DAILY LINKS
The Nation has a long, wonky, wonderful article on Mexican maize cultivation, the effects of NAFTA, and the dangers of genetically-modified seeds. Author Peter Canby backs up his excellent writing with piles and piles of meticulous research. Not to be missed. [link, via SM] (Image from Joel Penner.)
Cuban dissident Guillermo Farinas ended his hunger strike yesterday after 134 days. Farinas decided to end his strike after the Cuban government said it would release political prisoners rounded up in the "Black Spring" crackdown of 2003. Get well soon. [link]
The Uruguayan selection, which has made it to the quarter finals of the World Cup, just received a shipment of half a ton of fine cuts of beef for the mother of all asados in preparation for a contest against Ghana on Friday: "450 kilos of lomo, 200 of entrecot, 75 of vacío, 75 of colita de cuadril, 150 of ojo de bife and 50 kg of picaña." [link]
Hitmen have assassinated the PRI candidate for governor of Tamaulipas State, Rodolfo Torre Cantú. Torre was gunned down along with six others at about 10:30 this morning on a highway on the way to a campaign event. Drug mafias are assumed to be responsible. [link]
From the days when coups were something of a regional sport, new documents detail a famous British ballerina's role in a plot to topple the government of Panama. The plan was to use her yacht to gather men and arms, then "land somewhere and collect in the hills." It didn't work. [link]
Mexico's Attorney General's Office has posted on its web site irrefutable evidence that gold-plated AR-15s and diamond-studded pistol grips are not nearly as cool-looking as they sound. The deadly knick-knack collection is said to belong to Valencia Cartel leader El Lobo. [link]
Two Brazilian ranchers were sentenced to 30 years in prison apiece for ordering the killing of an environmentalist nun: "Prosecutors said the pair offered to pay a gunman $25,000 to kill the 73-year-old [Dorothy] Stang because she had prevented them from stealing a piece of land that the government had granted to a group of poor farmers." [link]
This video of a kidnapping and car chase in Mexico is notable mainly for the bad-assitude of the TV journalists who were on this like white on rice. Well done, gentlemen.
The Economist takes a peak at the Mockus phenomenon in Colombia: "His moustacheless beard gives him the air of a Baltic pastor... He is financing his campaign with a bank overdraft. His supporters rely on Facebook and make their own posters; street vendors sell unofficial campaign T-shirts." [link]
Some cruise lines will cease traveling to Antarctica after this cruise season, as a ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil goes into effect next year. The ban came after a 2007 incident when a Gap Adventures ship got punctured by ice and sank, causing a mess. [link]
Category Archives: Side notes
Funes has vetoed a law that would have doubled the maximum penalty for minor offenders in El Salvador to 15 years, according to La Página. “President Funes decided to veto the increase in penalty for minors ‘for considerations of unconstitutionality’ and because it violates the Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
Also posted in El Salvador, Human Rights | Leave a comment
A Venezuelan court annulled the election of an opposition mayor “on grounds that he failed to pay $292 in local taxes.” He’s being replaced with the guy he beat in the election – a Chávez loyalist – until a new election can be held.
Also posted in Human Rights, Politics, Venezuela Leave a comment
El Salvador could get sued before the World Trade Organization for subsidizing exports. The country currently gives a subsidy of 6%, which is against WTO rules. Nevertheless, many smaller WTO countries – especially in Central America – have subsidized exports for years, getting repeated exemptions from the WTO on this rule.
Also posted in El Salvador, Trade Leave a comment
Venezuela’s busiest port is shut down, as businesses and workers say the state-run port authority at Puerto Cabello hasn’t paid them in four months. Puerto Cabello handles 70% of the country’s container traffic.
Also posted in Economy, Trade, Venezuela Leave a comment
Peru is on its way to overtaking Colombia as the world’s largest producer of cocaine. Colombia producers 48.3% of the world’s coke, and falling, while Peru produces 33.5%, and rising. All this is according to the 2009 annual report of the U.N.’s International Narcotics Control Board.
Also posted in Colombia, Peru, War on drugs Leave a comment
The region’s two biggest economies – Mexico and Brazil – are going to start talks on a possible free trade agreement.
Also posted in Brazil, Mexico, Trade Leave a comment
Thirty-two Latin American countries have agreed to form the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. “The formal foundation of [the group] will not take place until a summit in Venezuela next year with President Hugo Chávez as host,” which tells you something.
Also posted in Politics Leave a comment
In Colombia, two teenage girls – 16 and 14 years old – cut a baby out of an 18-year-old, who was seven months pregnant. Supposedly, the 16-year-old girl had been pregnant but miscarried, and she thought her boyfriend would leave her if he found out. Amazingly, both the baby and the mother are alive and [...]
Also posted in Colombia, Odd Leave a comment
Chávez and Uribe started “yelling and called each other names, using obscene language” during a private dinner at the “Unity Summit” taking place in Mexico. The 31 Latin American countries in attendance are supposedly in the process of forming a regional political group that excludes the U.S. and Canada.
