(Even more here)

April 28, 2017

Argentina

• Uki Goñi, “40 Years Later, the Mothers of Argentina’s ‘Disappeared’ Refuse to Be Silent” (The Guardian (Uk), April 28, 2017).

Decades after the military murdered thousands, Mothers of Plaza de Mayo warn that the current era of alternative facts poses a new threat

Argentina, Venezuela

• “Argentina Leader Calls for Keeping Up Pressure on Venezuela” (Associated Press **, April 28, 2017).

Argentine President Mauricio says the governments of the region need to keep demanding elections and the release of prisoners in Venezuela

Brazil

• Brad Brooks, Pedro Fonseca, “Brazil Cities Paralyzed by Nationwide Strike Against Austerity” (Reuters **, April 28, 2017).

Nationwide strikes led by Brazilian unions to protest President Michel Temer’s austerity measures crippled public transport in several major cities

Colombia

• Lucy Lamble, Kary Stewart, “How Do You Solve Half a Century of Bloodshed in Colombia? – Podcast” (The Guardian (Uk), April 28, 2017).

Lucy Lamble visits the rural Pacific coast in the west of Colombia, and the two biggest cities in the interior, Bogotá and Medellín, to explore the possible steps to a lasting peace

• “Atentado de Eln Pone un ‘Freno Muy Grave’ a Dialogo en Quito: Gobierno” (El Tiempo (Colombia), April 28, 2017).

Restrepo se declaró “decepcionando” con este tipo de acciones y aseguró que “le ponen un freno muy grave y muy delicado” a la mesa de diálogo

• Ross Eventon, “Why Is Coca Production on the Rise in Colombia?” (Global Drug Policy Observatory, Al Jazzeera, April 28, 2017).

The proper question for analysts and commentators is: Why do the poor do what they do? The forbidden question is: Why are they so poor?

• “Mas de la Mitad de ‘Paras’ Que Fueron a Justicia y Paz Desertaron” (El Tiempo (Colombia), April 28, 2017).

De 4.410 exparamilitares que se presentaron al proceso solo continúan 1.943 postulados

• “¿‘Gaitanistas’ Avanzan en Choco Sin Freno de la Fuerza Publica?” (Verdad Abierta (Colombia), April 28, 2017).

Desde septiembre de 2015, ese grupo armado ilegal comenzó a copar diversas áreas pese a las alertas lanzadas por la Defensoría del Pueblo, organizaciones no gubernamentales y líderes de las comunidades

Colombia, Venezuela

• “Editorial: Can Colombia’s Peace Help Venezuela’s Conflict?” (The Christian Science Monitor, April 28, 2017).

As a peace deal helps end a long war in Colombia, Venezuela is descending into violence. What can Colombia teach its neighbor about healing and reconciliation?

Costa Rica, Nicaragua

• “Editorial: Cooperacion Militar Entre Rusia y Nicaragua” (La Nación (Costa Rica), April 28, 2017).

Nicaragua hace bien en preocuparse por impedir el paso de las maras y otras formas de delincuencia desde el triángulo norte de Centroamérica, pero los tanques rusos no son un medio útil para lograr esa contención

Dominican Republic, Haiti

• Ricardo Santana, Nestor Medrano, “Alto Mando Militar se Desplaza a la Frontera” (Listin Diario (Dominican Republic), April 28, 2017).

El alto mando militar manifestó que en los últimos días los soldados que se encuentran en la frontera han devuelto a cientos de haitianos que intentaron cruzar a territorio dominicano de manera clandestina

Mexico

• Ricardo Ravelo, “Jalisco: El Narcoimperio de el Mencho” (SinEmbargo (Mexico), April 28, 2017).

En pocos años, El Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación creó todo un feudo

• Alfredo Corchado, “At Home on Both Sides of the Border” (Americas Quarterly, April 28, 2017).

The resilience of residents who have learned to survive?—?and coexist?—?despite outsiders’ efforts at division can be seen everywhere you travel in the borderlands

• Eric Schmitt, Linda Qiu, “Fact Check: The Trump Administration’s Argument for a Border Wall” (The New York Times, April 28, 2017).

The secretary’s comments raise several questions about the threat of terrorists sneaking across the border with the aid of cartels, the connection between drug smuggling and the recent surge in overdoses, and marijuana as a “gateway drug”

Venezuela

• Tim Padgett, “Venezuela’s Protests Have to Succeed This Time. Here’s Why – and How” (WLRN, April 28, 2017).

If these demonstrations die down without Maduro backing down, he likely emerges stronger even if the country emerges more broken

• Yesman Utrera, “Protests and Lootings in Venezuela’s Popular Barrios: The View From Antimano” (Washington Office on Latin America, April 28, 2017).

“Suddenly, it was as if the people were no longer afraid to step out to the street and protest. Before, it would have been crazy to do so in this part of the city. I was shocked”