Latin America

Bolivian President to Deepen Social Revolution

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:03:53 -0500

by James Painter

President Evo Morales seems set to push ahead with the implementation of a new constitution to place indigenous peoples at the heart of Bolivia's government and society after his victory in Sunday's presidential election.

A poor result for the opposition suggests an easier passage for social reforms and a lessening of demands for secession by departments traditionally opposed to Mr Morales, according to analysts.

Zelaya's Midnight Ride

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:35:35 -0400

by Greg Grandin

In a bold move, the democratically elected president of Honduras Manuel Zelaya - ousted in a military coup in June - has returned to Tegucigalpa, entering the country in secret, traveling overland with a small group of advisers. He is currently in the Brazilian embassy, and crowds of supporters are gathering around the building to demand the restoration of Honduran democracy.

The Road to Zelaya’s Return: Money, Guns and Social Movements in Honduras

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:46:34 -0400

by Benjamin Dangl

Nearly three months after being overthrown by a violent military coup, Honduran president Manuel Zelaya has returned to Honduras. "I am here in Tegucigalpa. I am here for the restoration of democracy, to call for dialogue," he told reporters. The embattled road to his return tested regional diplomacy, challenged Washington and galvanized Honduran social movements.

More of the Same in Latin America

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:59:47 -0400

by Mark Weisbrot

There were great hopes in Latin America when President Obama was elected. U.S. standing in the region had reached a low point under George W. Bush, and all of the left governments expressed optimism that Obama would take Washington’s policy in a new direction.

These hopes have been dashed. President Obama has continued the Bush policies and in some cases has done worse.

Guatemala's 'Femicide' Crisis

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:56:27 -0400

by Teresa Bo

A white sheet covers another victim of Guatemala City's violence in District 16.

Jocelyn was shot dead while walking home. She was only 17-years-old.

Her family has no idea why she was killed. Her murder, like so many others in this country, will probably remain unpunished.

Situations like this one have become regular in Guatemala as violence against women - termed "femicide" - continues to increase.

The savage methods being used by street gangs in their fight against each other are now being used against women.

Observations on Latin America

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 09:48:43 -0400

by Miguel Tinker Salas

The recent events in Honduras are not isolated, but rather part of a conservative counterattack taking shape in Latin America. For some time, the right has been rebuilding in Latin America; hosting conferences, sharing experiences, refining their message, working with the media, and building ties with allies in the United States. This is not the lunatic rightwing fringe, but rather the mainstream right with powerful allies in the middle class that used to consider themselves center, but have been frightened by recent left electoral victories and the rise of social movements.

Restoring Democracy in Honduras

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:55:41 -0400

by Mark Weisbrot

The mediation effort that US secretary of state Hillary Clinton arranged to try to resolve the crisis in Honduras, which began when a military coup removed Honduran President Mel Zelaya more than four weeks ago, has failed. It is now time – some would say overdue – for the Latin American governments to play their proper role.

Lawyers, Guns, and Money: A Coup Tests Obama's Will

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 09:05:34 -0400

by Mark Weisbrot

Powerful special interests - energy, coal, utilities, financial, pharmaceutical and insurance lobbies - have flexed their muscles and confronted President Obama on the most important legislative priorities of his domestic agenda. But this kind of politics-by-influence-peddling doesn't stop at the water's edge. And in foreign policy, the consequences can be more immediately violent and deadly.

School of Coups

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:30:48 -0400

by Father Roy Bourgeois & Margaret Knapke

The day after Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was deposed, President Barack Obama cautioned against repeating Latin America's "dark past," decades when military coups regularly overrode the results of democratic elections. Obama went on to acknowledge, in his understated way, "The United States has not always stood as it should with some of these fledgling democracies."

Twenty-first Century Coups d'Etat

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:54:33 -0400

by Laura Carlsen

The consolidation of power through brute force represents a serious step backward for the region. How is it possible that a coup d'etat could take place and survive in the 21st century? This is the question that the international community faces after the coup d'etat that Honduras suffered on June 28. On that day, the Honduran Armed Forces kidnapped the democratically elected president, Manuel Zelaya, and forced him onto a flight bound for Costa Rica. The Organization of American States (OAS), the UN General Assembly, the U.S.