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Aria Auerbach

Latin America moves to decriminalize drugs - 0 views

www.latimes.com/...aws2-2009sep02,0,4623257.story

drugs decriminalization Columbia Mexico personal drug use

shared by Aria Auerbach on 08 Sep 09 - Cached
  • Aria Auerbach on 08 Sep 09
     
    This article from the LAtimes.com demonstrates an interesting outlook on drug possession throughout Latin America. Issues such as drug trafficking and recreational drug use throughout countries such as Mexico and Columbia have increased over the years. However, many proposed laws aimed at decriminalizing drug use have not been approved...This article discusses specific drug-related situations in Argentina, Brazil, and Columbia.
Atsuyoshi Ishizumi

BBC NEWS | Americas | New education clash in Venezuela - 0 views

news.bbc.co.uk/...8216588.stm

Venezuela Chavez Socialism Education Protest

shared by Atsuyoshi Ishizumi on 09 Sep 09 - Cached
  • Atsuyoshi Ishizumi on 09 Sep 09
     
    In Caracas a group of protesters has been accusing the government of President Hugo Chavez of indoctrinating children into backing socialist values. The law requires schools to base their teaching on a certain set of beliefs, specifically "the Bolivarian Doctrine", which refers to the ideals of 19th Century independence hero Simon Bolivar. This article reminds us that some governments, not only in Latin America, still can force people to believe in certain ideas and educate them.
Shannon Coco

Dissident Voice : The Struggle for Women's Equality in Latin America - 0 views

dissidentvoice.org/...mens-equality-in-latin-america

abortion discrimination gender roles government policy machismo patriarchy poverty women's rights religion

shared by Shannon Coco on 15 Sep 09 - Cached
  • Shannon Coco on 15 Sep 09
     
    A radical newsletter in the struggle for peace and justice. Due to religious influences and beliefs, women do not have the rights to their bodies by law, so they seek alternative methods to have abortions, with a large number resulting in death. Similar to our discussion of sexual education in schools, the 'reality' does not match up with what is taught in schools (especially Catholic ones). Instead of being proactive and preventative, abstinence is taught. iolence against women is coming to the forefront as a major concern in Latin America. Termed "femicide," violence against women by men because they are women is a poor result of the hierarchy of the cultural society in Latin America. Machismo and masculinity influence men to feel that they must act this way from a young way in order to exert their power and strength, but it is unacceptable. This article also discusses women's movements and their fight for equal rights as well as rights to maternity leave and other aspects that women who work must take into account.
Kristen Palmer

After Machismo's Long Reign, Women Gain in Spain - washingtonpost.com - 0 views

www.washingtonpost.com/...AR2006100601764.html

Women's Rights Gender Roles Government Gender Machismo

shared by Kristen Palmer on 15 Sep 09 - Cached
  • Kristen Palmer on 15 Sep 09
     
    This article is from 2006, when Maria Teresa Fernandez was allowed to become a judge, which Spanish Law had previously banned. I think it relates to the course because, even though it is in Spain, the machismo culture still exists, and this demonstrates how women's rights are threatening the strength of the machismo culture.
Maria DiGioia

Foreign Policy: Gays in Latin America: Is the Closet Half Empty? - 0 views

www.foreignpolicy.com/...cms.php

Homosexuality Government Policy Machismo Discrimination Gender

shared by Maria DiGioia on 15 Sep 09 - No Cached
  • leah williams on 15 Sep 09
     
    This article talks about how homosexuality is coming out more and more in Latin America, and people are becoming less afraid of the idea through the support of the government movements. It talks about how the term "macho," though still existing, is starting to give way to a more "gay-friendly" region. This article also gives a bit of history on the gay, lesbian, and bi communities and their efforts in Latin America, and how it is rapidly moving to a more accepting environment despite the religious upheaval with it.
  • Maria DiGioia on 15 Sep 09
     
    An article published in February 2009 discusses the change in attitude of towards homosexual people in Latin America. Ten years ago the area still promoted "macho" attitude and took on a "don't ask, don't tell" attitude, however, today groups are fighting for gay rights and making improvements. In 2003 Mexico even passed an anti-discrimination law that included sexual orientation. This new toleration is mainly due to the region no longer being authoritarian as well as gay and lesbian activists groups making a different in government and their local areas.
Libba Farrar

