Weekly Roundup: Brazilian to Head WTO, Biden Plans LatAm Visit, Ríos Montt Trial Ends

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Ríos Montt Proclaims Innocence as Historic Guatemalan Trial Closes

In closing arguments of a six-week trial, former Guatemalan dictator Efraín Ríos Montt denied playing a role in the killings of Ixil Mayans that took place during his 1982-1983 rule. “I never authorized, I never signed, I never proposed, I never ordered these attacks against a people, ethnicity or religion,” said the 86-year-old former army general, who, along with his intelligence chief, faces a 75-year sentence for the massacres. Ríos Montt instead blamed the atrocities on regional commanders, saying: “The head of state is nothing more than a public servant.” Ríos Montt faces charges for being the “intellectual author” of Ixil massacres that led to nearly 1,800 deaths and the displacement of 29,000 people.

As the New Yorker notes, the trial is historic in that it marks the first time that a former head of state has been on trial for genocide in a national, rather than international, court. At the time of this report, the Associated Press stated that the verdict in the trial would be announced at approximately 4:00 p.m. local time (6:00 p.m. ET).

Access the Open Society Justice Initiative’s portal on the trial for background, proceedings, and more.

Biden to Visit Brazil, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago

During the week of May 26, Vice President Joe Biden will travel to the three countries to discuss bilateral and regional issues. In Brazil, he plans to meet with President Dilma Rousseff to discuss bilateral economic and trade issues, while security relations will be the focus of his meeting with Colombian President Juan Santos. Biden’s stop in Trinidad and Tobago will include a meeting with Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar as well as leaders from other Caribbean countries. At COA’s May 8 Washington Conference—where Biden revealed his upcoming trip—the vice president said that, while Latin America offers the United States political and economic potential, “it’s no longer what we can do ‘for’ Latin America but what we can do ‘with’ Latin America.”

Washington to Host Chilean and Peruvian Presidents

Chile’s President Sebastian Piñera and Peru’s President Ollanta Humala will visit Washington D.C. in June to discuss economic relations with President Obama. Piñera’s visit will take place on June 4, and Humala will visit one week later on June 11. The agenda will likely touch on negotiations with the Trans-Pacific Partnership, as all three countries hope to develop closer economic ties to Asian markets.

The Pacific Alliance Creates a Legislative Committee

Heads of Congress from Pacific Alliance members Chile, Colombia, México, and Perú signed an accord to form a Pacific Alliance Inter-Parliamentary Committee on May 6, reports La República. The committee would serve as the legislative arm of the Alliance by developing a framework to approve free trade agreements and distribution of goods, services, and capital under the Alliance. The committee will be officially presented to the Alliance at a legislative session in Chile in June.

Maduro Makes the Rounds in Mercosur Tour

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro toured Mercosur countries May 7 through 9 to meet with his counterparts in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay in order to further complete what he calls the “perfect equation for energy integration, and financial, economic, social, cultural, and political integration.” His tour came as a vote audit was underway back in Venezuela, marked his first trip abroad as president, and has been seen by some observers as a trip designed to firm up legitimacy.

Ecuador Courts Mercosur and the EU

While solidifying a trade agreement with the European Union, Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa seeks to begin negotiations to join Mercosur, according to his May 6 media broadcast. Correa added that the talks might include the “possibility of easing non-tariff barriers to improve exports and make the common external tariff more flexible.” Ecuador will ask Mercosur for flexibility with the protocol regarding norms of origin, sensitive products, and the foreign exchange clauses.

Brazil Wins Leadership of the World Trade Organization

Brazilian Roberto Azevêdo has been chosen over Mexican candidate Herminio Blanco as the newest director general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on May 7. El Palenque, AnimalPolitico’s debate forum for experts, discusses the effects this win will have on Mexican diplomacy, Brazil’s role in trade liberalization, and the prominence of the BRICS on the world stage. Azevêdo will be the first Latin American to head the WTO.

Clinton Global Initiative to Launch Latin America Program in Rio

Former President Bill Clinton announced on May 6 that the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) would be expanding to Latin America in December 2013, with its first meeting set to launch in Rio de Janeiro. He was joined by Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes in making the announcement at the mid-year meeting for his annual conference.

Brazil Starts Small Business Ministry

President Dilma Rousseff announced the start of a small business ministry on May 6, saying that government banks will provide up to $7,500 to small businesses in 2013 and will reduce the public loan interest rate from 8 percent to 5 percent beginning on May 31. “The question of small business is indispensable for the country’s future and present,” said Rousseff. Brazil’s estimated 6 million micro and small businesses accounted for 40 percent of the country’s 15 million new jobs from 2001 to 2011. 

Cuba to Send 6,000 Doctors to Brazil

Brazil plans to hire approximately 6,000 Cuban doctors to work in the country’s rural areas, said Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota on May 6. The Federal Medical Council­–a Brazilian doctor’s organization–questioned the island nation’s medical qualifications, but Patriota called Cuba “very proficient in the areas of medicine, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.” President Dilma Rousseff began the talks in January 2012, and both countries are currently consulting with the Pan American Health Organization to move forward. 

A Bright Outlook for Latin American Economies?

The International Monetary Fund’s May 2013 Regional Economic Outlook predicts Latin America’s growth to increase approximately 3.5 percent by the end of the year. But, in an article for The Huffington Post, Director for the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department Alejandro Werner questions whether countries in the region will be able to “adjust policies to preserve macroeconomic and financial stability” after the near-future external benefits, such as easy external financing and high commodity prices, begin to decline.

Guatemala and Honduras Officially Join Venezuela-Run Petrocaribe

On May 5, Guatemala and Honduras became full members of Petrocaribe, the regional oil agreement that allows countries to purchase oil from Venezuela under favorable terms. Honduran President Porfirio Lobo and Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina both delivered remarks at the Seventh Summit of the Heads of State and Government of Petrocaribe in Caracas.

Drought Prompts Power Rationing in Panama

In response to months without rain and a shortage affecting the Central American country’s hydroelectric power supply, the Panamanian government has declared a drought emergency for part of the country and ordered government offices to reduce their hours and temporarily shut down schools. Panama derives 60 percent of its electricity from hydroelectric energy. The dry season expected to last for 10 more days, says the Panama Canal Authority.

Volcanoes and Geysers Could Fuel Chilean Energy

Chile will partner with New Zealand to develop its deep exploration drilling and to develop its geothermal energy production. Chile is home to 20 percent of the world’s active volcanoes, which can be harnessed for geothermal energy. However, only 5 percent of the country’s electrical power is attributed to renewable energy resources, reports IPS News.

Latino High School Dropout Rate at All-Time Low

High School dropout rates have reached an all-time low for Hispanic high school students, declining from 28 percent in 2000 to 14 percent in 2011. The Pew Research Center also reports that 70 percent of Hispanic high school graduates in 2012 enrolled in college in the fall, exceeding the 67 percent of white students who enrolled.