The third Monday in August Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean

LatinAmer ARGENTINA
Argentina’s primary elections
Bad dress rehearsal
Cristina Fernández has an uphill struggle ahead of mid-term elections

BAHAMAS
Bahamas deports 24 Cuban refugees
The government of the Bahamas deports back to Cuba 24 refugees who had applied for asylum in the US and other countries.

BRAZIL
Brazil Concerned About Hotel Price Hikes at WCup

CHILE
Chile strike at BHP Billiton’s Escondida mine ends

COLOMBIA
Colombia`s police force, corrupt and incompetent?

A small red raccoon? No, an olinguito. Olinguito: ‘Overlooked’ mammal carnivore is major discovery
Scientists in the US have discovered a new animal living in the cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador. Watch the video at the link.

CUBA
Namibia pays its debt to Castro Kingdom with endangered wildlife

2 Cuban political prisoners sentenced to more time in Castro gulag

The revolución‘s Royalty and Servitude

ECUADOR
Plan to Ban Oil Drilling in Amazon Is Dropped

LATIN AMERICA
Terror Threat in Latin America

MEXICO
Mexico Steps Up Security After Drug Lord’s Capture
Arrest of Gulf Cartel Kingpin Is New Blow to Criminal Groups

Mexican oil workers fear Pemex proposal

Energy reform in Mexico
Giving it both barrels
The government has made a promising start, but it may struggle to bring an historic reform to fruition

NICARAGUA
Colombia and Nicaragua’s Maritime Dispute Intensifies

Domestic and regional political repercussions will heavily influence Colombia’s response. The threat of a second territorial maritime loss to Nicaragua would further weaken President Juan Manuel Santos’ reelection prospects. Inaction against Nicaragua, when combined with slow-moving negotiations with the FARC rebel group could cost Santos’ political party the presidency in 2014.

PANAMA
Panama May Hit North Korea with $1 Million Fine for Illicit Arms Transport. Good luck collecting it!

PARAGUAY
Paraguay’s New President Woos Foreign Investment

PERU
How Peru became the cocaine capital of the world
The recent arrests of British women in Lima highlight the large numbers of foreigners in the country’s jails facing smuggling charges and the Andes’ growing importance in the drugs trade

The rise of the Peruvian cocaine trade has also been driven by market forces. In recent years, demand for the drug has fallen substantially in the US, which was traditionally served by the Colombian trade. Peru, on the other hand, exports the majority of its illicit product to Brazil (where it is turned into the cheaper and more addictive crack), and to Europe. Unlike their American counterparts, British appetite for cocaine almost doubled during the Noughties.

PUERTO RICO
Social Security Disability Fraud in Puerto Rico

URUGUAY
Canadian bank abandons Uruguay following raid on its office on request from Argentine judge
The Royal Bank of Canada, RBC, is abandoning Uruguay following a raid in its offices at Zonamerica ordered by a Uruguayan magistrate on request from Argentina during which computers, documents on clients and even cell phones from staff were seized by the intervening party which included on-watching Argentine treasury police.

VENEZUELA
Tyrants and their enabling laws:
Showdown looms in Venezuela over decree powers plan

Maduro, who narrowly won an April election to replace his late mentor Hugo Chavez, says he is ready to change “all the laws” if necessary to stamp out widespread graft that is denting his popularity with some core supporters.

Venezuela central bank head replaced amid corruption claims

By subscription: Venezuela’s President Seeks Expanded Powers
Ruling by decree would enable Maduro to deal with deep economic and social problems.

The week’s posts and podcast:
Venezuela’s ruined agricultural industry

Cuba: 54 years of Revolución, for what?

Venezuela: The perils of hyperinflation

Pisco, the next tequila?

Venezuela: Unleashing homophobia

Puerto Rico: DoJ, FBI Disability fraud investigation under way

Mexico: Caro Quintero, and Fast & Furious

Mexico: Will the proposed energy reform be enough?

Mexico: Oil industry overhaul?

Panama: No deal with North Korea