South America - 0 views

www.state.gov/...62106.htm

Crime Gangs Cultural Change Violence Urban

shared by Libba Farrar on 05 Oct 09 - No Cached
  • Libba Farrar on 05 Oct 09
     
    The United States Department of State summarizes the international recognition of the problem of narcotics trafficking. In the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report Argentina has become the transit for cocaine and heroin being produced in Colombia, Brazil, and Peru. Although Argentina itself is not a large producer of narcotics it has advanced chemical production facilities that produce the precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit drugs. Since 2005, there has been an increase in seizures, by the Argentinean government, of heroin, coca leaf, chemicals for cocaine production and a drop in marijuana seizures. Political turmoil is brewing at the border of Brazil and Argentina, which threatens the efforts of the international community to combat narcotics trafficking. In addition to the conflict, Argentina is fighting corruption within their government, which enables the large drug cartels mobility to avoid investigation by law enforcement officials.
Shannon Coco

Coca conflict: Brazil's impending war on drugs. | Crime, Law Enforcement & Corrections... - 0 views

www.allbusiness.com/...5504426-1.html

urban violence gangs cultural change substance abuse

shared by Shannon Coco on 04 Oct 09 - Cached
    • Shannon Coco
      Shannon Coco on 04 Oct 09
       
      While they are seeing an improved quality of life for the majority of Brazilians, those living in Sao Paulo's slums are still combating poverty while remaining vulnerable to gang warfare, drug trafficking, and crime.
Sam Obstfeld

U.S. May Be Open to Asylum for Spouse Abuse - NYTimes.com - 0 views

www.nytimes.com/...30asylum.html

Man-Woman Relationships Investigation of Crimes Protection Relief and Assistance for Women Domestic Violence Refugees

shared by Sam Obstfeld on 17 Nov 09 - Cached
  • Sam Obstfeld on 17 Nov 09
     
    This article details the growing trend of abused and battered women from Guatemala to seek asylum in the United States. In Guatemala, the law refuses to aid the women or protect them, which has led to enormously high rates of spousal killings. Unfortunately, violence against women in Guatelmala is not considered a crime
Elizabeth Hughes

INSTRAW - 0 views

www.un-instraw.org/...itical-violence-against-w.html

Social Conflict Political Violence Women Violence Guatemala Public Policy

shared by Elizabeth Hughes on 15 Nov 09 - Cached
    • Elizabeth Hughes
      Elizabeth Hughes on 15 Nov 09
       
      This article discusses the inclusion of women in the local government in Guatemala. However, women are participating in government in Huehuetenango, Chiquimula, Solala, and San Marcos. Women are acting against political violence. One way that they are doing this is by eliminating corrupted activities within the government. In order to end political violence against women, federal laws must be established against the violence. Having women in the governmental systems, help in governmental response towards the rights and needs of women.
Atsuyoshi Ishizumi

Mexican general makes explosive accusations | La Plaza | Los Angeles Times - 0 views

latimesblogs.latimes.com/...mexican-general.html

Mexico Drug Corruption Organized crime Law enforcement

shared by Atsuyoshi Ishizumi on 09 Sep 09 - Cached
  • Atsuyoshi Ishizumi on 09 Sep 09
     
    This article is about Gen. Sergio Aponte Polito of Mexico, who accused his colleagues of corruption. Aponte heads the anti-drug offensive in Baja California, a state in Mexico. He offered details of specific cases to a local newspaper and named more than one dozen officers, some of them high-ranking officials. The article suggest that there are a countless number of corruptions taking place in Mexico.
Arabica Robusta

Alex Main, "Will New Report Pave the Way for Honduras' Reincorporation into the OAS?" - 0 views

