12/19/13

Latin Pulse: 12.19.2013

The popularity of telenovelas throughout the hemisphere returns to the attention of Latin Pulse this week.  This is the third in a series of special reports on telenovelas: going beneath the surface to analyze the gender identity issues and racism involved in the productions.  The program also looks at the important cultural aspects of these popular programs.  The news segment of the program covers the return of Michelle Bachelet to the presidency in Chile; as her historic win is the first time a woman has been returned to the presidency in that country's history.

The program includes interviews with:

Carolina Acosta-Alzuru of the University of Georgia; and 
Guillermo Avila-Saavedra of Salem State University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 





































12/12/13

Latin Pulse: 12.12.2013

Peace and the growing power of women in Latin America provide the twin themes this week on Latin Pulse.  The presidential elections in Chile which have two women vying for the presidency provide the backdrop for a discussion of how women have moved into the key positions of power in the region.  The program also gives an update on progress in the peace talks meant to settle the civil war in Colombia, a war that has gone on for almost 50 years.  The news segment of the program covers the police strike and resulting violence in Argentina.

The program includes interviews with:

Macarena Saez of American University; and 
Gimena Sanchez of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 









































12/5/13

Latin Pulse: 12.05.2013

A controversial election and a controversial prisoner hold the primary focus on Latin Pulse this week.  The election was held in Honduras, where opposition parties claim the National Party used fraud to stay in power.  The way the election was carried out has some questioning whether reforms to bolster the rule of law are possible.  The program also looks at the case of Alan Gross during the week he marked his fourth year incarcerated in Cuba.  The program looks at how the Gross case is tied to the case of the Cuban Five and U.S. support for Cuban exile groups.

The program includes interviews with:

Adriana Beltran of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and
Bill LeoGrande of American University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 





































11/21/13

Latin Pulse: 11.21.2013

Mexican cinema takes a well deserved bow on Latin Pulse this week in this 60-minute special. The program gives a full review of the history of Mexico's contributions to theatrical film-making and the influence of key Mexican film-makers now on global cinema.  This special program includes segments of a one-on-one interview with Arturo Ripstein, an award-winning Mexican director.  Ripstein discusses his influences and the program shows his impact on the current Mexican cinema scene.  The news segment of the program covers the presidential debate in Costa Rica in preparation for elections in 2014. 

The program includes interviews with:

Mexican film director Arturo Ripstein; and
Jeff Middents of American University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell;
Associate Producers: Rae Daniel & Megan Ekhaml; and

Reporter: Zach Cohen.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 60 minutes in length and the file size is 55 MB.)

 































11/14/13

Latin Pulse: 11.14.2013

Major military takeovers of the past resonate through two elections this month in Latin America.  Those elections in Chile and Honduras are the central focus on Latin Pulse. In Chile, two women whose families took different sides in the coup that brought General Augusto Pinochet to power are the leading candidates.  The program covers the key economic and educational issues in that election.  The conversation also covers the coming Honduran elections where questions of fairness, corruption, and violence are important.  The news segment of the program covers new economic initiatives in Venezuela to control consumer prices. 

The program includes interviews with:

Patricio Navia of New York University & Universidad Diego Portales in Chile; and
Eric Olson of the Wilson Center.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell;
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 

































11/7/13

Latin Pulse: 11.07.2013

Comprehensive immigration reform is a promise in Washington, D.C., but what are the chances of it becoming reality?  That debate takes center stage this week on Latin Pulse. The program examines why has the legislation stalled and what are the prospects for passage through 2015.  The program also deals with the effects immigration policy has on immigrants coming from Mexico and Central America.  Also, the discussion covers the debate over guest worker programs and other provisions of the proposed reform.  The news segment of the program covers a new breakthrough in the peace talks aiming to end Colombia's long civil war. 

The program includes interviews with:

Tamar Jacoby of ImmigrationWorks USA; along with
Lee Williams and Tiffany Nelms of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell;
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 



























10/31/13

Latin Pulse: 10.31.2013

Latin Pulse goes online this week on Halloween, which provides a backdrop for the exploration of the culture of death in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America. The program discusses in-depth the Day of the Dead traditions in Mexico, Guatemala and the United States.  The program also discusses the folk saint Santa Muerte in Mexico and how that icon has become popular among drug cartels.  The program also connects the Day of the Dead celebrations and Santa Muerte to indigenous religions. The news segment of the program covers a conference for indigenous women in Peru. 

