They are the only four countries outside the US in the region that fully comply with US standards outlined in the US State Department’s 2017 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, according to InSight Crime.
Money laundering in Miami: Pure gold!
Miami is unlike any other place in the USA, with stories like this, which go unnoticed by the national media:
Billions in drug dealers’ illegal Amazon gold ‘laundered’ through Miami refinery, feds say.
In brief, a Colombian guy named Juan P. Granda, working as director of operations NTR Metals, allegedly – with two other guys – was buying gold from illegal mines in Peru’s Amazonian rain forest, refining it, selling it, and then wiring the funds back to drug traffickers.
Things get complicated and at least seven countries are involved: Granda was born in Ecuador, is a U.S, citizen, the gold was coming from Peru, but was routed through Bolivia, and
At least one of the companies sending the gold to NTR was financed by a man identified as P.F. in the complaint. According to sources, he is “Peter Ferrari,” whose real name is Pedro Perez Miranda.
Ferrari was acquitted of narcotics money laundering in Peru. But he was later arrested on charges of illegal gold mining and laundering more than $500 million worth of gold.
After the Peruvian crackdown, smuggled gold was transported to Bolivia before it was shipped to NTR in Miami, the complaint said. Last year, Ecuadorean authorities made arrests involving about $400 million in gold from Peru bound for refineries in Miami, including NTR Metals, according to the complaint.
Federal agents said customs records show that NTR also participated in “highly suspicious gold imports” from Colombia, Chile, Guyana and the Caribbean.
How much money are we talking about? The federal prosecutor’s complaint states, “NTR sent billions of dollars in wire payments to Latin America from the United States.”
The fake Syrian passports Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean
Today’s top story: Macri won yesterday’s runoff in Argentina. I’m working on a longer post for this afternoon. [Update: Post is up]
The most ignored story of the week so far is the one about all the Syrians in our Hemisphere using stolen and fake passports, even in the Tri-Border Area. But hey, don’t worry, be happy!
ARGENTINA
Keep it all in the family: Kirchner Supporters Urge Voters to Steal Relatives’ ID Cards.Facebook Page behind the Campaign Claims It Was All a “Joke”
Perfidy: Cristina Fernandez overspending to the last Peso and credit before leaving
Outgoing Argentine president Cristina Fernandez will be leaving not only the Central bank reserves exhausted but also a budget deficit which is estimated at 7% of GDP by the end of the fiscal year, equivalent to 400.000 million Pesos, according to the country’s National Auditing Office, AGN.
Bolivia Protesters Threaten to Cut Flow of Gas to Brazil
Brazilian economic activity contracts for the fourth straight quarter
Economic activity in Brazil contracted for the fourth straight quarter, central bank data showed this week as Latin America’s biggest economy plunges further into recession. The bank’s IBC-Br economic activity index indicates economic activity fell 1.41% in the third quarter from the previous three months.
CHILE
Advances in viniculture add to Chile’s attraction for investors
Por qué crece el narco tráfico en el Gbno Santos? pic.twitter.com/hDPJH4uLsa
— Álvaro Uribe Vélez (@AlvaroUribeVel) November 18, 2015
COSTA RICA
Regional Bloc to Consider Cuban Migrants
ECUADOR
With a name like Carlos Marx, what’s not to love? Ecuador the First LatAm Nation to Convict a Twitter Activist. Opposition Leader Given 15 Days in Prison for Libeling Labor Minister Carlos Marx
GUYANA
In Guyana, a Land Dispute With Venezuela Escalates Over Oil
JAMAICA
Bank of Jamaica Governor Says JA Dollar No Longer Devalued, Hopes to Boost Confidence of Investors
LATIN AMERICA
Extradition in Latin America: How to handle a drug gang. The pros and cons of outsourcing justice to the United States (emphasis added)
Extradition can create dependency by reducing pressure to clean up local justice systems. Although Colombia has broken up gangs, increased drug seizures and cut its murder rate, its courts and jails remain inefficient and corruptible by global standards. Because it now extradites even mob foot-soldiers, no one knows if it could jail a proper capo safely. Just 9% of murders there lead to a conviction.
NICARAGUA
Thousands of Cuban migrants stuck at Nicaraguan border in limbo amid political impasse
PARAGUAY
Paraguay Strikes Blow Against Guerrilla Group the ACA, Armed Peasant Association, not to be confused with the US’s Affordable Care Act.
