by the El Reportero’s news services
Hugo Chávez
Just over a year ago, critics of President Hugo Chávez forecast that the oil price collapse would mark the beginning of the end for him, but were disappointed when he turned the crisis to his advantage, taking the opportunity to ‘accelerate’ the Bolivarian Revolution and consolidate his increasingly autocratic grip on power (after a successful referendum to repeal the two-term limit on elected posts) with fresh nationalisations, fast track approval of new legislation (including controversial new Electoral and Education Laws) and a renewed assault on the opposition media. For a while, it seemed as though Chávez could ride out a year of recession without too much difficulty. From late 2009, however, it suddenly looked as though the tide was turning against the wily Venezuelan leader.
Morales sworn in as Bolivia’s fi rst “plurinational” president
Declaring the birth of the new “plurinational” state of Bolivia and death of the old “colonial” republic, President Evo Morales assumed offi ce for a second term on Jan. 22. There is some substance to his claims. The new legislature is transformed beyond all recognition, leaving him free rein to achieve his main priority – the implementation of the new “plurinational” constitution. The executive has also been overhauled with the most extensive cabinet reshuffle since Morales first came to power in 2006. Meanwhile the judiciary, the one branch of government still nominally aligned with the white minority elite (albeit while in a state of collapse) is set to be transformed in elections later in the year.
What Mexico’s record drop in remittances means
On Jan. 27 the Banco de México reported that the remittance infl ows fell 15.7 percent year-on-year in 2009 to US$21.2bn. This is the biggest ever annual fall in what has become a crucial support for some of the poorest communities in Mexico. What is truly worrying about the fall in remittances to Mexico is that the fall is greater than to other countries, both in the region and around the world.
U.S. kid kidnappers in Haiti arrested
Washington, Feb 1 (Prensa Latina) Ten US citizens were detained in Haiti, accused of kidnapping children to take them out of the country, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.
The detainees will face judicial charges for being alleged members of a people smuggling network that is taking advantage of the chaotic situation in Haiti.
Those U.S. citizens were captured when trying to cross the border, heading for the Dominican Republic. They said to be members of a religious group called New Life Children’s Refuge.
According to Haitian authorities, they are five men and five women, and the 33 kidnapped children range from 2 months to 12 years of age.
The majority of the detainees belong to a non-governmental congregation in Idaho, and had no legal documents to take the children out of the country.
