Latin American Program Newsletter: Fall 2008

In Their Own Words:
United States Presidential Candidates on Latin America

In light of the unparalleled interest around the world in the outcome of the 2008 U. S. presidential election, the staff of the Woodrow Wilson Center's Latin American Program has prepared a collection of policy statements from the campaigns of Senators John McCain and Barack Obama on a series of topics relevant to Latin America.  This compendium covers the following topics:  Free Trade and Development; The War on Drugs and Hemispheric Security; Human Rights; Mexico; Immigration; Democratic Governance, Populism, and the "New Left"; and Cuba.  Latin American Program staff have written brief introductions for each topic.  The document then includes relevant excerpts from debates, interviews, official policy statements, articles, etc.  Wherever possible, we have provided a link to the original statement.  We will continue to update this collection throughout the remaining weeks of the presidential campaign.

Read In Their Own Words: United States Presidential Candidates on Latin America.

In this issue...
Please click event title for more information

Reforming the Administration of Justice in Mexico Understanding Populism and Political Participation: A New Look at the "New Left" in Latin America Brazil's Emerging Economic Power: Now Investment-Grade and Why it Matters Iran in Latin America: Threat or Axis of Annoyance? The Politics of Mexican-Origin Leaders: Implications for 2008 and Beyond U.S.–Brazil Biofuels Cooperation: One Year Later Sugarcane Ethanol and Land Use in Brazil Betting on Biofuels: Opportunities and Implications Peace Initiatives in Colombia’s Armed Conflict The U.S. Elections and the Future of U.S.-Mexico Relations Cuba and Its Environs: The Challenges of Change Leadership Discussion Series: A Conversation with Governor Blairo Maggi, of the state of Mato Grosso Reporting in Mexico, a Dangerous Assignment: Murder and Impunity against the Press Límites y Desafíos de la Agenda de Seguirdad Hemisférica

Religious Pluralism and Political Participation in Latin America: Catholics, Protestants, and Democracy The Challenge of Innovation in Brazil: Innovation Strategies in Seven Countries Innovation in Brazil: Public Policy Challenges and Business Opportunities What Keeps Holding the Mexican Economy Back? A Discussion on Competition and Consumers Book Discussion - Multilateralism, Regionalism and Bilateralism in Trade and Investment: 2006 World Report on Regional Integration A Conversation with Governor of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Yeda Crusius Mexico's Democracy: Are Politics Beginning to Mature? In from the Cold: Latin America's New Encounter with the Cold War Lessons in Governance from Urban Brazil Crossing Boundaries: Can a Solution be Found for Transboundary Oil Resources in the Gulf of Mexico? Documentary Screening: “The Judge and the General” New Research on U.S.-Mexico Relations: Dispute Settlement and Expatriate Voting Patterns The Justice Debate in Mexico: The Reform and Future Challenges

Recent Publications Please click publication title to download the PDF Reports Cynthia J. Arnson, Claudio Fuentes, and Francisco Rojas Aravena, eds. with Jessica Varat, Energy and Development in South America: Conflict and Cooperation, October 2008 Dolia Estévez, Journalism across the Border, August 2008 Rossana Fuentes-Berain, Petróleo en México: Pozo de Pasiones: El Debate sobre la Propuesta de la Reforma Energetica, May 2008 Guillermo O’Donnell, Joseph S. Tulchin, and Augusto Varas, eds. with Adam Stubits, New Voices in the Study of Democracy in Latin America, Woodrow Wilson Center Reports on the Americas No. 19, October 2008 José Raúl Perales, ed., Reformas del sector de seguridad en América Latina: el impacto de las amenzas irregulares, Woodrow Wilson Center Report on the Americas # 20, October 2008 Bulletins Elizabeth Bryan, ed. with Jessica Varat, “Strategies for Promoting Gender Equity in Developing Countries: Lessons, Challenges, and Opportunities,” July 2008 Daniel Nogueira Budny, ed., "Promoting Democracy and Rights at Work: Making a Difference," Brazil Institute, April 2008 Creating Community in the Americas,”Brasil y América del Sur: liderazgo o hegemonia?,” September 2008 René Antonio Mayorga, Brooke Larson, and Raúl Madrid, with Jessica Varat, ed. "Bolivia: Social Movements, Populism, and Democracy,” April 2008 José Raúl Perales and Alan M. Wright, eds.,"International Trade Symposium," April 2008 José Raúl Perales, "Crime, Violence, and Security in the Caribbean," Creating Community Bulletin No. 29, June 2008 Alan M. Wright, ed., "Innovation in Brazil: Public Policies and Business Strategies," Brazil Institute and the program on Science, Technology, America and the Global Economy (STAGE), April 2008 Alan M. Wright and Priscilla Yeon, eds., "Infrastructure Integration and Environmental Preservation in the Amazon," Brazil Institute, Environmental Change and Security Program (ECSP), and the Latin American Program, April 2008 Alan M. Wright, ed., "Brazil-US Biofuels Cooperation: One Year Later,” July 2008 Alan M. Wright, ed., "International Strategies for Innovation: A Study of Seven Countries and Brazil,” July 2008 Priscilla Yeon, ed., "Brazil and the United States: Trade Agendas and Challenges of the Bilateral Relationship," Brazil Institute, April 2008

