LATIN AMERICA - NEWS BRIEFS – CONTENT:

Special Elections 2010 Report:

·         Costa Rica Elects First Woman President

·         Chile’s ‘Locomotive’ Breaks Ruling Party Hold

Economy and Politics:

·         UNASUR Haiti Relief Conference Quells Regional Tensions

·         Latin America’s Changing Drug Policies

Media:

·         Escobar Documentary Reunites Drug War Sons

·         Bolivia Enters Final Frontier with New Satellite

Tourism:

·         Peru Recovers from Mudslides

·         Uruguay Airport Voted Among “World’s 15 Most Beautiful”

·         Rio de Janeiro Kicks off Carnival amid Record Heat

Cultural Interest:

·         Colombian City to Serve as Haiti Rebuilding Model

·         Argentine Family’s Green Initiative Plastic Bottle Home

Special Elections 2010 Report:

Costa Rica Elects First Woman President

This February, Laura Chinchilla became Costa Rica’s first woman president, following a landslide victory that saw the ruling National Liberation Party candidate capture 47% of the votes.   Chinchilla’s win also makes her the fifth democratically elected female leader in Latin America’s history, and part of a growing trend of women politicians who are changing the face of regional politics.

Experts are attributing part of Chinchilla’s success to her close association with outgoing President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias, who leaves his second term in office with a 73% approval rating (Arias’s popularity was boosted further by his involvement in the recent Honduran mediation process - Christian Science Monitor).  As his former vice president and representative of the ruling political party, Chinchilla offered voters a sense of continuity, while her background as public security minister quelled rising concerns over Costa Rica’s role in regional drug trafficking and related violence – the peaceful nation of rainforests, eco-hotels, and surfing is also an unwilling corridor in the Colombia and Mexico drug trade.  To this end, Chinchilla promised to raise spending on security by 50% (New York Times).

In addition to combating crime, Chinchilla also promised to create more jobs and improve the standard of living for children and the elderly.  However, her ‘free market’ economic policies may yet face stiff opposition as her first term gets underway.  According to the Guardian, her commitment to open-pit mining is drawing the ire of environmentalists, while her support of free trade is setting trade unions against her.  Even Arias, despite his popularity, fought a hard road to win sufficient backing for his orchestrated free trade agreement with the US in 2007.  This time around, Chinchilla – whom detractors fear will let Arias rule from afar (Wall Street Journal) – may find liberal party opponents in Congress only too eager to block her proposals.

For all the impending discussion over whether or not Chinchilla’s appointment signals a slight regional turn to the political right, her position as that rare female head of state is significant.  It signals that a woman in Latin American politics is no longer the exception.  Back in 1974, Argentina’s Isabel Peron made history when she took over office after the death of her husband, Juan Domingo Peron (becoming the world’s very first female president, in fact).  But it would take another fifteen years before the region saw Nicaragua’s Violeta Chamorro become the Americas’ first elected female president in 1990.  Since then, Latin America has experienced a 30% increase in female representation, with women constituting 25% of ministerial cabinets – a interesting contrast to 16% in the US. Chile and Argentina, two of South America’s largest economies, have been represented by women presidents since 2006 and 2007, respectively, and political pundits are expecting at least two female names on the presidential ballot in Brazil’s October elections.  And while gender has little relevance in a president’s ability to foster progress (critics of Chinchilla will point to her staunch social conservatism), it does go a long way to inspiring empowerment and engagement among the hundreds of thousands of women who still struggle against poverty and social oppression in Latin America today.

Interesting fact:  North America’s first female head of state, though not technically elected, was Haiti’s Ertha Pascal-Trouillot.  She assumed the office of interim president a few months before Chamorro’s election in 1990.

Chile’s “Locomotive” Breaks Ruling Party Hold

In what the Los Angeles Times has named a “democratic milestone”, Chile voted to end the 20-year rule of the center-left coalition Concertacion this January by electing as their new president the nation’s richest man, conservative billionaire Sebastian Piñera.  Known as the “Locomotive” for his boundless energy and rapid speech, Piñera used his tested financial acumen to win over an electorate nervous about the economic future of Chile.  A lacklustre opponent in former president Eduardo Frei, and the constitutional ineligibility of current president Michelle Bachelet from re-election, also contributed to his victory. 

But with the campaign concluded, Piñera must now make good on several promises that might seem to run counter to his conservative position.  Most importantly, Piñera must relinquish financial control of the Chilean companies that present a conflict of interest.  Chief among these is LAN airlines – the market is already stirring with the impending sale of his 25% share in the company, worth $400 million.  Another key company is the leading private television station, Chilevision.  Careful to avoid an unflattering comparison to controversial billionaire Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his dubious ownership of Italy’s major media channels, Piñera has vowed to transfer 100% of his stake in Chilevision to a non-profit foundation (Latin American Herald Tribune). 

