Latin American Studies Resources

Venezuela was just approved for a 1.4 billion dollar 12-month stand-by credit by the International Monetary Fund to support the nations 1996-97 economic program. This article gives background the economic stressors that Venezuela experienced in the late 1980s followed by a vigorous growth in the early 1990s in association with an increase of international oil prices during the Middle East War of 1990. As the oil prices fell, the economy significantly decreased in productivity and was further weakened in 1994 with a string of major banking crisis' involving the introduction of exchange and price controls. It analyzes the economic program of 1996-97 as well as addressing the social issues and structural reforms that resulted from this difficult economic period.

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.

This site shows two Christian men's beliefs about drinking and drunkenness, based on Scripture. These are not specifically Evangelical views, but it does show a little bit of what the Bible says about alcohol.

I thought this website would be helpful in better understanding Venezuela through current events. There are many sub-topics within the website that make specific searches easier, including those related to crime, culture, religion, and violence, all of which are new subjects of interest while reading Milde's book, Reasons to Believe.

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.

At this years UN meeting in New York the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez Frias, explains the rise in violence against the Honduran people. this violence has grown because of the return of the de facto regime and the return of president Manuel Zelaya.

This is an interesting article about how evangelical churches in Brazil are finding ways to connect with younger people. From fight nights to reggae music to video games and on-site tattoo parlors, the churches have helped make evangelicalism the fastest-growing spiritual movement in Brazil and they function as a social community.

This article was published in 2001. Serrano Elias was elected President of Guatemala and he was a converted Protestant. Thirty percent of the Guatemalan population are Evangelical Protestants. The article discusses how the rise of Evangelicalism is weakening the Catholic Church in Latin American countries. Many have converted because Evangelicalism has assisted people who are in need better than the Catholic Church has.

This article discusses the large decrease in attendants for the Catholic Church and the huge increase of people joing the Protestant faith. It discusses the reasons that many are choosing to go Evangelical Protestant and the fears that a lot of the Catholics have about the newfound change in religion. Latin America being a predominately Catholic put Catholics in a akward position and makes them fear the changes that are to come as a result.

This article from the Time Magazine discusses the Protestant resurgence taking place in Latin America. For example, the Vatican is especially concerned about Brazil, supposedly the world's No. 1 Roman Catholic nation, with 126 million on church rolls. Protestants boast a minimum of 20 million churchgoers and are expanding twice as fast as the overall population.

This is an article about how religious leaders in Venezuela criticize a recently (2008) formed church that openly backs President Hugo Chavez's socialist politics. The church was set up by a group of Anglicans and Catholics to help out the poor, but the ruling body of Catholic Church claims its aim is to divide the church.

This source looks at how issues of violence and crime have effected the development of Latin American societies.

Though it is not focused on Latin America, this source examines how involvement in religion inhibits criminal activity.

This article looks at Evangelism in relation to politics in Venezuela.

This article looks at Evangelism in relation to politics in Venezuela.

This article provides a history of Evangelicalism in Venezuela and may help to illuminate the viewpoints surrounding its rise, as Smilde discusses in his first chapter.

This is a very powerfull article because it talks about the connection that the gangs in Latin America has.Which means that the issue with gangs is not only an Amercian porblem.

THis article is interesting because it show s the different characetristics of Chavez as well as hes opinion as the Venezualian government in other countrys.

This is a a website thta has data and information about drug policy around the world. This website is really helpfull because it gives you a better understanding of the root of were the drug, crime and cartels violence is coming from in Latin American Countrys.

This is a movie that documents the life of two friends growing up poor in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. The themes presented in this film are common throughout Latin America.

This is a movie that documents the life of two friends growing up poor in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. The themes presented in this film are common throughout Latin America.

This article sheds some light on the current kidnapping epidemic in Venezuela. Regardless of class, race, gender, etc., people are being kidnapped and held for ransom. Despite the government's attempt to freeze such kidnappings, the violence continues.