Bahamas | Fausta's Blog

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

Mexico: From exchange student in Iran to political refugee in 5 easy steps

Podcast:
Chile and other US-Latin America issues

February 4, 2013 By Fausta

The Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean

ARGENTINA
Prepping The Next Conflict

Argentine-Iranian relations
A pact with the devil?

BAHAMAS
Gaming in the Bahamas
A bettor option
Churches and internet cafés face off in a referendum on gambling

BRAZIL
Brazil’s Tax-Cutting, High-Growth Socialists. Four years ago, Lula schooled Obama on free trade, doing away with tariffs particularly on biofuels, and job creation.

COLOMBIA
Kidnappings Imperil Talks With Rebels in Colombia

Deadly clashes before Farc talks
Fighting between Farc rebels and Colombia’s government leaves at least nine people dead, as the latest round of peace talks start in Cuba.

ECUADOR
Another Blowout in Eco Suit Against Chevron

A Fortune Mag/CNN Money article out this week reports the latest, overwhelming evidence of horrendous skullduggery in a long-running environmental case, supported by the highly corruptible Ecuadoran government, against the U.S.-based Chevron oil company. In a Manhattan federal district court, reports Fortune’s Roger Parloff, “Chevron filed the declaration of a former Ecuadorian judge, Alberto Guerra, who describes how he and a second former judge, Nicolás Zambrano, allegedly allowed the plaintiffs lawyers to ghostwrite their entire 188-page, $18.2 billion judgment against Chevron in exchange for a promise of $500,000 from the anticipated recovery.”

LATIN AMERICA
Latin American integration
Past and future
The region’s anachronistic new face
And yes, Angela Merkel did shake Raul Castro’s hand:

PERU
Relocation in the Andes: Perched in the Peruvian Andes is a new town built by a Chinese mining company to which 5,000 people will be relocated,

Peru’s roaring economy
Hold on tight
The biggest threats to Latin America’s economic star are overconfidence and complacency

PUERTO RICO
Jackson Lewis opens in Puerto Rico as gateway to Latin America
US employment firm Jackson Lewis is to open an office in Puerto Rico, marking its first base outside of mainland US.

VENEZUELA
As Chavez takes his time, Havana rules Venezuela

October 29, 2012 By Fausta

The Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean

LatinAmer ARGENTINA
Argentina supermarket roof collapse kills at least two

Ruling Hits Argentina Bonds

BAHAMAS
Hurricane Sandy Makes Landfall in The Bahamas

BOLIVIA
Bolivia vs. Venezuela’s Debt: What Are Investors Smoking (or Chewing)?

BRAZIL
Brazil’s north-east
The Pernambuco model
Eduardo Campos is both modern manager and old-fashioned political boss. His success in developing his state may make him his country’s next president

Brazil Hit By New Blackout

Boycott on Google News leads to 5% loss in web traffic: Brazilian newspapers

COLOMBIA
Cuba-supported Terror Group, FARC, Speaks with a Forked Tongue

Colombia to Develop Its Own Drone Program to Combat Drug-Trafficking

Financing the Colombian War

CUBA
THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS @50: A RECONSIDERATION

How Castro Held the World Hostage

Seven Proposals After Hurricane Sandy

Peter Hitchens: The Guardian interviews me. And some Thoughts in Passing on Cuba and DNA, via Carlos Eire.

Fidel Castro reflections fade to a shadow

ECUADOR
Reporter threatened in Ecuador after airing report on drugs and guns in schools

MEXICO
Pocket Litter: The Evidence That Criminals Carry

Mexico’s Drug Lords Ramp Up Their Arsenals with RPGs

Mexican Drug Gangs on “Verge of Collapse”?

The global Mexican
Mexico is open for business

Case of blonde girl beggar rescued from streets strikes nerve in Mexico; activists see racism, via Gates of Vienna.

PANAMA
Colon Free Zone: Panama debates land sale law repeal

Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Ongoing protests in Panama with possible violence

Day Two of dealing with hospitals in Panama.

PERU
Tense calm follows Peru market clashes

PUERTO RICO
These Bond Portfolios Invest 25% Or More In Puerto Rico

Humor: No Habrá Más Preguntas En Debates; Candidatos Solo Hablarán M**rda Por Dos Horas

VENEZUELA
Venezuela’s Future Up in the Air

The Venezuelan brand of democracy

The week’s posts:
Is the Obama administration planning to release two more convicted terrorists?

