Venezuela votes

...In New Orleans. When Venezuela shuttered its consulate in Miami, New Orleans became the closest polling place for Florida's 20,00 Venezuelans

Panderer

Paul Ryan goes to Little Havana. From the Miami Herald:

"The Republican vice presidential candidate did not mention that he once opposed the U.S. trade embargo against the island, but he pointed to his change of heart — prompted by Miami’s current and former Cuban-American Republicans in Congress, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart.

“They’ve given me a great education — lots of us in Congress — about how we need to clamp down on the Castro regime,” Ryan told supporters at the Versailles restaurant. “We will be tough on Castro, tough on Chávez.”

Ryan, a Wisconsin congressman, has voted against the embargo at least three times. The Midwest tends to see trade opportunities in agriculture with Cuba."

"The Walton Way?" How Wal-Mart became Mexico's largest retailer

Investigative journalism at its very best, making the complex and attenuated coherent. As a side-note, I always wondered how Wal-Mart was able to plant its flag so close to Teotihuacan. I think we can now assume that some part of the alleged $24 million in bribes played a part.

Only in South Florida...

Miami Marlins (when did they drop 'Florida' from their name?) skipper Ozzie Guillen expresses admiration & 'love' for Fidel Castro to a TIME reporter, gets suspended 5 games.

News Headlines from the Near-Future: "Obama Reelected with 70% of the Latino Vote"

"Experts attribute margin to this moment captured at PHX Airport."

Me Encuentro En Argentina, Boludo

I'm currently living in Buenos Aires conducting an externship with the Defensoria Oficial Ante La Corte Suprema de la Nacion, the Federal Public Defender before the Supreme Court of the Nation. A completely different species from the US variety, and an entity that is much farther reaching and powerful in this and other Latin American nations. More on that later.

I arrived two weeks ago, yet I have been slow to record my observations. In many ways Argentina is a familiar place, but in others it's quite foreign. It's taken some time to get my bearings. In the coming month I'll share more about my experiences en la tierra de parilla, empanadas, y alfajores.

Last week I stayed in on a Friday night. My porteño family had friends over and asked me to join them for dinner. As I recall, the wide-ranging conversation went like this; the best pizza in Buenos Aires (the vote of one was for El Cuartito on Talcahuano), the striking similarities between the US-Argentinean Constitutions, stolen watches on the Subte, habitually closed streets for rock festivals, the tenets of Anarchism, the tenets of Communism, la dictadura, a money-laundering scandal that involves the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo (the subject of future posts), an old case of an orthodontist who killed his family and plead insanity due to abuse by his mother in law, Paraguayan and Bolivian immigration to Argentina, los cartoneros (cardboard and scrap recyclers who haul giant wheelbarrows down the street ignoring the honking buses), how much argentinos hate to work, Argentinean exceptionalism, and finally, futbol.

I held on till 2:30am when I asked permission to excuse myself. Marta, the woman I live with, turned to me with a sneaky smile saying, "Peter, que mal educado!" The conversation continued without me for at least another hour.

Keikomentum?

A couple of polls have begun to show Keiko opening a 3-4 point lead over Ollanta Humala for the June 5 election. Her strength in Lima, where she outpaces Humala by around 20 points, is a key factor in her lead. The two candidates will debate on Sunday.

In other news, Keiko has hired Rudy Giuliani for some photo ops and presumably some motivational talks. They might get around to drafting some bullet points on improving security in Lima, maybe even the provinces. 

Get this Article to the President

The Economist, of all publications, has suggested a solution to the Posada Carriles issue that would send the admitted terrorist to Venezuela to face trial in exchange for the USAID subcontractor, Alan Gross. Gross was sentenced in Cuba last month to 15 years in prison for delivering video phones to the island's Jewish community. President Jimmy Carter returned from Havana empty-handed shortly after his conviction.

The article doesn't address the all but certain certain fallout in Little Havana, where Elián pt. II could ensue, but does point out that the initial extradition order issued by Venezuela was blocked by a Florida judge for specious reasons. The judge cited fear of torture in Venezuela, which the author claims, despite its many other problems, doesn't have a significant track record of torture.   

The Cubana flight 455 that Posada Carriles has admitted to bombing was headed from Barbados to Jamaica, could President Obama broker a deal where one of these two nations would put him on trial?

