Group items tagged

Illustrating how the Bank's role in Latin America and the Caribbean has evolved in recent decades, countries in the region now turn increasingly to the institution for more than direct lending, including such services as risk insurance, commodity swaps, and climate adaptation finance.

The region is doing worse. "Latin America and the Caribbean finds itself in the fifth year of an economic slowdown and the second consecutive year of GDP contraction. Worsening external conditions coupled with domestic challenges have reduced expectations for regional growth to -0.7 percent in 2015, with economic activity projected to drop to -1.3 percent in 2016." But also, Mexico and the Caribbean are experiencing 2% growth, while South America is declining 1.7% or more. Why?

I think it is because (and this is just a theory, I do not know for certain) Mexico and the Caribbean have a direct relationship with the USA, which gives them extra economical assistance outside the World Bank.

"Cost"

I think that is important to look at news from all over the world, and we have not been looking at latin america hardly at all in class. This article provides a snippet of what is going on in Brazil with corruption, and the article also gives a peek into the world of oil outside of the middle east.

A referendum in Chile just rejected a draft of a new Constitution pushed by the new Chilean President Gabriel Boric and his extremely progressive coalition that would have replaced Augusto Pinochet's Constitution. The Constitution included the right to public health care, abortion, free speech, clean air and water, it would have given the federal government greater control over the Chilean economy, and would have officially recognized the sovereignty of Indigenous groups across the country, making it the third plurinational nation in South America. However, 61% of Chileans opposed the new Constitution, and a new assembly will have to be elected to redraft it. This rejection is interesting; does it highlight the overall mood in Latin American politics right now? Is this a rejection of liberal policies? What will the next few months have in store for Chile; bureaucratic breakdown, or unity around a new Constitution?

Really interesting article, Nick! Keep in mind that "liberal" in the international context means low government intervention and capitalism, so the correct way to phrase the question is "Is this a rejection of social democratic policies?" There was a wave of social democracy in Latin America in the 1990s and early 2000s, so I wonder if this is an effort to move that further, an effort which is contested. https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/chile-could-become-plurinational-what-does-that-mean/ As you know, there are many levels of inclusion and exclusion in different societies, and the indigenous rights movement in South America carries a dimension of racism held over from the colonial era, in addition to neocolonialism and extractive capitalism centered on banks and the owners of land.

From the section Latin America & Caribbean Brazilian police say they want to speak to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach about an alleged scheme to resell tickets during last month's Rio Olympics. The police say Mr Bach is being treated as a witness, not a suspect.

latin America a Proving Ground

Cool article that ties into the crypto discussion about Latin America

An interesting article on the Chilean election. This theme reflects on our study of economic approaches, in particular the aftermath of the shock therapy first instituted in Latin America to combat inflation in Chile. This policy was so painful for so many people that, in the 2000s, South America experienced a sharp political left turn, one of whose leaders is Chavez. He has ruled Venezuela with an almost autocratic grip, but seems at his weakest in years for this year's election.

This article is about classism in Mexico

The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), Oxfam, the Center for Democracy in the Americas (CDA), and Cuban Americans for Engagement (CAFE) for a panel discussion about the impact of U.S. sanctions on Cuban women and vulnerable populations in the context of a global pandemic

A new hotline has opened in Bogota, named the Calm Line, aimed to fight the machismo culture in Colombia. Unlike other methods to prevent violence against women, the Calm Line takes calls from men, and pushes men to examine how their long-time attitudes of machismo harm their lives and the lives of others. Latin America, notably Argentina and Mexico, have had recent movements related to women's rights and well-being, including legalizing abortion and femicide. Interesting to see a new method of challenging the culture and machismo.

I'd never thought about this approach to domestic violence/machismo culture.Patriarchy extends in both directions, and attacking one side helps defeat the effects on the other. The've said that a dozen people call in per day, and I'm interested to see if the Calm Line becomes more widely used in the coming years. It certainly is a unique solution.

The border crisis is only continuing to worsen for the US as the amount of migrants is increasing. Subsistence farmers who are unable to make a living in Central America are continuing to venture north in huge numbers in search of a better life.

all miners have been rescued as of 10/13/10. They were trapped since august 5 (69 days)

This article cites a few surveys taken since President Obama took office. It is interesting to look at this in comparison to the article we read from 2006 about Chavez and his disapproval of the Bush administration.

A Columbian referendum intended to ratify the peace deal signed last week between Columbia and the FARC was shockingly rejected, with 50.24% voting against.

I saw that news. I was stunned! What's behind that vote?

"Mr Bolsonaro has outraged many in Brazil with racist and homophobic comments. But his backers see him as a saviour in a crime-ridden country."