The WaPo finds 900,000 Puerto Ricans in Florida

Argentina: High-end retailers leave the country

July 18, 2011 By Fausta

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

LatinAmer ARGENTINA
Buenos Aires’s mayor
Déjà vu all over again

BAHAMAS
Bahamas bans commercial shark fishing

BOLIVIA
¿Y dónde está el narco-informe? – EJU.TV

CHILE
Chilean Bank Pauses Six-Month Rate Increase Cycle

COLOMBIA
Colombia’s Guerrillas: The Rebellion That Would Not Die

CUBA
Ladies in White violently attacked yesterday by Castro State Security, h/t Instapundit.

Methodist leaders sell out their flock to the Castro regime

MEXICO
Mexico and the United States
Revving up
The end of an old haulage dispute will give Mexican exports an edge

Mexico Finds Large Marijuana Farm in Baja California

Today’s Video: All ashore

PANAMA
Panama’s economy
A Singapore for Central America?
Latin America’s fastest-growing country has set its sights high. First it needs a government as impressive as its economy

PUERTO RICO
Casey Anthony could be heading to Puerto Rico after release
“It makes sense, Jose Baez is from Puerto Rico, he has got a whole Spanish community there…” Aphrodite Jones

VENEZUELA
Chávez Foe Convicted Over Remarks

Venezuelan gov’t retakes prison after weeks-long standoff

Prisons in Venezuela
The fifth circle of hell
An inmates’ mutiny highlights violence and overcrowding

Venezuela’s Docs Flee—So Does Chávez
It’s no coincidence that the president has returned to Cuba for medical attention.

Chávez-nomics has been even more devastating for doctors in the public hospitals. Dr. Douglas León Natera of the Venezuelan Medical Federation (FMV) told El Universal on June 16 that doctors earn a mere 2,600 bolivars (roughly $325 at the market exchange rate) monthly, and that even though hospitals have become targets of the country’s rising crime, the government has failed to provide protection for health-care staff. Doctors also cite scarce and low-quality resources and long hours. On June 30 the FMV called a strike to protest low pay and arduous working conditions. Last week Mr. Chávez offered them a 30% raise. They refused to yield. They are, however, continuing to treat urgent cases.

Pharmaceutical importers have been reluctant to complain publicly about their difficulties; large companies that offend Mr. Chávez can become targets of nationalization. It’s a bit more difficult to nationalize a doctor. A strike is just one option. Many of Venezuela’s best doctors have fled the country, which explains how it is, according to the FMV, that in public hospitals there are 130,000 patients waiting for surgery.

In its 2010 annual report, the ministry of health acknowledged the shortage of doctors, particularly in specialties such as anesthesiology, neonatal care, cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery and child cardiology. Private hospitals are also deteriorating now as the poor turn up for care with government medical insurance, but the insurer doesn’t fulfill its obligation to pay.

In Venezuela, some cancer patients are more equal than others

Preparing for a post-Hugo Venezuela

IMMIGRATION
U.S.-born Mexican-Americans Outnumber New Migrants

The week’s posts,
Chavez going to Cuba, not Brazil, for chemo VIDEO
Chavez heading to Brazil for healthcare?
WaPo notices the Castro-Chavez ties
Cuba’s Misery in Dollar Terms [UPDATED, JM]
Chavez now reading Nietzsche

26846

September 27, 2010 By Fausta

The dead Mono Jojoy Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean

As you may recall, Colombian authorities dealt a huge blow to the FARC by killing its #2 guy and seizing 15 laptops, which will surely reveal much valuable intelligence on the criminal/terrorist organization. Here’s my article at Real Clear World:
FARC’s Military Leader: He Died With His Boots On

ARGENTINA
Wine Wars – Argentina vs. Chile

BAHAMAS
Billionaire Aga Khan seeks permission to develop inside marine park in Bahamas (h/t Gates of Vienna)

BOLIVIA
Debate heats up over anti-racism law in Bolivia

BRAZIL
The former guerrilla set to be the world’s most powerful woman
Brazil looks likely to elect an extraordinary leader next weekend. “The world’s most powerful woman?” Makes you wonder if the fool ever hear of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Juan Forero reports: Brazil quickly becoming a player in the global economy

Mobius Calls Petrobras Offering an `Abomination,’ May Represent a `Bubble’

CHILE
As rescue nears, trapped Chilean miners prepare to deal with media spotlight

Plan Chiloé 2010 – 2014 genera debate

COLOMBIA
Mono Jojoy goes down

Colombian rebel leader reportedly killed in military strike

Position of killed FARC commander was determined by GPS in boot

Chávez dice que “uno no puede alegrarse por la muerte de nadie”
El mandatario venezolano habló de la baja del guerrillero de las Farc, alias el ‘Mono Jojoy’.