The program includes interviews with:

Prof. Rhonda Buchanan of the University of Louisville; and
Prof. Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell;
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 












































10/24/13

Latin Pulse: 10.24.2013

El Salvador takes center stage this week on Latin Pulse. The program includes an interview with El Salvador's ambassador to the United States and ranges through a variety of topics: immigration, corruption, politics, the Drug War, street gangs, and human rights.  The ambassador openly discusses how many of these endemic problems will need long-term solutions and strategic thinking. The news segment of the program covers the latest regarding the NSA spy scandal and Mexico.  The program also includes a commentary on a controversial presidential popularity poll regarding Bolivia, Ecuador and Nicaragua.

The program includes an interview with:

Ambassador Ruben Zamora of El Salvador.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell;
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 



































10/17/13

Latin Pulse: 10.17.2013

Drugs and the Drug War are the central focus this week on Latin Pulse. The program examines in detail the proposed law in Uruguay that will legalize the use and sale of marijuana.  The program also notes how Uruguay is using the experience of Colorado and Washington states in the U.S. as examples for how to shape its system for legalizing marijuana.  Also, the program ncludes an interview with the author of Midnight in Mexico, about immigration and the Drug War.  The news segment of the program covers the opening of a new trial for the oil company Chevron to dispute damage findings by indigenous groups in Ecuador's Amazon region.

The program includes interviews with:

John Walsh of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and
Alfredo Corchado of The Dallas Morning News & the author of Midnight in Mexico.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell;
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 































10/10/13

Latin Pulse: 10.10.2013

The deterioration of diplomatic relations between Brazil and the United States is the central focus this week on Latin Pulse. The program looks at how Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff has responded to the revelations of spying by both the United States and Canada in her country.  During the program experts discuss the diplomatic, economic and political fallout from the espionage scandal.  The program also looks at how Rousseff's responses to the scandal have had an impact on domestic politics in Brazil.  The news segment of the program tracks the progress of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner after her cranial surgery.

The program includes interviews with:

Prof. Cristina Pacheco of the State University of Paraiba; and
Prof. Oliver Stuenkel of the Gertulio Vargas Foundation.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell;
Producer/Reporter: Curt Devine; and
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 








































10/3/13

Latin Pulse: 10.03.2013

Presidential elections and the campaign season in Honduras and Chile hold the focus this week on Latin Pulse. The program covers allegations that the Honduran judicial and political systems have deteriorated sufficiently that some are questioning whether the elections this fall will be free and fair. The program also reviews the key players and issues in Chile, including calls for reforms to the constitution, along with the educational and energy systems. The news segment of the program covers the diplomatic disputes between the United States and Venezuela regarding accusations the U.S. is interfering in the Venezuelan economy, politics, and electrical system.

The program includes interviews with:

Dana Frank of the University of California - Santa Cruz; and
Carl Meacham of the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS).

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell and
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 
































9/26/13

Latin Pulse: 9.26.2013

This week, Latin Pulse shines a light on the situation for the media in Latin America and threats to free speech.  The program looks at how indigenous groups in Guatemala are disenfranchised when it comes to running public media outlets.  Also, the program includes a discussion about current state threats to free media and how media outlets are often now seen as replacing opposition parties in some parts of the region. The news segment of the program covers the speech of Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff at the United Nations and how she condemned the United States for its espionage programs.

The program includes interviews with:

John Dinges of Columbia University; and
Mark Camp of Cultural Survival.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell and
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 



































9/19/13

Latin Pulse: 9.19.2013

This week, the second anniversary of Latin Pulse has the program looking at a wide variety of topics.  Listen in and you can hear discussion of telenovelas, politics, diplomacy, economics, censorship, human rights, and corruption.  The program also covers plenty of geographic territory, including discussion of Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Chile.  The program includes out-takes from previous programs and selections from the favorite interviews of the audience. The news segment of the program covers the postponement this week of the U.S.-Brazil summit, due to revelations of U.S. spying on Brazil's president and on the state oil monopoly Petrobras.

