Weekly Roundup: What's Next for Ríos Montt Verdict, Brazil's Virtual Border Fence, and Record FDI for LAC

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Argentine “Dirty War” General Dies in Prison

General Jorge Rafael Videla, who headed Argentina’s military dictatorship from 1976 to 1981, passed away at age 87 on May 17. Videla, convicted in 2010 of crimes against humanity, was serving a life sentence in prison. The former military leader was charged with the deaths of 31 dissidents; an estimated 30,000 died over the course of Argentina’s “Dirty War” during the dictatorship. In 2012, a court found Videla guilty of overseeing the kidnapping of babies from political prisoners during his tenure as military leader.

Ríos Montt Verdict: Will It Stand?

Former Guatemalan dictator José Efraín Ríos Montt faces 80 years in prison for genocide and crimes against humanity. The May 10 verdict marked the first time a former head of state was found guilty of genocide in his own country. But will the historic conviction stand? The Guatemalan Constitutional Court is reviewing a series of legal challenges brought against the trial by the defense, which could lead to the annulment of the trial. The Court announced that it will issue a decision on Monday, May 20 at 10 a.m. (local time). Central America expert Mike Allison writes for Al Jazeera about a number of challenges surrounding the verdict, from legal hurdles the trial could still face to internal divisions within Guatemala over the decision.

Following Venezuela Controversy, Peru’s Foreign Minister Steps Down

Citing health concerns, Peruvian Foreign Minister Rafael Roncagliolo resigned from his post on May 15. He will be replaced by Justice Minister Eda Rivas. The decision came after Roncagliolo received criticism for comments on Venezuela. Following the election there, he called for “tolerance” and encouraged the Union of South American Nations to mediate political tensions in Caracas. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said Roncagliolo had made “the mistake of his life” in making the statements.

A Path Divided? Pacific Alliance and Mercosur

The Economist compares the path carved by the Pacific Alliance—the presidents of which will meet in Calí, Colombia next week—with that of Mercosur. The article makes the case that the Alliance members (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru) are pursuing “open regionalism,” which was part of the idea behind the founding of Mercosur in 1991. Meanwhile, the magazine notes, some leaders of Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Venezuela) seek an increasingly protectionist approach. “In its short life, the Pacific Alliance has proved to be a brilliant piece of diplomatic marketing,” says the article. “Now it has to add substance. If it does so, Mercosur may find itself hard put to match the Pacific countries’ race to develop.”

Venezuela’s Toilet Paper Shortage

On May 14, Venezuelan Trade Minister Alejandro Fleming announced that the government would import 50 million rolls of toilet paper, which has been disappearing from the shelves of stores in recent weeks. The minister claimed that there was an excess of demand for the product resulting from “a media campaign created to cause disruption in [Venezuela].” Leopoldo López, head of the opposition Voluntad Popular Party, said it was “crazy” that the ministry would calculate how much toilet paper Venezuelans need. “Probably in Russia or Cuba they do those kinds of things, but in a powerful economy that doesn’t happen,” he said.

Landmark Ruling in Brazil Opens Way for Gay Marriage

In a 14-1 vote on May 14, Brazil’s National Council of Justice­ approved a resolution that permits the country’s notaries to perform same-sex weddings and to convert same-sex civil unions to marriages. Though the Supreme Court can challenge the Council’s decision, the ruling “effectively legalizes gay marriage throughout Brazil,” according to legal experts consulted by The New York Times. Read an AS/COA Online explainer about LGBT laws in Latin America.

Brazil’s Virtual Border Fence Plan

The Brazilian government plans to build a “virtual border shield” using satellites, electromagnetic signaling, drones, and larger military forces along the country’s 10,000-mile border. Known as the Integrated System of Border Monitoring, the project will cost an estimated $13 billion and take a decade to finish. However, since parts of the border lie in thick rainforest or marshland, only 20 percent of the border areas can be accessed, writes NPR.

