Americas Archives - Page 130 of 160

Washington’s Role in Current Conflict Between Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador

Cory Fischer-Hoffman March 3, 2008 Cory Fischer-Hoffman

Álvaro Uribe and George W. Bush

On Saturday March 1st Colombia's Air Force carried out a military operation in Ecuador, violating the sovereignty of its western neighbor nation. The bombing resulted in at least 17 deaths. One of the people reported to be among the victims is Raúl Reyes, commander and spokesperson for the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). This attack is the continuation and escalation of an on-going war in Colombia that has persisted for 40 years due to US military funding and training of Armed Forces in Colombia.

Canada’s War on Terror and Immigrant Rights

Reuel S. Amdur March 3, 2008 Reuel S. Amdur

While there are undoubtedly real concerns about protecting Canada from undesirable and even dangerous immigrants, the procedures used have been less than fair, subjecting current suspects to years of imprisonment and onerous bail conditions without adequate opportunity to address the government's information.

New Versus Old Right in Paraguay’s Presidential Election

Benjamin Dangl and April Howard February 26, 2008 Benjamin Dangl and April Howard

Blanca Ovelar

Now that much of Latin America has shifted to the left, Paraguay remains a key Washington ally. The country's political landscape continues to be dominated by the Colorado Party, which has been in power for 61 years. Yet as the panorama of candidates for the April presidential election makes clear, a new right-wing faction is emerging within the party, pledging to cut the umbilical cord with the past.

Superdelegates: The Undemocratic Ways of the Democratic Party

Jeff Nall February 19, 2008 Jeff Nall

With the Democratic Party presidential nomination race in a dead heat between Obama and Clinton, everyday party members are getting an education on the behind-the-scenes business of electing a president. Whether you're supporting Clinton, Gravel, or Obama, recent disclosures and discussions about the role played by superdelegates should disturb every member of the Democratic Party.

Undermining Bolivia: A Landscape of Washington Intervention

Benjamin Dangl February 11, 2008 Benjamin Dangl

US Embassy in La Paz

A thick fence, surveillance cameras, and armed guards protect the U.S. Embassy in La Paz. The embassy is a tall, white building with narrow slits of windows that make it look like a military bunker. After passing through a security checkpoint, I sit down with U.S. Embassy spokesman Eric Watnik and ask if the embassy is working against the socialist government of Evo Morales. "Our cooperation in Bolivia is apolitical, transparent, and given directly to assist in the development of the country," Watnik tells me. "It is given to benefit those who need it most." From the Bush Administration's perspective, that turns out to mean Morales's opponents.

Beyond Borders: Church Sanctuary for Refugees in Canada

Reuel S. Amdur January 29, 2008 Reuel S. Amdur

Refugees Protesting Deportation

Since 1983 when a Guatemalan refugee sought sanctuary in a Montreal church there have been hundreds of such cases in

Canada

. However, the pace quickened after 2002 when

Canada

's new Refugee Protection Act was applied. Clearly, the refugee determination procedures in Canada are in vast disarray. They need more humanity and more substance.