Piñera will also deviate from the conservative platform regarding social programs.  Even early on in his campaign, Piñera was no doubt conscious of the tough act he had to follow - the progressive Bachelet just this month enjoyed a record approval rating of 83%.  He thus made short work of identifying himself as a social liberal, and although his campaign ads featuring gay couples received a mixed response, voters welcomed his proposals for expanding on Bachelet’s social welfare programs.  Part of his Social Protection plan is expected to pay a “March Bonus” of $74 to all low-income households, benefitting 4 million Chileans.  His administration also plans on subsidizing the hiring of workers and creating family agencies to support more employment (Santiago Times).  In all, Piñera has targeted a 6% economic growth rate and the creation of one million new jobs, a rather ambitious goal in a workforce of 7.3 million, says the Economist, but then, this is the “Locomotive”…

Economy & Politics:

UNASUR Haiti Relief Conference Quells Regional Tensions

Members of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) set aside differences during a meeting in Quito, Ecuador, this February to pledge $300 million in aid to help the Haiti recovery (Bloomberg).  The Caribbean nation’s tragedy has united the twelve nations, many of which have struggled with recent regional tensions.  Case in point, the meeting marked the first time Colombian President Uribe returned to neighboring Ecuador since his army’s cross-border attack on a rebel camp two years ago. 

The UNASUR accord calls for a $100 million fund, along with $200 million in ‘preferential’ credit from the Inter-American Development Bank.  Targeted programs in the reconstruction effort include agriculture, electricity infrastructure, health, and education.  Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa also suggested eliminating tariffs on Haitian imports and subsidizing natural gas exports to the island nation.  Venezuela, which cancelled its scheduled attendance because of a domestic electricity crisis, was one step ahead of Correa, having forgiven $295 million in oil-related debt, about one third of Haiti’s foreign global debt, this past January.

The UNASUR meeting followed President Correa’s visit to Haiti on January 30, where he condemned what he witnessed in the country as ‘foreign occupation’ (BBC).  Other Latin American leaders have joined his view, unsettled about the western military presence and influential NGOs that have assumed control in the devastated areas.  They are instead urging UN forces to take over command.  Indeed, the earthquake disaster has only highlighted Haiti’s poverty and social vulnerability, and with aid slow to come and crime a rising concern, the small nation finds itself as ever at the mercy of western donors.  Despite the best of humanitarian intentions, these circumstances will make it difficult to stem regional fears that donations today open the door to exploitation tomorrow. 

Latin America: Changing Drug Policies

Changing Latin American attitudes in 2009 towards drug use and possession may be an indication that the 40-year long US-led War on Drugs is at an end, a Reuters report asserted this January.  If the recent drug-related violence in areas like the Mexico-US border is anything to go on, then it does rather appear that former President Nixon’s 1969 program has missed the target. 

Some readers may recall our October Newsletter, which discussed the Argentine Supreme Court’s summer ruling on punishment of personal drug use as unconstitutional.  The ruling was based on a 19-year old’s successful challenge of his month and a half-long prison term for possession of two ounces of marijuana.  Mexico that same month decriminalized possession of small amounts of narcotics, ranging from marijuana to heroine and crystal meth.  This trend away from US’s ‘zero-tolerance’ policy was already underway in 1994, when Colombia decriminalized small possession. In 2006, Brazil joined the movement, ruling that possession may not be punished with jail time, but can lead to forced treatment, education, and community service. 

Now, countries are going a step further.  Hard-line Ecuador, which last year pardoned 2000 ‘drug mules’, ended Washington’s lease this December of a Pacific air base, from which US aircraft had refueled en route to patrols of the Andean regions (Independent UK).  Bolivian President Evo Morales, who expelled US Drug Enforcement agents from the country, is currently involved in promoting coca production and has, as part of his second term agenda, already announced an increase in the size of coca plots that small farmers may cultivate.

The remarkable aspect of this is that the US Administration, in past years so adamant against any relaxation in drug policy, remained silent on the subject for much of last year.  Reports in the likes of Reuters and the Independent reason that this passive approach may be the result of acceptance that the Drug War has failed.  In Mexico, despite walls, funding, and even military deployment on behalf of the Mexican government, some 16,000 people have lost their lives while violent cartels continue to thrive.  Moreover, crop eradication in South America has only managed to shift cultivation from one area to another.  Even within the US themselves, several states have legalized medical marijuana, opening new windows to this long-standing debate.