Forthcoming Publications Reports Cynthia J. Arnson, Ariel C. Armony, Catalina Smulovitz, Gastón Chillier, and Enrique Peruzzotti, eds. with Giselle Cohen, La ‘Nueva Izquierda’ en América Latina:  Derechos Humanos, Participación Política, Y Sociedad Civil, November 2008 Cynthia J. Arnson and María Victoria Llorente, eds., Conflicto Armado en Colombia:  Grupos Irregulares y Negociaciones de Paz, December 2008 Cynthia J. Arnson and Gary Bland, eds., Democratic Deficits: Addressing Challenges to Sustainability and Consolidation around the World, December 2008 Joyce Deaton, Charlotte: A Welcome Denied, December 2008 Michael Jones-Correa, and Audrey Singer and Kate Brick, Local Goes National: Challenges and Opportunities for Latino Immigrants in the Nation's Capital, December 2008  Loreta Tellería, Limites y Desafíos de la Agenda de Seguridad Hemisférica (La Paz, Bolivia:  Observatorio de Democracia y Seguridad), November 2008 Bulletins Dolia Estévez, “U.S.-Mexico Educational Exchange: Challenges for Cooperation” Alan M. Wright, ed., "The State of Innovation in Brazil: Public Policy Perspectives and Business Opportunities," October 2008 Alan M. Wright and Matthew Layton, ed., "Sugarcane Ethanol and Land Use in Brazil," October 2008

Staff Notes The Latin American program has bid farewell to three of its most energetic, productive, and knowledgeable staff members, Mexico Institute program assistant Diana Rodriguez, Kate Brick, a program associate, also with the Mexico Institute, and Jessica Varat, a program associate with the Latin American Program.  Both Diana and Kate have entered the Master's degree program of the School of International Affairs at Columbia University this fall semester while Jessica is seeking a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts.  We thank them for their devoted service and wish them the best in all future endeavors. We are pleased to welcome Katie Putnam as the program assistant with the Mexico Institute. An intern with the Mexico Institute in summer 2007, Katie holds a B.A. in International Relations from Pomona College, where she worked as a researcher for Prof. Roderic Ai Camp, a noted expert on Mexican politics. While at Pomona, Katie also took part in an exchange program with the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM) where she gained a state-of-the-art knowledge of Mexican politics. We are also pleased to welcome Robert Donnelly as a program associate with the Mexico Institute.  Most recently from San Diego, Robert was coordinator of a Hewlett Foundation-funded research project on Mexican criminal justice reform at the University of San Diego's Trans-Border Institute (TBI).  Prior to joining the Mexico Institute staff, Robert also worked as an adjunct instructor in Latin American history at San Diego City College and was a graduate student researcher at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where he earned an M.A. in Latin American Studies. His thesis on health, citizenship, and Latino immigration in North Carolina was web published by UCSD's Center for Comparative Immigration Studies. Before graduate school, Robert worked in Mexico City as a freelance, newspaper, and newswire journalist, covering Mexican finances, politics, and human interest stories. Robert grew up in Atlanta and earned bachelor's degrees in journalism and in history from the University of Georgia at Athens. Interns The Latin American Program has been fortunate to have had the assistance of several very capable interns during the summer of 2008.  We thank the following interns for their energy, hard work, and willingness to share their talents and skills with us: Smith Monson, Georgetown University Matthew Layton, Vanderbilt University Gabriela Baca, Georgetown University Roberto Carlos Gutierrez, Georgetown University

Upcoming Events Additional information available for some events, please click event title Oct. 17, "U.S. - Mexico Working Group on Security Cooperation" Oct. 23, "The Current State of Mexican Politics with Sergio Aguayo" Oct. 24, "New Challenges to Constitutional Adjudication in Brazil" Oct. 24, "U.S. - Mexico Working Group on Economic Integration" Oct. 28, " Central America’s Economic Dilemma: Food, Energy, and the Impact of the U.S. Crisis" Nov. 7, "Bolivian Politics Past and Present" Nov. 7, “Art Opening: ‘Amazônia Photography Exhibit’ at Utah Valley University” Nov. 10, "Municipal Elections in Brazil: Results and Implications" Nov. 14, "Book Launch 'Pozo de pasiones: The Energy Reform Debate in Mexico'" Nov. 18, "Regional Security in the Andes" (in Quito, Ecuador with the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar) Nov. 18, "U.S. - Mexico Working Group on Migration" Nov. 21, "Biotechnology, Medicine and Innovation" Dec. 4-5, "Poverty, Inequality, and the Policies of the 'New Left' in Latin America" (in Santiago, Chile, with FLACSO-Chile) Dec. 5, "Prospects For Brazil-US Relations In The New American Administration" Dec. 5, “Art Opening: Vision Impressions - 50 years of the Fullbright Commission in Brazil”

The Latin American Program

The Latin American Program serves as a bridge between the United States and Latin America, providing a nonpartisan forum to discuss the most critical issues affecting the Hemisphere.  Through research, conferences, and publications, the Program convenes experts from throughout the region and the world to deepen the understanding of Latin American and Caribbean politics, history, economics, and culture, as well as U.S.-Latin American relations. The Program brings the region’s most pressing concerns to the attention of opinion leaders and policy makers, thereby contributing to contribute to more informed policy choices in Washington, D.C., and throughout the Hemisphere.

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