Latin American Leaders Call Peru's President Castillo a 'Victim of Anti-Democratic Harassment' by Brett Wilkins
December 14, 2022
Introduction:
(Common Dreams) Four Latin American presidents condemned the ouster and imprisonment of leftist Peruvian President Pedro Castillo on Tuesday, a move that preceded a national emergency declaration by the country's new government amid a deadly crackdown against what critics are calling a U.S.-backed "legislative coup."
In a joint statement, the leftist leaders of Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, and Mexico—respectively, Alberto Fernández, Luis Arce, Gustavo Petro, and Andrés Manuel López Obrador—expressed their "deep concern over the recent events that resulted in the removal and detention of José Pedro Castillo Terrones, president of the Republic of Peru."
"It is not news to the world that President Castillo Terrones, from the day of his election, was the victim of anti-democratic harassment," the presidents said. "Our governments call on all the actors involved... to prioritize the will of the citizens that was pronounced at the polls."
"We exhort those in our [national] institutions to refrain from reversing the popular will expressed through free suffrage," the statement added. "We request that the authorities fully respect the human rights of President Pedro Castillo and that he be guaranteed judicial protection."
Progressive Chilean President Gabriel Boric, on the other hand, called an attempt by Castillo to dissolve Peru's Congress a "rupture of the constitutional order," while leftist Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Castillo's removal was "constitutional."
The Detention and Removal of Pedro Castillo from the Presidency of Peru - Background by Vijay Prashad and José Carlos Llerena Robles
December 14, 2022
Introduction:
(Globetroter via Alternet) On December 7, 2022, Pedro Castillo sat in his office on what would be the last day of his presidency of Peru. His lawyers went over spreadsheets that showed Castillo would triumph over a motion in Congress to remove him. This was going to be the third time that Castillo faced a challenge from the Congress, but his lawyers and advisers—including former Prime Minister Anibal Torres—told him that he held an advantage over the Congress in opinion polls (his approval rating had risen to 31 percent, while that of the Congress was just about 10 percent).
Castillo had been under immense pressure for the past year from an oligarchy that disliked this former teacher. In a surprise move, he announced to the press on December 7 that he was going to “temporarily dissolve the Congress” and “[establish] an exceptional emergency government.” This measure sealed his fate. Castillo and his family rushed toward the Mexican Embassy but were arrested by the military along Avenida España before they could get there.
Why did Pedro Castillo take the fatal step of trying to dissolve Congress when it was clear to his advisers—such as Luis Alberto Mendieta—that he would prevail in the afternoon vote?
The pressure got to Castillo, despite the evidence. Ever since his election in July 2021, his opponent in the presidential election, Keiko Fujimori, and her associates have tried to block his ascension to the presidency. She worked with men who have close ties with the U.S. government and its intelligence agencies. A member of Fujimori’s team, Fernando Rospigliosi, for instance, had in 2005 tried to involve the U.S. Embassy in Lima against Ollanta Humala, who contested in the 2006 Peruvian presidential election. Vladimiro Montesinos, a former CIA asset who is serving time in a prison in Peru, sent messages to Pedro Rejas, a former commander in Peru’s army, to go “to the U.S. Embassy and talk with the embassy intelligence officer,.” to try and influence the 2021 Peruvian presidential election.
Bolivia Judge Orders Pre-trial Detention for Opposition Head January 1, 2023
Introduction:
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — A judge in Bolivia sentenced opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho to four months of pretrial detention on terrorism charges early Friday, a move that is bound to increase divisions and unrest in the country.
After a virtual hearing that lasted more than seven hours, Judge Sergio Pacheco ordered Camacho, who is also the governor of the Santa Cruz region, to be remanded in custody, agreeing with prosecutors that he was a flight risk and could obstruct an ongoing investigation.
Shortly after the ruling, video showed Camacho being transferred to Chonchocoro, a high-security prison some 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the capital of La Paz as his lawyers vowed to appeal.
The governor was taken into custody Wednesday and is isolated from the rest of the prisoners at Chonchocoro, where the country usually imprisons the criminals it deems to be the most dangerous.
Prosecutors allege Camacho in 2019 orchestrated what they describe as a coup while leading mass protests following elections that the Organization of American States said were marred by fraud.
weatheriscool wrote: ↑Sun Jan 01, 2023 11:38 pm
Well, Bolivia seems to be an interesting place to say the least. The opposition wants to blow the hell out of their own country.
Sure, let's arrest the opposition. Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia and Brazil are such great countries to live now with the entire opposition under arrest.
Peru Closes Tourist Hub Airport as Nationwide Protests Persist January 12, 2023
Introduction:
(AFP News via International Business Times) Weeks-long protests that have left dozens dead across Peru continued on Thursday, with escalating tensions in Andean city Cusco prompting the government to preemptively close the tourist hub's airport.
