Inter-American Watch
Friday December 24th, 2021
The Americas
Dozens vanish without a trace in America’s new ‘Bermuda Triangle’ next door
Groups of migrants that had entered a treacherous mountain area in the Chihuahuan desert—dubbed a migrant “Bermuda Triangle” by local reporters have vanished without a trace. In the last few years, dozens of migrants, including kids, women, and complete families, have vanished in the area, according to local reports and official figures. The latest disappearances are part of a growing trend occurring in the same corridor, used mostly by people handing themselves over to human smugglers—or as locals call them, ‘coyotes’—to be illegally taken into the U.S.
The Daily Beast: https://www.thedailybeast.com/dozens-of-migrants-in-mexico-vanish-in-the-chihuahuan-desert-americas-new-bermuda-triangle-next-door
Analysis: This is how the ‘Latin-Americanist’ agenda of Chile’s Boric will be
The government program of the elected president of Chile, Gabriel Boric, added to several of his declarations and campaign promises, allows us to suppose that the country will have an important turn in its foreign policy, although some of these changes will be gradual.
Mendoza Post, in. Spanish: https://www.mendozapost.com/mundo/gabriel-boric-agenda-latinoamericanista-chile/
Peru
China, Peru foreign ministers hail bilateral ties in phone talks
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Thursday that no matter how the international situation changes, China-Peru relations have developed steadily and become a “front-runner” in China-Latin America relations. Wang made the remarks in a phone conversation with Peruvian Foreign Minister Oscar Maurtua.
CGTN.com: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-12-24/China-Peru-foreign-ministers-hail-bilateral-ties-in-phone-talks–16fk3Dr5oKk/index.html
Petroperu under investigation for irregularities in bidding of a $74 million contract that involve president Castillo
The offices of the Comptroller General and the Attorney General of Peru started a probe on a $74 million contract to supply biodiesel to the state-owned oil company Petroperu, awarded to a company after his owner visited president Pedro Castillo. The investigation involves high-ranking managers of Petroperu for collusion and improper negotiations. The contract was annulled.
Peru21, in Spanish: https://peru21.pe/politica/fiscalia-contraloria-y-procuraduria-realizan-diligencia-en-petroperu-ante-negativa-para-entregar-informacion-nndc-noticia/
Peru protesters to clear Las Bambas road, but unclear if mine will restart
Peruvian community protesters who have blocked a key road used by MMG Ltd’s (1208.HK) Las Bambas copper mine will clear the route until at least Dec. 30, but it is uncertain if the firm will restart operations based on the truce announced Wednesday.
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/exclusive-peru-protesters-clear-las-bambas-road-after-mining-shutdown-legal-2021-12-22/
Argentina
How Argentina pushed Chinese investors to help revitalize its energy grid
Argentina illustrates the dynamic of the Chinese investment strategies in Latin America, particularly in the energy sector. Argentinian government officials and business leaders have attracted Chinese investment and finance into renewables and other types of energy to promote Buenos Aires’s goals of taking a hybrid path to an energy transition. For its part, China has seized this opportunity to advance its own development goals and to participate in Argentina’s energy transition strategy.
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/12/22/how-argentina-pushed-chinese-investors-to-help-revitalize-its-energy-grid-pub-86062
Texan lawyer Marc Stanley sworn-in as US ambassador to Argentina
Stanley, who Biden nominated to succeed former ambassador Edward Prado back on August 6, is expected to arrive in Buenos Aires in January, according to reports in US media outlets. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my country,” Stanley said in a statement issued to The Dallas Morning News following last Saturday’s confirmation.
Buenos Aires Times: https://batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/marc-stanley-sworn-in-as-us-ambassador-to-argentina.phtml
Argentina’s dollars leak away as IMF talks near end-zone
Argentina’s leak of foreign currency is picking up pace and triggering new doubts about the fragile economy amid complex negotiations with the International Monetary Fund to restructure more than $40 billion in debt the country cannot pay.
Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/argentinas-dollars-leak-away-again-imf-talks-near-end-zone-2021-12-23/
Ecuador
Ecuador makes COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for all elegible residents
The Ecuadorian government on Thursday issued a vaccine mandate for all eligible residents, making Ecuador the most recent country to issue this strict measure against the COVID-19 pandemic. Exceptions to the far-reaching vaccine mandate will be made for people who cannot safely receive the vaccine, the government said. All other Ecuadorians ages five and above will be required to get the shot. Ecuador’s Minister of Public Health Ximena Garzón cited the spread of new variants of concern, such as omicron, for the new requirement.
The Hill: https://thehill.com/policy/international/americas/587228-ecuador-makes-covid-19-vaccine-mandatory-for-all-eligible
Two American companies, Lafise and Pershing, involved in a massive fraud at Ecuador’s National Police
Lafise Securities and Pershing LLC are two US-based companies that are in the middle of the scandal of the Ecuadorian National Police’s Institute of Social Security (Isspol). The documents of the international criminal assistance in the case for alleged embezzlement that continues in Ecuador reveal that the two firms worked closely with the companies of accused businessman Jorge Chérrez.
Primicias, in Spanish: https://www.primicias.ec/noticias/en-exclusiva/lafise-pershing-fichas-rompecabezas-estafa-isspol/
Bolivia
Bolivia and Paraguay to enhance nuclear security at new irradiations facilities
Bolivia and Paraguay are finalizing the design, selection and integration of the most appropriate physical protection measures against potential malicious acts at their new irradiation facilities, with support from the IAEA. These facilities are used to irradiate items such as medical devices for sterilization and fruits for the destruction of pest larvae before exports. The facilities use radioactive sources, which could be misused in the wrong hands, and therefore need to be protected.
Internatoinal Atomic Energy Agency: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/bolivia-and-paraguay-to-enhance-nuclear-security-at-new-irradiation-facilities
Analysis
Despite the polls, a centrists culd win Colombia’s election in May
Undecided voters may shun Gustavo Petro, a populist of the left, that is way out in front of most polls with 42%, compared to 19% of centrist candidate Sergio Fajardo.
The Economist: https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2021/12/11/despite-the-polls-a-centrist-could-win-colombias-election-in-may
Political imprisonment in Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua is a crime against humanity
One of the most despicable arrangements to retain power featuring “State-sponsored terrorism” is to unjustifiably imprison human beings who ask for freedom. Dictatorships use political prisoners to instill fear in the population, forcing them not to fight for their human rights and remain subjected and defenseless by fear. There are political prisoners in Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Nicaragua who are tortured and are used as tokens for negotiation when, in reality, they are flagrant proof of crimes against humanity that dictators and their operators must be legally charged with.
Interamerican Institute for Democracy: https://iid.dmni.net/political-imprisonment-in-cuba-venezuela-bolivia-and-nicaragua-is-a-crime-against-humanity/