The program includes interviews with:

Carolina Acosta-Alzuru of the University of Georgia;
Dan Hellinger of Webster University;
Bill LeoGrande of American University;
Mark Schneider of the International Crisis Group;
Francisco Robles Rivera of Universidad Nacional and Universidad de Costa Rica;
Manuel Suarez-Mier of American University;
Adriana Beltran of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and
Rev. Joe Eldridge of American University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell and
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 









































9/12/13

Latin Pulse: 9.12.2013

Wrapping up a series of special reports on Venezuela, Latin Pulse looks at a variety of topics across the Venezuelan political landscape, including the role of the military, police, crime, human rights, corruption, and economics. The program also includes more discussion of accusations by the Venezuelan government that the United States is involved in economic destabilization of the Venezuelan government.  The news segment of the program looks at reaction in Chile to the 40th anniversary this week of the coup by Gen. Augusto Pinochet in both Chile and in Washington, D.C.  The program also includes a commentary on Chile.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Hugo Perez Hernaiz of Universidad Catolica & Universidad Central de Venezuela; and
George Ciccariello-Maher of Drexel University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell and
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 



























9/5/13

Latin Pulse: 9.06.2013

Coming remotely from Caracas, Venezuela, this week Latin Pulse focuses on the prospects for the government of President Nicolas Maduro and issues of free speech in the country.    The program features the views of a Venezuelan journalist and a political expert. The discussion ranges from government pressure on the media to the differing political currents in post-Chavez Venezuela and what lies ahead for the politically polarized country.   The program also includes discussion of corruption in Venezuela. The news segment of the program covers the passage of major educational reforms in Mexico.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Jesus Alberto Yajure of Cadena Capriles; and
Alejandro Velasco of New York University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine and

Writer: Megan Ekhaml.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 























8/29/13

Latin Pulse: 8.29.2013

Violence, both in the present context and in memory is the key concern this week on Latin Pulse.  The program looks at measures to militarize the police in Honduras as that country grapples with the worst homicide rate in the world.  The discussion includes human rights concerns, conditions in the Honduran prisons, and the crisis of the lack of governmental control in the country.  The program also discusses the 40th anniversary of the coup in Chile that brought Gen. Augusto Pinochet to power in 1973.  The news segment of the program covers protests over agricultural policies and trade in Colombia.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Adriana Beltran of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and
Rev. Joe Eldridge of American University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 
























 




















8/23/13

Latin Pulse: 8.23.2013

Espionage and the fallout from the Edward Snowden case are resonating through Latin America and Latin Pulse looks closely at the issues.  The program focuses on the conflicts between espionage and diplomacy in the region including more reactions from Brazil this week to the spying revelations.  The program also looks at the proposed energy and oil reforms under consideration in Mexico.   The news segment of the program reviews the decision in Ecuador to open the Yasuni region to oil drilling.  The program also includes a commentary about marijuana legalization in Uruguay.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Fulton Armstrong of the Center for Latin America & Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University; and
Duncan Wood of the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson Center.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Alexia Campbell.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 
























 











8/16/13

Latin Pulse: 8.16.2013

The death of Hugo Chavez is again under the microscope this week as Latin Pulse looks at conspiracy theories in Latin America.  The program includes an interview with a medical expert about allegations Chavez was poisoned.  The discussion also delves into how populist leaders sometimes use conspiracy theories to communicate and connect with their supporters. The news segment of the program covers the visit of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to South America and how countries there confronted him with their negative reactions to the espionage programs unveiled by Edward Snowden, a former contractor working for U.S. intelligence agencies.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Carlos de la Torre of the University of Kentucky; and
Dr. Ronald Goans of Tulane University & the U.S. Dept. of Energy at Oak Ridge.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 



















 

















8/9/13

Latin Pulse: 8.09.2013

Venezuela's Supreme Court thrust that country back into the limelight this week, deciding there will be no appeal to the close election results of spring's controversial elections. This week, Latin Pulse uses that decision to return to Venezuelan politics.  The program delves into voter fraud and coercion in Venezuela.  The program also looks at the aftereffects of the Edward Snowden affair and what it has meant to the evolving diplomatic context in Latin America.  The program tracks how the Obama administration's approach to Snowden has affected relations with more than Venezuela, but also Bolivia, Nicaragua and Ecuador.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Michael McCarthy of Johns Hopkins University; and
Peter Hakim of the Inter-American Dialogue.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Production Assistant: Alexia Campbell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

 























 
 






8/2/13

Latin Pulse: 8.02.2013

Uruguay electrified the global debate concerning the Drug War this week, as its Chamber of Deputies approved a law that would make the country the first in the world to completely legalize the use and distribution of the drug.  This week, Latin Pulse concentrates on the progressive trends in Uruguay.  Beyond liberalizing marijuana laws, the discussion also covers the debates over abortion and same-sex marriage in Uruguay.  This program also concludes the three-part series of discussions with Uruguay's human rights ombudsman.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Gabriela Santini of Uruguay's Teledoce; and
Juan Raul Ferreira, the Human Rights Ombudsman of Uruguay.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Production Assistant: Alexia Campbell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)


 (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)