Five Sad Reasons to Worry about Peru

“There is something different about the way Peruvians do politics,” writes Rafael Velasquez. “Something scary, it should be said.” Politicians use everything from the powerful coca leaf influence to old resentment towards neighboring Chile to squeeze out a political advantage over their opponents. It is, says Velasquez, a dangerous recipe.

Ecuador and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Ecuador has long championed the struggle against colonialism and criticized exploitative neoliberal policies in Latin America, however, the government’s continued support of resource extraction on Indigenous lands have led them to repress legitimate protest movements, and to violate key legal documents including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the country’s own constitution.

The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and Latin American Integration for the 21st Century

Tara Ruttenberg and Gustavo Fuchs analyze the creation of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) within the new framework of Latin American Integration in the 21st century. They provide insight into existing regional integration initiatives UNASUR and ALBA, and provide commentary as to how CELAC represents a critical tipping point in Latin American integration free from United States dominance.

Ecuador: Protest and Power

An additional tally for the Left. Correa, a young economist endorsed by Venezuela’s Chavez, won the run-off elections in Ecuador 26 November 2006. Although he’ll will swear-in with little or no dispute over the election results, Ecuador’s presidency can appropriately be compared to the unkept roads that clamber through the Andes. Guy Hedgecoe analyzes the bumpy boulevard and shift to the left ahead.