Brown Bag Discussion: Venezuela, Heavy Oil, and a Renewable Energy Transition
IPS’s Sustainable Energy & Economy Network and the Embassy of Venezuela co-sponsor a timely discussion on steps Venezuela is taking to abolish fossil fuel dependency.
Columbus Day Questions
On this Columbus Day, let’s consider the discrepancy between how newcomers are celebrated in our history but ostracized in our society.
The Drug War Spreads the Bloodbath South
It’s time to re-cast U.S. drug policy in Mexico and Guatemala and stop supporting killing methods that end up aiding drug traffickers.
Shadow Warriors: Movin’ On Up
The U.S. is embarking on a military sea change that will replace massive deployments, like Iraq and Afghanistan, with stealthy night raids, secret assassinations, and death-dealing drones.
The Citizens’ Pact for a Mexico in Peace
This pact was read by Olga Reyes and Patricia Duarte in Mexico City’s Zocalo on May 8th, the last day of the March for Peace with Justice and Dignity. The document will be signed June 10 in Ciudad Juarez.
Chinese Take-Over of South America?
China and the United States are going head to head in Latin America, but the United States still has the edge.
Obama in Latin America: Another Missed Opportunity
What might have been a high-profile trip heralding a new U.S. partnership with Latin America based on equity and mutual interests turned out to confirm the same old top-down approach to north-south relations.
Free Trade’s Winners and Losers in Latin America
A free-trade agreement that floods Colombia with cheap U.S.-produced grains could drive farmers to coca production.
Women Lead Latin America’s Growing Anti-Militarization Movements
When George W. Bush left the White House, the rest of the world breathed a sigh of relief.
12 Years Of People’s Democracy In Venezuela
Feb. 2 marks the 12 year anniversary of the inauguration of President Chavez and the beginning of the Bolivarian Revolution. Some of Venezuela’s most impressive achievements that we want to celebrate include: A reduction in poverty by 44% between 1998 and 2008 according to the United Nations Development Programme and the OAS, a fall in unemployment from 16.8% in 2003 to 7% in 2010, an increase by 10 places on the Human Development Index of the United Nations from 1998 to 2008, and the near obliteration of illiteracy.
Review: Dancing With Dynamite
Grassroots social movements helped put left-leaning Latin American governments in place — that doesn’t mean ongoing relationships have been easy.
Brazilian Foreign Policy Under Dilma: Interview with Igor Fuser
On Oct. 31, Brazilians elected their new president, Worker’s Party (PT) candidate, Dilma Rousseff.
How about Saving all the Miners?
Mining endangers communities everywhere with safety hazards and environmental destruction.
Monroe Doctrine 2.0
Keeping our Latin American neighbors seemingly independent, but still supportive of U.S. corporations, requires new methods.
Trojan Drug Horse
A gift horse for us, from the Gringos?