Latin Pulse

Mexico with its problems with human rights, corruption, and migration provides the central themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program includes a wide-ranging segment discussing the findings by independent investigators for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights that the Mexican government actively harassed their workers and thwarted the inquiry into the case of 43 missing university students. The Mexican government disputes that view.  The program also discusses how remittances by Mexican migrants are not only more and more economically important, but also have become an issue in the U.S. during the presidential campaign.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Shannon O'Neil of the Council on Foreign Relations; andManuel Orozco of the Inter-American Dialogue.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; andAssociate Producer: Jim Singer.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)   (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin AmericapoliticsMexic

Politics in both Brazil and the Dominican Republic provides the discussion points this week on Latin Pulse. Several segments of the program deal with the fallout from the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff and what are the next steps for Brazil's Congress as it works to remove her.  The program covers the political arguments Rousseff is making to retain her office. The program also sketches the important issues, parties, and candidates involved in the presidential race in the Dominican Republic.  The discussion revolves around the possibility that President Danilo Medina may win re-election on the first round of voting in May.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Matthew Taylor of American University; andJeb Sprague of the University of California Santa Barbara.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andProduction Assistant: Brittney Madison.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)   (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is

Consequences regarding abuses of power provide the central discussion this week on Latin Pulse. The program delves into the politics of impeachment in Brazil as President Dilma Rousseff tangles with members of Congress.  Congress says Rousseff misled them about the country's finances.  But many of those looking to prosecute Rousseff are themselves tangled in various corruption scandals.  The program's analysis gives the necessary context before a Congressional impeachment vote this coming weekend. The program also looks at the reaction in Latin America to the Panama Papers scandal.  The discussion revolves around the Panamanian view of the corruption scandal. The program includes in-depth interviews with:Alex Cuadros, the author of Brazillionaires; andLuis Botello of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andProduction Assistant: Brittney Madison.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)   (The p

A controversial presidential race in Peru and seeking justice in El Salvador provide the themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program analyzes how protest marches and concerns raised by the Organization of American States (OAS) may impact the voting in Peru after several candidates were removed from the ballot.  The program also traces moves toward justice in the massacre of Jesuit priests and religious workers in El Salvador; a case that began in 1989.  The news segment of the program outlines the report known as the Panama Papers and how those revelations may affect politicians in Argentina and Mexico.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Cynthia McClintock of George Washington University; andGeoff Thale of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andProduction Assistant: Brittney Madison.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)   (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.)&nbs

Politics in Brazil and diplomacy with Argentina provide the central themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program examines the meltdown of the administration of President Dilma Rousseff in Brazil as she copes with a major corruption scandal and the threat of impeachment due to charges she abused her powers.  The program unravels what is behind the charges of abuse of power against not just Rousseff, but also former President Lula and other top politicians.  The program also provides an analysis of President Obama's trip to Argentina and why it was met with mixed results by Argentines.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Matthew Taylor of American University; andChris Sabatini of Columbia University and Latin America Goes Global.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)   (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin Americapol

President Barack Obama and his historic trip to Cuba provide the central themes on Latin Pulse this week. The program includes news about various details of Obama's trip to Cuba and Argentina, and in-depth analysis of the political, human rights, and business changes resonating through both countries after the trip.  Although only minor initiatives were signed during the state visit, Obama's trip provides a symbolic touchstone for moving forward on improving the human rights climate in Cuba, discussing what to do with the U.S. economic embargo and resolving the issue of Guantanamo.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Bill LeoGrande of American University; andChris Gutierrez of KC SmartPort.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)   (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin AmericapoliticsCubadiplomacybusinesstradeUnited State

Debating conditions in Venezuela provides a special topic this week on Latin Pulse, as the program provides an extended time for a diplomatic representative of the Bolivarian government to respond to questions. Beyond an official representative of the Venezuelan government a left-wing critic of the government also discusses his view that Venezuela is slipping into autocracy. The news segment of the program covers the call this week for further investigations into illegal domestic spying in Colombia and the sentencing of former government officials to long prison sentences for ordering such illegal activities.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Jesus Rodriguez-Espinoza, Consul General for the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela; andJames Bloodworth, editor of Left Foot Forward.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; andProduction Assistant: Sierra Hancock.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.) (The program is 60 minutes in length and the file size is 83 MB.) 