A Terrorist's Homecoming: Little Havana & Luis Posada Carriles

Recently acquitted of lying to immigration officials about his admitted role in a string of deadly 1997 bombings targeting Cuba's tourism industry, Luis Posada Carriles, returned victorious to the cradle of anti-Castro hysteria this week, Miami's Little Havana. There, members of the old-guard community feted him and raised money for his legal bills at the Big Five Club, a sort of Cuban social club and banquet hall. He was even congratulated by the latest in a long line of Cuban-American militant members of Congress from South Florida, David Rivera (whose life, by the way, reads like a soap opera).

Posada Carriles has been in the mercenary trade for decades as sort of an ideological mirror image to Che Guevara. He was briefly jailed after the revolution and took up arms against Castro during the Bahia de Cochinos invasion, though he didn't come under fire. Strangely enough, that invasion took place 50 years ago this week. Posada Carriles then spent the next 40 years directing anti-Castro and anti-communist activities across Latin America, including as the mastermind of the Cubana flight 455 bombing, which killed 73. He confessed as much to the excellent Cuba reporter Ann Louise Bardach, who told his story in his own words in Cuba Confidential, her wild ride through Miami's exile community and its sad history with the old man and the island they left behind.

Posada Carriles is a man who has caught plenty of lucky breaks. By his own account, he has survived a couple of assassination attempts and he's escaped justice in Venezuela and Panama. His acquittal last week in El Paso on lying to the feds focuses a glaring light on the fact that the US has never tried him for the bombings themselves. The Justice Dept. shouldn't close the case on Posada Carriles. The man who boasted to Bardach that he sleeps, "like a baby," ought to be held accountable. For the integrity of our own justice system and to show Latin America that we can take steps towards dismantling our double-standard on the rule of law, Posada Carriles shouldn't be allowed to become the elder statesman of Little Havana.

An Innocent Abroad

Meet Eva Golinger, Hugo Chavez's biggest fan and American muse. A quote from Simon Romero's NYT profile:

“Golinger has systematically attacked defenders of human rights and freedom of expression by presenting them as puppets of Washington, something far from the truth,” said Andrés Cañizález, who came under her scrutiny for heading a press freedom group that received financing from the National Endowment for Democracy.

“Paradoxically she uses a right established in the United States, of access to public information, which Venezuelans do not have,” Mr. Cañizález said.

And here is Golinger discussing complots on state-owned VTV. The issue for me is not the veracity of her arguments, conspiratorial as they may be. I tend to agree that there are concerted efforts trying to undermine Chavez's rule in order to beat him at the polls. But why not? Mr. Chavez has shown that he is not a genuine democrat. He has silenced media outlets and citizen opponents, incarcerated independent judges, and allowed crime to sky rocket during his 12-year rule.

Ya Basta! Who's Killing LGBT People in Honduras?

The blog blabbeando has focused attention (mine at least) on the rise of hate crime murders of LGBT people in Honduras. Read here for more information, some of which is quite graphic. The US Embassy has also stepped up the awareness and the pressure by issuing a public statement.

Cuba Travel Deferred

It appeared, for a brief moment, this summer that lifting the travel ban on US citizens to Cuba might just be the legislative dark horse in this feeble Democratic-led Congress and make it through. Not so after all. Howard Berman, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, had this to say:

"For a very long time, I have either led or supported efforts to repeal restrictions on the freedom of Americans to travel. The current prohibition on Americans traveling to Cuba is the last obstacle to the full enjoyment of this right. I strongly support H.R.4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, which would eliminate the Cuba travel restrictions.

"The Committee had been scheduled to consider this legislation tomorrow, but it now appears that Wednesday will be the last day that Congress is in session before an extended district work period. That makes it increasingly likely that our discussion of the bill will be disrupted or cut short by votes or other activity on the House floor. Accordingly, I am postponing consideration of H.R. 4645 until a time when the Committee will be able to hold the robust and uninterrupted debate this important issue deserves. I firmly believe that when we debate and vote on the merits of this legislation, and I intend for it to be soon, the right to travel will be restored to all Americans."

They'll get another chance after the midterms, but don't hold your breath. Until then, most of us will have to observe from afar how "privatization" or as it's known in Granma, "the great victory of socialism", plays out on the island.