CUBA
Keep the pressure on the Castro regime

Prisoners who refuse to resettle in Spain will be freed last – and only on parole

José Ángel Luque Álvarez, Cuban Political Prisoner of the Week, 9/19/10 (UPDATED x2)

The Evil Master

Mary O’Grady: Weekend at Fidel’s
Jeffrey Goldberg is not the first American journalist to cuddle up to Castro.

We are supposed to conclude that Cuba is no longer a threat to global stability and that Fidel is a reformed tyrant. But how believable is a guy whose revolution all but wiped out Cuba’s tiny Jewish community of 15,000, and who spent the past 50 years supporting the terrorism of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Syria, Libya and Iran? And how does Castro explain Venezuela, where Cuban intelligence agents run things, Iran is an ally and anti-Semitism has been state policy in recent years? Mr. Goldberg doesn’t go there with Fidel.

It also is passing strange that we hear nothing from Mr. Goldberg about poor Alan Gross. Mr. Gross, a U.S. government contractor and a Jew, has been languishing in a Cuban prison since December. His crime: distributing computers to a handful of Cuban Jews who want to establish contact with the diaspora. Is that any way to show love for the Jewish people?

It never seems to cross Mr. Goldberg’s mind that he is being used in a manner Communists first learned at Lenin’s knee. Or perhaps he is happy to be useful. In a follow-up post he explains that since Fidel is not as bad as Pol Pot, Cubans should stop complaining.

Goldberg in turn says Mary’s “unhinged” because, after all, the Jews were not exterminated and can travel to Israel…only with permission of the government, Jeffrey.

ECUADOR
Lots of developments on the Chevron case:
Subpoena Looms for Attorney in Chevron Case

Chevron Follows Up Its Blockbuster Release With a Sequel

Chevron Ecuador Case: Legal Observers Say Steven Donziger’s Actions Are Criminal

HONDURAS
Honduran police arrest top suspect in killing of journalist

Things that make no sense to me

MEXICO
Protecting the Journalists

Ejército captura a líder operativo de Los Zetas
La Sedena refirre que José Angel Fernández, ‘El Pelón’, supuestamente estuvo involucrado en el ataque con bombas incendiarias en agosto al bar ‘Castillo del Mar’, en Cancún

Security on Border with Mexico is Still an Unresolved Issue

PANAMA
Not To Be Found In David

Foreign Direct Investment increases 26%

PARAGUAY
DNA paternity test clears Paraguay leader Fernando Lugo
Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo did not father a child with a woman who is suing him in a paternity case, DNA results have shown h/t The Latin Americanist.

PERU
Peru and Thailand expect to negotiate an FTA soon.

PUERTO RICO
My fellow compatriots, it looks like we better get ourselves new birth certificates:
State, feds won’t honor old Puerto Rican birth certificates
In New Jersey, Puerto Rico natives will soon need new birth certificates to get driver’s licenses, passports
In Pennsylvania, PennDOT sets limit on Puerto Rican birth certificates

VENEZUELA
Voter power in Venezuela rests with disillusioned
With Venezuela’s elections days away, many in the polarized nation say they are uninspired by the choices

Caracas Chronicles Exclusive: Jesse Chacón Forecasts Opposition Will Win 112 Seats

Estaría transportando uranio el vuelo directo Teherán-Caracas

Operation Sodom

BLANDÍN, CARAPITA: EL PUEBLO PAGA CON VIDAS EL “AUTO-CHAVOTEO” DEL GOBIERNO

Venezuela a Hotbed of Anti-Semitic Rantings by the Governing Elites
Hugo Chávez outdoes even Iran in fostering the most nauseating kind of anti-Semitism among the ruling elites while pushing comical conspiracy theories about the Jews.

For more on the National Assembly elections, check out this morning’s roundup and podcast.

IMMIGRATION
Illegal immigration is no joke

The week’s posts and podcasts:
Chavez loses supermajority
Venezuela: National Assembly elections today VIDEO #S26
‘The Most Important Blow Ever Against the FARC’
That quote from Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos refers to the death in battle of Mono Jojoy, the terrorist rebel group FARC’s most senior military commander.
Brookings: Legalizing pot in Mexico not panacea
Whoa! FARC chief killed
Lula skips the UN, heads to G20

23094

December 28, 2009 By Fausta

The last Monday of 2009 Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean

LatinAmer Welcome to the Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean.

