Weekly Roundup: Brazil's New Spying Report, Cuba's Arms Shipment, and Chile's Election

>>Subscribe to the Weekly Roundup!

Venezuela’s Maduro Seeks Decree Powers

On October 8, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro requested special 12-month-long decree powers from Congress in order to deal with mounting economic problems and to fight corruption. In front of the National Assembly, Maduro asked legislators to pass the Enabling Law, which will be voted on in the next two to three weeks. The late President Hugo Chávez used a similar measure four times while in power to pass nearly 200 laws, and the opposition worries the law will allow the president to expand his legislative power.

New Brazil Spying Allegations: This Time, by Canada

An October 6 report on Brazil’s Globo network revealed allegations of Canadian spying on Brazil’s ministry of mining and energy, causing new tensions amid reports of U.S. espionage in the South American country. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said the foreign ministry would demand answers from Canada, and added: “It’s urgent that the United States and its allies cease actions of spying once and for all.” Canada’s ambassador was called for a meeting with Brazil’s foreign minister on Monday. Canadian opposition leader Thomas Mulcair told the press that "actively spying on ministries and companies in other countries to give an advantage to Canadian companies is not only illegal, it's irresponsible, and it gives Canada a black eye in the world.”

Marina Silva Shakes up Brazilian Presidential Race

After facing a decision by the country’s electoral court to bar her new political party, Marina Silva announced on October 5 that she would join the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB). Silva tried to register her party, the Sustainability Network, ahead of the October 2014 elections, but the court ruled she lacked a sufficient number of signatures. Pernambuco Governor Eduardo Campos is expected to run for president on the PSB ticket, with Silva now able to run as his vice president. However, the two have said they won’t announce the ticket until next year.

Colombian Trade Minister Resigns to Run Party of the U

Sergio Díaz-Granados, Colombia’s minister of trade, industry, and tourism, resigned from his post on October 7 and will assume the presidency of the Social Party of National Unity, or Party of the U. Observers believe Díaz-Granados will help President Juan Manuel Santos with his reelection bid, which he is expected to announce in November. In May, Santos’ housing minister resigned to take over Fundación Buen Gobierno, which ran the president’s successful 2010 campaign.

Russian Defense Minister Seeks Deals in Brazil and Peru

Next week, Brazil and Peru will host Russian Defense Minister Serguéi Shoigú, who will travel to South America in a bid for defense contracts worth up to $1.7 billion. Brazil is interested in Russian anti-aircraft missile systems, while Peru is eyeing armored tanks.

Ranking: Quality of Life in Mexican Cities

A new government-produced survey ranks Mexico’s cities based on quality of life, satisfaction with local services, and approval of local governance. Querétaro was ranked the best city to live in, followed by Monterrey and Mérida.

Argentina’s President in Recovery after Surgery

On October 8, Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner underwent brain surgery after being diagnosed with head trauma over the weekend. Vice President Amado Boudou has temporarily assumed the presidency in the meantime.

Poll: Chile Election Likely to Require a Runoff

An Ipsos poll released this week puts former President Michelle Bachelet in the lead for the November presidential election, but indicates the race may require a runoff vote. Bachelet has 33 percent of the vote, while conservative candidate Evelyn Matthei has 23 percent. The former leader needs 50 percent in order to avoid a runoff.

New Digs for the Bolivian President: Morales to Construct Bigger Residence

On October 9, Bolivian President Evo Morales announced the construction of a new presidential palace. The new building, called the Casa del Pueblo, will be 10 to 12 stories high and will also house the presidency, communication, and anti-corruption ministries.

Report: Ranking Urban Inequality in LatAm

A report released in Colombia by UN Habitat this week found that Colombia has the highest levels of urban inequality in Latin America. Overall, the study found that the most unequal cities in the region are Brasilia, Brazil; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; La Paz, Bolivia; Santiago, Chile, and Bogota, Colombia, respectively.

Cuban Arms Shipment to North Korea Reportedly Part of “Major Deal”

New revelations this week shed light on the North Korean cargo ship traveling from Cuba and seized in Panama in July. At the time, the Cuban government said the ship held obsolete military material. But now, Panamanian authorities say two Cuban fighter jets found on board were “in good repair, had been recently flown and were accompanied by ‘brand-new’ jet engines,” reports McClatchy. In August, inspectors found mint-condition rocket-propelled grenades and ammunition, as well as military vehicles. Authorities believe the shipment was part of a major defense deal between Cuba and North Korea.

Opening up Cuba’s Tourism Industry

In the latest move to open the economy, the Cuban government will allow the state-run tourism industry to hire private businesses for lodging, meals, excursions, and related activities. Tourism is now the Caribbean island’s largest industry, accounting for $3 billion in revenues last year. Since the economic reform effort began in 2010, over 450,000 people began running their own businesses or became self-employed, Reuters reports.

Costa Rican Presidential Candidate Pulls out of the Running

Rodolfo Hernández, presidential candidate for Costa Rica’s opposition Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), declared on October 9 that he would step out of the running—for the second time in a week. Hernández first ended his candidacy on October 3, claiming party leadership was sabotaging his campaign. He then reclaimed the nomination on October 6, demanding that the entire PUSC executive committee resign. The unheeded ultimatum led to his second resignation. The PUSC has until October 18 to register a new candidate, and the elections take place in February 2014. Hernández was considered the strongest opposition candidate in the running, ranking second in the polls behind ruling party candidate Johnny Araya of the National Liberation Party.

Report: LatAm Better Prepared for Currency Depreciations

The World Bank released a new report this week on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)’s economic deceleration and exchange rates, pointing out that the region’s improved “macro-financial immune system” gives countries a stronger buffer against currency depreciations. “The depreciations of LAC currencies should no longer be interpreted as a sign of financial distress and harbinger of a crisis,” says the report. “They should rather be seen, at least for the inflation targeting LAC countries, as a salutary part of a more efficient and employment-friendly process of macroeconomic adjustment to a downturn induced by adverse external developments.”

Online Education Catching on in LatAm

Students in Latin America are embracing massive open online courses, writes The Christian Science Monitor. Ten percent of the 1.3 million users on edX—a nonprofit group set up by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that offers online courses—come from Latin America. Online students in the region hail not only from large economies like Brazil and Mexico, but also from Belize, Haiti, and Uruguay.

LatAm Monuments at Risk

The World Monuments Fund mapped historical landmarks under threat across the world, and identified 14 in Latin America and the Caribbean. The monuments range from Guatemala’s Uaxactun Mayan ruins to Argentina’s St. Catherine of Siena Church. The Fund set up an interactive map to explore the landmarks at risk.