Juanson World

According to remarks published by Granma, Raul Castro told university students to “debate fearlessly” while emphasizing that his brother Fidel is irreplaceable. Washington Post, Miami Herald

As Bolivia and Peru support the legal cultivation of coca, Ecuador and Colombia’s spat over fumigation has brought Hugo Chavez into the rhetorical battle over the US-financed “war on drugs.” Christian Science Monitor

In a joint news conference in Caracas with Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, Ecuadorian president-elect Rafael Correa announced the cancellation of a trip to Bogota in light of tensions due to Colombia’s aerial spraying of coca crops along the Ecuadorian border. AP

Former Peruvian president Alejandro Toledo, currently in the United States, was charged by a Peruvian judge for allegedly having forged signatures to register his political party before the 2001 presidential elections. BBC, AP

Cuba’s National Assembly prepares to conduct its annual year-end meeting without Fidel Castro. AP

A Cuban delegation will visit Venezuela to advise the government on the creation of an anti-corruption commission. Miami Herald

Mary O’Grady writes of her successful effort to get CD holders with the image of Che Guevara removed from the shelves of Target, as well as the “myth” of Che and his legacy in Cuba, especially in regards to practicing Christians on the island. Wall Street Journal

Jose Miguel Vivanco of Human Rights Watch advocates for the end of the US embargo on Cuba and the use of a multilateral approach with US allies in the region in order to aid Cuba in a transition to democracy. Financial Times

Latin America appears poised for another year of positive growth, according to ECLAC, but this growth may not be sustainable due to high commodity prices and remittances as well as the strong growth numbers of Argentina, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela pulling up the regional average. Economist

Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva seeks to end an “aviation crisis” which stems from strikes, delays, and cancellations at Brazilian airports. BBC

Raul Castro said that he will not imitate his brother Fidel’s governing style because he is “irreplaceable.” BBC, AP

German-speaking Mennonite farmers in eastern Bolivia worry that president Evo Morales’s land reforms will endanger their livelihoods. New York Times

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez condemned comments by US ambassador William Brownfield that Venezuela’s lack of cooperation with the DEA had resulting in an increase in shipments of illegal drugs through the country. BBC, Reuters

Argentina has rebounded since its 2002 sovereign debt default, yet are president Nestor Kirschner’s “heterodox” economic policies sustainable? Economist

Despite official pronouncements that Fidel Castro is still alive, Cubans on the island are resigned to the fact that a succession is taking place. Miami Herald

Region-wide, crime and public security have become crucial issues for the public and policy makers. Miami Herald

During a press conference with foreign journalist, Peruvian president Alan Garcia declared that legal production of coca would aid in fighting cocaine production, and citing its many uses in cooking and medicine. BBC, AP

Radio and TV Marti will both be the focus of a government probe next year, led by Democratic congressman William Delahunt. The US-government funded stations, which are broadcast to Cuba, have come under fire for mismanagement and lack of effectiveness. Miami Herald

USAID-funded development projects in Bolivia, such as a farming management program implemented by Food for the Hungry International, are in doubt due to deteriorating US-Bolivia relations. Wall Street Journal

The United States and Panama have signed a bilateral free trade agreement, which faces an uphill battle for ratification in next year’s US Congress. Bloomberg

Mexican troops deployed by president Felipe Calderon in Michoacan have discovered a “hybrid marijuana plant” which can be cultivated year-round and resists herbicides. AP

US Ambassador to Venezuela William Brownfield said that Washington is optimistic in pursuing a pragmatic relationship with Caracas despite ideological differences, seeking cooperation on issues such as trade, energy and drug trafficking. AP

Hippos once owned by Pablo Escobar on his Napoles ranch have grown and produced offspring, providing a dilemma for residents as the enormous mammals represent a safety hazard. LA Times

A street in the upper class Santiago neighborhood of Las Condes will be named after deceased dictator Augusto Pinochet, while other right-wing politicians have proposals for monuments to be erected in his honor throughout the country. BBC, Reuters

Frustrated with the "sluggish pace" of his revolution, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez announced that he would be consolidating his ruling coalition into a single political party. BBC

Peruvian president Alan Garcia seeks the death penalty for those responsible for the attack on police in Ayacucho. BBC

