1/31/14

Latin Pulse: 1.31.2014

The surging popularity of left-wing parties in Central America and the fear tactics used against them take center stage for this preview on Latin Pulse of the presidential elections coming in El Salvador and Costa Rica.  In El Salvador, a former guerrilla leader is the frontrunner to be the next president.  In Costa Rica, although the center-left ruling party leads the polls, strong challenges are coming from further left on the political spectrum.  The news segment provides an update on drug violence in the Mexican state of Michoacan and the new pact between the Mexican government and vigilante groups.

The program includes interviews with:

Geoff Thale of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and 
Francisco Robles Rivera of the Universidad Nacional and the Universidad de Costa Rica.

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 41 MB.)

 










































1/23/14

Latin Pulse: 1.23.2014

Controversy in Honduras and the impact of Japanese emigrants on Latin America provide the twin themes this week on Latin Pulse.  Next week, Honduras is set to inaugurate Juan Orlando Hernandez as the country's new president.  But questions about the fall election that brought Hernandez to office linger, along with concerns about violence and further militarization of the country.  The program also looks at how generations of Japanese emigrants have left their mark on Brazil, Peru and other parts of the region.  The news segment of the program provides an update on drug violence in the Mexican state of Michoacan.

The program includes interviews with:

Alex Main of the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR); and 
Dan Masterson of the U.S. Naval Academy.

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 41 MB.)

 


































1/16/14

Latin Pulse: 1.16.2014

Economic and political reforms in Mexico are the centerpieces of analysis on Latin Pulse this week. The program also covers new violence and concerns over the security situation in Mexico.  The analysis spends considerable timing assessing the first year in office of President Enrique Pena Nieto.  The program also includes a repeat of interviews on Mexico and U.S policy to mark the passing of Robert Pastor, former U.S. National Security Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean.  During those retrospective discussions the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and U.S. policy with Venezuela provide the central themes.

The program includes interviews with:

Duncan Wood of the Wilson Center; and an archival interview with
the late Robert Pastor, formerly 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 41 MB.)

 






























1/9/14

Latin Pulse: 1.09.2014

Up-coming elections in Central America grab our attention this week on Latin Pulse. Voters go to the polls in both El Salvador and Costa Rica early next month.  This program sorts out the key candidates, the polls, and some of the major issues for both countries with corruption scandals of the past still affecting voter dissatisfaction.  The program also includes a commentary looking forward and backward at U.S. policy in Latin America. The news segment of the program covers the the killing of Monica Spear, a Venezuelan beauty queen and actress.

The program includes interviews with:

Hector Silva of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS); and 
Lowell Gudmundson of Mount Holyoke College.

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 41 MB.)

 































1/3/14

Latin Pulse: 1.03.2014

With the turn of the new year, time and history are the subtexts to Latin Pulse this week, with reflections on both the Falklands-Malvinas dispute and the return of the Colorado Party to power in Paraguay.  The program features a rare interview with a member of the legislative assembly of the Falklands, discussing pressure from Argentina to gain control of the islands, which Argentines call the Malvinas. The discussion includes what was at stake in the referendum to sanction the islands as a British Overseas Territory.  The news segment of the program covers the 55th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution.

The program includes interviews with:

Mike Summers, Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Falkland Islands; and 
Andrew Nickson of the University of Birmingham.

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.)