Weekly Roundup: Colombia's Most Powerful Women, Peru's Organized-crime Fighters, Paraguay's Election Polls

>>Subscribe to the Weekly Roundup!

RNC Backs Immigration Reform amid Growing Public Support for Path to Citizenship

On Monday, the Republican National Committee (RNC) formally backed immigration reform despite objections by more conservative party leaders, promising $10 million to expand outreach to minority groups. The moves form part of a multi-step strategy spelled out in a RNC report released this week to overhaul the party’s image. The GOP will aim for a tone of “tolerance and respect” in immigration debates, create senior-level advisory councils focused on minority groups, and establish “swearing-in citizenship teams” to connect with voters after naturalization ceremonies. A Brookings Survey released Thursday found that 63 percent of Americans support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

Study: Rise in Undocumented Immigrant Deaths at Border

An immigrant is eight times more likely to die attempting to cross the southern border to the United States than a decade ago, according to a new study by The National Foundation for American Policy. In 2012, the number of border deaths reached 477, a 27 percent increase from the previous year. The report attributes the rise in deaths to few temporary work visas and a greater Border Patrol presence, pushing migrants to remoter areas. (H/T Fronteras Desk)

Immigrants In Focus: Central Americans Living in the United States

The Central American population in the United States was the fastest growing Latin American immigrant group between 2000 and 2010, says a March article by Migration Information Source. The number of immigrants from Central America nearly tripled since 1990, with more than 3 million Central Americans living in the United States in 2011. That year, the group accounted for about 8 percent of the total immigrant population.

Venezuelan Polls Put Maduro ahead in Presidential Race

As Venezuelans prepare to head to the polls on April 14, numerous polls put Interim President Nicolás Maduro in the lead over opposition candidate Henrique Capriles. A Datanálisis poll from March 16 gives the acting leader a 15-point advantage, and an Hinterlaces poll from the same date shows 53 percent in favor of Maduro versus 35 percent for Capriles. However, the opposition candidate questioned the validity of the polls. On March 20, Venezuela cut off lines of communication to the United States, alleging U.S. interference in the country ahead of the election.

Uruguay and Venezuela Top Support for Democracy in LatAm

A March 11 AmericasBarometer survey found that Uruguay, Venezuela, and Argentina—in that order—show the highest rates of support for democracy in Latin America. In those countries, over 80 percent of the population back democracy. Guatemala and Honduras have the lowest rates in the region at 61 and 52 percent, respectively.

Support for Self-Defense Groups Rises in Mexico

A March 18 Parametría survey found that 57 percent of Mexicans support self-defense groups, which have sprung up in response to crime levels and are now present in 13 Mexican states. This week, the government announced that 250 areas of the country with high crime rates would be part of a new crime prevention program which includes education and job creation initiatives, as well as improving public spaces. Up to 1,000 communities will be covered under the program, reports InSightCrime.

Brazil and Mexico Agree on Visa Exemptions

On March 18, the governments of Brazil and Mexico announced they would waive visas for citizens of both countries for stays of up to 90 days. Though the visa agreement was signed in 2000, it was suspended in 2005. A date of implementation has yet to be established, though it could come before Brazil hosts the Confederations Cup in June. In 2012, 250,000 Brazilians visited Mexico, a 26 percent increase from the previous year.

Colombia’s 50 Most Powerful Women

Colombian magazine Dinero published a list of the most powerful women in the country, looking at what each woman’s friends and critics say. The magazine placed Sandra Morelli, the comptroller general, at the top of the rankings. The list also includes the first lady, and the ministers of foreign affairs, transportation, and justice.

Peru’s New Organized Crime-Fighting Force

This week, the Peruvian government announced the creation of a new special police force dedicated to pursuing organized crime groups. Dubbed “Genesis,” the group will be made up of members with “vast” intelligence and investigation experience, reports Andina. Interior Minister Wilfredo Pedraza also said that the government will consider an incentive program to award law enforcement professionals for disbanding organized crime groups. 

Michelle Bachelet: Potential Presidential Candidate?

On March 15, the former president of Chile announced she would step down as the head of UN Women and return home, paving the way for a potential presidential run in November. While Bachelet cited “personal reasons” for her resignation, many in Chile speculate she will soon announce her candidacy. Having Bachelet on the ballot would “be healthy for the system,” said Carlos Larraín, head of Chile’s National Renewal Party.

Paraguay’s Election: The Latest Polls

New polls on Paraguay’s April 21 presidential race show that the two main contenders are Horacio Cartes of the Colorado Party and Efraín Alegre of the Liberal Party. Three surveys put Cartes in the lead, with First Análisis y Estudios giving him a 7-point advantage over Alegre. Latin America analyst James Bosworth points out that other candidates appear unwilling to support Alegre, though he is President Federico Franco’s pick.

IDB Predicts Slowdown in LatAm Growth

Over the next five years, Latin America can expect weaker economic expansion, says a new Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report. IDB economists project growth for the region between 2013 and 2017 to be almost a full percentage point lower than the 4.8 percent seen between 2003 and 2007. The IDB’s chief economist José Juan Ruiz noted the region “need[s] to find measures to increase our potential rate of growth,” reports The Christian Science Monitor.

Former Cayman Premier Formally Charged with Corruption

The former premier of the Cayman Islands, McKeeva Bush, was charged with 11 counts of theft and corruption on Wednesday following his December arrest. Bush was ousted from office a week after his arrest, and will stand trial in April on charges of misusing a government credit card and importing explosive substances without a permit.

Slideshow: El Salvador’s Coffee Industry

El Salvador’s El Faro published an image gallery detailing the process of Salvadoran coffee production, from the farm to the café. The publication notes that coffee pickers earn around $70-75 per month, while each 20-pound bag of coffee is worth $1.25. El Salvador’s coffee harvest employs an estimated 347,000 workers each year. (H/T Tim’s El Salvador Blog)