Inter-American Watch
Monday, December 13th, 2021
Ecuador
United States concerned about ‘narco generals’ and drug trafficking in Ecuador
According to the US ambassador to Quito, Michael Fitzpatrick, in Ecuador there are already ‘narco generals’ working surreptitiously with international drug cartels in the country.
Primicias, in Spanish: https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/politica/entrevista-embajador-estados-unidos-ecuador/
More than 300 companies used the Sucre system for fictitious exports to Venezuela
Most of the unusual transactions were made through the Global Construction Fund (Foglocons), a company linked to Colombian businessman Álex Saab, today prosecuted by the courts in the United States. 99% of those transactions were made with Venezuela.
Primicias, in Spanish: https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/en-exclusiva/empresas-sistema-sucre-irregularidades/
Peru
Peru’s anti-corruption crusade grows weaker
Authorities in Peru have dismantled a complex corruption network that spanned various levels of government, underscoring how deep-rooted graft networks have persisted in the country.
Insight Crime: https://insightcrime.org/news/perus-anti-corruption-crusade-grows-weaker/
Under Leftist President, Peru Faces Pitched Battle Over Mining
“Companies are starting to wonder if staying in Peru is worth it,” said Raul Jacob, head of Peru’s mining society and chief financial officer of Southern Copper Corp. He said that even as one conflict gets resolved, “it’s just a matter of time until another one explodes. There’s no solution to the root problem.”
Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-10/under-leftist-president-peru-faces-pitched-battle-over-mining
Peru’s economic growth likely to have lost steam in October, says Central Bank
Peru’s economy is likely to have lost steam in October, the central bank said. Economic expectations from the business sector have also deteriorated, the bank’s head of economic studies, Adrian Armas, said. Armas added that in 2022 Peru’s economy is likely to face “highly positive” external factors, but that benefiting from them will “depend on whether we can manage a context of social and political stability.”
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/perus-economic-growth-likely-have-lost-steam-october-says-central-bank-2021-12-10/
U.S. Embassy in. Peru rejects rumors of alleged intervention
After learning of speculations regarding a request for intervention by the U.S. government to seek an end to the political crisis in Peru, the U.S. embassy emphatically expressed its rejection of this assumption.
“The United States supports democratic institutions and rejects allegations that the U.S. government is seeking to intervene in any way in Peru.
The Rio Times: https://www.riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-politics/national-politics/u-s-embassy-in-peru-rejects-rumors-of-alleged-intervention/
President Castillo’s WhatsApp chats on military promotions under investigation
El Comercio newspaper had access to WhatsApp messages Castillo exchanged with General José Vizcarra when he was still the Army’s general commander. These messages are under investigation by the Attorney General’s Office and congressional Defense Commission. In the exchange, made public for the first time, President Castillo tries to influence general Vizcarra and suggests him to contact his secretary Bruno Pacheco to discuss “urgent” matters regarding the military promotions. Pacheco resigned and is currently facing a criminal investigation for influence peddling.
El Comercio, in Spanish: https://elcomercio.pe/politica/gobierno/los-mensajes-del-presidente-pedro-castillo-sobre-los-ascensos-militares-bruno-pacheco-jose-vizcarra-sunat-noticia/
Argentina
‘Headed for disaster’: Argentinians protest against IMF debt deal
Thousands of people have rallied in Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, urging their government not to sign any kind of debt restructuring deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The protesters thronged Buenos Aires’s Plaza de Mayo on Saturday, carrying placards that read “No to a deal with the IMF” as colourful banners of the country’s largest social and left-wing organizations rippled under the beating sun.
Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/12/headed-for-disaster-argentinians-protest-against-imf-debt-deal
Health pass to be required in Argentina starting Jan. 1
The Government of Argentina has finally announced a health pass with being required for people aged 13 and over to attend or carry out “activities of high epidemiological and sanitary risk,” according to the administrative decision signed by President Alberto Fernández.
MercoPress: https://en.mercopress.com/2021/12/13/health-pass-to-be-required-in-argentina-starting-jan.-1
Bolivia
Political activities of Bolivian Evo Morales in Peru widely rejected
Three former foreign ministers and eight former vice ministers of Foreign Affairs once again alerted the Foreign Ministry that Evo Morales’ plan is to use Peru for his personal and political interests in a clear threat to sovereignty, independence and national security.
Peru21, in Spanish: https://peru21.pe/politica/embajadores-peruanos-responden-a-la-cancilleria-sobre-evo-morales-y-runasur-es-un-proyecto-que-amenaza-a-la-soberania-pedro-castillo-runasur-evo-morales-bolivia-embajadores-peruanos-noticia/?ref=p21r
Venezuela – Colombia
“Box of dolls”, the new torture method used by the Venezuelan dictatorship against opponents
Those arrested are locked in a tiny space that does not even allow them to sit, and they remain there for hours or even days.
Infobae, in Spanish: https://www.infobae.com/america/venezuela/2021/12/13/caja-de-munecas-la-tortura-que-usa-la-dictadura-venezolana-en-sus-centros-de-detencion/
Colombian terrorist Ivan Márquez flees to Cuba after the death of his lieutenants in Venezuela
The leader of the dissident group of the FARC, Iván Márquez, fled to Cuba to protect his life after two of his lieutenants in the movement that abandoned the peace process were assassinated in Venezuela, reported the former Colombian ambassador to the US, Francisco Santos.
El Nuevo Herald, in Spanish: https://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/america-latina/venezuela-es/article256486221.html
