Topic: Ecuador

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Sixth Summit of the Americas: 8 things to watch

Yes, the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena will debate drug policy and Cuba. Here are eight other topics to be discussed at the Summit.
'Drop Dead Healthy': 8 of A.J. Jacob's unusual get-fit regimens

From a working at a treadmill desk to practicing extreme chewing, here are 8 strategies A.J. Jacobs tried as part of his quest for perfect fitness.
Catholicism in Latin America: 5 key facts

Pope Benedict XVI began his second trip to Latin America on March 23, with stops in Mexico and Cuba. Here is a brief history of the Catholic church in the Americas.
Top 5 signs of a weakening FARC in Colombia

In a historic shift, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) says it will no longer use kidnapping as a tool for political and financial gain. The shift comes after three years of government success in weakening the group. Here are five of the defining moments.
What's Ahmadinejad getting out of his Latin America tour?

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s Latin America trip, a whirlwind four-nation tour that began in Venezuela on Jan. 8, is now taking him to the inauguration of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. The trip is his fifth visit to the region since 2007 and has prompted alarm in some corners of the United States that Iran is using the region as a staging ground to attack US interests.
However, many who study Iran’s relationship with Latin America, in particular Venezuela, say fear of an Iranian threat in the Americas is overblown, at least at this point. Here are four reasons why:

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French journalist released by FARC says captors were respectful (+video)

Romeo Langlois, who was captured by FARC 33 days ago and released Wednesday, criticized the rebels for using his release as propaganda, but also empathized with their plight.
Brazil, Venezuela, and Mexico: three ways to nationalize oil

Argentina's renationalization of its biggest oil company, YPF, recently caused an outcry. But the cases of oil nationalization in Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela show that outcomes can vary widely.
Latin America Monitor
Nicaragua divided over death of revolutionary leader

Tomás Borge was the last living founder of Nicaragua’s Sandinista Front for National Liberation (FSLN).
Latin America Monitor
Press freedom falls in Latin America, French journalist missing in Colombia

Freedom of the press is under threat in much of the Americas, according to a Freedom House report.
Argentina's move to nationalize oil firm YPF highlights Spain's decline

Spain used to be one of the most powerful economic forces in Latin America, but now it's struggling to punish Argentina for nationalizing a Spanish-owned oil producer.
Arizona immigration law: Mexico gets involved in US Supreme Court case

The Arizona immigration law threatens Mexico-US relations, says a brief submitted on behalf of Mexico and 16 other countries ahead of Wednesday’s oral argument at the Supreme Court.
Latin America Monitor
Coast Guard siezes 'narco-sub' in Caribbean

Some 80 percent of cocaine leaving South America goes by sea, highlighting the importance of maritime routes to traffickers, writes a guest blogger.
Latin America Monitor
Princess Cruise passes stranded fishing boat, denting cruisliners' image again

A luxury liner sailed past a stranded fishing boat from Panama, even though passengers aboard spotted three men adrift. Two of the fishermen died.
This Earth Day, let's focus on people

Environmentalists go on about the loss of endangered species and degraded coral reefs. But we barely mention people – nature's biggest beneficiaries. This Earth Day, let’s put human well-being at the center of things, and make explicit the value of nature to our everyday lives.
Latin America Monitor
Ecuador: easy base for terrorists and criminals?

The Ecuadorean Constitution calls for 'universal citizenship,' granting free mobility – with or without a passport. But lax regulations are raising fears of easy access for terrorists or organized crime.
Drug policy and Cuba headline Summit of the Americas (+video)

The Sixth Summit of the Americas saw what Mexico's Calderón called a 'radical' change: candid conversation about differences over drug policy and Cuba.
Latin America Monitor
Americas Summit: Will there be consensus on Cuba?

Cuba, as always, was not invited to the Summit of the Americas in Colombia this weekend. But its participation at future meetings could become a major issue.
Sixth Summit of the Americas: 8 things to watch

Yes, the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena will debate drug policy and Cuba. Here are eight other topics to be discussed at the Summit.
Can Colombia's Santos unify the Americas?

Building consensus is important as the Americas struggle with high crime and violence. At this weekend's Summit of the Americas in Colombia, all eyes are on President Santos.
Latin America Monitor
How 'socially inclusive' is Latin America? New indicator ranks countries.

In lead up to Summit of the Americas, a new indicator measures 'social inclusion' based on variables like access to education and jobs in 11 Latin American countries.
'Drop Dead Healthy': 8 of A.J. Jacob's unusual get-fit regimens

From a working at a treadmill desk to practicing extreme chewing, here are 8 strategies A.J. Jacobs tried as part of his quest for perfect fitness.
'Chile's Matthew Shepard': country rallies around gay rights after murder

The brutal murder of 24-year-old Daniel Zamudio has sent support for gay rights soaring in Chile, which has lagged behind many of its neighbors in addressing discrimination.
Follow the money: Government influence on private media in Argentina

The Argentine government was the largest ad buyer for private media in 2010, and some say their financial influence damages the potential for independent reporting.
Catholicism in Latin America: 5 key facts

Pope Benedict XVI began his second trip to Latin America on March 23, with stops in Mexico and Cuba. Here is a brief history of the Catholic church in the Americas.
'Beggars sitting on a sack of gold?' Ecuadoreans protest mining.

Indigenous from across Ecuador marched for 14 days into Quito to protest President Rafael Correa's plan to open large-scale mines on indigenous land.
Latin America Monitor
Is Ecuador prepared to counter rise in organized crime?

Ecuador has been described as the 'United Nations of organized crime,' but authorities may underestimate the repercussions, writes guest blogger Elyssa Pachico.
Biden in Honduras: US drug policy under scrutiny

Even staunch US allies in the Americas are urging a debate on drug policy – including legalization – amid spiraling violence in their countries.
Stefan Karlsson
Currency: Will Iceland go Loonie?

Iceland is considering adopting the Canadian dollar as its national currency. It's an odd choice, but it could be an improvement.
Top 5 signs of a weakening FARC in Colombia

In a historic shift, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) says it will no longer use kidnapping as a tool for political and financial gain. The shift comes after three years of government success in weakening the group. Here are five of the defining moments.
Latin America Monitor
Summit of the Americas standoff: Cuba wants in

President Obama could take the high road and allow Cuban President Raul Castro to observe the Summit of the America's in Cartagena, writes guest blogger Anya Landau French.