March 24, 2017
Argentina
- Daniel Politi, “Argentine Ex-President Faces Trial in $3.5 Billion Fraud Case” (The New York Times, March 24, 2017).
It is the first time that a trial has been ordered against Mrs. Kirchner, who has faced numerous accusations of wrongdoing since she left office in December 2015
Colombia
- “Coca-Growing in Colombia Is at an All-Time High” (The Economist (Uk), March 24, 2017).
At present Colombia seems determined to attack the problem on the ground, farm by farm. It needs quick successes to build trust among coca-growers and calm American fears
- “Mujica y Gonzalez, Verificadores Internacionales del Acuerdo de Paz” (El Espectador (Colombia), March 24, 2017).
Serán designados el próximo 30 de marzo y estarán encargados de realizar informes y pronunciamientos sobre los avances que se realicen en la implementación de los acuerdos
- Laura Silva, “Corinto, la Prueba Acida de la Sustitucion de Coca” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), March 24, 2017).
Lo que hay en el fondo es un reclamo contra el programa de sustitución de cultivos ilícitos que según sus opositores -tanto indígenas como campesinos- no fue consultado con las comunidades
Colombia, Venezuela
- Nick Miroff, “Venezuelan Troops Invaded Colombia This Week. But Just a Little Bit.” (The Washington Post, March 24, 2017).
The puzzling episode has kept tensions simmering between the two countries
Guatemala
- “Arrestan a Diputados y Excongresistas por Corrupcion en Guatemala” (Agence France Presse, Diario Co Latino (El Salvador), March 24, 2017).
La policía de Guatemala arrestó este miércoles a dos diputados y dos excongresistas vinculados con la creación en 2015 de decenas de puestos ficticios desde la junta directiva del Congreso
Mexico
- Gloria Leticia DÍaz, “Perpetua Impunidad Practica de la Tortura en Mexico: Ccti” (Proceso (Mexico), March 24, 2017).
En México esa práctica es utilizada para arrancar confesiones y vincular a las víctimas con el crimen organizado y secuestros, así como “en contra del movimiento social como elemento desestabilizador de organización”
- Peter Orsi, “Mexican Journalist Shot Dead in Northern State of Chihuahua” (Associated Press , March 24, 2017).
A Mexican reporter was gunned down in the northern state of Chihuahua on Thursday, becoming the third journalist to be killed this month in one of the most dangerous countries for media workers
- Gustavo Castillo, Ruben Villalpando, “La Jornada: Miroslava Breach Muere Acribillada” (La Jornada (Mexico), March 24, 2017).
En ese contexto, el atacante de la periodista, luego de disparar, dejó una cartulina en la que estaba escrito: Por lengua larga. Siguen llegados al gobernador y el gober. El 80
- Angel F. Gonzalez, “Lidera Tijuana Asesinatos en Todo Mexico” (Frontera (Tijuana, Mexico), March 24, 2017).
Debido a que quedó acéfalo el Cártel de Sinaloa y que el cártel de aquí de Tijuana y otros que están queriendo apoderarse de la región, pues están en lucha constante
- Elliot Spagat, “Border Patrol Union Takes Center Stage Under Trump” (Associated Press , March 24, 2017).
The hosts open a revealing window into how union leaders hope to reshape enforcement on 6,000 miles of border with Mexico and Canada
Venezuela
- Alexandra Ulmer, “Maduro’s Awkward Tv Shows Raise Hackles Amid Venezuela Crisis” (Reuters , March 24, 2017).
*The unpopular leftist president’s hours-long televised visits to clinics or schools are meant to soften his image, but foes say they instead highlight his disconnect from a national economic crisis *
- Luis Almagro, “How Venezuela Can Avoid Suspension From the Oas” (The Globe and Mail (Toronto Canada), March 24, 2017).
We are not against dialogue. We are against the failure of dialogue. Suspension is not our goal. It is simply the last path that we can find
- “Editorial: What Trump Can Do for Venezuela” (Bloomberg, March 24, 2017).
Leading from behind may not be Trump’s style. That’s a pity, because it’s the surest way for the U.S. to get results in Venezuela
Venezuela, Western Hemisphere Regional
- Frank Jack Daniel, Matt Spetalnick, “Nations Urge Venezuela on Elections, Warn of Diplomatic ‘Last Resort’” (Reuters , March 24, 2017).
Mexico’s decision to openly take a stance on the situation in Venezuela is a shift from a usual preference by Latin America’s second-largest economy not to interfere in other countries’ affairs
- “Declaracion Sobre Venezuela” (Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores (Mexico), March 24, 2017).
Consideramos urgente que se atienda de manera prioritaria la liberación de presos políticos, se reconozca la legitimidad de las decisiones de la Asamblea Nacional, según la Constitución, y que se establezca un calendario electoral
Western Hemisphere Regional
- Claudia Sanchez-Bustamante, ““Our Partners Have Broadened My Perspective on Our Shared Home”” (Revista Dialogo (U.S. Southern Command), March 24, 2017).
Our Special Purpose MAGTF will locate in the four countries of northern Central America: Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras
- Andres Oppenheimer, “U.S. Shot Itself in the Foot by Skipping Hearings at Human Rights Commission” (The Miami Herald, March 24, 2017).
There is at the very least an absence of experience at the top levels and a lack of direction at all levels, which is leading to bad decisions like this week’s IAHRC fiasco