All Latin America Monitor
Think Ch谩vez was paranoid? Venezuela's Maduro warns of US-funded biker gangs.Interim President Nicol谩s Maduro has spoken publicly about conspiracies ranging from murder plots to Salvadoran mercenaries. They serve as a political tool to unify the population and silence criticism.- Cuban entrepreneurs determined to 'resolver'After decades of a US embargo and authoritarian government, Cubans have a reputation of 'figuring things out.' Just look at the new entrepreneurs emerging amid gradual reforms.
Falklands loom large in Argentine view of ThatcherThe former British prime minister's lack of popularity in Argentina has to do with personally ordering the sinking of the Belgrano warship during the 1982 Falklands War, killing 323 Argentines.
Chile's Pablo Neruda: from Nobel laureate to center of suspected murder plotForensic experts in Chile are exhuming the remains of poet and communist Pablo Neruda, who died in 1973. His cause of death was recorded as cancer, but some say he was poisoned.
Venezuela's interim President Maduro addresses a topic Ch谩vez largely avoided 鈥� crimeCh谩vez increasingly engaged in citizen security initiatives starting in the mid-2000s. But he often skirted discussing crime, an issue that plagues Venezuela.
Guatemala: Rios Montt trial hears testimony on conflict-era sexual violenceViolence varied throughout Guatemala's 36-year conflict, but included everything from torture to forced displacement. An estimated 100,000 women were sexually assaulted during that time frame.- Looking for day when Mexico's underworld is violence-free? Try looking back.Since the 1980s Mexico's criminal organizations have become increasingly globalized and sophisticated, but almost a century ago they were largely family organizations shipping bootleg liquor to the US.
Venezuela presidential election: lack of issues becomes the issueAs Venezuela's presidential candidates kick off their campaigns in the lead-up to the April 14 election, some fear the mudslinging is distracting from needed post-Ch谩vez policy debates.
Argentina pushes to prosecute HSBC bankers for money launderingThe US recently fined HSBC a record $1.9 billion, but 鈥� unlike Argentina 鈥� did not pursue criminal charges.
Knowing neighbors through art: Rio houses new Latin American art museumRio de Janeiro鈥檚 Latin American contemporary art museum aims to聽spark dialogue among artists across the diverse region.- Way beyond weight in Brazil: documentary on child obesity now free onlineBrazilians consume an average of 112 pounds of sugar a year, and a聽documentary on the growing problem of child obesity puts the issue into a global perspective.
Venezuela's precampaign season off to a roaring startVenezuela's presidential campaigning doesn't officially begin until April, but both candidates have gotten a head start. Interim President Nicol谩s Maduro has a leg up with his access to state media.- Report: Declining violence in Juarez, Mexico a win for Calderon administrationThe International Crisis Group released a report on Mexico's security challenges and highlights certain aspects of Calderon's policies which may have helped ease bloodshed in Juarez, like federally-funded social programs and zero-tolerance for petty crime.
- Victory for human rights in Latin America?While efforts by some Latin American countries to potentially weaken the region's human rights commission were rebuffed, the IACHR could be stronger, says guest blogger James Bosworth.
Will Mexico see a new narco reality under President Pe帽a Nieto?Is Mexican President Pe帽a Nieto going to decriminalize the drug war? He promised lower levels of violence when he took office, and this week appealed to the public to judge his policies after one year has passed.- Checking in on Guatemala's Rios Montt trialIf former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt is acquitted of war crimes and genocide charges that doesn't necessarily mean the Guatemalan legal system is failing, writes a guest blogger.
Study: Mexico pays price for being soda kingMexicans drink more refrescos, or soda, than people in just about any other country, according to new research, which links soda consumption with increased chances of obesity- and diabetes-related deaths.
Can Latin America ride out the global economic storm?Latin America has stayed afloat during the global economic crisis in part because of a wave of high commodity prices. But a new IADB report indicates this may not last.
Propaganda and self-censorship in Venezuelan mediaThe media will play an important role in the lead-up to Venezuela's April 14 election, and the specific reach and polarization of TV channels contributes to uneven political terrain, writes WOLA.- Sandinistas block Internet in Nicaragua's National AssemblyNicaraguan lawmakers discovered this week that they can no longer surf the Web at work. Ruling Sandinistas say it's meant to prevent procrastination.
