The European Union is opening trade with Latin America and the Caribbean, in an attempt to increase relationships with the region and bring economic growth to the EU, despite opposition from popular leaders on both sides of the Atlantic.
After a failed effort to reach an EU-US summit back in February of this year, when a planned meeting with President Obama was cancelled, the EU faces austerity measures and public sector strikes.
Right before last week summit in Madrid, the EU and a Central American block formed by Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama agreed on a trade baseline that will include total market opening for industrial products from both parties.
Similar negotiations were discussed with South American leaders from the Mercosur. However, agreements were harder to be reached due to the protectionist policies of countries in both sides. Negotiations will continue after the summit.
Spanish socialist leader Zapatero stated that "In an increasingly globalized world where the source of prosperity lies in uniting efforts, the capacity for economic growth lies in openness and liberalization." Are these agreements beneficial to LAC countries -Latin America and the Caribbean- or will this be a reinstatement of the NAFTA effect that brought misery and poverty to the LAC region?
La Unión Europea facilita el intercambio comercial con América Latina en la cumbre de Madrid
La Unión Europea abre mayor intercambio comercial con América Latina y el Caribe en un intento por mejorar las relaciones con países de la región y aumentar el crecimiento económico de sus miembros, a pesar de la oposición de líderes populares a ambos lados del Atlántico.
Después del intento fallido de llegar a una cumbre de negociación entre la Unión Europea y los Estados Unidos en febrero de este año y la cancelación del encuentro con el presidente Obama, la Unión Europea se enfrenta a medidas de austeridad y la consecuente reacción del sector público.
Antes del encuentro cumbre realizado en Madrid durante la semana pasada, la Unión Europea y el bloque de países centroamericanos formado por Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua y Panamá acordaron un base de intercambio que incluye la apertura total de mercados entre las partes para el intercambio de productos industriales.
Negociaciones similares se intentaron con líderes sudamericanos del Mercosur. Sin embargo, las políticas proteccionistas de países en ambos grupos plantearon dificultades para arribar a los acuerdos propuestos. Las negociaciones pertinentes proseguirán después del encuentro.
El líder español socialista Zapatero declaró que “en un mundo crecientemente globalizado donde la fuente de prosperidad se basa en la unión de los esfuerzos, la capacidad de desarrollo económico reside en la apertura y la liberalización.” Me pregunto: ¿Estos acuerdos son beneficiosos para los países de América Latina y el Caribe o será solo una reinstauración del efecto NAFTA que trajo pobreza y miseria a la región?
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Las dictaduras latinoamericanas enfrentan a la justicia, después de varias décadas
Con este título optimista, Noticias IPS encabeza una serie de artículos que ofrecen un panorama de los intentos de justicia en diferentes países latinoamericanos y España. Desde la condena de varios militares argentinos en la “cadena de comando”, pasando por el enjuiciamiento del juez Garzon en Espana, y hasta la liberación de dos soldados y un policía acusados por la desaparición de campesinos peruanos, estos artículos nos recuerdan que todavía no estamos donde deberíamos en el tema de los derechos humanos.
Empezando por la era de Franco y siguiendo con las trece dictaduras militares que ocurrieron durante los 60 y los 70 en Latinoamérica, solo pocos de estos países se han atrevido a adentrarse en los horrores del secuestro, la violación, la tortura y la matanza de millones de sus ciudadanos. Una buena manera de ponerse al día con estos temas en ambos lados del Atlántico, y una pregunta por contestar: ¿Qué es lo que impide que los líderes democráticos latinoamericanos juzguen y castiguen a los culpables?
Empezando por la era de Franco y siguiendo con las trece dictaduras militares que ocurrieron durante los 60 y los 70 en Latinoamérica, solo pocos de estos países se han atrevido a adentrarse en los horrores del secuestro, la violación, la tortura y la matanza de millones de sus ciudadanos. Una buena manera de ponerse al día con estos temas en ambos lados del Atlántico, y una pregunta por contestar: ¿Qué es lo que impide que los líderes democráticos latinoamericanos juzguen y castiguen a los culpables?
Latin America Dictatorships Meet Justice, Decades On
A series of articles under this optimistic heading in IPS news brings a panorama of the attempts to make justice in different Latin American countries and Spain. From the conviction of several Argentinean military officers in the “chain of command" to the prosecution of Judge Garzón in Spain to the acquittal of two soldiers and a police officer accused of the disappearance of Peruvian peasant, these articles tell us that we are not yet where we should be regarding human rights.
Starting with the Franco era and following with thirteen military dictatorships in the 60s and 70s in Latin American countries, only a few of these countries have dug dip into the horrors of kidnapping, raping, torturing and killing millions. A great update of what is happening on these issues on both sides of the Atlantic, and a question to be asked: What is stopping democratic leaders in Latin America from prosecuting and convicting these cases?
Starting with the Franco era and following with thirteen military dictatorships in the 60s and 70s in Latin American countries, only a few of these countries have dug dip into the horrors of kidnapping, raping, torturing and killing millions. A great update of what is happening on these issues on both sides of the Atlantic, and a question to be asked: What is stopping democratic leaders in Latin America from prosecuting and convicting these cases?
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
I'm back!
WOW! It's been a year almost since my last blog!
I apologize for being lost in cyber space. A long chain of events kept me from my active duty. Let's see:
Hola, amigos! A Plan for Latino Outreach
My new book is about to be published this year. I'm excited because it has received good reviews so far from well-know professionals in the industry.
www.lcsworldwide.com
Our website is being revamped as we speak. We will offer an array of online courses for several industries including Occupational Spanish training, multicultural competency workshops and webinars, and our new line of work, fundraising and development.
The Chroma Multicultural Health Communications Group
We have entered a new strategic partnership to help health care organizations and corporations achieve their goals in serving multicultural patients and eliminating health disparities. Three agencies and four strategic partners with over 100 years of experience in multicultural health, health literacy, cultural competency and cross-cultural communications. For additional information please call 732 299 9622.
So, as you see, we've been busy! Keep posted for more to come!
I apologize for being lost in cyber space. A long chain of events kept me from my active duty. Let's see:
Hola, amigos! A Plan for Latino Outreach
My new book is about to be published this year. I'm excited because it has received good reviews so far from well-know professionals in the industry.
www.lcsworldwide.com
Our website is being revamped as we speak. We will offer an array of online courses for several industries including Occupational Spanish training, multicultural competency workshops and webinars, and our new line of work, fundraising and development.
The Chroma Multicultural Health Communications Group
We have entered a new strategic partnership to help health care organizations and corporations achieve their goals in serving multicultural patients and eliminating health disparities. Three agencies and four strategic partners with over 100 years of experience in multicultural health, health literacy, cultural competency and cross-cultural communications. For additional information please call 732 299 9622.
So, as you see, we've been busy! Keep posted for more to come!
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