The week’s top story everywhere: Pres. Obama declared Isis had been contained on the same day ISIS suicide bombers killed at least 41 people in Beirut, Lebanon. The following day, ISIS claimed responsibility for 128 deaths on a coordinated attack perpetrated on an unarmed citizenry in Paris.
A headline that was mostly ignored, but will have dire repercussions in our hemisphere. Abandoning Past Assurances, U.S. Accepts Iran’s Arming of Hezbollah.
ARGENTINA
Argentine Government Slams High Court for Ordering Disclosure of YPF-Chevron Deal for the development of the giant Vaca Muerta shale formation.
China, Argentina pledge continued cooperation regardless of election outcome
BOLIVIA
Bolivia Rules Out Uranium Production, Opts to Focus on Lithium Industry
Immigration to Brazil:No golden door. Forbidding policies take an economic toll
They do not come because Brazil needlessly puts up additional roadblocks. Its legislation on immigration is “anachronistic”, admits Beto Vasconcelos, who handles the issue at the justice ministry in Brasília. The main law dealing with immigration, enacted by generals who ruled from 1964 to 1985, treats foreigners as a menace to national security and to Brazilian workers. It bars non-Brazilians from taking part in political rallies, owning stakes in newspapers or participating actively in trade unions.
CHILE
Bachelet Inaugurates Construction of World’s Largest Telescope in Chile
COLOMBIA
The FARC are not disarming: Colombia’s rebels want peace, but fear giving up their guns
Colombia is Top Cocaine Producer Again, Still Supplying Mexican Cartels
CUBA
Did Secretaries Pritzker, Vilsack and Amb. Thorne Violate U.S. Sanctions Law?
Cuban exile musings: What does it take to qualify as a charming “despot” nowadays?
EL SALVADOR
Murder rate increases sharply in El Salvador
During the first 10 months of 2015, El Salvador — a country with a population of 6.5 million — reported nearly 5,500 homicides, making it the murder capital of the world, according to Elizabeth Kennedy, a San Diego State University social scientist.
NICARAGUA
Nicaragua OKs canal’s impact studies, clearing way for construction
PANAMA
Panama rushes to secure canal after Paris attacks
PARAGUAY
Structural Problems Perpetuate Widespread Corruption in Paraguay
PERU
AP PHOTOS: Peru’s coca destroyers perform grueling work
PUERTO RICO
Little-known hedgie plays hardball with Puerto Rico’s debt
Puerto Rico: Isle of Disenchantment
URUGUAY
Uruguayan gov’t cuts Syrian family aid for gasoline incident
During a meeting with government officials last month, Merhi Alshebli doused himself with gasoline. He did not light himself on fire. Alshebli and other Syrian refugees resettled in Uruguay last year have complained that the government hasn’t helped enough.
Arrested nephews of Venezuela’s first lady could face life in prison
Good luck with that: Push for Venezuela to allow observers. Lawmakers from the US and Latin America urge Venezuela to allow OAS observers to monitor upcoming legislative elections.
