast

Hagel on Cuba: Feel the love