Times are hard in Mexico. Even, it seems, for drug traffickers. Thanks to stepped-up law enforcement on both sides of the border, drug gangs are increasingly looking beyond their traditional revenue streams of trafficking and extortion. The Dallas Morning News reports that Los Zetas, one of Mexico’s largest drug syndicates, are expanding their presence along […]
The peso has strengthened this week amid signs that the Dubai World crisis will not transmit contagion throughout emerging markets. The Mexican currency has rallied more than 7% against the dollar over the past two months, leading the 16 major currencies tracked by Bloomberg. At 12.85 pesos to the dollar, the peso is now up […]
In February, President Hugo Chávez won a referendum allowing him (and any other public official) to be re-elected indefinitely. A total of 54% of the electorate supported this option, but did this represent a recent peak in the Venezuelan President’s popularity? Over recent months Chávez provoked a diplomatic row with Colombia and sent troops to […]
Mexico seemed to be on a progressive track this year: the centrist PRI wrestled legislative power from the center-right PAN in mid-term elections; personal drug use of everything from pot to heroine was decriminalized; and major investments in wind farms were made in Baja. Such overtures stop short of abortion rights, however. Last week the […]
How is it that Venezuela, awash in energy resources, experiences blackouts? Although it is a global leader in oil production, most of the country’s power comes from hydroelectric dams, including one of the word’s largest, Guri. Unfortunately a combination of drought and failing infrastructure has severely reduced capacity for power-generation. A NYT article gives a […]
More than a few viewers were caught off-guard Wednesday night when Lou Dobbs announced the broadcast would be his last on CNN. The self-described “defender of the working man” has been a vocal critic of Hispanic immigration and international trade since 9/11. Instead of informed analysis, Dobbs’ commentaries often reverted to racism and showed an […]
Two trends converge along Mexico’s southern border. One concerns the US recession, which has shocked the Mexican economy. The peso’s buying power is greatly diminished. Capitalizing on the peso’s decline against the Guatemalan quetzal, Mexican migrants flock south to sell toys, clothes, and foodstuffs. One popular route stretches from Cuidad Hidalgo, a city in the […]
The Venezuelan government is, once again, moving soldiers to the border region with Colombia. The 15,000 troops are intended to “increase security, combat drug trafficking and root out paramilitary groups”. It seems like déjà vu, as Chávez sent 6,000 soldiers there in March 2008, after Raul Reyes of the FARC was killed on Ecuadorian territory. […]
The Economist reports that Mexican business leaders envy Brazil. Mexicrats must have been miffed when Goldman Sachs anointed the ‘BRIC’ without including a ‘M’. At the time (2001) there was reason to protest. In the previous half decade Mexico’s GDP growth more than doubled Brazil’s: 4.5% versus 1.9%. Mexico had just joined Chile as the […]
The kidnapping and murder of at least nine Colombians along Venezuela’s border region during late October once again increased tensions between the two countries, which are already on shaky diplomatic terms. An article within El Universal gives a nice overview of recent political exchanges between Caracas and Bogotá. The Venezuelan vice president, Ramón Carrizález, declared […]
An elaborate resting place. A celebration of perspective. Two years ago the National Museum of Death opened in Aguascalientes to chronicle cultural approaches to the end of life. “Mexicans have death imprinted all over their art and culture.” So says Jose Antonio Padilla, the museum’s director. It is the moribund product of Octavio Bajenero Gil, who had too […]
With federal resources aimed at drug traffickers and local police more often a part of the problem than a part of the solution, vigilantes are stepping into the void. Suspected criminals who run afoul of these vigilantes endure the brunt of a skewed version of justice that enjoys a groundswell of support. In the southern […]
Another body of a Colombian migrant – now the eleventh – was recently found along the border region of Venezuela. The victim had been playing pick-up soccer when kidnapped two weeks ago. The Colombian and Venezuelan governments have each traded accusations related to the incident, leading to increased tensions. Who would massacre these Colombians, and […]
Baseball is a national obsession in Venezuela, drawing as much or even more attention than the country’s beauty industry. The season began a little over a week ago. Whereas other South American countries focus on “fútbol” (a.k.a. soccer), Venezuelans are diehard baseball fans. What is the atmosphere in the stadiums? Just imagine the most raucous […]
Reliant upon consumption in the US, Mexico’s economy has suffered mightily this year. The pillars of state revenue—oil, remittances, and tourism—have been shellacked, thanks not only to recession in the US but the outbreak of H1N1. First quarter projections had the Mexican economy on track to contract by 20%! More recent forecasts expect GDP to […]