Juanson World

The Wall Street Journal editorial page laments the consequences of Democrats blocking FTAs with Panama, Peru, and Colombia. Wall Street Journal

As Pope Benedict prepares to arrive for a four-day Brazil visit, the Catholic Church faces challenges from declining membership and Penecostal Protestantism in the region. The Economist

Two army deserters attempted to hijack a Cuban charter flight, killing an army officer in the process. Miami Herald, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, AP

Former Bolivian president Tuto Quiroga joined five former Latin American finance ministers in expressed his concern that the Paul Wolfowitz scandal at the World Bank is aiding Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. The ministers called on Wolfowitz to resign in a letter to the Financial Times. Financial Times

Marcela Sanchez comments on Colombian president Alvaro Uribe’s little known “dark side.” Washington Post

A Mexican government report states that more than half a million Mexicans migrate to the US every year, which tops the number of annual deaths in the country. AP

Mexico City plans on making the teaching of the Aztec language Nahuatl compulsory in public schools starting in 2008. BBC

There have been nine attempted hijackings in Cuba since 1987. AP

Three Republican members of Congress from Florida blasted the Justice Department for sending FBI agents to Cuba in order to collect intelligence on Luis Posada Carriles. Miami Herald

Brazil is close to breaking a patent on an AIDS drug after negotiations with Merck broke down. AP

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez threatened to nationalize private banks as well as the country’s largest steel producer. AP, Reuters

# posted by Juanson : 9:41 AM