WOLA and LAWG call Zapata's death "a tragedy", "indefensible"

The Washington Office on Latin America and the Latin American Working Group have now each issued statements criticizing the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo at the hands of the Cuban state on February 23. From WOLA:

"The death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo is a horrible tragedy. Mr. Zapata should not have been in prison. The Cuban government should not criminalize peaceful political activity or those who defend human rights. Prison authorities should have recognized his deteriorating health, and responded." 

and LAWG:

"This tragic death, and the continuing practice of detaining opposition voices in Cuba, calls us even more strongly to change U.S. policy toward Cuba. We look forward to a time when U.S. citizens and Cuban citizens may freely associate, traveling to one another’s countries without restriction from either government."

It is good for policy organizations who advocate for an end to the travel ban and el bloqueo, as does Armar una Bronca, to forcefully, frequently and publicly call on the Cuban regime to respect human rights, democratize, and free prisoners of conscience. This robs parties opposed to US-Cuban dialogue the space to criticize steps taken towards closer relations.

Dolor de la madre del fallecido

From Generacion Y:

This afternoon, hours after the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Reinaldo and I were able to approach the Department of Legal Medicine, where autopsies are performed, in Boyeros Street.

A cordon of men from State Security were watching the place, but we managed to approach Reina, the mother of the deceased, and ask her the questions in the recording posted here.

Pain, indignation in our case…sadness and fortitude in hers.  Here is the recording, amateur and in very low light, but the heartbreaking testimony of an anguished mother.

English transcript of Yoani Sanchez video interview of Reina Tamayo, mother of Orlando Zapata Tamayo

Yoani Sanchez: We are here to express our condolences. We would like to know at what time did he pass away, what do you know about his last minutes, what are your feelings right now, and what is going to happen after he is released by the coroner?

Reina Luisa Tamayo Dangier: I am Reina Luisa Tamayo Dangier, the mother of prisoner of conscience Orlando Zapata Tamayo who was interned in the hospital of the Habana del Este Prison. Last night he was moved to the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital where he passed away at 3:00 PM.

I can tell you I feel a horrible pain, but I am holding on, enduring through this pain. I was able to be at his side until he passed away and now hope to have the courage to dress my son Orlando Zapata Tamayo.

We will leave for Banes, Holguin Province, Embarcadero road, house number six, where we will hold the wake before our family altar, at my home, for as long as required.

I want to tell the world about my pain. I think my son’s death was a premeditated murder. My son was tortured throughout his incarceration. His plight has brought me great pain and has been excruciating for the entire family. Even, as he was transferred to this prison, he was first held in Camaguey without drinking water for 18 days. My son dies after an 86-day hunger strike. He is another Pedro Boitel for Cuba. [Pedro Luis Boitel died in 1972 during a hunger strike while serving a 10-year prison sentence in Cuba]

In the midst of deep pain, I call on the world to demand the freedom of the other prisoners and brothers unfairly sentenced so that what happened to my boy, my second child, who leaves behind no physical legacy, no child or wife, does not happen again. Thank you!

Cuban Dissident, Orlando Zapata, Dies in Jail

A Cuban dissident has died after a hunger strike lasting 86 days. Orlando Zapata had been imprisoned since the so-called Black Spring of March 2003 when over 75 dissidents were rounded up and given lengthy sentences under summary trials. Raul Castro called the death lamentable and uttered some unintelligible accusations against the US while his security forces surrounded the home of the fallen activist threatening to arrest anyone attempting to visit the family. Government officials who transported the body to his hometown of Banes insisted that he be buried immediately but his family refused. His funeral will occur on Thursday.

Particularly galling was the response from pro-government lackey, Enrique Ubieta, who wrote on Cubadebate that Zapata was a, "common prisoner-with a long rap sheet not at all connected to politics," and that Zapata's cadaver is "now cynically exhibited as a trophy."

Haiti

The absolute fear that the Haitian people must now be feeling is too overwhelming to comprehend. The scenes of destruction that I have witnessed through my computer screen suggest that perhaps a generation will pass before a sense of normalcy returns to the country. When you consider that many of Port-au-Prince's (whose metro areas comprises 20% of the country's population) public buildings, including the presidential palace and parliament as well as a large number of schools and hospitals have been destroyed, it seems altogether likely.

