Latin Pulse

Femicide and violence against women in Latin America provide the themes on Latin Pulse this week.  The program focuses on murders aimed at women in Central America and Mexico, the region with the worst global statistics as assembled by the United Nations.  The program also discusses linkages between such violence and unauthorized immigration.  The program discusses the causes behind femicide and includes analysis about the need to improve the justice in the region.  The news segment of the program covers the constitutional changes in Bolivia to allow President Evo Morales to run for re-election in four years if he wishes.The program includes an in-depth interview with:Karen Musalo of the University of California.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 AmericaelectionspoliticsBo

Trade, finance and economics provide the main themes on Latin Pulse this week. The program gives an in-depth analysis of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and what obstacles it faces in the U.S. Congress and the U.S. political system.  The program also reviews the current status of the debt crisis in Puerto Rico and dissects how the island territory piled up billions in debt.  The news segment of the program covers the results of presidential elections in Latin America, with a focus on why the presidential race in Argentina is headed to a second round of voting.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Chris Sabatini of Columbia University & Latin America Goes Global; andMauro Guillen of the Lauder Institute of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.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.)&nb

Presidential politics and elections in Latin America provide the main themes on Latin Pulse this week. The program goes in-depth on this weekend's presidential elections in Guatemala and Argentina.  In Guatemala, comedian Jimmy Morales is the front-runner by a wide margin but some are asking if he is a true break with Guatemala's military past.  And in Argentina, Daniel Scioli leads the pack as the handpicked successor of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, but can he make his own way?  The news segment of the program covers the latest developments with the debt crisis in Puerto Rico.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Eric Olson of the Wilson Center; andPeter Hakim of the Inter-American Dialogue.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 America electionspoliticscorru

Politics and the competencies of governments in Venezuela and Brazil are the central themes on Latin Pulse this week. The program includes an in-depth discussion about the state of democracy in Venezuela and how it has deteriorated due to crackdowns on opposition leaders.  The program also includes a discussion of the political repercussions of the Petrobras corruption scandal in Brazil and further calls for the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff.  The news segment of the program covers the murder of an activist for transgender rights in Argentina.The program includes in-depth interviews with:David Smilde of Tulane University; andCarlos Pereira of the Getulio Vargas Foundation.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 AmericaBrazilpoliticscorruptionArgentinaVenezuelademocracyelections

This week, Latin Pulse dives into the Drug War.  The program explores two of the most important fronts in that war: Mexico and Venezuela.  The segment of the program on Mexico gives an overview of the condition of various cartels and why the strategy to focus on drug kingpins has mostly failed. The segment on Venezuela focuses on the ties between Venezuela's military and the drug trade. The news segment of the program gives the latest information about the controversy surrounding 43 missing university students in Mexico and whether they were massacred by police and drug cartels colluding together.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Jo Tuckman of The Guardian;Jeremy McDermott of InSight Crime.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; andAssociate Producer: Gabriela Canchola.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.) (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin AmericaMexicoVenezuelaviolenceEnrique Pena Nietodisapper

War and peace are the central themes on Latin Pulse this week. The program includes an in-depth discussion about breakthroughs in the peace process that could end 51 years of civil war in Colombia.  The program also discusses tensions in the border regions between Venezuela and Colombia, and on Venezuela's border with Guyana and what those tensions mean in the current political climate.  The news segment of the program covers new calls for impeachment to remove President Dilma Rousseff from office in Brazil.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Adam Isacson of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); andDavid Smilde of Tulane University.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; andAssistant Producer: Brooklynn Engel.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.) (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin AmericaBrazilpoliticscorruptionColombiaVenezuelaGuyanabusinessUnited NationsDilma Rousseffcivil warD