LATIN AMERICA
Via Gates of Vienna Newsfeed, OAS: THE HEMISPHERIC GOVERNMENT SHAPING YOUR FUTURE

Weapons of Freedom

Time For Latinos to Stand Against Illegal Immigration
And it’s up to the rest of us to give them the benefit of the doubt and stop assuming that their loyalties lie elsewhere.

BAHAMAS
Letter: Visitor safety in the Bahamas

BRAZIL
Via Islam in Europe, Brazil – More Halal beef for Arab countries

CHILE
Chile’s second transition

COLOMBIA
Colombia says Venezuela mistook Santa’s sleigh for US spy plane

FARC’s Plan to Booby Trap Colombia

CUBA
Camila and her wicker basket

Cuba human rights worsened in 2009 — activist

Fake autobiography of Fidel is on target, writes reviewer, herself a Castro scholar

Christian Pilgrims to Bethlehem Honor Che Guevara

CURACAO
Curacao: Case of missing US diplomat going cold

ECUADOR
Ecuador: Report Says U.S. Aided Attack On Rebels

HAITI
Report says 225,000 Haiti children work as slaves

HONDURAS
Anybody seen Pati?

JAMAICA
Plane from D.C. overshoots runway in Jamaica; dozens injured

MEXICO
Family of Mexican marine slaughtered in revenge attack over raid that killed drug lord

PANAMA
Close quarters

PERU
Alan García cuestiona “angustia” de Evo Morales

VENEZUELA
2010 for Venezuela

How much does the Chavez Government have left in the parallel funds?

Via Islam in Europe, Chavez announces new discount ‘socialist’ stores

Chávez Accuses Netherlands of Plotting Aggression With the U.S.

The devil in a red tie

“¡ESTO NO PARECE NAVIDAD…!”

HUMOR:
Los mejores montajes del 2009 del Chiguirre Bipolar:

The week’s posts and podcasts:
Chávez threatens Toyota, GM
Zelaya’s Christmas at the Brazilian embassy
Boy reunited with Dad in Brazil
‘Bloggera’ y también tanguera

March 9, 2009 By Fausta

The Sarko in Mexico Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean

Welcome to the Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean. If you would like your posts included in next Monday’s Carnival, please email me: faustaw2 “at” gmail “dot” com.

The big stories last week were Hugo Chavez’s nationalizing American food producer Cargill in Venezuela, and the change in the Cuban Communist regime. Developing this week: Nicolas Sarkozy’s first state visit to Mexico, and Lula’s visit to the White House on Saturday.

The Sarko visit, in today’s podcast:
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni spent the weekend at the beach and touring Aztec ruins with Mexican President Felipe Calderon. Sarkozi’s first state visit to Mexico starts today. He’s expected to discuss the upcoming G-20 meeting, economic crisis and the Florence Cassez case.

Other links from the international media on the Sarko visit:
Le Figaro: Mexique : Sarkozy et Calderon évoquent «l’affaire Cassez»
Libération: Affaire Florence Cassez : transfèrement «probable»
France24: Cassez case casts long shadow over Sarkozy’s state visit
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is visiting Mexico on a mission to boost trade with the Central American country. He will also plead the case of Frenchwoman Florence Cassez, who is languishing in a Mexican jail on kidnap charges.
El Universal: Calderón-Sarkozy: una cita en tierra de dioses
Sin actos protocolarios, los presidentes de México, Felipe Calderón, y de Francia, Nicolas Sarkozy, recorrieron ayer las pirámides de Teotihucán
UK’s Mail: Sarkozys’ stay in £3,000-a-night Mexican villa sparks outrage in recession-hit France

calderonbrunisarko

LATIN AMERICA
Border lawmakers fear narco-nuke terrorism link

Bad news for Latin America

ARGENTINA
El kirchnerismo analiza nacionalizar el comercio de granos

BAHAMAS
Double digit unemployment recorded in Bahamas

BOLIVIA
Bolivia Exports Decline 32.9% in January From a Year Earlier

BRAZIL
Nine-Year-Old’s Abortion Outrages Brazil’s Catholic Church

Reaping the rewards of indolence:
Some of the unreformed aspects of Brazil’s economy are now helping to limit the damage from the world downturn—but its prudence in recent years is helping too

Brazil Said to Be Considering Reducing Primary Surplus. Reaction? Negative

COLOMBIA
We Recommend Shunning Shares of Ingrid Betancourt. The Revelations of the Three Americans Finally Break an Absurd Code of Silence

Via IBD Blog, Colombia says troops kill guerrilla commander

An article by Marc Gonsalvez: I Was Held Hostage in Colombia, and My Captors Should Face US Justice

An unmended fence: Colombia gained much and suffered little from its raid into Ecuador

CUBA
The Queen

Fidel not a hands-off political leader

CT Blog: Is Removal of Cuba From “State Sponsors” List Inevitable?

