RSSPublished by El Economista WASHINGTON- Estados Unidos mantendrá la misma política hacia América Latina al margen de los resultados de la docena de comicios presidenciales que ya han comenzado en la región, en la que candidatos de izquierda se perfilan como favoritos. Larry Byrnes, presidente del[...]
Archive for July, 2008
A Change of Fortune: Remittances to Mexico Fall, Weakening Washington’s Diplomatic Clout
On July 30, the Mexican central bank reported that remittances coming from oversees nations—mainly the U.S.—have dropped 2.9 percent this year. This was the first decline since the practice began being accurately measured. In 2007, remittances flowing into Mexico reached an all time high of $23.[...]
An Embattled Cristina Fernández de Kirchner: Can She Restore Her Popularity and Aid in Argentina’s Recovery?
To the outrage of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Vice President Julio Cobos cast the decisive vote on July 17 against her plan to increase the export tax on grains being shipped abroad, effectively putting a full stop to a very tense domestic situation. As a result, Argentina today is co[...]
The Failings of Chile’s Education System: Institutionalized Inequality and a Preference for the Affluent
While the structure of Chile’s elementary and secondary education has changed considerably since the demise of the Pinochet dictatorship, the Chilean system is currently undergoing intense scrutiny due to the recent mass student protests against President Bachelet’s proposed 2006 education polic[...]
July 29th, 2008 - 2:10 pm § in Briefs, Ecuador, European Union, Front Page, Press Releases, Venezuela
WTO Talks Collapse: Was There Ever a Future for Bananas?
World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations collapsed today, July 29, after nine days of intense negotiations. Trade ministers from approximately 35 countries struggled to salvage the stalled seven-year-old Doha round. Optimistic signs and compromises surfaced as a result of last weekend’s suppose[...]
Obama On NAFTA: Name This “Change We Can Believe In”
The truths and fictions surrounding Obama’s rhetoric on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and why getting back to basics is the real change America may be looking for: With the election season in full force, it is once again time for political squabbling to break out as candidat[...]
The Menendez Plan: Social Development as a Path to Hemispheric Success
In October 2007, as President Bush enthusiastically introduced the Mérida Initiative, Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) proposed an alternative plan for aid to Latin America, the Social Investment and Economic Development for the Americas Act (s2120). Fully aware of the threat that narco-trafficking pose[...]
Ecuador’s New Constitution Invites Future Problems
Late last week, Ecuador’s Central Bank Minister Robert Andrade resigned in the wake of the Ecuadorian Constituent Assembly’s resounding 94-32 vote approving a new constitution that is likely to strip the financial institution of its autonomy. If ratified in a countrywide referendum on September [...]
U.S.–Mexico NAFTA Transportation Agreement Imperiled
The governing idea behind NAFTA is to remove trade restrictions so as to encourage the free-flow of goods and services across the North American continent. Along the U.S. – Mexican border, however, the reality is that the ground transportation of such goods remains highly congested and drawn out. [...]
July 25th, 2008 - 10:45 am § in Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Front Page, Mexico, Press Releases, Venezuela
China’s Claim in Latin America: So Far, a Partner not a Threat
By light years, Washington traditionally has held the upper hand when it comes to foreign influence on Latin America. Its hemispheric power-advantage rests on decades of security, trade, investment, and ideological connections. However, the era of globalization is now tearing down many of the worl[...]