Monthly Archives: March 2016

How do you solve a problem like Correa?

Posted on March 30, 2016 by LatAmLowdown

To many in the Anglosphere, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa is best known as the guardian of all things Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder currently spending day 1381 holed up in Ecuador’s London embassy. This protracted saga has highlighted a remarkable … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecuador, Energy, Natural Resources, Oil, Politics | 2 Comments

The Cold War thawing in the Caribbean sunshine

Posted on March 23, 2016 by LatAmLowdown

Having presumably gazed deeply into his crystal ball before a meeting with journalists in 1973, Fidel Castro acidly remarked that the United States would talk to Cuba when there was a black president in the White House and a Latin … Continue reading →

Posted in Cuba, Politics | Leave a comment

Holding out for a Hero – Venezuela’s failed political experiment and uncertain future.

Posted on March 17, 2016 by LatAmLowdown

It would be fair to suggest that Nicolás Maduro’s first three years of office haven’t gone quite to plan. Snap back to 2013. On the 5th of March, after receiving treatment in Cuba, Hugo Chavez, Venezuela’s most charismatic politician this … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Natural Resources, Politics, Venezuela | Leave a comment

“In Brazil, when a poor man steals, he goes to prison – when a rich man steals, he becomes a minister”

Posted on March 16, 2016 by LatAmLowdown

The words of Luíz Inácio Lula da Silva in 1988. And how prophetic they now seem on a day when the former president returns to government, set to serve in current premiere Dilma Rousseff’s cabinet as her new Chief-of-Staff. The … Continue reading →

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Lula grelhada – will the Car Wash claim another victim?

Posted on March 10, 2016 by LatAmLowdown

More heads look set to roll in Brazil, as former president Luíz Inácio Lula da Silva was hauled over the coals yesterday on charges of money laundering and misrepresentation of assets. The allegations, brought by public prosecutors in the state … Continue reading →

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The bolivianos have spoken. And the rEVOlution takes a tumble.

Posted on March 7, 2016 by LatAmLowdown

The democratic machine ground into action in Bolivia on 21st February as voters went to the polls to vote to amend the constitution to allow incumbent president Evo Morales to stand for a 4th term in 2019. The result? A narrow … Continue reading →

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