PERU
Foreign Correspondence: Ecuador or Peru – Which is better for rookie travelers?
PUERTO RICO
Puerto Rico Electric Wins Extension of Debt Restructuring Pact
URUGUAY
File this one under “No s**t, Sherlock!”: Uruguay Authorities Discover ‘Gray Market’ for Pot
Authorities in Uruguay say the country’s legal pot-growing clubs may be selling marijuana and cannabis products without approval, creating a kind of “gray market.”
A casual electoral prediction (election YV-5)
An Explosive Bag Of Doritos In Venezuela
The Columbus Day Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean
ARGENTINA
Why Does Argentina Keep Shielding Iran?
Behind the scenes, Pope Francis wields clout in Argentina homeland
Following the mysterious death of a prosecutor who had indicted Mrs. Fernandez on conspiracy charges, Francis in January stepped in forcefully to keep the president from being deposed in a “soft coup,” The Washington Times learned from a close personal friend of the pope.
Local magnates had plotted to seize the moment and oust the president after Alberto Nisman was found with a gunshot wound to his head hours before he was due to testify on a supposed top-level cover-up of Iran’s suspected involvement in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires.
But through calls and intermediaries, Francis persuaded “the right people at the right moment” to let Mrs. Fernandez serve our her second term, set to expire Dec. 10, Gustavo Vera, a Buenos Aires legislator and social activist who maintains a close friendship with the former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, said.
Cristina stops by the Vatican frequently, and has had six private audiences with Francis.
Argentina’s La Presidenta Boogies Like She’s Hillary Clinton
BOLIVIA
Bolivia, Russia Sign Nuclear Cooperation Agreement
Rosatom will assist in the establishment of a nuclear research institute, including training for staff, Energy Minister Luis Sanchez said from Moscow in comments reported by official news agency ABI.
The pact also anticipates that Rosatom will advise the Bolivian government on how to educate the population about the nuclear power initiative, seen as necessary in light of the rejection by residents of La Paz of plans to build a nuclear research center in their neighborhood.
Besides power generation, Bolivia will use peaceful nuclear technology for medical applications and devices employed in geological research and prospecting for oil and gas, the minister said.
COLOMBIA
“War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength;” Uribe loyalists are Colombia’s ‘new terrorists’: Senate peace commission chairman
CUBA
Raul Castro’s demands for Gitmo plus reparations show Cuba still a prime enemy
EL SALVADOR
Violence in El Salvador:Rivers of blood. A crackdown on gangs has so far made things worse
GUYANA
Venezuela accuses Guyana of lying about border dispute
The indictment charged Jaime Rolando Rosenthal Oliva; his son Yani Benjamin Rosenthal Hidalgo; and his nephew Yankel Antonio Rosenthal Coello.
Honduras football boss Yankel Rosenthal charged in US
MEXICO
Good luck with that: Mexico’s President to Propose Bill to Improve Efforts to Locate 25,000 Missing. Legislation aims to improve coordination between authorities in search for people missing since war on drugs began
PANAMA
Panama engages investors ahead of funding forays
Just like their counterparts at the central bank, Peruvian government officials are finding that some of the usual ways to propel a developing economy don’t work in this case. In particular, Peru cannot take the common step of expanding its industrial sector to export value-added products rather than raw materials because of globalized value chains and an oversupply of industrial facilities in China, said Piero Ghezzi, Peru’s minister of production.
PUERTO RICO
Puerto Rico May Not Be Able to Avoid Defaults, Adviser Says. I am shocked, shocked!
VENEZUELA
Here’s What Happened When Venezuela Imposed Gun Control Laws
Venezuela is now the most expensive country in the world; hands down
Venezuela: Border trouble with Guyana, too
The dust hasn’t settled on the Colombia kerfuffle, but Maduro needs a distraction:
Guyana says Venezuela deployed troops on border area (emphasis added),
Guyana’s President David Granger says Venezuela has deployed troops along their border area.
Mr Granger described the move as a “dangerous escalation” in the long-running dispute between the two South American neighbours.Venezuela says its troops are conducting exercises in the region.
It lays claim to the vast mineral-rich area of jungle west of the Essequibo river, which accounts for about 40% of Guyana’s territory.
That Bolivarian Revolution sure doesn’t come cheap.
Don’t expect the scapegoating to end, though (h/t VN&V).