Supporters of ousted president Pedro Castillo have marched and barricaded streets around the South American country demanding new elections and the removal of current leader Dina Boluarte.
The demonstrations have at times turned violent, and clashes with security forces have left 42 people dead, including a police officer who was burned alive in a vehicle, while hundreds more have been injured.
Almost half of the victims died in clashes Monday night in the southern Puno region, where 17 people were due to be buried on Thursday.
Major flash points have occurred near the country's airports, guarded by security forces after protesters stormed runways during an initial wave of uprisings in early December.
Thousands Descend on Lima Demanding Resignation of Unelected Peruvian President by Brett Wilkins
January 19, 2023
Introduction:
(Common Dreams) Thousands of Indigenous and other Peruvians descended on the capital Lima on Wednesday to demand the resignation of unelected President Dina Boluarte, show support for imprisoned former leftist leader Pedro Castillo, and condemn government forces for killing dozens of protesters over the past six weeks.
The demonstrators—who include Aymara and Quecha people from Andean regions, trade unionists, and other activists—traveled to the coastal capital in caravans during the second week of a general strike as part of a new "March from the Four Corners." The first such march took place in 2000 against then-President Alberto Fujimori, a U.S.-backed right-wing autocrat.
Machu Picchu closed indefinitely amid deadly protests in Peru
14 hours ago
Hundreds of tourists have been left stranded in Machu Picchu following protests in Peru.
Unrest sparked by dissent over the country’s new president has resulted in dozens of deaths this week.
The government closed the famous site in the Andes mountains and the Inca Trail hike leading to it to protect tourists and the general population.
There are 417 tourists stuck in Machu Picchu who can’t get out, more than 300 of whom are foreigners, Luis Fernando Helguero, the tourism minister, said at a news conference.
Some of the tourists stranded in Machu Picchu have chosen to leave by walking to Piscacucho, the nearest village, “but that involves a walk of six, seven hours or more and only a few people are able to do it,” Mr Helguero said.
Argentina Raises Minimum Wage as Triple-digit Inflation Pulls More Into Poverty James Francis Whitehead
March 31, 2023
Introduction:
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Courthouse News) — Argentina’s wage council approved a 26.6% increase in the minimum wage by June in an attempt to keep up with historic levels of inflation, despite trade unions criticizing the increase as enough for workers dealing with the soaring cost of living.
The staggered increase will lift the current minimum wage from $69,500 pesos ($335 dollars at the official rate) to $80,342 ($384) in April, $84,512 ($404) in May and $87,987 ($421) in June.
The current poverty line for a family of four is $177,000 pesos ($847), according to the country’s national statistics agency. It also calculated that the threshold for extreme poverty, defined as monthly income less than the price of the basic food basket, is $80,500 — the same level as the new minimum wage for April.
The current poverty rate in Argentina is 39.2%, with 8.1% of the population in extreme poverty. The figures are exacerbated when it comes to child poverty. According to the latest figures from UNICEF, two in three children in Argentina are either poor or deprived of basic human rights like access to education or adequate housing.
Integrating Climate Mitigation and Environmental Peacebuilding Objectives in Columbia Through Sustainable Land Use Systems by Héctor Morales Munoz et. al.
May 17, 2023
Abstract:
(PLOS) Land is an essential natural resource for climate mitigation and peace. It is commonly connected with sources of GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions and with drivers of (violent) conflict. Therefore, climate mitigation and peacebuilding strategies are co-designing sustainable land-use systems (SLUS) with affected communities to integrate land-based climate mitigation and peacebuilding objectives. SLUS is practiced within agricultural production systems that meet sustainability principles (environmental, social, and economic). Nevertheless, there needs to be more program evaluation frameworks, especially measurable indicators, that integrate these two objectives (achieving peace and climate mitigation). This study aims to develop a methodology and criteria to evaluate the precise mechanisms of SLUS influencing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and drivers of conflict. A mix-method approach was used in two case study regions, Cesar and Caquetá, Colombia, where SLUS strategies where implemented. First, we conducted three workshops, two in-person and one virtual (n = 103). Secondly, we held semi-structured interviews (n = 115) to make an analysis of the conflict. Our research focused on the drivers of land-based emissions and conflict drivers targeted by the SLUS implementation. Lastly, through a household survey (n = 929), we illustrated the impacts of SLUS in peacebuilding at the farm level. Results show that SLUS, such as cocoa agroforestry, can contribute to climate change mitigation and deliver co-benefits in four core factors: (i) socio-economic inclusion by creating jobs and diversifying livelihoods, (ii) dialogue and conflict transformation by allowing negotiations around the participatory design of farms, including conservation agreements, (iii) natural resource governance, and (iv) cooperation by creating knowledge exchange and a community of practice.