mrzine.monthlyreview.org/...main030810.html

honduras coup instability democracy zelaya mrzine

shared by Arabica Robusta on 08 Aug 10 - Cached
  • The diverging positions of the commissioners are reflected in the text of the report.  On the one hand, several passages in the "Background" section suggest that President Porfirio Lobo, elected in controversial elections held under the coup regime late last year, has made significant efforts to repair the damage done by the coup with measures such as the creation of a so-called "Unity Government" and the Creation of a Truth Commission made up of "national and international personalities of prestige and proven track record," according to the authors.  This section of the report also highlights the Honduran Congress' decision to review an alleged case of corruption perpetrated under the coup regime of Roberto Micheletti and appears to belittle the widespread accusations of ongoing human rights violations and repression of the opposition (it states that "some sectors insist" that the violations are still occurring despite the fact that major human rights organizations, including the OAS' own Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and Human Rights Watch, express the same concern in recent reports).
  • However, the final "Conclusions and Recommendations" section of the report is less favorable to the Lobo government.  In contrast with the "background" section, it explicitly recognizes the gravity of the human rights situation with a call for the "cessation of impunity for human rights violations" and the "adoption of measures to put an end to threats and harassments against human rights defenders, journalists . . . and members of the National Popular Resistance Front" (NPRF) as well as "measures issued to protect the lives and bodily integrity of numerous persons who are at risk."  Perhaps most significantly, it questions the Lobo government's justifications for maintaining some of the criminal charges against President Zelaya -- and thereby preventing him from returning without the risk of immediate prosecution -- and states that "the Commission considers it useful to put an end, in accordance with Honduran law, to the legal actions initiated against" the former president and his associates.
  • The NPRF may have the satisfaction of at last being recognized by the OAS as a significant Honduran actor -- indeed it is the first time that references to the group appear in an OAS document -- but the report makes no mention of its long-standing demand for a referendum on whether to convoke a constitutional assembly; nor does it take into account its demand for representation within the Truth Commission, whose Honduran members are all associated with Lobo's National Party.
  • ...1 more annotation...
  •  In all likelihood -- and despite the best efforts of Insulza and the State Department -- Honduras will not be readmitted any time soon to the hemispheric organization.  South America's refusal to bend to Washington's will is a distinct sign of the times and will hopefully serve as a lesson to any coup plotters in the region: that military coups can no longer be as easily whitewashed and forgotten as was so frequently the case in the 20th century.
Maria DiGioia

indigenous groups at odds over fatal protest in Ecuador - 0 views

www.cnn.com/...index.html

Cultural Change Crime Violence Men Faith

shared by Maria DiGioia on 05 Oct 09 - Cached
  • Maria DiGioia on 05 Oct 09
     
    This article from CNN explains the clash between police and indigenous protestors who were blocking a highway in Macas. Three people were killed and ten were injured. The protest was for the new mining and water law that is being proposed since it will cut off some of the people water sources and, therefore, hurt their crops.
Courtney Connors

Latin America Weighs Less Punitive Path to Curb Drug Use - NYTimes.com - 0 views

www.nytimes.com/...27latin.html

Violence Substance Abuse Urban Crime Cultural Change Corruption

shared by Courtney Connors on 04 Oct 09 - Cached
  • he Supreme Court of Argentina opened a path this week to decriminalizing the private consumption of illicit drugs, becoming the latest Latin American country to reject punitive policies toward drug use.
  • Latin
  • BRASÍLIA — T
  • ...8 more annotations...
  • Mexico’s Congress voted to end the practice of prosecuting people found to be carrying small amounts of illicit drugs, including marijuana.
  • The new laws and court decisions in the region reflect an urgent desire to reject decades of American prescriptions for distinctly Latin American challenges
  • In February, a commission led by three former Latin American presidents issued a scathing report that condemned Washington’s “war on drugs” as a failure and urged the region to adopt drug policies found in some European countries that focus more on treatment than punishment
  • Latin America is a source of much of the cocaine and marijuana that is distributed throughout North America and Europe. Latin American leaders are struggling with the need to crack down on violent drug traffickers while also trying to stem consumption. Punishing users in Latin America has led to overcrowded prisons and has done little, if anything, to curb overall consumption
  • The need to resolve the inherent contradictions led to the formation of the commission on drug use
  • the “prohibitionist approach” to drug control had “wreaked havoc throughout the region, generating crime, violence and corruption on a scale that far exceeds what the United States experienced during alcohol prohibition in the 1920s.”
  • In Tuesday’s ruling, the Supreme Court in Argentina declared unanimously that the 2006 arrests for marijuana were unconstitutional under the concept of “personal autonomy” protected by the Constitution.
  • Argentina has a serious drug problem, but not especially with the use of marijuana. The country has one of the highest per-capita rates of cocaine use in the world and a growing problem with synthetic drugs like Ecstasy. Some parts of the country have also been afflicted by the rapid rise of “paco,” a cheap and highly addictive drug that combines small amounts of cocaine residue with toxic chemicals
  • Jessie Davidson on 04 Oct 09
     
    This is an article from the NY Times that discusses the controversy surrounding the Supreme Court of Argentina's decision to decriminalize the private consumption of illicit drugs.
  • Courtney Connors on 05 Oct 09
     
    In August, the Supreme Court of Argentina decriminalized the private use of illicit drugs. Such inquiries as to whether to accept drug use, help those who are addicted, or maintain the prohibition have arisen internationally at an increased rate recently. The Argentine administration felt that the war on drugs has not succeeded as predicted and it should focus on "treatment (more than) punishment."
SamanthaAndreacchi

