by El Reportero’s news services
Orlando Zapata Tamayo
On the evening of Feb. 23 Orlando Zapata Tamayo, a 42-year old political prisoner, died in hospital following an 83-day hunger strike. It is the first time in nearly 40 years that a dissident has died of hunger strike, prompting immediate condemnation from leading opponents of the Cuban government on the island and in the Miami–based exile community. His distraught mother, Reina Luisa Tamayo, accused the authorities of assassination. The timing is very awkward for Brazil’s President Lula da Silva, who arrived in Havana last night on his final official visit to Cuba before leaving office at the end of this year.
The changing pattern of oil investment in the region
International oil companies are once again interested in the Andean region’s oil. Colombia and Venezuela, for different reasons, are attracting most interest, and Ecuador least. Colombia, which had endured something of an exploration drought after BP made its major discoveries in Cupiagua and Cusiana in the 1990s, is now very firmly back in the game. Colombia’s two great attractions are its government’s enthusiasm for foreign investment and its oil, which tends to be light (and low sulphur) crude. Venezuela’s oil is generally heavy and sour, but the country has almost 100 times more of the stuff than Colombia.
A decisive year for Brazil
da Silva, Brasil
This year, 2010, is a busy year for elections in the region. Brazil’s presidential and congressional elections dominate the calendar and the big question is whether President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva can transfer his popularity to his preferred successor, Dilma Rousseff. The example of what has happened in Chile shows how difficult this is. Chile elected Sebastián Piñera as its first democratically-chosen, rightwing president for 52 years in January. This was despite the 80 percent plus opinion poll approval ratings of the leftwing incumbent, Michelle Bachelet.
Argentina’s presidential couple face big political test
Cristina Fernández
Argentina’s President Cristina Fernández, and her husband and predecessor, Néstor Kirchner are battling to preserve their political credibility amid dwindling approval ratings, persistent allegations of illicit enrichment, savage criticism of their economic policymaking, damaging disputes with the judiciary, and the impending return from recess of an-opposition controlled congress. All of this coincides with fresh protests planned by the country’s four powerful farming unions.
Venezuela Election Council ready for primaries
Venezuela’s National Electoral Council announced on Wednesday to be ready to organize primary elections for the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and opposition organizations that are interested in holding internal elections to nominate deputy candidates. The institution said in a press release the PSUV leaders had already requested technical support, while a so-called opposition Unity Table asked for information on technical and logistic support, if automated primaries are held. The PSUV, led by President Hugo Chavez, announced that it would hold primary elections on May 6, at the 87 constituencies set up for the parliamentary elections on September 26. The PSUV leaders said this is in line with the organization’s principles of internal democracy. With over seven million registered members, the party hopes to win two thirds of the 165 parliamentary seats. Meanwhile, the opposition is trying hard to reach agreements for a unified front, but has decided to hold primaries at only 28 constituencies.