Richard Brown Pérez, Cuban Political Prisoner of the Week, 3/8/09

Como vacas al matadero

Ex-ministers admit “errors”

The other Castro stamps his heel: Two senior figures are dismissed after tasting “the honey of power”

Obama will use spring summit to bring Cuba in from the cold
US companies are queuing up as the president moves to ease restrictions on travel and trade, raising hopes of warmer relations and an end to the embargo

Cuba regime purge may be defensive act

ECUADOR
Narcotrafico de las Farc se beneficio en frontera con Ecuador tras ruptura de relaciones

El Salvador
El Salvador’s Presidential Election, March 15th 2009

MEXICO
Via the Baron, EXCLUSIVE: 100,000 foot soldiers in cartels
Numbers rival Mexican army

Make Mexico’s War A Higher Priority

Mexican criminal insurgency comes to Houston

Mexico Finally Rises Near the Top of the Agenda

US Federal agent cautions travelers headed to Mexico

Lech Walesa receives the Legion of Liberty Award – IPEA

Hasta la vista, baby

The Financial Storm Hits Mexico : Their politicians aren’t doing much to staunch the bleeding.PERU
A rare victory in the judicial war in Peru

Las casas ALBA en el Perú

PUERTO RICO
Coast guard rescues 1 man, searches for another, while 11 others rescued in Puerto Rico

VENEZUELA
No more arepas for you

Government to “intervene” areperas?

Hugo Chavez Calls On Obama To Follow Path of Socialism

Zombie capitalism

Chavez tightens state control of food amid rocketing inflation and food shortages

Venezuela seizes Irish company’s tree farm

Chavez Sets Up Showdown With Mendoza After Seizures

Venezuela May Take Over More Rigs to Allow Drilling to Proceed

Chavez sours Latin American investment climate

Inmates at Venezuelan jail play football with inmate’s severed head

Special thanks
to Ada, the Baron, Eneas, Larwyn and Maggie.

The week’s posts and podcasts
In the face of the Cuban cosmetic change, Obama will use spring summit to bring Cuba in from the cold
Viva Maria Conchita
Chavez calls on Obama to follow the path of socialism. UPDATE: “Go wash your *ss, Mr. Obama”
Chavez’s full digestive cycle: First the rice, now the toilet paper – all in today’s podcast!
Today at 11AM Eastern: Unannounced Fidel Sightings
Chavez and the food supply
The real Ingrid Betancourt in captivity, and today’s podcast at 11AM Eastern
¿Por qué no te callas?, part 2

At RCW
The Cuban cosmetic change
Brazil’s Lula to visit Obama
Raúl Castro’s House Cleaning

You can also find all the week’s tango posts here

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February 25, 2008 By Fausta

The Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean

Welcome to the Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean.

If you would like your posts included in the Monday Carnivals, please email me your links, faustaw “at” yahoo “dot” com.

Last week’s big story was Castro’s resignation. I did a huge roundup and follow=up, but Babalu did an excellent job covering the story. Babalu’s Val Prieto was in our podcast.

Let’s start with some humor:
Top Ten Reasons Fidel Castro Is Retiring

MEDIA:
New Spanish TV channel – online and totally free

BAHAMAS
How Castro’s Exit will Affect Cuba and the Bahamas

BRAZIL
Raul prefers Lula over Hugo? Lula and McCain are on the same page

Whodunnit? A strange theft of oil and gas secrets

COLOMBIA
Betancourt: 6 Years As Colombian Captive

Big Labor Can’t Handle the Truth About Colombia

No Mas Farc, by Mario Vargas Llosa (in Spanish)

Kouchner in Colombia gets told by Uribe

Colombia rebels get foothold in Venezuela

COSTA RICA
Costa Rican National Parks, and Costa Rican Food.

CUBA
Freed dissidents expose Castro’s brutal regime