http://www.latintelligence.com by Shannon K. O'Neil Thu, 18 Dec 2008 22:32:58 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en As the world financial crisis hits Latin America, it is easy to equate it to the repeated financial crises that hit the region in 1982, 1995, and 2001. In these past episodes, irresponsible fiscal policies by Latin America’s governments often led to and then exacerbated the region’s financial troubles. But ... http://www.latintelligence.com/2008/12/18/the-other-shoe-dropping-latin-americas-private-sector-debt/ Reporters, CFR members, students, and other interested folks keep asking me if U.S. policy toward Latin America will change when President-elect Obama steps into the White House on January 20.   The fact is that U.S. policy toward most Latin American countries will not change much under the new president. Obama ... http://www.latintelligence.com/2008/12/16/obama-and-latin-america-a-new-direction/ It’s hard to believe that Calderon is coming up for 2 years in office, one-third of his term. Much has been said of Calderon’s domestic agenda, but in the op-ed below, published in Mexico’s major English-language newspaper, The News, I analyze his foreign policy achievements. I argue that President ... http://www.latintelligence.com/2008/12/01/it%e2%80%99s-time-for-mexico-to-take-the-lead-from-mexico%e2%80%99s-the-news/ It has been two years since the United States and Colombia signed a free trade agreement, and it still has not been approved by Congress, in part due to concerns over Colombia’s human rights record. In the op-ed below published by the Washington Times today CFR Research Associate Sebastian Chaskel ... http://www.latintelligence.com/2008/12/01/pass-fta-and-amend-plan-colombia-from-the-washington-times/ Sunday's regional elections in Venezuela saw a record turnout of 65% of eligible voters. This is high both by Venezuela's standards (45% of voters came out for the 2004 regional elections) and by global standards (about 62% of voters came out during the U.S. presidential election this year). In the ... http://www.latintelligence.com/2008/11/25/venezuelas-regional-elections/ Since Calderon took office nearly 2 years ago, crime has increased at an alarming rate. Spilling beyond border drug violence, assaults, shootouts and kidnappings frighten citizens across the country. Perceived widespread corruption in the ranks of public security forces heightens the unease. In the wake of a particularly high profile ... http://www.latintelligence.com/2008/11/21/calderon%e2%80%99s-turn-at-police-reform/ Here is a piece I authored with my colleagues at the Council on Foreign Relations on the effects of the world financial crisis in Latin America. It originally appeared here. Latin America: Not So Insulated After All Latin America Studies Program, Council on Foreign Relations Tuesday, November 18, 2008; 9:24 AM In recent years, ... http://www.latintelligence.com/2008/11/20/latin-america-and-the-financial-crisis/ Nearly 10 million Latinos voted last Tuesday, setting a new record. They made up between 8% and 9% of the total vote, slightly more than in 2004. Hispanic votes shares did jump significantly in a few swing states – up 9% in New Mexico, and 5% in both Colorado and ... http://www.latintelligence.com/2008/11/11/si-se-puede-obama-and-the-latino-vote/ How will U.S.-Latin America relations change under an Obama administration? This is what I had to say for PBS’s WorldFocus last night. http://www.latintelligence.com/2008/11/06/president-elect-obama-and-latin-america/ While the world was glued to televisions waiting for the result of the U.S. elections last night, Mexico lost one of its most important leaders in its struggle against organized crime and drug trafficking. Juan Camilo Mouriño, Mexico's Interior Minister, died along with seven others when a government plane that ... http://www.latintelligence.com/2008/11/05/mexicos-interior-minister-dies/