The Mexican government announced that Operation Michoacan United had resulted in the destruction of 600 acres of marijuana plants and 55 arrests of suspected drug traffickers among other initial outcomes for president Felipe Calderon's hard-line approach to drug trafficking. LA Times, AP

Ariel Dorfman comments on the "story of Chile" told through the grandsons of General Carlos Prats and General Augusto Pinochet. LA Times

Through a loophole in US law, TV and Radio Marti, taxpayer funding stations aimed to Cuban audiences, will be shown by two stations in South Florida. Miami Herald

Pedro Roig, the director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, is under fire for alleged cronyism. Miami Herald

Salvatore Mancuso is set to appear in court today as Colombia's parapolitics scandal deepens. Washington Post

Rebels ambushed a police convoy in the Ayacucho region of Peru, killing seven. BBC

The delegation of US congressmen traveling to Cuba were told that Fidel Castro does not have cancer nor is he suffering from a terminal disease, and will return to public life. AP, New York Times

Andres Oppenheimer cautions that despite predictions for solid growth in 2007, Latin America should not be so optimistic because much of this growth is due to a favorable external climate. Miami Herald

Elias Valencia, a suspected head of the Valencia cartel, was arrested in Mexico's Michoacan state, representing the first significant arrest since over 6,000 troops were sent to the region by president Felipe Calderon. AP

Chilean president Michelle Bachelet's decision to allow the morning-after contraception pill to be available for free in state-run hospitals has been the source of controversy in the socially conservative country. New York Times

John Londregan writes about the fallacy of Pinochet's apologists. The Weekly Standard

Fidel Castro spoke to Hugo Chavez and Cuban government leaders via phone, it was the first news about him in 11 days. Chavez denied that he had cancer. BBC, Reuters

Mexican president Felipe Calderon's "Operation Michoacan United" thus far has only resulted in one arrest. LA Times

Brazil's congress has approved a 90 percent increase in salaries for themselves, a move that requires no further vote in congress and undermines President Lula's desire to reduce public spending to jumpstart Brazil's poor national growth rate. Financial Times

"Cambas" came out in the streets, organizing ralies in Santa Cruz demanding autonomy for the eastern Bolivian region. AP, Reuters

Gallup released its first independent poll of Cubans since 1994. The poll was conducted in Havana and Santiago and demonstrates that urban Cubans are not content with their levels of personal freedom to pursue their talents and choices in life. Miami Herald

Ten US congressmen are visiting Cuba for three days, and it is unclear that they will meet with Raul Castro. Critics of the US embargo view this transition period as a potential time for an opening to push through chances in sanctions. BBC, Miami Herald

After a meeting between the Venezuelan foreign minister and the US Ambassador, US-Venezuelan relations appear to be improving slightly, with both sides expressing a willingness to work together. BBC

The Ecuadoran government is considering pulling its ambassador in Colombia after asserting that aerial fumigation of coca near the border was affecting Ecuadoran territory. BBC

Under president Evo Morales, Bolivia is as divided as it has ever been. Over 2,000 hunger strikers are protesting Morales' desire to employ a simple majority to approve the new constitution being written by a constituent assembly. Morales also threatens to deploy troops against upcoming protestors. Economist, AP, Financial Times

While Augusto Pinochet was never tried for human rights abuses, his arrest in London in 1998 and subsequent extradition to Spain set an important precedent in international law for the prosecution of former heads of state for crimes against humanity. Economist

Mary O'Grady predicts that Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez will become even more menacing to the United States during his next six-year term. Wall Street Journal

After its sovereign default in 2001, Argentina is ready to pay back its $6.3 billion debt to the Paris Club, but there is disagreement on the terms of the repayment. Financial Times

According to US intelligence director John Negroponte, Fidel Castro is very near death. Washington Post

Marcela Sanchez comments on the state of US-Latin American trade pacts and the impact of a Democratic takeover of Congress. Washington Post

Oscar Espinosa, an independent Cuban journalist in Havana, talks about the two paths that a transitioning Cuba may take. Miami Herald

Jonah Goldberg says that Iraq needs a Pinochet, not a Castro. LA Times

Andres Oppenheimer asks if Latin Americans are too optimistic, according to the latest Latinobarometro poll. Miami Herald

Approximately 5,000 supporters attended Augusto Pinochet's funeral, and another 60,000 visited his casket in a military chapel. Washington Post, LA Times