The pre-papal visit Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean
Starting on September 19th, Pope Francis will be traveling to Cuba and the U.S.. The Communist regime’s propaganda machine announced it will be releasing 3,522 prison inmates, none of which is a dissident;
The latest 3,522 prisoners to be freed will include minors, people over the age of 60, prisoners in poor health and foreigners who will be repatriated, according to the Granma newspaper. It said there will be no releases of those convicted of “crimes against state security”.
Over in Philly, pop-up-popes are springing up all over town:
Pope Francis: The Patron Saint of Tourism: https://t.co/scExf03xIP via @YahooTravel. #PopeInPhilly #ISEPTAPHILLY pic.twitter.com/OWTlqa4ZvG
— ISEPTAPHILLY (@SEPTAPHILLY) September 2, 2015
Because we went to catholic school for 12 years @ McGillin’s Olde Ale House https://t.co/VwCY3sUlll — breana lynn (@brieebev) September 5, 2015
ARGENTINA
Argentine Court Blocks Proclamation of Winner in Provincial Vote
An Argentine court on Tuesday ordered the electoral board of the northern province of Tucuman not to declare any winner in the Aug. 23 gubernatorial election until a move to have the ballot overturned is resolved.
Jorge Lanata’s investigation showed votes bought with drugs (video in Spanish):
Conferencia: “Escenario económico y político de la Argentina preelectoral”
BERMUDA
Significant Amendments Made To Bermuda’s Partnership Legislation
BOLIVIA
WATCH: SANDRA BULLOCK TAKES ON BOLIVIAN POLITICS IN ‘OUR BRAND IN CRISIS’
BRAZIL
Brazilian Police Seek to Question Former President in Petrobras Probe. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his ruling Workers’ Party ‘could have benefited,’ authorities say. An understatement if there ever was one.
CHILE
Chilean Police Arrest 2 in Robbery of Bachelet’s Security Team
COLOMBIA
Bulletproof Vest Saves Colombian Mayoral Candidate
CUBA
Normalization update: Tens of thousands of Cubans streaming into U.S. through southwestern border
Free Education in Cuba? Sort of / Ivan Garcia
Castro’s Empty Barabbas Politics For The Pope
ECUADOR
Ecuador Moves to Shut Down Press Freedom Group
EL SALVADOR
El Salvador baby-swap couple reunited with child
The International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala, or Cicig, has broad powers to launch its own criminal investigations. It then works alongside Guatemala’s own attorney general’s office to prosecute cases in local courts. Its staff hails from 20 countries, from Italians who have tussled with the Mafia to Colombian anti-money-laundering experts.
GUYANA
Guyana to press UN strongly for judicial end to Venezuela controversy – Granger
IMMIGRATION
Two Out of Three Hispanics Oppose Immigration Increase
Only 34 percent of U.S.-born Hispanics, and 33 percent of foreign-born Hispanics, want to increase legal immigration, said the Gallup report.
Sixty-four percent of each group of Hispanics want migration to be reduced or leveled, said Gallup, which released the report under a misleading headline, “U.S. Support for Increased Immigration Up to 25%.”
JAMAICA
Jamaica contributes US$100,000 to flood-hit Dominica
PANAMA
Uh oh! New Panama Canal lock leaking
PARAGUAY
Paraguay Guerrilla Splinter Group Brought Back Into Fold?
New evidence has emerged suggesting ACA guerrilla rebels in Paraguay have reunited with their cousins in the EPP, likely marking the end of a tiny guerrilla organization that has suffered several casualties and arrests of top leaders since breaking away last year.
PERU
Over 5,000 Chinese citizens applied for Peru visas
PUERTO RICO
S&P Lowers Puerto Rico’s Credit Rating to Its Second-to-Last Rung
Puerto Rico Debt Crisis: A Bond Guide as Potential Defaults Loom, or, a brief guide to Russian roulette, money-wise?
Puerto Rico’s debt. No way out
URUGUAY
Uruguay will help Syrian refugees reach another country
[President Tabare] Vazquez said Uruguay has reached out to Lebanon because that’s where the refugees would like to go. Since Lebanon is not willing to welcome them, his government is asking the five Syrian families to choose another country.