Though it is my hope that healing  and recovery come quickly for the Haitian people, I regret that this disaster may soon be off of our radar. Please stay engaged, tell others and give meaningfully.

Partners in Health, operating in Haiti since 1987, is one such organization that you may consider.

Zelaya Still Couch Surfing at Brazilian Embassy

The Honduran Congress will vote on the deposed president's return on December 2. The US has signalled that they will accept the presidential elections scheduled for November 29 regardless of whether Zelaya is returned. This doesn't bode well for Zelaya's chances within the chambers of the obstinate legislative body. Here are some prospects for Honduras, the coup leaders, and Zelaya over the next several weeks.

In the end, it was the US

With just under a month before scheduled elections in Honduras, and three months remaining before Mel Zelaya's presidential term expired, the Obama administration begrudgingly took leadership of negotiations and hammered out an agreement to return democratic order to the shunned nation. The administration could no longer position itself as just another member of a coalition of concerned nations in the region and I think they served themselves well by allowing for more home-grown efforts, such as those of the OAS and President Arias of Costa Rica, the opportunity to succeed first.

In the end, it was not economic sanctions or revoked visas that allowed for a breakthrough but enagaement and a self-acceptance of Washington's unique ability to get people to pay attention to their demands. This should serve as a timely reminder of the necessity of US power in the region and an argument for sustained engagement in the region, a point that Eric Farnsworth makes over at Americas Quarterly.

The New York Times has this to report:

During a half-hour telephone call last week, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton took a leading role, making it clear to Mr. Micheletti that the United States was growing impatient with the stalemate and demanding that democracy be restored. Mr. Micheletti later joked with his aides that she stuck so close to her message it appeared she had a limited vocabulary. “I kept trying to explain our position to her,” he said, according to officials close to the talks, “but all she kept saying was, ‘Restitution, restitution, restitution.’ ”

Honduras is not out of the penalty box yet, leaders in Congress are saying they're not a rubber stamp and both camps continue to bicker to the detriment of the fragile agreement. Though one can be certain that the presidential candidates, whose legitimacy depends on a quick resolution, would sure like to be.

Zelaya to Reclaim the Presidency?

A deal appears to have been reached between Mel Zelaya and the coup government of Roberto Micheletti. Secretary of State Clinton called it "an historic agreement" and had this to say from Pakistan (of all places to be brokering a deal on Honduras!):

“I cannot think of another example of a country in Latin America that, having suffered a rupture of its democratic and constitutional order, overcame such a crisis through negotiation and dialogue.”

The Honduran Congress must essentially ratify this deal in order to return Zelaya to power ahead of the November 29 election. And if they don't? Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get there. In turn, I imagine the world is ready to accept the legitmacy of the pending election and drop the sanctions imposed since Zelaya was expelled from the country in June.

Obama's Latin Americanists

After seeing how powerful an unconfirmed Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs could be during the Bush administration, one Otto J. Reich, I would like to devote space on this blog discussing the Latin America team that President Obama is constructing.

First off, Obama's nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs:

The chileno and current Director of Georgetown's Center for Latin American Studies, Arturo Valenzuela, has been tapped for the above mentioned position at State. Although his vote has been delayed by Sen. DeMint due to to unhappiness with US policy regarding Honduras, his confirmation should come by next week.

So who is Valenzuela and what has he done? Well, it turns out he's no stranger to Democratic administrations having worked at State during Clinton's first term and moving to the White House during the second term to serve as Special Assistant to the President on National Security Affairs as well as a senior staffer at the NSC. He also advised Hillary Clinton during last year's campaign (which should allow him some autonomy at State, as one can see he's been a respected partner of the Clintons for nearly two decades) and Michael Dukakis during the 1988 election.

Although he has spent much of his life in the US, he returned to Chile frequently and became a trusted member of the opposition to Pinochet and helped organize the 'No' campaign in the 1988 presidential referendum. Overall, he appears to have mellowed into a centrist who, colleagues say, doesn't have much of an ideological bent.

Please stay tuned for recurring posts on Obama's guys and gals in Mexico City, Brasilia, and Foggy Bottom.