The Associated Press: Venezuela to outlaw violent video games, toys - 0 views

www.google.com/...4sL4a0FPny3z4Blw8wy_wD9B4CNKG1

Venezuela crime violence men masculinity

shared by SamanthaAndreacchi on 04 Oct 09 - Cached
  • Morgan Foster on 04 Oct 09
     
    This article details the controversy of crime and violence in Venezuela. It gives the example of kids playing video games. There is a possible new law in Venezuela that outlaws violent video games. Read for more info!
  • SamanthaAndreacchi on 05 Oct 09
     
    Venezuela hopes to outlaw violent video games in order to decrease the crime rate and discourage younger children from committing violent acts learned in video games. However, some argue that the outlawing of video games is an empty attempt and only proves the government's inability to control the country's crime rates.
Shannon Coco

The Tupamaro Gang of Venezuela - 0 views

www.ngcrc.com/tupaprof.htm

violence substance abuse gangs urban venezuela

shared by Shannon Coco on 04 Oct 09 - Cached
  • emerge officially in 1992.
  • But in 1992, Chavez was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Venezuelan Army and he tried, unsuccessfully, to take over the government in a failed coup d’ etat. When the coup failed, Chavez went to prison for two years. While doing time, he met the Tupas. Chavez needed the protection that the Tupa gang could offer, and the Tupas needed the resources and opportunities that Chavez could offer. They have worked well together ever since then in a quid pro quo relationship. Chavez was released from prison on March 26, 1994 and went on to be elected as president four years later (1998).
  •       It is a curious identity that we find in the Tupamaro street gang. On the one hand it identifies most specifically with being a guerilla warfare organization, dedicated to fighting the powers that be and seeking to implement its own type of revolution. On the other hand, it functions as a kind of armed paramilitary group that fervently defends and supports the controversial president of Venezuela — Hugo Chavez.
  • ...14 more annotations...
    • Shannon Coco
      Shannon Coco on 04 Oct 09
       
      this is important to note! while the Tupas are a gang, they also have an important role to play with the government.
  •  The contradiction here is that the identity of freedom fighter or urban guerilla organization is typically “at odds with” or antagonistic to the status quo. Here, in the case of the Tupamaros street gang of Venezuela, we find they have laid claim to the cloak of freedom fighter, but apparently with a new twist: they do not want a new revolution, they like who they have now — Chavez.
  •    The portion of their identity that is “guerilla fighter” is reserved for fighting against police, judges, and others who they need to intimidate. And, as will be shown, this is a gang totally capable of some well-organized, military scale violence.
  •   One of the long standing “identifiers” of the Tupa gang is that they have historically worn a “hood” to hide their face and conceal their identity. These “hoods” are nothing more than dark, black or brown or blue in color, knit face masks that also roll up as a “hat”. They were a part of the Tupa uniform though from their beginning all the way up until recently. A Tupa will today have one in their possessions, they just may not use it as much.
  •             While traffic stood at a standstill, the Tupamaros on motorcycles began their assault — couching it as a “democratic protest”. Highly trained in such urban protest-assault tactics, typically one member acts as a news media representative, videotaping the scene in case they are able to provoke American drivers into over-reacting. In unison, some of the others begin shouting pre-arranged “chants” and protest slogans, some wield banners, but almost all begin launching stones, bricks, eggs, tomatoes, whatever they can muster at the Ambassador’s car.         Although alarming, such actions are typical of a low intensity conflict designed to send a message to the U.S. officials. The Tupas could have just as easily opened fire with armor piecing ammunition using fully automatic weapons. But they did not. Rather, they repeatedly, over time, waged these kind of street protest attacks against the embassy officials.
    • Shannon Coco
      Shannon Coco on 04 Oct 09
       
