Weekly Roundup: A Cuban Anniversary, Richardson Declines Post, Spare Change in Argentina

Cuba Commemorates 50 Years since Revolution

Five decades after Fidel Castro took the helm in Cuba by defeating the forces of dictator Fulgencio Batista, the Cuban government celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Cuban Revolution with small rallies and a televised ceremony with a speech delivered by President Raúl Castro gave a speech with a historical viewpoint.

Media outlets around the world have weighed in on the anniversary. In text accompanying a photo gallery, the BBC described celebrations on the island as “low-key” as a result of the deteriorating economy. NPR’s “All Things Considered” takes a look back at the collapse of the Batista regime as well Cubans’ views on their country. Russia Today’s website features an interview with Raúl Castro’s daughter Mariela Castro, who reflects on Cuba’s future after the death of her uncle Fidel. In its latest issue, Letras Libres chronicles the painful transformation of Havana from a beautiful town into a city in ruins as an illustration of the failures of the revolution. The Economist discusses how the promise of a free society morphed into a coercive communist state guided by Castro and his Ernesto “Che” Guevara.

In a December interview on PBS’ Worldfocus, AS/COA’s Christopher Sabatinit discussed what Moscow’s growing ties with Havana mean for Washington.

Richardson Pulls Name from Cabinet Post Consideration

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson—one of the highest profile Latino politicians in the country—withdrew his name from consideration as a nominee for the post of U.S. secretary of commerce in the Obama administration. He faces a grand jury investigation on how some state contracts were awarded. Richardson’s decision could deal a blow to pending trade agreements given his public commitment to strengthening hemispheric commercial ties, as reported by McClatchy.

Venezuela Ends Cheap Oil Program in U.S.

Falling oil prices prompted the Venezuelan government—via its U.S.-based subsidiary Citgo—to curtail some of its assistance programs in the hemisphere, starting with those for low-income families in the United States. Starting in 2005, Citgo distributed fuel to families in 23 states at a discount of 40 percent through the charitable organization Citizens Energy.

Latin American Leaders on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The Latin Americanist blog compiles the range of reactions across the region to the Israeli air strikes and ground operations in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is considering the expulsion of Venezuelan diplomats in retaliation for Caracas’ decision to expel the Israeli ambassador and other diplomatic personnel. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez chose to eject the Israeli diplomats in response to civilian casualties suffered by the Palestinians in Gaza.

Insulza Withdraws, Opens Door for Frei

OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza removed his name from the presidential race in Chile for the Concertación coalition party. New York University Professor Patricio Navia writes that Insulza lacked the determination to become the chosen candidate for Concertación, and that rumors over his possible candidacy debilitated his influence as OAS Secretary General.

With Insulza out of the race, Chilean former President Eduardo Frei appears poised to become Concertación’s candidate and challenge Alianza frontrunner Sebastian Piñera.

Canada’s Prime Minister Puzzle

In an Americas Quarterly web exclusive, Quebecor/Sun Media Senior Editor Huguette Young follows the political trail of Prime Minister Stephen Harper over the past few months, taking readers from the October federal election to his confrontation with an opposition coalition that led to the resignation of Liberal Party leader Stéphane Dion. The fate of the premiership will likely be decided at the end of January, when the Conservatives present their budget.

El Salvador to Hold Legislative Elections

As a preamble to the upcoming presidential elections in March, Salvadorians will hold legislative elections on January 18. There are 84 seats up for grabs in the legislative assembly, currently under control of the Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA). The election could serve as an indication of the popularity of ARENA candidate Rodrigo Ávila as well as his opponent Mauricio Funes of the Farabundo Martí Liberation Front.

U.S.-Panama Relations Revitalized

In a Miami Herald op-ed arguing for the passage of a trade deal with Panama, COA's Eric Farnsworth examines the U.S.-Panamanian relationship since 1989. "In one generation—literally—the United States and Panama have gone from hostility and military action to development spurred by globalization and trade," he writes.

Bleak 2009 Outlook for Honduras

The Honduran government failed to implement a series of deregulatory reforms required by the International Monetary Fund to guarantee access for much-needed credit, IPS reports. In an effort to face the current credit crisis and bolster the economy, President Manuel Zelaya announced the increase of the minimum monthly wage from $157 to $289.

Brazil Steps Up Military Presence in the Amazon

Following up on its vow to reduce deforestation, Brazil announced that it will nearly double its military presence in the Amazon in an effort to protect the approximately six million square kilometers of the world’s largest rain forest. The plan involves more than half a billion dollars of military investment over a nine-year period, Mercopress reports.

Little Spare Change in Argentina

West Virgiana University Professor George Selgin writes in the Wall Street Journal about the lack of coins available in Argentina as of late. A shortage of coins hurts merchants who cannot give the correct change for purchases. The Central Bank blames speculators and regular citizens for stockpiling the coins and keeping them out of circulation. Selgin suggests that one way out of this problem is to authorize private companies to produce their own coins.

Colombia and the War on Drugs

Newsweek assesses the U.S.-financed Plan Colombia, which aimed to reduce the amount of coca plantations and overall production. The latest data shows that despite more than $6 billions in foreign aid and Colombian President Álvaro Uribe successes in restoring confidence and security, coca cultivation has grown by 15 percent since 2000.

Chihuahua’s Prison Program Offers Transparency Model

The Christian Science Monitor offers a report about how Chihuahua City is taking steps to restore confidence in the local police department by opening itself up to public scrutiny; a surveillance system installed in the municipal jail allows constant monitoring by human rights workers to help guarantee transparency and accountability.

Violence May Deter Mexicans from Returning Home

Despite the fact that immigrants face shrinking job opportunities in the United States, rising violence and abduction rates in Mexico has pushed many immigrants to help family members back home move North. The New York Times reports about kidnappers in Mexico who demand ransoms from victims’ family members living abroad.

Zapatista Movement in Mexico Turns 15

To commemorate 15 years since their uprising against the Mexican government in Chiapas, the Zapatista movement leader Subcomandante Marcos made a rare appearance at a four-day conference in San Cristobal de las Casas. Los Angeles Times reports that Marcos weighed in on a variety of topics, ranging from the conflict in Gaza to Mexico’s struggle against drug traffickers. He also railed against opposition leader Andrés Manuel López Obrador and voiced pessimism about the incoming U.S. administration.