Guatemalans elected Alvaro Colom president in Sunday's run-off vote. With the country's rampant crime rate a focus of the election, Colom won on an anti-poverty platform over pledges by his opponent, a retired general, to use the military for a fierce crackdown. AS/COA produced a July 2007 report on the rule of law in the Americas.
Guatemalans vote Sunday in a tight presidential race marred by violence and mudslinging. The winner faces the challenge of halting a rising crime rate. Read more. The new issue of Americas Quarterly, released November 2, examines security in Latin America. AS/COA produced a July 2007 report outlining means to boost the rule of law in the Americas.
Despite concerns over the impact of U.S. housing market troubles on the global economy, solid growth has been forecasted for Latin America's real estate sector as it draws foreign investors. At a recent AS/COA discussion forum, experts focused on how global market volatility could affect Latin American economies.
Washington and Mexico launched a new security pact to stem drug smuggling and related violence. U.S. Under Secretary of State R. Nicholas Burns, hosted by AS/COA, called crime "the single greatest obstacle" to progress in Mexico and Central America. The upcoming issue of Americas Quarterly examines security. View a preview of contents.
A new survey finds that migrant workers sent over $300 billion in remittances home last year. In the case of Latin America, the relatively low cost of cash transfers serves as a major factor in a high rate of remittance flows. A recent Viewpoints Americas proposes incorporating remittances into a larger model of expanding microfinance services.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio da Silva headed to Africa to promote a "biofuel revolution" just as his country won a victory in a World Trade Court case disputing U.S. cotton subsidies. During a recent AS/COA roundtable, Brazilian governors discussed biofuel opportunities. A hemispheric update examines Brazil’s energy policy at home and abroad.
