Weekly Roundup: LatAm's Most Powerful Women, Brazil's Drug Bill, El Salvador's Gang Truce

Pacific Alliance Leaders Move ahead on Integration

Heads of state from Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru—which form the Pacific Alliance bloc—met in Cali, Colombia this week and agreed to eliminate 90 percent of tariffs on trade of goods between members. During the summit, Costa Rica finalized its free-trade agreement with Colombia, completing the last prerequisite to gain member status with the Pacific Alliance, though the approval process could take up to a year. Bloggings by Boz offers a rundown of summit accomplishments, including plans to create a joint visa system, moving ahead on adding Mexico’s stock exchange to the Integrated Latin American Stock Market, and agreements for educational exchanges.

Chinese President Plans Trip to the Americas

A spokesperson from China’s foreign ministry announced this week that President Xi Jinping will visit Costa Rica, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago from May 31 to June 6, before heading to the United States on June 7 and 8. Jinping will meet with Presidents Laura Chinchilla of Costa Rica, Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico, and Anthony Carmona of Trinidad and Tobago. He also plans to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama at a U.S.-China summit in California. The trip follows Obama’s May visit to Costa Rica and Mexico, and will also occur after U.S. Vice President Joe Biden travels to Brazil, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

A Snapshot of the U.S.-Mexico Border

On May 23, the Wilson Center launched The State of the U.S.-Mexico Border, a report examining quality of life, economics and trade, security, and environmental issues along the border. On the topic of commerce, researchers found that 70 percent of binational trade relies on trucks passing through the border area. Moreover, around 85 percent of Mexican tourists arriving in the United States come through land ports of entry on the border. The report also found that towns on the U.S. side of the border have had “chronically high” unemployment, while Mexican border towns have rates below the national average.

Immigration Bill Advances; Senate to Debate Legislation in June

Landmark immigration reform legislation advanced this week as the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved the “Gang of Eight” bipartisan reform bill by a vote of 13 to 5 on May 22. The Committee considered over 200 amendments, but included only minor changes to the bill. The full Senate will begin debating the bill in June. While the vote could spell good news for immigration reform, “the GOP-controlled House isn’t likely to take it up in its current form,” reports Politico.

U.S. Bill Could Block Brazilian Immigration

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee passed a 2014 Homeland Security funding bill on May 22 that could possibly end Brazilian immigration to the United States. An amendment added to the bill would withhold all funding to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for processing Brazilian immigration visas. The move intends to urge Brazil to extradite Claudia Hoerig to the United States to be tried for the murder of her husband, though Brazil’s Constitution prohibits extradition of Brazilian nationals. The full House will debate the bill in June.

In Brazil, Controversial Drug Bill Moves Ahead

On May 22, Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies approved a bill that will alter the country’s drug law and would allow drug addicts to be involuntarily remanded to rehab. The approved text says that an addict can be brought to a rehabilitation facility against his or her wishes with the consent of a family member or a legal representative. In the absence of either, a public health worker or social worker can also give consent. The Chamber must still vote on remaining amendments.

Alleged Leak Reveals Divisions in Venezuelan Government

A leaked audio recording of a media personality close to the government stirred controversy in Venezuela this week. Mario Silva, a host on a Venezuelan government TV station, was allegedly caught speaking to a Cuban intelligence official. In the recording, a man identified as Silva describes divisions between President Nicolás Maduro and Diosdado Cabello, head of the National Assembly. Though Silva denied the recording was real, he went off the air from his talk show on May 21, alleging health issues.

Venezuela Moving to Restore Diplomatic Ties with U.S.?

The April appointment of Calixto Ortega as acting head of its Washington diplomatic mission is a step toward restoring ambassadors in both countries, said Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Elías Jaua on May 19. "This is a message for U.S. politicians so they understand Venezuela's desire to normalize relations ...[b]ecause the United States remains our top trade partner," Elias explained. He cautioned, though, that normalizing relations will depend on “mutual respect.”

Ecuador’s Correa to be Sworn in for Third Term

President Rafael Correa of Ecuador is due to be sworn in for his third term May 24 with numerous heads of state in attendance, including the presidents of Chile, Colombia, and Venezuela. Correa has a majority in Congress and numerous legislative plans ahead. Among them is a bill to change regulations to the communications sector, raising concern among journalists.

Over 6 Million Chileans in Debt

According to data from Chile’s Superintendency of Banks and Financial Institutions, around 6.1 million Chileans—about a third of the population—owe a combined total of nearly $200 million. Nearly 2 million of these debtors owe $959 or less.

Morales Travels to U.S. as VP Signs Reelection Law

On May 20, Bolivian Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera signed a law that will allow President Evo Morales to run for a third term. The law, passed by the Legislative Assembly, was upheld by the Supreme Court. Justices ruled last month that because the Constitution was changed during Morales’ first four years in office, his first term did not count. Also on Monday, Morales traveled to Atlanta to speak to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter about Bolivia’s bid to regain sea access in a territorial dispute with Chile.

Mujica Heads to China, Italy, and Spain

On May 22, Uruguayan President José Mujica set out on what he called the most important trip of his administration, starting a tour of China, Italy, and Spain. Mujica will seek investment for infrastructure projects, as well as meet with the Pope at the Vatican.

Salvadoran Minister’s Exit Leaves Fate of Gang Truce Unclear

A cabinet shakeup in El Salvador could cause turbulence in the country’s historic gang truce, write Hector Silva Avalos and Steve Dudley in an analysis from InSight Crime. On May 17, the country’s Supreme Court ruled that the appointment of military men to public security posts violated the Salvadoran Constitution. The decision led to the departure of Security Minister David Munguia Payes—a principal architect of the truce between the Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18 gangs. The truce resulted in a 41 percent reduction in homicides within 13 months. The truce’s sustainability could depend on whom President Mauricio Funes selects to permanently replace Munguia and how gang leaders subsequently respond. “Saturday, at a press conference in a prison and via a press release, the gangs lamented the court's decision and said they would maintain the truce so long as the new security authorities renewed the commitments pledged by the exiting general,” the authors report. “In a defiant tone, they added that the judges' decision ‘puts the security of Salvadorans at risk.’”

Also, Funes traveled to the Vatican this week, where he met with Pope Francis and sought papal support for the peace process.

Determining a Route for Nicaragua’s Canal

On May 18, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega confirmed plans to build an inter-oceanic canal in Nicaragua, noting that it would take a northern route to avoid the border with Costa Rica. With six routes under consideration, one Chinese company interested in the project suggested building through Lake Nicaragua, rather than a river along the border. A June 2012 law authorized the $30 billion canal, which would provide an alternate route to the Panama Canal.

Latin America’s Most Powerful Women

Six Latin Americans made this year’s Forbes list of the world’s 100 most powerful women. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was named second most powerful woman in the world, rising one spot from 2012. Maria das Graças Silva Foster, head of Brazil’s state-run oil company Petrobras, came in at number 18 and Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner took spot 26. Latin American celebrities also made the list, with U.S.-based Colombian actress Sofía Vergara at spot 38, Colombian singer Shakira at 52, and Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen at 95.

Data Visualization: Most Stressed-Out Countries

In a recent data analysis, Bloomberg ranked countries with the most stressful living environments using numerous variables such as homicide rates, GDP per capita, corruption perception, unemployment, and life expectancy. Half of the top 10 most stressed countries were in Latin America and the Caribbean, with El Salvador at number three, Guatemala at number five, Colombia at number six, Jamaica at number eight, and Bolivia at number 10.