Weekly Roundup: Colombian FTA Push, Nicaraguan Election Violence, and Narcocultura

The Bush-Obama Meeting and the Colombia FTA Push

With a White House transition underway, President-elect Barack Obama and President George W. Bush met at the White House for the first time since Election Day. The New York Times reports that Obama asked President Bush to support an emergency stimulus package aimed to rescue domestic automakers. The article also reports that Bush suggested he would give his support to the package in exchange for congressional approval of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

Incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel told ABC’s “This Week” that "you don't link those essential needs to some other trade deal," when asked about the possibility of a compromise on the matter. But White House Spokeswoman Dana Perino stated that “[i]n no way did President Bush suggest that there was a quid pro quo when it came to the Colombia free trade agreement or the other free trade agreements.” El Tiempo provides additional coverage.

A Washingon Post editorial says the weakening U.S. economy provides a strong reason for passing the U.S.-Colombia trade pact.

Writing for the Americas Quarterly blog, COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth writes that a lame-duck session offers the U.S. Congress an opportunity to push through pending trade deals with Colombia and Panama.

The Obama-Uribe-Chávez Diplomatic Triangle

Ángel Álvarez, director of the Institute of Political Studies at the Central University of Venezuela, writes for the Black Box blog about the challenge facing President-elect Barack Obama in the realm of diplomatic relations with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and his Colombian counterpart Álvaro Uribe. He explains that the United States still relies on Venezuelan oil and Colombian anti-narcotics assistance. Both countries in turn depend on Washington as a trading partner. Given eroded relations between Bogota and Caracas, Obama’s challenge resides in maintaining a balance in working with the two leaders.

Why the Republicans Lost the Hispanic Vote

In a discussion between Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) and Tom Brokaw on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the two discussed the Republicans’ resounding defeat among Latino voters in the presidential elections, including the fact that Florida Hispanics voted for Democrats in record numbers. Martinez blamed the anti-immigrant sentiment in his party for driving away Latino voters: “I think that the very divisive rhetoric of the immigration debate set a very bad tone for our brand as Republicans.”

How the Cards Fell on Immigration-Related Ballot Initiatives

AS/COA Director of Policy Jason Marczak writes in the Americas Quarterly blog about the results of several state-level immigrant-related initiatives on November 4 ballots. Mixed results show that Arizona and Colorado led the pack with six measures going to a vote. In Oregon, a proposition to limit the use of foreign-language instruction in public schools was defeated by 63 percent of the vote. In Missouri, 86 percent of voters supported an amendment to the state constitution mandating English in government meetings while an Arizona proposition that would have eased hiring restrictions failed to pass.

Read content from Americas Quarterly‘s post-election issue, featuring 31 memos to the U.S. President-elect from presidents, policymakers, business leaders, and activists. Also, visit AQ’s new website at americasquarterly.org for blogs, online polls, web exclusives, and feature content.

Clashes Follow Nicaraguan Election Results

Violence broke out in Nicaragua after municipal elections as supporters of the country’s opposition parties claimed that President Daniel Ortega’s Sandinista party rigged some voting results. At least one person died in clashes. The Supreme Electoral Court failed to accredit enough domestic and international election observers to assure transparency at the polls, according to U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood. The blog of Colombia’s Revista Perspectiva comments that the post-electoral violence is worrisome, not only because of the loss of human life, but also because it and the electoral policy raise questions about the government’s legitimacy.

Developing Countries Demand Stronger Role in Crisis Solution

At a weekend summit, emerging economies asked for deeper involvement in tackling the current worldwide financial crisis. Brazil’s Foreign Minister Guido Mantega proposed that the G20 group should become a decision-making organization, reports the Financial Times. The World Bank’s President Robert Zoellick said that “[t]his is one of those fluid periods where people are trying to get a sense about the right mix of countries and institutions to be able to solve problems in a way that that is effective but also legitimate.”

A Universia Knowledge@Wharton article wonders whether the G20 summit scheduled for November 15 in Washington will result in concrete results or serve as little more than a symbolic meeting. President-elect Obama will not attend the summit, which was called by President Bush with the goal of finding solutions to the world financial crisis.

Peru: A Bright Spot in Financial Maelstrom

Writing in RGE’s Latin America EconoMonitor, economist Ricardo Lago makes a case that Peru will likely stand as Latin America’s strongest economy in 2009. He provides reasons that include Peruvian resilience in the face of the current economic downturn, the country’s record of economic reform, and the strong inflow of foreign direct investment.

