Latin America

The Return of the Fourth Fleet

Venzualenanalysis.com
May 10th 2008, by BBC

The U.S.S. George Washington is currently in Brazilian waters carrying out military exercises.

After 58 years, the United States Navy will reactivate the Fourth Fleet, which will be in charge of patrolling Latin American waters.

The fleet had been deactivated following the end of the Second World War, but starting July 1st of this year, U.S. naval forces will have a high level command specifically dedicated to supervising the projects of its units in Latin America and the Caribbean.

A U.S. military spokesperson pointed out to the BBC that this does not imply in itself an increase in U.S. military presence in the region. Continue reading The Return of the Fourth Fleet →

Peace

40,000 people marched to the Republican National Convention to say ‘US Out of Iraq Now

Dear Friend of United for Peace and Justice,

Yesterday, on a hot and humid day in St. Paul, Minnesota, upwards of 40,000 people marched to the front door of the Republican National Convention to say ‘US Out of Iraq Now’, ‘Money for Human Needs, Not War’; ‘No to the Republican Agenda’; ‘Yes to Peace, Justice, and Equality’.

Like most major marches, no one knew for certain how many people would turn out for the March on the RNC. The media coverage of the long struggle with local officials for permit rights had, in the end, helped organizers get the word out throughout the Twin Cities area for the march. Groups all around the upper Midwest organized buses, vans, and carpools to bring people into town. It was clear that this was an opportunity not to be missed. As the Republican Party was beginning its four-day gathering to nominate John McCain as their presidential candidate, we would be on the streets to raise a clear strong voice addressing the war and a range of other issues. Continue reading 40,000 people marched to the Republican National Convention to say ‘US Out of Iraq Now →

Economic Justice, Environment

World Bank Carbon Plan ‘A Protection Racket’

OneWorld UK

Carbon credits are a key component of national and international emissions trading schemes that have been implemented to mitigate global warming. They provide a way to reduce greenhouse effect emissions on an industrial scale by capping total annual emissions and letting the market assign a monetary value to any shortfall through trading. Credits can be exchanged between businesses or bought and sold in international markets at the prevailing market price. Credits can be used to finance carbon reduction schemes between trading partners and around the world. Continue reading World Bank Carbon Plan ‘A Protection Racket’ →

Economic Justice, Food Security, Latin America

Food Crisis Reverses Middle Class Trend in Latin America

New America Media

The food crisis in Latin America is eroding the spending power of the new middle class, and with it, their optimism in the future of the region’s economy. In Latin America, the global food crisis has done more than just trigger protests and force governments to scramble for stopgap solutions. The crisis has begun to reverse the most positive regional trend of recent years: the decline of poverty and the nascent emergence of a new middle class. Continue reading Food Crisis Reverses Middle Class Trend in Latin America →

Economic Justice, Food Security, Haiti

Multinationals make billions in profit out of growing global food crisis

The Independent

Speculators blamed for driving up price of basic foods as 100 million face severe hunger. Monsanto reported net income for the three months up to the end of February this year had more than doubled. Cargill’s net earnings soared by 86 per cent and Archer Daniels Midland increased its net earnings by 42 per cent. Continue reading Multinationals make billions in profit out of growing global food crisis →

Development, Economic Justice, human rights, Zimbabwe

Where to, Zimbabwe?

Pambazuka News
As the world waits to see what will happen in Zimbabwe, Patrick Bond argues that lessons should be taught and retaught about the dangers of elite transition between a voracious, corrupt, violent and divisive set of rulers, and an incoming crew who might not withstand the blandishments of local power-sharing and global economic seduction. Continue reading Where to, Zimbabwe? →