Month: April 2009

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Argentina Remembers: Marches Mark 33rd Anniversary of Military Coup

Benjamin Dangl April 21, 2009 Benjamin Dangl

The weekend that the hemisphere's Presidents met in Trinidad at the Summit of the Americas marked the same weekend that Cuba defeated the US in the Bay of Pigs invasion 48 years ago. At the Summit, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega recalled the invasion in a speech that rightly criticized US imperialism throughout the 20th century. President Barack Obama replied, "I'm grateful that President Ortega did not blame me for things that happened when I was three months old."

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An End to the War on Weed?

Nathan Comp April 20, 2009 Nathan Comp

As a medley of border violence, recessionary pressure, international criticism and popular acceptance steadily undermines America's decades-long effort to eliminate drugs and drug use, the U.S. movement to legalize marijuana is gaining unprecedented momentum.

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Latin America Changes: Hunger Strikes in Bolivia, Summits in the Caribbean

Benjamin Dangl April 16, 2009 Benjamin Dangl

Latin American Presidents Gather
After Bolivia beat the Argentine soccer team led by legendary Diego Maradona by 6 to 1, Maradona told reporters, "Every Bolivia goal was a stab in my heart." Bolivia was expected to lose the April 1 match as Argentina is ranked as the 6th best soccer team in the world, and Maradona enjoys godlike status among soccer fans. This story of David and Goliath in the Andes is just one of various events shaking up the hemisphere.

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Root Causes of Somali Piracy: Nuclear Dumping and Seafood Looting

Toward Freedom and Various Authors April 14, 2009 Toward Freedom and Various Authors

Somali Pirates Board Ship
There has been a lot of discussion in the media about how to address piracy off the coast of Somalia. Much less attention has been given to the complex sources of political turmoil, poverty and pollution that have led many Somalis into piracy. In order to prevent more violent hijackings, Washington needs to understand the root causes of piracy. For years, foreign shipping companies have been dumping nuclear waste off the coast of Somalia and looting the country's fishing industry. Many of Somalia's "pirates" initially organized to defend their coast against this pollution and robbery.