South American political elites seem to have jettisoned much of
the high minded left idealism of past years in favor of crass economic
interests. In a somewhat outlandish turn of events, Brazil has embraced
Vladimir Putin, a figure who has desperately sought to end his
country's political and diplomatic isolation.
Author, 'Revolution! South America and the Rise of the New Left'
Studying abroad contributes to global, regional and national
economies in a significant way. It opens up doors for international
trade, commerce and understanding, as well as for peace building,
communication, and national security.
Writer and public media professional
Colombian President Santos staked his job on finalizing a peace
agreement with the FARC guerrillas. Voters rewarded him with a mandate
in June's run-off election, giving him a decisive victory over
right-wing challenger Oscar Zuluaga.
CEO, Country Risk Solutions
I beg to differ with liberals who say the recent U.S. sanctions
against individual members of the Venezuelan government are
counterproductive. By the same token, I disagree with conservatives who
dismiss them for being too light and applaud the White House and
Congress efforts to punish Venezuelan drug traffickers and human rights
violators for a very simple reason: in the rigged system of justice that
Hugo Chavez set up in the country, it is impossible for any member of
its repressive political system to ever face justice in a court of law.
syndicated Latin American columnist
The Obama administration last week embarked on a path to break
diplomatic relations with Venezuela. But the drama was cut short last
night when the Dutch government announced that it would not allow the
extradition of Hugo Carvajal, a Venezuelan retired general and military
officer whom Washington wanted to bring to trial in U.S. courts.
Co-director, Center for Economic and Policy Research, Washington, D.C.
Once the black market differential is big enough, it also
increases the incentive for corruption; unlike selling cocaine, you
don't even need risk to leaving this world in a hail of bullets if you
can get access to official dollars at 6.3 Bf and sell them for 72 on the
black market.
Co-director, Center for Economic and Policy Research, Washington, D.C.
While Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López remains behind
bars as he awaits the July 23 start of his trial, his family has worked
not only to get him released, but also to highlight the government's
attempts to punish him for speaking out about the country's economic and
political turmoil.
Content Manager, Rally.org
Unlike an industrial powerhouse like Germany, for example, few
Caribbean countries are in a position to fully exploit their renewable
energy potential.
Until the moment the plane took off, we feared we might be in
clear and present danger. We had just spent the last month seeking
refuge in a makeshift panic room we created in our Caracas apartment.
The future of Colombia had never been so dark and uncertain. Two
years ago, President Juan Manuel Santos embarked the country into a
negotiation process with the terrorist organization FARC in Habana,
Cuba.
Activist, peacebuilder, social entrepreneur, speaker, trainer
In my misery index, I calculate a ranking for all countries where
suitable data from the Economist Intelligence Unit exist. A higher
score in the misery index means that the country, and its constituents,
are more miserable. Indeed, this is a table where you do not want to be
first.
Professor of Applied Economics at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore
War more likely in the Balkans or sex in Brazil, turned into an
unexpected UN Security Council debate. Is promiscuity for conflict, sex
or soccer something embedded in our genes, culture or environment? Some
stereotypes perhaps are better, or more accurately less harmful, but in
the end they become a hurdle.
Former Bosnian foreign minister and ambassador to the United Nations
One cannot escape the ample media coverage of the 25th
anniversary of what has come to be known as the Tiananmen Square
massacre, in which it is estimated that at least 300, and possibly 3000
civilians, were killed by state forces.
Human and labor rights lawyer
In an election year in which there is nothing for politicians to
gain from standing up to the bullies of the recently merged anti-Cuba
and anti-Venezuela lobbies, this is significant. But even more striking
were some of the points that the letter made about U.S. policy in the
region.
Co-director, Center for Economic and Policy Research, Washington, D.C.
Western media, which sides with the undemocratic and coup-prone
opposition, have been content simply to denounce human rights
violations. At the same time, they fail to report the murders committed
by the protesters.
Doctor, Paris Sorbonne Paris IV University, Lecturer, University of La RƩunion
There is one direct approach to Caracas immediately available.
The administration should challenge Maduro to restore normal diplomatic
relations. The US and Venezuela have not exchanged ambassadors since
2010.
Chairman, McLarty Associates
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please leave a comment-- or suggestions, particularly of topics and places you'd like to see covered