Tigo celular no está contigo en Honduras
Maria Suarez Toro reports from Honduras, where feminist organizations continue to oppose the coup, and stand up to the pressure of elite business interests.
The Illusion of Democracy in Latin America
In light of the excesses, corruption, “emptiness” and elitism of certain “exemplary” Latin American democracies in the 20th Century, Tara Ruttenberg reflects on the emergence of leftist, populist, participatory democracies in the region, celebrates their successes, and warns against the possibility of backsliding into authoritarianism.
Pragmatism and Integration for Central America’s Economic Future: Exercising Freedom of Choice
Urging pragmatism toward advantageous relations and sustainable fair trade practices with new economic allies while targeting equitable domestic development strategies, this piece identifies key policy areas where Central America is set to benefit most from its strategic positioning in the Americas and within the wider global economy. In light of the economic shortcomings and detrimental social implications associated with free trade agreements and historical dependency on the United States, this set of policy recommendations seeks a new approach. In short, Central American leaders, while eager at the opportunities, must practice caution in opening to new markets in China and Europe, while at the same time strengthening regional integration within Central America and with the rest of Latin America through bilateral and multilateral approaches geared toward diversification, wealth redistribution and economic growth with sustainable social equity.
Peace needs Messengers
In the weeks leading up to the 2010 Costa Rican election, outgoing President and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Oscar Arias Sanchez visited the students, staff, and faculty of the University for Peace, marking the official inauguration of UPEACE’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
In his address, President Arias emphasizes the social and political progress of the past thirty years, and argues that a continued commitment to education for peace, through the development of the imagination, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to engage in politics, will bring us further towards the goal of a peaceful world.
Costa Rica moves towards militarism
Monica Paniagua comments on the current debate in Costa Rica about increasing the scope and weapons of the national police force as a response to the ongoing border dispute with Nicaragua. Paniagua argues that Costa Rica should stay true to its tradition of diplomacy and avoid the slippery slope to militarism.
Honduras: The Forgotten Coup
Contributing columnist Gustavo Fuchs details the lack of media coverage of violent repression against the popular resistance movement in post-coup Honduras, contrasting the underreported Honduran realities with the media’s recent obsession with popular demonstrations in the Middle East. Fuchs highlights the Honduran government’s repressive response to teachers’ strikes and impunity towards campesino murders – virtually absent in the headlines. Selective media bias in support of hypocritical Western agendas has left the Honduras resistance to fend for itself while the Middle East gets all the attention.
Obama’s Visit to El Salvador
Victor Valle, Associate Vice Rector of the University for Peace and former member of the Frente Farabundo Marti para la Liberacion Nacional (FMLN) movement in El Salvador, comments on US President Barack Obama’s visit to El Salvador and its implications for future Salvadoran-US relations.
An Interview with BriBri Leader Don Timoteo Jackson
An Interview with BriBri Leader Don Timoteo Jackson Author: Candice O’Grady Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 10/05/2007 Category: Interview From the road to the BriBri reserve you can see the humid blue hills of Panama. Stretching along the southern reaches of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, the 13,700 indigenous people who live on […]
Costa Rica: utópicas realidades
Un viaje histórico a través de los hitos y logros principales que han contribuido a la construcción de la Cultura de Paz en Costa Rica, cuyo legado es parte del presente de un país afamado internacionalmente como la utopía pacifista centroamericana.
December 1st, Day of the Abolition of the Army, Costa Rica
Ronald Castro Fernández describes the circumstances around Costa Rica’s decision to abolish the army in 1948, and its enshrinement into the constitution in 1949.