Politics and diplomacy provide the main themes for Latin Pulse this week.  The program marks the anniversary of the diplomatic opening between Cuba and the United States with an interview recorded in Havana.  The program deals with the prospects for the end of the embargo.  The program also follows the complicated corruption scandal in Brazil that has now intersected with the political movement to impeach and unseat President Dilma Rousseff.  The scandal has now evolved into a political crisis as all branches of the Brazilian government are involved in which politicians should be prosecuted and removed from office.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Bob Holden, former Governor of Missouri and now with Webster University; andMatt Taylor of American University.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)   (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size

War and peace in Colombia and Mexico provide the themes on Latin Pulse. The program updates the status of the long-running peace talks in the 51-year-old civil war in Colombia.  This discussion includes fears that different rebel groups will supplant the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (the FARC).  The program also analyzes the problems of human rights and corruption in Mexico as that country tries to prosecute its part in the Drug War. The news segment of the program covers the feud between Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Vicente Fox, the former president of Mexico, over Trump's immigration proposals.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Adam Isacson of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); andEric Olson of the Woodrow Wilson Center.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)   (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 4

Latin American cinema provides the key discussion points this week on Latin Pulse. The program includes an in-depth discussion with the director of Embrace of the Serpent, the first Colombian film nominated for an Academy Award.  The program also includes a survey of some of the most interesting newer film releases from Brazil, including Casa Grande, The Second Mother, and Neighboring Sounds. The news segment of the program covers the latest move by U.S. President Barack Obama to close the detention facilities at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo and how the U.S. Congress has thwarted those efforts.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Ciro Guerra, director of Embrace of the Serpent; andKathy Corley of Webster University.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)   (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin AmericaCubafilmsColomb

Politics in Venezuela and Bolivia provide the central themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program analyzes the political fights between Venezuela's new National Assembly and President Nicolas Maduro, often with the Venezuelan Supreme Court reinforcing the president's positions. The program also provides a preview of the important referendum in Bolivia that could extend the term of President Evo Morales. The news segment of the program covers Pope Francis and his recent trip to Mexico, including his scolding of Mexican bishops due to corruption, his condemnation of Donald Trump, and his reaction to the Zika virus.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Michael McCarthy of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS); andRob Albro also of (CLALS).Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)   (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42

Pope Francis and his trip to Mexico provide the central themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program discusses the pope's fourth trip to Latin America, which will primarily focus on key stops throughout Mexico. The program reflects on the pope's efforts to put the global refugee crisis and the need to ease migration restrictions in front of policymakers in the hemisphere.  The news segment of the program covers testimony from the Centers for Disease Control in the United States officially linking the zika virus outbreak to microcephaly, a condition that causes brain damage in infants.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU); andMaureen Meyer of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)   (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin

Peru and its presidential politics provide the primary themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program discusses the upcoming election in Peru that currently has a crowded field of 19 candidates, including two former presidents.  The program discusses in depth the chances of front-runner Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of Alberto Fujimori, another former Peruvian president now in prison. The news segment of the program covers the national address by President Dilma Rousseff in Brazil to make her country aware of the nation's new program to eradicate mosquitoes carrying the zika virus.The program includes an in-depth interview with:Moises Arce of the University of Missouri.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)   (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin AmericaBrazilpoliticsPeruzikaelectionsUnited Stateshealth issuesBarack Obamadiplomacyi

