Oil in the Ground or Pie In The Sky: The Fight for Ecuador’s Yasuní National Park

Monday 1st March 2010, by Gerard Coffey - Alborada.net

The resignation in January of the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister, Fander Falconí came as a real shock to most observers; it was probably not something Falconí himself had foreseen. His departure provoked a minor earthquake within government circles, but a reading of his dispute with President Rafael Correa suggests that whatever the personal grievances, the major problem is not what his resignation implies for the long term well being of the government. The real issue is the future of the complex project he was answerable for, and which led to his exit.

Venezuelan folk singer Gino Gonzalez's song 'Zumbando Puntas' can be heard here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/alboradauk#p/f/3/uMKhhfAdSQI

Celebrating Compromises in Uruguay: José Mujica Inaugurated as President

Thursday 4th March 2010, by Benjamin Dangl - Upside Down World

“The donkey is an intelligent animal because it never forgets where it can eat.” – Farmer, Ex-Guerrilla and current Uruguayan President José “Pepé” Mujica, in an interview with 'La Brecha'.

The smell of fried food and sausage sandwiches filled the Montevideo air as José “Pepe” Mujica assumed the presidency of Uruguay on Monday, March 1st. Street vendors lined the inauguration parade route selling Uruguayan flags to a boisterous crowd which cheered, “Olé, olé, olé, Pepe, Pepe.” Mujica, a former Tupamaro guerilla who was imprisoned and tortured under the country’s dictatorship, stood in front of the multitude with his wife and vice president as he led the crowd in singing folksongs that were outlawed during military rule, La Nación reported.

Dear friends,

Many of you will be contemplating the current situation of people in Chile after the catastrophic earthquake over the weekend and wondering what you might do to help. The Victor Jara Foundation here has begun a campaign to help with the recovery in the most affected areas of the country . More information on the Victor Jara Foundation is at the end of this message.

[To say the late economist deserves credit for the country's building codes shows a lack of knowledge of pre-coup Chile.]

Milton Friedman Did Not Save Chile

Wednesday 3th March 2010, by Naomi Klein - The Guardian (Comment is Free)

Ever since deregulation caused a worldwide economic meltdown in September '08 and everyone became a Keynesian again, it hasn't been easy to be a fanatical follower of the late economist Milton Friedman. So widely discredited is his brand of free-market fundamentalism that his admirers have become increasingly desperate to claim ideological victories, however far fetched.

[An interview with William I. Robinson, Professor of Sociology, University of California at Santa Barbara, by Chronis Polychroniou - Editor, Greek daily newspaper Eleftherotypia.]

There are scare stories coming from Venezuela. The border is heating up, infiltration is taking place, a new Colombian military base near the border, US access to several new bases on Colombia and constant subversion. Is the regime concerned about a possible invasion? If yes, who is going to intervene?

Inside the Revolution: A Journey into the Heart of Venezuela
(Director Pablo Navarrete, 65mins, Alborada Films, 2009)

February 2009 marked 10 years since Hugo Chavez took office, following a landslide election victory, and launched his revolution to bring radical change to Venezuela. While wildly popular with many in the country, Chavez's policies and his strongly-worded criticisms of the U.S. government have also made him powerful enemies, both at home and abroad, especially in the media.

Movimientos @ Rich Mix

Movimientos brings a fresh programme of exceptional live music with some of the finest emerging Latin musicians and artists alongside a selection of documentary film showcasing some of the important issues affecting the continent. Plus DJs, visuals, photography and Latin culture with a different country and theme each month

Thursday 11th March
Venezuela special

Brazil as a Key Player

Wednesday 17th February 2010, by Raul Zibechi - Center for International Policy (CIP)

Brazil is now a big league player. In the decade in which it begins its ascent, the country is so important that it is forcing its main competitor in the region, the United States, to redesign its foreign policy to take into consideration Brazil's prominence, a tactic that might destabilize all of Latin America.