This was originally posted in the Africa News and Discussion thread. As one alert reader (Powers) pointed out, Guyana is located in (Latin) America, so I am reposting the article here.
Fire razes school dormitory in Guyana, killing at least 19 children, many of them Indigenous
Source: AP
By BERT WILKINSON an hour ago
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — A nighttime fire raced through a dormitory in Guyana early Monday, killing at least 19 students and injuring several others at a boarding school catering to remote, mostly Indigenous villages, authorities said.
“This is a horrific incident. It’s tragic. It’s painful,” President Irfaan Ali said, adding that his government was mobilizing all possible resources to care for the children.
The fire broke out shortly before midnight in the dormitory building of a secondary school in the southwestern border town of Mahdia, a gold and diamond mining community about 200 miles (320 kilometers) south of the capital, Georgetown, the government said in a statement.
Officials initially said 20 students were killed but later updated the toll to 19, with several others injured. National Security Adviser Gerald Gouveia said the figure was revised after doctors revived a very critical patient that “everyone thought was dead.”
Tourism-fueled Demand is Making Buenos Aires Unaffordable for Residents by James Francis Whitehead
June 9, 2023
Introduction:
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Courthouse News) — The strong recovery of tourism in Argentina, aided by a weakening local currency, is leading to a rise in temporary rentals and unaffordable rents, exacerbating the housing crisis in the capital.
“Last year’s numbers marked a greater recovery than we expected,” said Lucas Delfino, referring to tourism in the Argentine capital. The president of the city government tourism board said that 1.45 million foreign tourists visited Buenos Aires in 2022.
Although this remains below pre-pandemic figures (3 million visited in 2019), the average occupancy rate of hotels hit historic records of 60% – with peaks of 90%. Delfino added that the average length of stay has extended to historic numbers, with the average number of nights tourists spend in Buenos Aires stretching from five to between eight and nine.
Landlords are capitalizing on the returning influx of foreign tourists. Many are pulling their properties out of the long-term rental market, which is paid in pesos and subject to regulations, and opting for the less regulated short-term rental market with access to U.S. dollars.
Owners are doing this by listing their properties on online booking platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com and Argenprop where they can fetch higher profits in foreign currencies in a country that is experiencing 108.8% annual inflation.
Iran’s President Begins Latin America Tour With Stop in Venezuela June 13, 2023
Introduction:
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP via Latino Rebels) — In his first visit to Latin America, Iran’s hardline president on Monday met with his Venezuelan counterpart and declared that both countries have “a common enemy,” alluding to the United States, before signing a series of cooperation agreements.
President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to Venezuela came a year and a day after President Nicolás Maduro visited him in Iran. Both countries are under heavy U.S. economic sanctions.
Raisi said the link between the two countries “is not normal, but rather a strategic relationship,” insisting that their nations have “common interests and we have common enemies.”
“They do not want the two countries, Iran and Venezuela, to be independent,” Raisi said referring to the U.S. government. His tour of allied nations in Latin America, including Cuba and Nicaragua, comes amid rising tensions with the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden.
Western Media Continue to Defend Washington’s Deadly Venezuela Agenda by Ricardo Vaz
June 25, 2023
Introduction:
(Common Dreams) Venezuela’s Maduro government has slowly and steadily regained its diplomatic standing in recent years, overcoming U.S. endeavors to turn the country into a pariah state as part of its regime-change efforts.
Nevertheless, Washington remains hell-bent on ousting the democratically elected Venezuelan authorities, and has kept its deadly sanctions program virtually intact. And Western media, which have cheered coup attempts at every step of the way (FAIR.org, 6/13/22, 5/2/22, 6/4/21, 4/15/20, 1/22/20), remain committed to endorsing U.S. policies to the bitter end.
This commitment was on full display recently when President Nicolás Maduro was hosted by Brazilian President Lula da Silva, in a major blow against the campaign to isolate Venezuela. Lula added insult to injury by condemning what he called the “narrative” of authoritarianism and lack of democracy that had been built around Venezuela to justify sanctions and regime change.
The Western media establishment’s initial reaction was straight from the five stages of grief. The New York Times, with its unenviable Venezuela reporting record (FAIR.org, 3/26/19, 5/24/19), was in denial, not reporting on the meeting at all. The Financial Times (6/4/23) had a depressed tone, citing the fading hopes of a return to ”free and fair elections” in the wake of the Brasilia meeting. The Washington Post (5/30/23) flared in anger, claiming that by hosting Maduro, Lula had betrayed his promise to “save democracy.”