Last February’s report on domestic abuse within one of the families (note that the 5 families are comprised of 80 people):
VENEZUELA
Venezuela Takes Out Full-Page NYT Ad to Defend Violent Deportation Spree
Court Rules TV Network Shut Down by Chávez Must Be Reinstated. RCTV President Celebrates Venezuelans’ “Right to Be Informed”. Good luck with that:
On Monday, September 7, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) issued a ruling ordering the Venezuela government to restore the network’s broadcasting license and return all seized assets.
Miserable Decision Against Leopoldo Lopez No Surprise
VenEconomy: Justice of Horror Enforced All the Way in Venezuela
The week’s posts and podcast:
9/11/2001: It is altogether fitting and proper
Venezuela: Lopez sentenced to 13+ years UPDATED
September 11: In memory of Joe Angelini, Jr.
Argentina: #Nisman could not have shot himself
Colombia: Is the U.S. pressuring Uribe to accept FARC terms?
Mexico: A fifth bus on the Iguala students case
Guatemala: Comedian wins first round
Uruguay: Syrians don’t like it
Podcasting live now http://t.co/u7OxyOwPu1 on @SCantojr's show
— Fausta (@Fausta) September 10, 2015
The visiting pope Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean
Pope Francis is touring Ecuador, Bolivia – where the witches are protesting – and Paraguay, extolling the Bolivarian revolution’s idea of a “great motherland.”
What a guy.
Bolivia’s Adepcoca (Asociación Departamental de Productores de la Hoja de Coca i.e., Coca Leaf Growers’ Departamental Association) have prepared 20,000 bags of coca leaves to gift the people lining up from the airport to La Paz, giving new meaning to the term goodie bag.
You really can’t make up this stuff.
BOLIVIA
Tensions Rise In Bolivia As Indigenous Witches Prepare For The Pope’s Visit
BRAZIL
“Dilma in the back seat of a driverless car. Lovely metaphor for today’s Brazil.”
Dilma no banco traseiro de um carro sem motorista. Bela metáfora do Brasil atual. pic.twitter.com/PR7FRUOXRS
— Ricardo Amorim (@Ricamconsult) July 3, 2015
Calling Capt. Louis Renault, US ‘routinely spied’ on Brazil
Wikileaks says it has evidence that the United States has routinely spied on senior Brazilian government officials since 2011 or earlier.
Brazil Says Diplomatic Spat with U.S. is Over
COLOMBIA
Time to call the FARC’s bluff
Colombia’s peace process risks drifting to collapse
The president, whose hobbies include poker, now faces a choice. Call the FARC’s bluff by laying on the table a take-it-or-leave-it offer on justice—or risk the talks collapsing anyway in the cycle of retaliation. Burdened by disappointments in other areas, Mr Santos has staked his presidency on a peace agreement. But objectively it is the FARC’s negotiators who need it more. Return to war in Colombia, and sooner or later they will be killed.
“FARC & ELN commit crime together or coordinating, regardless of how the Govt may want to treat them:”
FARC y ELN delinquen juntos o coordinados, independiente del tratamiento que el Gbno quiera darles
— Álvaro Uribe Vélez (@AlvaroUribeVel) July 4, 2015
CUBA
No, Mr. President, Castroite Cuba Is Not What Change Looks Like
It's unacceptable and a slap in the face of a close ally that the United States will have an embassy in Havana before one in Jerusalem.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 1, 2015
Optimist: US-Cuba Relations, A Race to the Bottom. But, in the End, Truth and Freedom Always Triumph
5 Questions Obama Must Answer About the Potential US Embassy in Cuba
Despite Obama, Business as Usual for Cuban Tyrants
ECUADOR
Mensaje de la Sociedad Interamericana de Prensa a Su Santidad
GUYANA
Maduro Denounces Guyana “Aggression” against Venezuela
IMMIGRATION
80% Of Central American Women, Girls Are Raped Crossing Into The U.S.
MEXICO
Mexican Police Recover Nearly 10,000 Stolen U.S. Visas
Mexico wants to tame disruptive teachers union
EXCLUSIVE: Illegal Who Confessed to Murdering Wife with Hammer Deported Four Times
NICARAGUA
Five Sentenced In $25M Medicare Fraud Involving Nicaragua, D.R.
