Juanson World

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