The reporting around the latest developments saw corporate pundits showcasing a full array of journalistic con artistry to defend their “narrative,” including dubious sources, inaccurate conclusions, and dishonest context.
caltrek’s comment: Following Latin American politics is very much an exercise in who do you trust? Personally, I tend to trust left-leaning media sources such as Common Dreams. Still, I feel compelled to admit that I don’t live in Latin America and that I depend on English language media for coverage of that region. As this report makes clear (see also actual linked article and not just the introduction cited above), that can be very problematic given the biases inherent in such media outlets.
More Than Fifty Economists Rebuke Top Democratic Senator for Denying Harmful Impacts of U.S. Sanctions by Kenny Stancil
July 6, 2023
Introduction:
(Common Dreams) More than 50 leading political economy researchers on Wednesday published a letter exhorting U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez to "stop spreading the false narrative that there is no association between economic sanctions and the economic and humanitarian crises in countries targeted by those sanctions."
The scholars' intervention comes in response to a recent exchange between Menendez (D-N.J.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and nearly two dozen House Democrats.
In a May 10 letter, U.S. Reps. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and 19 of their colleagues—a combination of lawmakers whose jurisdictions lie near the southern border and progressives from around the country—urged President Joe Biden to reverse Trump-era sanctions against Cuba and Venezuela in order to ease economic crises that have contributed substantially to increased emigration from the two countries.
The following day, Menendez condemned the call. In a letter to Escobar and Grijalva, Menendez denied that U.S. sanctions have played a key role in pushing tens of thousands of Cubans and Venezuelans to leave their homes and asserted that blame for the ongoing exodus lies entirely with the nations' respective presidents, Miguel Díaz-Canel and Nicolás Maduro.
Ecuador presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio assassinated at campaign event
Source: CNN
An opposition candidate in Ecuador’s upcoming presidential election, Fernando Villavicencio, was assassinated at a campaign event Wednesday, President Guillermo Lasso confirmed on social media, vowing the killing will not go unpunished.
Villavicencio, 59, was shot dead at a Movimiento Construye political rally at a school north of the capital Quito, campaign team members Cristián Zurita and Rodrigo Figueroa told CNN.
He was gunned down 10 days before the first round of the presidential election was set to take place on August 20.
Replacing the “Old Relationship”: Representative Greg Casar On a Historic Congressional Delegation’s Trip to Latin America by Eamon Whalen
August 31, 2023
Introduction:
(Mother Jones) A progressive congressional delegation has just returned from a historic trip to Latin America, where they met with three recently elected left-wing administrations in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. Organized by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, and led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), the group aimed to redefine the United States’ relationship with the region, and begin to repair (many) past wrongs.
Ocasio-Cortez was joined by Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) , Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), and Misty Rebik, Senator Bernie Sanders’s chief of staff.
Casar, the son of Mexican immigrants and a former labor organizer who was elected to the house in 2022, spoke with Mother Jones about his experience joining the delegation, and how the US needs to change its engagement with Latin America to address common goals of combating climate change, lifting up working people, and protecting democracy.
This is a different congressional delegation than has been sent to Latin America in the past. Could you talk about how you got involved? And how this group was a change of pace from our past relations with left-wing Latin American movements and governments?
This was a different kind of trip. Not only because it was all Latino members of Congress that went, not only because we were able to have almost all of our meetings in Spanish or Portuguese—but because it was entirely progressive members of Congress meeting with our newly elected progressive counterparts in Latin America. And in almost every meeting, Latin American leaders expressed how different of a delegation this was. Because instead of having conversations based on Cold War militarism—instead of having meetings that ignore past US interventionism in Latin America— our conversations were based on listening and mutual respect. I think that’s what was so important.
Venezuela Moves to Halt International Criminal Court Probe Into Security Forces by Molly Quell
November 7, 2023
Introduction:
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (Courthouse News) — Venezuela accused the International Criminal Court of overstepping its mandate on Tuesday, arguing that local authorities had already investigated a violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrations.
Caracas is appealing a ruling earlier this year from The Hague-based court that allowed prosecutors to move forward with an investigation into the security forces of President Nicolás Maduro for excessive force, arbitrary detention and torture of protestors.
The prosecutor is “driving a bulldozer through complementary protections,” said lawyer Ben Emmerson on behalf of Venezuela. The world’s only permanent court for atrocity crimes is only supposed to intervene in situations where the local authorities are unwilling and unable to do so.
A group of mostly South American countries asked the court to open an investigation in Venezuela in 2018. It was the first time ICC member states asked the court to look into events in another member state.
Years of economic recession and increasing authoritarianism under Maduro’s regime led millions to protest after the pro-Maduro Supreme Court dissolved the National Assembly, the country’s legislature, in 2017. Government forces responded harshly, leaving more than 100 dead.
The opposition wants to blow the hell out of their own country.
