Juanson World

Rafael Correa was a landslide winner in Ecuador's presidential election by toning down his populist rhetoric with pragmatic economic policy proposals. Many analysts believe that he will govern from the center despite early bombast against the Bush administration and a close friendship with Hugo Chavez. New York Times

Correa faces a legislature without a single member of his own party: a stiff challenge to his proposed constituent assembly to draw up a new constitution. Wall Street reacted to his proposed restructuring of Ecuador's debt by dumping national bonds. Financial Times, Wall Street Journal

Polarization in Venezuela is at an all-time high as presidential elections approach. BBC

Nicaragua's ban on abortion, approved by the legislature at the beginning of this month, mirrors policies around the region. Washington Post

Norman Bailey, a conservative expert on national security, was named mission manager for intelligence on Cuba and Venezuela. Miami Herald

Cuban rock climbers, who often receive their equipment and training from foreigners, have entered into an unexpected political row with the Castro regime. Wall Street Journal

# posted by Juanson : 10:17 AM