      staged reaction to the U.S. Ambassador shows that they know how to create a riot in a way that helps them the most. they ensure the right conditions and are able to use the event in their favor
  • The Tupamaros street gang regularly gets away with murder and more.
  • Some people join the gang for the financial or econonic benefits: they are almost guaranteed a job of some kind, today often a government subsidized job. If they personally or have a family member that resides in the “el 23" barrio, then they can live “rent free”. Everyone in “el 23" is a squatter, but the Tupas gang will extort rent payments for anyone living there who is not in alliance to their gang.
  • They feel a need to stand out, to escalate, to take things to extremes, they are fanatical in certain regards. A common method of execution used by the Tupas is to simply hang the victim. The Tupas are known to be armed, have access to military grade weapons, and they make firearms available free to youthful members of the gang.
  • a militaristic sense of entitlement.
  • if a local program was offering assistance to the needy and poor, Tupa members would be first in line seeking any additional handout they can get.
  • The Carapaica gang exists separately and apart from the Tupas. It also identifies itself as an armed leftist guerrilla organization. It functions similarly outside of the law, as a vigilante organization.
  •   The Tupamaro gang leaders are accumulating significant wealth and they function like a local ghetto group who collects “tribute” for King Chavez. Extorting goods, service, and street taxes or protection money is a main ongoing source of income for the Tupamaro gang
  • it illustrates a type of gang organization that has made a transition into state-sponsorship. For gang specialist police officers it is the ultimate example of a gang gone wild: a gang that specializes in extra-legal vigilante-style violence develops over time into a gang subsidized and directed by the government — indeed, major leaders in the Tupa gang today hold positions of enormous “police power” in Venezuela. And as stated, the primary sponsor of the Tupas is Hugo Chavez, the controversial president of Venezuela.
Mark Anderson

Arrests in Rosenburg Case - 0 views

edition.cnn.com/...guatemala.arrests

"Criminal law and procedure" "Civil procedure. International civil "Culture cultural processes Including social change structuralism diffusion"

shared by Mark Anderson on 18 Nov 09 - Cached
  • Mark Anderson on 18 Nov 09
     
    In response to the murder of lawyer, Rodrigo Rosenburg Guatemalan authorities arrested seven men. The men apprehended all had ties to the military or police forces. Still, no one has stated the murderes' motives. Authorities have said however, that the president and his wife were in no way responsible. It is not clear whether these arrests are a political response by the government of President Colom or if there really does exist hard evidence that these men were responsible.
claude adjil

Argentina Gay Couple Granted Marriage License - 0 views

www.nytimes.com/...17argentina.html

Social Rights Argentina Gender Relations Marriage Laws Masculinity

shared by claude adjil on 18 Nov 09 - Cached
  • claude adjil on 18 Nov 09
     
    On Monday in Buenos Aires, Argentina two men were bestowed a marriage license and are planning on what appears to be the first legal homosexual wedding in Latin America. The couple obtained the authority to marry last week when a judge declared that a prohibition on same-sex marriage violated Argentina's Constitution. Mauricio Marci, mayor of Buenos Aires revealed that the city would not appeal the court order, thus prompting other homosexual couples to address their rights in court. However, the mayor did not appear to be an enthusiastic advocate for the endorsement of same sex marriage license as he said, " We have to live with and accept this reality: the world is moving in this direction." No other country in Latin America permits same-sex marriage, although some jurisdictions warrant same-sex partners to configure civil unions with many similar rights.
Jennifer Salazar

Help Save Lake Atitlan, Guatemala - 1 views

www.guatemala-times.com/...ve-lake-atitlan-guatemala.html

guatemala natural resources landscape politics

shared by Jennifer Salazar on 17 Nov 09 - Cached
  • Jennifer Salazar on 17 Nov 09
     
    The article highlights the degrading affect of pollution on Guatemala's natural resources. In particular Lake Atitlan which was once considered "the most beautiful lake in the world" has now begun to show signs of contamination and pollution. The article seeks to call attention to the lack of environmentally friendly procedures-but mentions some new conservation laws being implemented.
Aria Auerbach

Argentine Gay Couple Granted Marriage License - 0 views

www.nytimes.com/...17argentina.html

Marriage Laws Constitutional Principles Unification Gender Relations Masculinity

shared by Aria Auerbach on 17 Nov 09 - Cached
  • Aria Auerbach on 17 Nov 09
     
    This article discusses the marriage of a homosexual couple in Beunos Aires. On December 1st, a man will legally marry a man, for the first time in Latin American history. This article is especially important because it demonstrates a sense of social and political progress throughout Latin America.
SamanthaAndreacchi

Guatemalan Leaders Under Pall in Lawyer's Killing - NYTimes.com - 0 views

www.nytimes.com/...22guatemala.html

Social Sciences Law

shared by SamanthaAndreacchi on 17 Nov 09 - Cached
  • SamanthaAndreacchi on 17 Nov 09
     
    The recent killing of prominent lawyer Rodrigo Rosenberg has created uproar in Guatemala. The most chilling part, however, is that he predicted his own death, and the link to the video he made days before his assassination is provided in the article. As in Reckoning, there is no way to tell who is actually telling the truth in this situation. While there is evidence, for now, it is mainly a fight between the word of Rosenberg and the word of President Alvaro Colom.
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