Weekly Roundup: Reactions to Hostage Release, LatAm Leaders at G8 Summit, and U.S. Candidates Pursue Hispanic Vote

Reactions to Colombia’s Hostage Rescue

The liberation of Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages held for multiple years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) triggered several analyses and reactions. Wall Street Journal’s Mary Anastasia O’Grady comments on the ease with which some NGOs interacted with the rebels, allowing the Colombian military to convince the FARC that they represented an NGO “providing resources to help it in the dirty work of ferrying captives to a new location.” The Miami Herald reports from San José del Guaviare, a remote jungle region that was once a FARC stronghold where the Colombian military regained control. Though U.S. contractors now operate there, fears of reprisal linger following the hostages’ liberation. ISN Security Watch contributor Sam Logan analyzes the impact of the rescue mission carried out by the Colombian military against the FARC. He argues that what was once a strong revolutionary group has become a disorganized drug smuggling organization.

PBS features transcripts, podcasts, and streaming video of press conferences given throughout the week by Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos, General Freddy Padilla, and Ingrid Betancourt, among others.

Read AS/COA’s analysis on a weakening FARC, and about the political implications of the hostage release for Colombia’s next presidential race.

Listen to remarks by Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos at COA’s Washington Conference on the Americas.

OAS Agrees on Unilateral Declaration against FARC

The Organization of American States’ permanent council signed a resolution demanding the unilateral release of all hostages by the FARC. The declaration also exhorts FARC to stop all violent acts and resume peace talks with the Colombian government as soon as possible.

Read an AS/COA interview with OAS Secretary-General José Miguel Insulza.

McCain’s Latin American Tour

Republican presidential candidate John McCain used last week’s trip to Colombia and Mexico to highlight his proficiency in foreign affairs and security expertise. World Politics Review takes a closer look at his trip, his support for the U.S.-Colombia bilateral trade pact, and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe’s even handling of a wide-open U.S. presidential race.

U.S. Presidential Candidates Court Hispanic Vote

Senators John McCain and Barack Obama continued their battle for the Latino vote this week. While trying to sway as many Latino votes as they possibly can, for the second time in the last two weeks they have addressed powerful Hispanic advocacy organizations. Both candidates emphasized their commitment to passing comprehensive immigration reform despite the previous roadblocks in Congress.

An AS/COA analysis takes a closer look at the Obama-McCain battle for the Latino vote.

Drug-Fueled Violence Affects Mexico’s Journalists

Los Angeles Times examines the dangers faced by Mexican journalists covering their countries drug wars. Reporters face killings, disappearances, and intimidation by criminal gangs, which have also attacked newspaper offices. A recent report done by Reporters without Borders identifies Mexico as the most deadly country in the Americas for journalists.

Mexicans Returning from U.S.

The Dallas Morning News writes on a growing trend of mostly Mexican families returning to their hometowns in the face of pressure by increased law enforcement as well as the opportunities presented by improved economic conditions back home. The Mexican consulate in Dallas reports that more than 400 immigrant families have requested transfer documents for their children to be enrolled in Mexican school, more than double than all of last year.

Latin American Leaders at G8 Summit

Mexican President Felipe Calderón and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were present at the G8 Summit in Japan, where they joined other G5 countries (China, India, and South Africa) in urging the G8 nations to do more to cut emissions. Writing for InfoLatam, Federico Steinberg of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid examines the growing importance of Latin American and Asian nations, saying that emerging economies dominate almost 50 percent of global trade and economy but still remain underrepresented in multilateral organizations such as the G8.

Brazil Outshines Venezuela

In a quiet and diplomatic fashion, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has detached himself and his policies away from the outspoken Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez increasing Brazil’s power clout in the region, according to a recent analysis by the International Herald Tribune.

AS/COA hosts its annual Latin American Cities Conference in São Paulo on July 10.

Ecuador’s Government Seizes Four TV Stations

Ecuadorian police seized four television stations, allegedly owned by Ecuadorian entrepreneurs who fled the country after a major financial scandal in 1998. The Minister of Economy Fausto Ortiz resigned because of his disagreement with the presidential sanction of the seizure, raising criticism that President Rafael Correa is limiting freedom of expression and dissent in Ecuador, reports El Pais. 

Panama’s Top Court Reverses Pardons

Last week, Panama’s Supreme Court nullified 183 presidential pardons signed in 2004 by former president Mireya Moscoso. Recipients of these pardons included Luis Posada Carriles and three other Cubans accused of plotting to kill Fidel Castro in 2000. Posada Carriles now lives in the United States, where he was granted asylum.

OECD Pushes Argentina on Anti-Bribery Law

A new report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development recommends Argentina approve swift measures against companies involved in foreign bribery and to bolster its capacity to investigate and prosecute such offenders.

A Closer Look at Fujimori's Trial in Peru

In an analysis for OpenDemocracy, international human rights legal expert Gaby Oré Aguilar takes readers into the high-security courtroom for a closer look at the trial--set to end in August--of Peru's former President Alberto Fujimori, who stands accused of human rights violations and corruption.

Read more about rule of law in the Americas in the AS/COA report Rule of law, Economic Growth and Prosperity.