PANAMA
Go.Away.Trump. Trump Fallout Continues: Panama Pulls Out of Miss Universe Pageant
PUERTO RICO
It is not in Gov. García Padilla’s interest to improve the economy – you can bank on that. Treasurer Admits Puerto Rico Can Pay Debts, Doesn’t Want To
“Shameful” Myth Diverts Attention from Need for Frugality
Puerto Rico’s Financial Crisis Is U.S.’ Crisis, Too
The Beeb starts to catch on, Puerto Rico: The Greece of the Caribbean?
Cuba and FARC, and their Sinister Presence in Venezuela
Tanta Pasión Por El Socialismo Y Para Ellos Solo Vales 15$ Al Mes
One year on, El Universal is fully “hegemonized”
The week’s posts and podcast
Happy Independence Day
On Independence Day, let’s thank Caesar
Ecuador: Sing along with Rafael
Today’s “WTH moment” courtesy of the NYT
Repeat, it is not in Gov. García Padilla’s interest to improve the economy – you can bank on that. Puerto Rico: A few thoughts on the economic crisis
What amnesty means to legal immigrants
Puerto Rico: Countdown to the Greecespot
Brazil: Dilma wants U.S. investment
Argentina: Buenos Aires closes Sunderland
Venezuela’s moola from the mullah: Iran’s new $500million credit line
Puerto Rico: the Greece of the Caribbean UPDATED
Podcast: “Che” & Walmart, US-Cuba embassies, Puerto Rico & US-Latin America issues
The unsubsidized Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean
The week’s headlines in a sentence: While the Supreme Court ruled on Obamacare subsidies and gay marriage, the deadline for the Iran negotiations looms and terrorists are blowing up people and pipelines all over the place.
The location of the judge is rather interesting: Argentine judge orders seizure of Falklands drillers’ assets
Lilian Herraez, a federal judge in Tierra del Fuego, ordered the seizure of $156 million in bank accounts, boats and other property, the government said on Saturday.
BOLIVIA
Pope sends video-message to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay. The guy can’t stay away from socialist throwaway terminology:
“I want to be a witness of this joy of the Gospel and bring to you the tenderness and caress of God, our Father, especially to your children most in need, to the elderly, the sick, the imprisoned, the poor, to those who are victims of this throwaway culture,” he said.
CHILE
Chile’s Bachelet Hits New Low Approval Rating
FARC rebels kill four and rupture Colombian pipeline
CUBA
Cardinal SinsA Castro cleric brings disgrace.
Top Intelligence-Defense Lawmakers Introduce Cuban Military Transparency Act
Double surprise! Cruz and Rubio are “non-whites”!
State Dept: No Change in Iran, Cuba Human Rights, Despite Obama Overtures
HONDURAS
Thousands march in Honduras to demand resignation of president
Thousands of angry, torch-bearing Hondurans marched on Friday to call for the resignation of President Juan Hernandez and demand an independent probe into one of the worst corruption scandals in the country’s history.
JAMAICA
PM: Jamaica’s Economic, Industrial Climate In ‘Delicate Situation’
LATIN AMERICA
Interesting premise, but premature, Move over, China: Latin America may welcome India. The operative word is may.
HARDBALL: DONALD TRUMP BLASTS JORGE RAMOS’S CELL PHONE NUMBER TO 200,000 INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS
PANAMA
Odebrecht Wins Contract to Renovate Panamanian City of Colon
PUERTO RICO
The perfect Summer portrait, A Sleeper Awakened With Color
Frederic Leighton’s “Flaming June” is on loan to the Frick Collection in New York for the next three months.
URUGUAY
‘Gourmet cannabis’: Take a peek inside a Uruguay marijuana club , if you must. To paraphrase Dean Wormer, “fat, stoned and stupid is no way to go through life, son.”
VENEZUELA
MUD, the Sausage Fest
Gay marriage, at long last (but not here)
The week’s posts and podcast:
Colombia: FARC blows up oil pipeline
Bloody Friday: France, Tunisia, Kuwait terror attacks UPDATED
Morgenthau on the Iran-terror connection
Ecuador: Demonstrations against Correa
SCOTUS upholds Obamacare subsidies
The other flag controversy: US Embassy in London flies the rainbow flag
Today’s WTH moment: Venezuelan vet arrested for smuggling heroin in puppies UPDATED
Mexico: EL GRAN HERMANO del cartel TE VIGILA
Venezuela: Next stop on the Obama administration’s “normalizing” with dictators?
Podcast: The flag controversy plus US-Latin America stories of the week
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 5
- Next Page »