And the deeper one delves into the debate, the more obviously complex it becomes.  Critics of the new shift towards decriminalization, for example, fear it will only serve to create an unprecedented level of drug dependence, which in Latin America especially, overwhelmed treatment centers and underfunded hospitals are not prepared to handle.  Proponents of easing policy argue that those fears are unfounded.  Financial support would actually increase for treatment, they claim, while police efforts would be able to more effectively focus on large traffickers.  Also, small-time users would be spared jail time, a key element in their argument, as prisons represent a breeding ground for criminal activity and recruitment. 

Either way, neither side should think that the Drug War is entirely buried.  If readers will remember, it was only a few months ago that the US-Colombian agreement to use military bases in Colombia for drug surveillance sparked an ongoing row between the Andean nation and its neighbor, Venezuela.  Furthermore, contrary to the regional trend and past position, Colombia introduced an amendment to its constitution last month that re-criminalizes possession of narcotics.  It is difficult to tell whether the Reuters report attributes this change in direction to substantial US funding, frustration with domestic cartels, political posturing, etc.  It is also difficult to tell how the country will be affected by President Uribe’s denunciation this February of his own National Narcotic Directorate (DNE), whose members stand suspected of involvement in illegal drug trade.  One thing is certain - with drug use on the rise in Brazil and Argentina, and Mexico’s drug gangs nowhere near under control, this debate is long from over

Media:

Escobar Documentary Reunites Drug War Sons

The Colombian documentary “Sins of My Father”, tracing the rise and fall of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, as told by his son Juan Pablo, has become a certified hit with Sundance Film Festival audiences this past month, Reuters reports.  Apart from the riveting details regarding Escobar’s ascent to folk hero and the road that led the Colombian to notoriety and a violent end, the documentary is gathering acclaim for Juan Pablo’s remarkable feat of reaching out to the sons of his father’s political advisories.  After his father’s death in 1993, Juan Pablo fled to Argentina and, with a $4 million bounty on the 16 year old’s head, took the alias Sebastian Marroquin.  That Marroquin, who has turned to a peaceful life in the years since, convinced the sons of men, some the victims of Escobar’s assassinations, to meet with him speaks volumes to the possibility for change.  Director of the documentary, Nicolas Entel, points out, however, that many more in the Colombian establishment are less eager for reconciliation, “because the connections between Pablo Escobar and politicians and businessmen and the powerful in Colombia have never been investigated.” Still, it’s a step in the right direction.

Bolivia Enters the Final Frontier with New Satellite

Pending Chinese support, Venezuela’s “Simon Bolivar” is set to be joined by indigenous Bolivian freedom fighter “Tupac Katari” – up in space.  At least that is the hope of President Evo Morales, who in the weeks following his re-election has created the Bolivian Space Agency, in the hopes of boosting communications by launching his country’s first satellite.  Morales is counting on his upcoming visit to China to result in a similar agreement that saw the Chinese fund Venezuela’s $400 million “Simon Bolivar” satellite last year.   The “Tupac Katari” satellite should carry an equally hefty price tag of $300 million, when it goes into production next month – slightly more than the $1 million Bolivia has thus far allocated to its fledgling space program.  Morales’s optimistic belief in China’s commitment is not entirely unfounded – the Asian nation has in recent years made concerted efforts to expand its economic influence in Latin America. Bolivia particularly poses an attractive opportunity, with its lucrative deposits of lithium.  The Bolivian people have not remained idle either – Mandarin schools are springing up all over La Paz this very moment.

Tourism:

Peru’s Tourism Mecca Recovers from Mudslides

Torrential rains and flooding in the Cuzco region of Peru trapped 3500 tourists visiting Machu Picchu this January, and cost the lives of 20 others, while five more people remain missing, AFP recently reported.  As thousands of tourists are airlifted out of Aguas Calientes, the village gateway to the ruins, and tourism agencies struggle to reimburse months of already scheduled travel, Peru’s finance minister fears the country stands to lose 0.64% of its GDP this year – a huge blow to the travel industry’s projected growth of 10% in 2010.  The Incan ruins, which remain cut off from the outside, constitute 90% of Peru’s tourist revenues, with about 175,000 people working in the Cusco tourism industry, according to the Peru Tourism Observatory. 

Although the historic citadel sits safely at 2500 meters above sea level, train tracks and hiking trails to, are severely damaged. With helicopter the only current method of transport, the government’s top priority has become making repairs to the railway, which when operational carries upwards of 2220 tourists to the Inca site daily.  The Peruvian government is also offering assistance to more than 35,000 locals affected by the destructive mudslides.  But scientific experts are also urging officials not to overlook the causes of the flooding.  According to the AFP, the chaotic development of the Vilcanota River, winding about Aguas Calientes, is partly to blame for the terrible mudslides and loss of life.  With tourism revenue a pressing concern, the Peruvian government would do well to heed their advice and begin planning precautions. 

