(Even more here)

October 19, 2017

Argentina

• Benedict Mander, “Election Tests Macri’s Promise to Make Argentina ‘Normal’ Again” (The Financial Times (UK), October 19, 2017).

Polls predict Mr Macri’s coalition could win close to 40 per cent of the national vote, an improvement on the 34 per cent it won in the presidential race, and extend its control over congress

Colombia

• Natalia Arenas, “Una Muerte Literalmente Anunciada” (La Silla Vacia (Colombia), October 19, 2017).

Según informó la Defensoría del Pueblo, José Jair tenía medidas de protección de la Unidad Nacional de Protección. Aún así, fue asesinado después de que salió del casco urbano de Tumaco

• “El de Jose Jair Cortes, Otro Asesinato Anunciado en Tumaco” (Verdad Abierta (Colombia), October 19, 2017).

El crimen ocurrió a pesar de que contaba con esquema de seguridad de la Unidad Nacional de Protección (UNP) y de que los líderes de ese territorio colectivo habían denunciado la situación extrema

• Mario Murillo, “Colombia’s Precarious Peace” (NACLA, October 19, 2017).

Given the history of government neglect, lack of infrastructure, a total absence of any level of technical support for the communities and ongoing threats from paramilitary groups operating in the area, the prospects do not look so good

• “Onu: 1.500 Desplazados por Recientes Choques Armados en Colombia” (Agence France Presse, El Espectador (Colombia), October 19, 2017).

Según OCHA y fuentes gubernamentales, las acciones armadas se presentaron un día después de los confusos hechos del 6 de octubre en una zona rural de Tumaco

• “Lo Que Ocurre en Tumaco Puede Ocurrir en Diez Municipios” (Fundación Paz y Reconciliación (Colombia), October 19, 2017).

La intensificación de la erradicación forzada y el ataque de la fuerza pública a los campesinos cocaleros le asestan un golpe mortal a este propósito. Lo más grave es que esto puede ocurrir en otros 10 sitios claves

Honduras

• Hector Silva Avalos, “‘Organized Crime Permeates Society’ in Honduras: Presidential Advisor” (InsightCrime, October 19, 2017).

The accusations about political ties to drug trafficking will undoubtedly play a key role in the run-up to the late November vote

Mexico

• , Alfredo Corchado, “As Trump’s Border Plans Take Shape, Critics Call for Virtual Wall” (The Dallas Morning News, October 19, 2017).

Cuellar has long sought $92 million in funding over five years for Operation Border SMART (Strategic Mobile And Response Team), a virtual wall that uses technology and boots on the ground as an alternative to a wall

• Adam Isacson, Elyssa Pachico, “We Need a More Agile Border Patrol — Not a Bigger One” (The Hill, October 19, 2017).

There are indeed border security policies that are cost-effective, reasonable, humane and deserving of support from both parties. Congress would do well to pursue these

• “How Former Mexican Governors Used the United States to Embezzle Billions of Dollars” (Univision, October 19, 2017).

Purchase documents link the home to Javier Duarte, the former governor of the state of Veracruz in southeastern Mexico, a confidential source confirmed

Venezuela

• Mac Margolis, “Venezuela’s Opposition Hurt Its Own Cause” (Bloomberg, October 19, 2017).

This is Venezuela, where even feckless leaders have an afterlife, and opponents must convince their rank and file that casting a vote isn’t a fool’s errand

• Felix Seijas Rodriguez, “Venezuela: The Brutal Truth About Maduro’s Election Victory” (Americas Quarterly, October 19, 2017).

President Nicolás Maduro’s opponents must decide whether the ballot box can still serve as an effective tool against the regime

• Anatoly Kurmanaev, “Venezuela’s Opposition in Disarray After Electoral Rout” (The Wall Street Journal, October 19, 2017).

By appealing to opposition supporters who abstained Sunday, Ms. Machado and her allies could create a parallel opposition coalition to rival Democratic Unity