Mexican Official Forced to Resign over “Lady Profeco” Scandal

On Wednesday, Humberto Benítez, Mexico’s attorney general for consumer protection (an agency known as Profeco) was forced to step down; his departure was the result of an uproar sparked in April by his daughter’s anger over not getting the table she wanted at a trendy restaurant in the capital. Profeco officials tried to shut the restaurant down that same night, but a massive social media trend was already underway displaying that the daughter—henceforth nicknamed “Lady Profeco”—had thrown an unwarranted tantrum. Benítez’s abuse of power led President Enrique Peña Nieto to call for his dismissal in what some herald as a step towards transparency.

Potential Water Shortage on the U.S.-Mexico Border?

A November 2012 amendment to a U.S.-Mexico water sharing agreement of the Colorado River may not be enough to overcome a water deficit within the next 20 years, reports Stratfor. A study released last year by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation—which oversees the river—indicated a potential 3 billion cubic meter shortage by 2035. “Cooperation in conservation efforts and in finding alternative water sources on the U.S. side of the border…will become increasingly important as regional water use increases over the coming decades,” writes Stratfor.

Puerto Rico Introduces Statehood Referendum Bill

On May 15, Puerto Rican Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi introduced the Puerto Rico Status Resolution Act in Congress. The bill, which has 30 co-sponsors, represents the first legislation to pave the way for making Puerto Rico the fifty-first state. The measure calls for a referendum to ask Puerto Rican voters whether they want the island to become a state.

LatAm and Caribbean Receive Record FDI Flows

In 2012, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Latin American and the Caribbean reached a record high of $173 billion, a 6.7 percent increase from the previous year, says an Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean report released May 14. Brazil remained the largest recipient in the region at $65.3 billion, followed by Chile at $30.3 billion. Peru showed the largest increase in funds for 2012 with $12.2 billion dollars. However, several countries showed drops in FDI last year, including Ecuador, Mexico,  Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

OAS Releases Report on Hemispheric Drug Policies

Today, Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General José Miguel Insulza briefed President Juan Manuel Santos on a major new study on drug policies in Latin America. The report was mandated by heads of state during the 2012 Summit of the Americas. Insulza plans to send the document to leaders of other OAS member states ahead of the June 4 to 6 General Assembly in Guatemala. “This was what we wanted, empirical evidence without prejudice,” said Santos. “What we have to do is use serious and well-considered studies like the one the OAS has presented us with today to seek better solutions.” The report consists of an analytical document and a scenarios study.

Colombia’s Energy-Security Connection

The partial privatization of Colombia’s oil company Ecopetrol has coincided with the country’s security crackdown, reports the Financial Times. Producing 60 percent of the country’s oil, Ecopetrol saw output double since 2007. Boosts in production stemmed in part from the commodities boom, as well as reduced violence over the past decade. However, attacks by guerrilla groups cost Ecopetrol about 1 percent of its production last year. Consequently, peace negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia augur well for the industry. “It was necessary to invest in security, but peace would contribute a lot to generate adequate conditions for operations,” said Ecopetrol chief Javier Gutiérrez.

Report: EU-Americas Partnership Should Increase Ties

A May 14 report by the Transatlantic Task Force on Latin America argues for building stronger ties between Europe, Latin America, and North America. The report comes before the EU and United States begin negotiations in July on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, known as TTIP. In addition, the report notes that the EU is a key investor in Latin America, spending about $30 billion a year.

Colombian Coffee Sees Promise in High-End Market

“Colombian coffee is at a crossroads,” says a new article from Modern Farmer. The Andean country is trying to reach more high-end coffee consumers, since this market is the fastest growing segment of the coffee industry, explained Luis Fernando Samper, head of communications for the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia. For the past 10 years, the country’s coffee farmers have invested in boosting quality in order to compete with beans from Panama, Sumatra, and Tanzania. This effort has led to a “rediscovery” of Colombian coffee, explains Geoff Watts, vice president of Intelligentsia, a high-profile specialty coffeehouse based in Chicago. (H/T LatAm Thought)

In Photos: Mexico’s Popocatepetl Erupts

Popocatepetl, the volcano outside Mexico City sometimes referred to by its nickname “Popo,” began spewing ash in recent days. The Denver Post offers an online slideshow of the eruption, ash clouds, and glowing rocks landing along the slope of Popo’s mountain.