Cuba, diplomacy and the Cuban refugee crisis in Central America provide the primary themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program discusses the diplomatic, business, and tourist openings that continue to improve between Cuba and the United States, including a discussion of new reforms announced this week regarding travel and economic concerns.  The program also shares the view from Central America about the problem of Cuban refugees there.  The news segment of the program covers the alarm this week from health officials about the outbreak of the zika virus in the Western Hemisphere and especially how Brazil is responding.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Eric Hershberg, the director of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS); and Carlos Sandoval Garcia of the Universidad de Costa Rica.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.) &n

Latin Pulse registers its 200th episode this week, so the program looks back at the audience's favorite programs since the program became an online radio project.  Themes included in the program include migration, the Drug War, the civil war in Colombia, indigenous issues, and the construction of the Belo Monte Dam in Brazil. The program also includes a discussion of religion, including Santeria and about the folk saint Santa Muerte.  The news segment of the program analyzes the surprise diplomatic move this week by President Mauricio Macri in Argentina to reach out to the United Kingdom.The program includes interviews with:Maureen Meyer of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA);Gimena Sanchez of WOLA;Eve Bratman of American University;Michael Atwood Mason, Director of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife & Cultural Heritage; andAndrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger

Looking ahead at what appear to be the key issues for 2016 in Latin America is the mission for Latin Pulse this week.  The program includes an in-depth and extended discussion with a director of one of the top research centers reviewing Latin American affairs and includes in-depth discussion of Brazil, Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, and United States policy towards the region.  The news segment of the program discusses the move this week to extradite Mexican cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to the United States after he was recaptured in Mexico.The program includes an in-depth interview with:Eric Hershberg, the director of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS).Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)   (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin AmericaBrazilpoliticsMexicoVenezuelaCubacorrupt

Latin American films provide the central focus for Latin Pulse this week.  The program completes its two-part conversation on the film Olvidados, which recounts Operation Condor and its human rights abuses from a Bolivian perspective.  The program also reviews the top Brazilian film of the past year, The Second Mother.  The news segment of the program delves into the controversy between the new National Assembly in Venezuela and that country's Supreme Court over accusations of electoral fraud and the power politics behind the swearing in of three new members of the National Assembly.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Carla Ortiz, the producer of Olvidados; andKathy Corley of Webster University.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)   (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin AmericaBrazilpoliticsBoliviaVenezuela

Religion and politics, the so-called taboo subjects provide the central themes for Latin Pulse this week.  The program provides a preview of Cuba's favorite religious celebration, the feast day of San Lazaro.  The program explores the mix of faiths that honor that day on Dec. 17, including the practitioners of Santeria and those with Christian beliefs.  The program also goes in-depth on reaction to the surprising landslide win of opposition groups in Venezuela in that country's Congressional elections. The program includes excerpts from an international press conference that analyzes the political scene in Venezuela.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Michael Atwood Mason,* the Director of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage; andDavid Smilde† of Tulane University and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.(To download or stream this podcast, cli

Latin Pulse returns from holiday hiatus this week, with a program about culture and politics.  The program previews the film Olvidados, about Operation Condor, that will soon make its cable debut on HBO Latino.  The film tells the story of Operation Condor from a Bolivian perspective.  And the program catches up with the results of the Argentine presidential elections and analyzes how a shift to a conservative government means historic changes for that country.  The news segment of the program looks at the move this week to begin official impeachment proceedings against President Dilma Rousseff in Brazil.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Carla Ortiz, the producer of Olvidados; andChris Sabatini of Columbia University & Latin America Goes Global.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.) (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.)

Reflections on a special trip to Cuba provide the main themes on Latin Pulse this week.  The program includes interviews with a U.S. delegation on a cultural and educational exchange in Cuba, including the delegation's leader, the former governor of Missouri.  The program also includes viewpoints on the U.S. embargo of Cuba and the possibility of business development on the island.  The discussion ranges through politics, economics and shared interests between the U.S. and Cuba.  The news segment of the program discusses the capture of Syrians using illegal passports in Honduras to possibly enter the U.S. illegally.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Bob Holden, former governor of Missouri and now with Webster University; andChris Gutierrez, SmartPort of Kansas City.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.) (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file