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.)