The grandson of Augusto Pinochet faces disciplinary action for an unauthorized speech given at his grandfather's funeral. BBC

Mexican president Felipe Calderon authorized the deployment of 4,000 federal troops to the state of Michoacan where skirmishes among gangs related to drug trafficking has claimed over 500 lives this year. BBC, AP">AP

The possibility of a US-Ecuador free trade agreement divides public opinion in Ecuador after the extension of trade benefits through ATPDEA. Christian Science Monitor

A recently released UNICEF report on child soldiers in Colombia reveals disturbing facts, including the average age that children are being recruited having fallen to 12 years of age. BBC

The UN has signed an accord with the Guatemalan government that would set up a commission aiding prosecutors investigating human rights abuses. New York Times

400 emergency officials met in South Florida to prepare for the possibility of the consequences of Fidel Castro's death. Miami Herald

Despite recent political turnover, Latin American markets have continued their solid upward growth. Financial Times

Jamie Darenblum advocates "finesse" in American dealings with the newly elected leftist governments in Latin America. Washington Post

Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet has died, bringing to surface many of the divisions regarding his regime. New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times

Pamela Constable writes of her memories of being a correspondent in Chile before and during the Pinochet dictatorship. Washington Post

The Miami Herald editorial page writes that history will judge Pinochet harshly. Miami Herald

The Wall Street Journal editorial page says that Pinochet's legacy is more complex, and that the majority of deaths under Pinochet took place at the beginning of his regime in fighting between the Chilean army and Allende-backed militias. The Journal also says that there is no evidence the US supported the coup. Wall Street Journal

Alvaro Vargas Llosa comments on the Pinochet legacy. Wall Street Journal

Andres Oppenheimer writes that the "leftist trend" in Latin America is actually a shift towards the right. Miami Herald

The US congress today is set to approve an extension of APTDEA, which would extend the tariff preferences for Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia for six months. The extension is a compromise between different versions of a larger trade bill – the more generous (and sensible) Senate version would have extended the preferences for a full year (which would allow more time for a probable renegotiation of bilateral FTAs with Peru and Colombia) and the House version would have extended preferences only to Peru and Colombia for six months.

This is certainly good news, but Lima and Bogotá are not exactly popping champagne corks. The most likely scenario for next year’s Congress is a return to the drawing board on labor standards and other disputed aspects of the agreements. I blame timing for this one, as the shift in political power mandates that the Democrats flex their muscle on prominent legislative battles, and Peru and Colombia end up being the unintended losers. Throughout the hemisphere, opinion polls show that Latin Americans want trade. It is ironic that the US has leaned decidedly towards protectionism with two strong allies in the region while “leftist populists” win elections nearby.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation approved a grant to El Salvador, and Marcela Sanchez opines that the $461 million should be tied to projects for Salvadorans living in the US. Washington Post

Cuba's Latin American School of Medical Sciences includes many international students, including Americans who are attracted to the medical training which also includes courses in Cuban history. New York Times

By cutting his own salary and allocating funds towards social programs, Mexican president Felipe Calderon began his term adopting the type of measures promised by his defeated opponent Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. New York Times

The two American pilots who flew the private jet in Brazil that crashed into another plane have been charged with endangering air safety. BBC

New Mexico governor Bill Richardson was appointed special envoy to the OAS to work on hemispheric relations. AP

After speculation that Gen. Augusto Pinochet faked his heart attack as a way to avoid a trial for human rights abuses, most Chileans simply want Pinochet out of public life. Economist

The end of formal talks between paramilitaries and the Colombian government will have little effect on the actual demobilization process. Houston Chronicle

The Washington Post editorial page calls Chavez's Bolivarian revolution a "populist fraud." Washington Post

I listened to Oscar Arias speak on Monday during his visit to Washington. Arias, president of Costa Rica once again, spoke of the sadness he felt for Mexico as an invited guest to Felipe Calderon’s inauguration.

The Economist has termed the beginning of Calderon’s presidency “a solid but unspectacular start.” I’m not sure that the term “solid” is what I would use to describe the chaos of the events leading up to the inauguration, as well as what it signified for the consolidation of democracy in Mexico.

