2018: Year of borders, walls and resistances
March 4, 2019
2018 in our America was a year of contradictions that make any single reading or even search for trends impossible. But the issue of borders was a recurring theme.
Category: Democracies
The OAS and Democracy
March 4, 2019
Almagro, who took office in 2015, has been one of the most aggressive leaders of the OAS in representing U.S. interests, often violating the OAS charter in the process. But the perverse violation of the organization’s commitment to democracy in the name of democracy is not new.
European Union, United States Diverge on Venezuela Strategy
February 21, 2019
The deepening political crisis, the open interventionism of the U.S. government and the threat of a civil war scenario in Venezuela have led to a change in the position of the European Union and some Latin American countries.
An Open Letter to the United States: Stop Interfering in Venezuela’s International Politics
January 25, 2019
If the Trump administration and its allies continue to pursue their reckless course in Venezuela, the most likely result will be bloodshed, chaos, and instability.
The Organization of American States Shouldn’t Be Run by Regime Change Zealots
January 23, 2019
Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), recently announced his bid for another 5-year term at the helm of the world’s oldest and most influential regional organization. His re-election would be a major setback for good governance in the region. Hemisphere’s chief regional organization has been hobbled by pro-Trump leadership.
The Fourth Transformation: Benefit of the doubt or responsible criticism?
December 14, 2018
There’s no doubt that after the blue skies and sunshine of December 1st, there are already clouds on the horizon. But the role of an engaged citizen cannot be to simply cross your arms and watch the storm roll in while saying “I told you so”. Giving President López Obrador the benefit of the doubt is to replicate the old styles of rulers who demanded unconditional support for their actions and cloaked themselves in authoritarian power and self-praise. Seeing treachery before it happens ignores the need for facts-based judgement and closes doors.
The G20 is on its last legs in Buenos Aires
December 12, 2018
The G20 Summit met in the Argentine capital on November 30 and December 1 as evidence of the current crisis of multilateralism and put an end to the reason for being a part of this international cooperation forum that groups the strongest countries of the planet, that together represent more than 80% of the global economy.
AMLO’s Inauguration and the Future of Mexico
December 4, 2018
Andrés Manuel López Obrador was inaugurated Saturday, in a ceremony unlike any other seen in Mexico. What’s next for the new president?
Miners from Canada and the United States control 80% of the territory in the Oaxaca Valley
December 1, 2018
In the middle of October, the Juicio Popular y Comunitario Contra el Estado y las Empresas Mineras (People’s Trail against the State and the Mining Companies) was carried out in Oaxaca City, Mexico. The participating organizations denounce that in the Central Valleys, the most populated region in the state, 80% of the territory is awarded to mining companies from Canada and the United States.
“What does the program ‘Remain in Mexico’ mean and how does it differ from ‘Mexico as safe third country’”
November 28, 2018
The Washington Post reports that the Trump administration has the support of the upcoming Mexican administration headed by Andrés Manuel López Obrador, to drive a plan entitled “Remain in Mexico”. This plan would consist of the applicants for exile who arrive to the Southern Border being returned to Mexico to wait for a resolution in their case in the United States’ courts.