Uruguay Airport Voted Among “World’s 15 Most Beautiful”

Uruguay’s newly inaugurated air terminal in Carrasco made Travel & Leisure’s “15 Most Beautiful Airports in the World” list, along with the Malvinas Argentinas Airport in Ushuaia, Argentina, reported Mercosur this February.  The Carrasco air terminal ranked for its “JFK circa 1960s” design spirit that features sweeping lines, sunlit rooms, and top floor terraces that create welcoming meeting spaces and grant dramatic views of the runway.  The Malvinas Argentinas Airport benefited from its stunning location, amid the Andes, and the natural, alpine timber-frame design of its main building. 

The praise for the Carrasco terminal comes at the heels of Urugay’s most successful tourism year.  In 2009, visitor arrivals reached 2.1 million and tourism income amounted to a record-breaking 1.5 billion US dollars, according to Tourism Minister Hector Lescano.  The country is on track to enjoy another solid year – only two weeks ago, Punta del Este, Uruguay’s main sea resort was overwhelmed by 12,000 visitors on a single day.  Although yachters complained about the lack of access to the harbor, the pile-up boosted industry confidence.

Rio de Janeiro Kicks off Carnival amid Record Heat

As the Brazilian Carnival season kicked off with legendary parades and block parties, Rio de Janeiro faced down its worst heat wave in 50 years.  Just a week before the start of festivities, temperatures reached 115 degrees Fahrenheit, with heavy humidity making the heat index even higher.  The severe conditions tragically cost the lives of 32 elderly in the city of Santos, near Rio de Janeiro.

But heat was not enough to deter visitors, or to calm the controversy surrounding the inclusion of a seven-year old girl among the notoriously provocative drum queens of the parade.  Julia Lira, the youngest ever performer to fill the role, is the daughter of the samba school director, who spent much of the lead up to the parade battling children’s welfare groups for Julia’s inclusion.  Arguing that his daughter was the heart of his school and would be sensibly dressed, Lira won out and Julia made history before 60,000 cheering fans and a barrage of photographers.  After a short bout of stage fright, the young dancer bravely led her drum section, away from the scrutiny of television cameras.  Among those who caught the show was Madonna, who attended the parade as Rio de Janeiro Governor Sergio Cabral’s guest of honor.  

Cultural Interest:

Colombia City Serves as Model in Haiti Rebuilding

Faced with the monumental task of rebuilding his nation as the season of rains and hurricanes lies at his door, Haitian Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aime is looking to his southern neighbors for guidance – namely, the town of Armenia, Colombia (Reuters).  Although the earthquake toll in Haiti is unparalleled, Armenia, tucked away in the coffee-growing hills of Colombia, can relate.  A decade ago it was rocked by an earthquake that damaged 65% of the city, killed at least 1,200 people, and left tens of thousands more homeless.  

What followed the disaster was the creation of a public task force called FOREC, which proved so successful in coordinating international, state, and private reconstruction and donations efforts, it won a United Nations prize.  Bien-Aime is hoping the FOREC model will give Haitian people the freedom to decide the direction of their country’s recovery, while assigning assisting countries specific responsibilities under a comprehensive plan.

The priority for now is the wrecked capital of Port-au-Prince, where I million people remain homeless on the street and in various makeshift camps.   The Haitian government intends to implement a three-phase plan that would move a portion of this displaced population to other parts of the country, help protect those who have found temporary shelters, and assist the people remaining in the city’s damaged neighborhoods. 

Argentina Family Launches Green Initiative with Plastic Bottle Home

At the foot of the inspiring natural wonder of Iguazu Falls, in the town of Puerto Iguazu, a local Argentine family has inspired a nation with their own green living initiative – by building a home entirely of recovered materials.  The structure of Alfredo Santa Cruz’s revolutionary home consists of 1200 plastic bottles and 1300 pack cartons, along with plastic CD case windows, while interior furnishings include plastic bottle couches and a bed. The Santa Cruz property even features an all plastic bottle life-size playhouse for their daughter. Dubbed ‘Casa de las Botellas’ (House of Bottles), the functioning home is not only a case in grass roots ingenuity, it is also becoming something of a tourist attraction for visitors to the nearby Iguazu Falls National Park.  Mr. Santa Cruz is hoping his green initiative will inspire others, especially in low-income areas, and is giving free courses on construction to any person or community, humbly asking only for travel expenses and a place to stay.  To read more on the project, visit http://lacasadebotellas.googlepages.com.