Six years ago, Vicente Fox, representing the PAN, won a decisive victory (42.5% vs. 36.1%) that represented the first opening after decades of one-party rule by the PRI. The picture was rosier then as both Fox and George Bush met early in their respective presidencies with optimism for a productive US-Mexico relationship. Well, things look a little bit darker six years later on both sides of the Rio Grande. Calderon won by a fraction of a percentage point, needed bodyguards to take his oath of office, and I’ve been seeing way too many 1/20/09 bumper stickers around DC as the mainstream media begins the never-ending hum of Obama/Hillary/candidate X buzz.

Calderon’s many challenges range from migration to violence to drugs, not to mention his defeated opponent’s threat to operate a “parallel government.” One can only hope that his six years will follow a reverse trajectory than his neighbor to the north.

As Cuban families are opting to have fewer children, birthrates are plummeting and the country's population is aging. The consequences could be a flight of youth after a regime change. Miami Herald

The Cuban government has released dissident Hector Palacios from jail for health reasons. Miami Herald

Andres Oppenheimer discusses the rise of religious populism in Latin America, and admits that it makes him nervous. Miami Herald

Leaders of the AUC paramilitary group in Colombia in jail, in response to a prison transfer, have claimed to have called off the demobilization process with the Colombian government. LA Times, AP

With gasoline costing 17 cents a gallon in Venezuela compared to over 5 dollars a gallon in Brazil, gas smuggling has become a problem on the Brazilian-Venezuelan border. New York Times

Hugo Chavez's victory caps off a year of twelve elections in the region, but there were two types of leftist candidates that won. Christian Science Monitor

Robert Pastor outlines suggestions to improve the sagging US-Mexico relationship, which should not have been focused on migration. Miami Herald

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has recently taken to invoking God in his Bolivarian Revolution. Miami Herald

OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza said that Cuba and the US should initiate a dialogue before Fidel Castro's death. El Nuevo Herald

Amidst rumors that his illness was exaggerated, Gen. Augusto Pinochet was said to be recovering from a heart attack. BBC

Among Chavez's plans detailed in the "Simon Bolivar National Plan" are the renaming of Venezuela to Socialist and Bolivarian Republic. BBC

Guayaquil's candidate, Alvaro Noboa, may have lost, but the city remains optimistic in terms of further investment and economic growth. The new government also promises to implement protectionist economic policies. Latin Business Chronicle

Ecuador has surpassed Iraq in terms of market risk when measuring the cost increase for credit default swaps, or protection against sovereign default. President-elect Rafael Correa's threats to not pay off Ecuador's foreign debt has had a large impact on Ecuador's bonds. Financial Times

Nicaragua's tiny $1.6 billion annual budget only allows for $200 per citizen to spend on social programs. AP

Flavio Sosa, one of the symbolic leaders of the APPO protests in Oaxaca, was arrested by Mexican authorities. AP

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez's decisive victory in Sunday's election gives him the mandate to consolidate power in the country. New York Times

The Financial Times provides an analysis of Chavez's win, declaring that despite his decisive win not all Venezuelan's share the Chavez vision for Venezuela. Financial Times

OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza says that the root of environmental degradation in the Americas is market failure and poverty. Miami Herald

Bret Stephens writes that Chavez's resounding victory could reflect a similar reality in Mexico in six years time. Wall Street Journal

The left has captured nine of the 12 presidential races in Latin America, but the results have reflected two distinct versions of leftist agendas for the region. Miami Herald

Hugo Chavez has won a decisive reelection, winning over 60 percent of the vote. BBC, New York Times, Washington Post

Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet is in stable condition after suffering a heart attack. New York Times

Due to illness, Fidel Castro was not present at his 80th birthday celebration. Financial Times

Despite setbacks in Peru and Mexico, Richard Lapper argues that Chavismo remains a prominent force in Latin America. Financial Times

Haitians voted in local and municipal elections that had been delayed for over a year, with low turnout and some reports of violence. AP

Amid continued chaos in Congress, Felipe Calderon was sworn in as the next president of Mexico. Both supporters of Calderon and opposition leaders of the PRD were camped out in the building for days preceding the ceremony. New York Times, Financial Times

Marcela Sanchez gives her suggestions on ways to improve the OAS electoral missions. Washington Post

Hugo Chavez seems poised to win Sunday's presidential election in Venezuela. Economist

Shipping tycoon Wilmer Ruperti represents a class of "bolibugueses": the rich and powerful supporters of president Chavez. Wall Street Journal

Problems such as strikes, low productions and worker accidents have plagued the Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA. Miami Herald