Venezuelan Satellite Launched with Chinese Help

On October 30, a Chinese-made Venezuelan satellite called Venesat-1 was launched into orbit, marking a milestone for the government of President Hugo Chávez. The satellite will be used for communications and educational purposes but, most importantly, it signals deeper ties between China and Latin America. An ISN Security Watch article offers an analysis, including how other Latin American countries will benefit from the satellite deal as well as how it could connect rural Venezuelan residents with doctors and educational services.

China’s First Policy Paper on Latin America

The Chinese government released its first policy paper on Latin America and the Caribbean, demonstrating Beijing’s growing interest in the region. The paper outlines China’s aim to promote mutual respect, strengthen political recognition of China as a world player, and deepen commercial and economic cooperation. Read the full text of the paper.

A recent AS/COA news analysis examines the importance of China gaining membership in the Inter-American Development Bank.

Cuba and Russia Tie the Trade Knot

The BBC reports about a series of trade deals inked between Cuba and Russia covering the auto, nickel, and oil industries. The pacts also include a steady supply of wheat for the island. Russia’s growing influence in Latin America poses a diplomatic challenge for U.S. President-elect Barack Obama at a time of souring relations between Moscow and Washington. Cuban President Raul Castro is expected to visit Russia next year.

Iranian Influence on the Rise in Latin America

In an op-ed article for the Los Angeles Times, ex-CIA official John Kiriakou writes about the dangers of Iranians traveling without visas in the Western Hemisphere since Bolivia lifted travel restrictions in exchange for a hefty investment in its oil industry. Kiriakou urges the next administration to sign more trade agreements, retool immigration policy, and engage in active diplomacy to keep Iranian influence at bay.

In a similar vein, World Politics Review’s Christina L. Madden highlights how Brazil has expanded its commercial relations with Iran. Bilateral trade quadrupled between 2002 and 2007. Madden also reports about Iranian trade ties with Nicaragua, Venezuela, Ecuador, Cuba, and Bolivia.

Mexico’s Growing Narcocultura

In an article for the New Yorker, Alma Guillermoprieto offers an overview and interviews to encapsulate the violent drug war gripping Mexico. The piece covers a range of topics, from related art exhibits to religious cults to a recent history of the country’s struggle with organized crime. In focusing on how cartel-related violence has ravaged Sinaloa, she writes that, given the Pacific Coast state’s rugged landscape, it is not surprising that the drug trade thrived there; “What is unusual, perhaps, is how wrong things had to go before anyone paid attention.”

The Peace Corps as A Political Tool in Bolivia

The Democrcay Center’s “Blog from Bolivia” takes a look at the removal of the Peace Corps after a series of violent political clashes that rocked two Bolivian departments in September. The Bush administration pulled 113 Peace Corps volunteers from Bolivia and cancelled plans to send new volunteers. The post comments that most of the Peace Corps volunteers—“a rare positive U.S. symbol in a country deeply skeptical of the U.S.,”—were far from where the clashes took place and that Washington’s decision appears to have been politically motivated. The analysis also urges the next administration to restore the Peace Corps chapter in Bolivia.

Abortion Legalization in Uruguay Faces Resistance

Uruguay’s legislature decriminalized abortion on November 11, despite President Tabaré Vasquez’s pledge to veto the law. The Roman Catholic Church also voiced its opposition to the measure, threatening to excommunicate anyone involved in an abortion. But, in a recent poll, 57 percent of Uruguayans supported the approved law.

Pinochet’s Son, Ex-Officials Indicted

The University of Pittsburgh’s Jurist reports that a Chilean judge charged the son, former secretary, and estate executor of deceased Chilean dictator with tax evasion. This marks the third time relatives of Pinochet have faces such charges. Thus far, none have been convicted for tax evasion.

A Peruvian in the White House?

Rumor has it that President-elect Barack Obama’s daughters want a goldendoodle (a golden retriever/poodle mix) as the country’s First Pet when they move into the White House. But, keeping in mind one of the girl’s allergies, the Peruvian Hairless Dog Association sent a letter to the U.S. Embassy offering a 4-month-old puppy. The association’s director suggested the name “Machu Picchu.”