Brazil and its struggles with corruption and development provides the central focus on Latin Pulse this week. The program discusses in detail the various corruption scandals that have created political gridlock in Brazil.  The program also has the latest on the development of the controversial Bello Monte dam and how that project is the source of environmental and cultural damage in the Amazon region.  The news segment of the program covers the speech by U.S. President Barack Obama at the United Nations calling for the U.S. Congress to strike down the economic embargo against the country.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Matt Taylor of American University; andEve Bratman 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 is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin AmericaBrazildevelopmentpoliticscorruptionc

Culture and politics provide the themes on Latin Pulse this week. The program looks backward at the end of the popular Univision program Sabado Gigante and how it survived despite criticisms of its content.  The program provided a cultural link on Saturday evenings to many audiences throughout Latin America.  Latin Pulse also reviews the upcoming presidential elections in Argentina and how the final stage of the presidency of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner casts a shadow on the process.  The news segment of the program reviews the trip to Cuba by Pope Francis and its implications for politics and diplomacy.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Constanza Mujica of Universidad Catolica; andAmy Williams of Latin America Goes Global.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 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 AmericamediatelevisionpoliticsChi

It's the fourth anniversary of Latin Pulse, and the program celebrates in its own way:  a medley of out-takes and pithy comments from the most popular programs of the past year. The topics on the program range from a review of the crisis of unaccompanied minors on the U.S.-Mexico border to covering various fronts in the Drug War.  The program also includes segments on the economic impact of China on Latin America.  The news segment of the program covers the aftereffects of the earthquake in Chile that saw a million people evacuate their homes.The program includes interview segments with:Eric Olson of the Woodrow Wilson Center; Jo Tuckman of The Guardian;Jeremy McDermott of InSight Crime;Mark Jones of Rice University;Kevin Gallagher of Boston University; andIgnacio Siles 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.) (The program is 30 min

Religion in Latin America provides the theme this week on Latin Pulse, as Cuba prepares for an official visit from Pope Francis. The program analyzes the importance of the pope's upcoming trip to Cuba and reflects on how the Cuba trip will provide a preface for the pope's visit to the United States. The program also reviews a new book that deals with how religion is fighting violence throughout Latin America, especially Central America.  The news segment of the program reviews the results in the first round of the Guatemalan presidential voting and the upset of comedian Jimmy Morales.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University; andAlex Wilde 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.)&nb

The seismic political shift in Guatemala provides the focus this week on Latin Pulse. The program covers both the resignation of President Otto Perez Molina due to a corruption scandal and the presidential elections that will have the country voting on new leaders this weekend.  The program analyzes the impact of the United Nations' International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG, by its Spanish acronym) in uncovering corruption and supporting the justice system.  The program also provides a preview of the elections and how the issue of corruption has become the centerpiece of that process too.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Adriana Beltran of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA);andJulie Lopez of Plaza Publica.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

Violence, crime and national security provide the themes this week on Latin Pulse. First, the program reviews security in Mexico, and discusses the rise of various cartels, especially the Sinaloa Cartel.  Another in-depth part of the program deals with the crisis in El Salvador due to the involvement of street gangs in a transportation strike. Both segments discuss how the central governments in these countries do not have the power to stop the criminal groups. The news segment of the program covers the border crisis between Venezuela and Colombia due to unauthorized immigration, violence and the influence of criminal groups.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Jo Tuckman of The Guardian;andHector Silva 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

Pursuit of justice in major human rights cases in Central America provide the central focus this week on Latin Pulse. First, the program considers the potential extradition of Inocente Montano, a former high-ranking military official in El Salvador who a Spanish court is attempting to try for his part in ordering the massacre of Jesuit priests and religious workers.  The second case concerns former dictator Efrain Rios Montt accused of genocide in the killing of Mayan villagers in Guatemala. The news segment of the program covers the controversies swirling around the reopening of the U.S. embassy in Havana.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Hector Silva of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS); andKelsey Alford Jones of the Guatemala Human Rights Commission.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Announcer: Jim Singer; andProduction Assistant: Sierra Hancock.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.) (The program is 30 minutes in length and t

Colombia and its civil war provide some of the central themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program discusses land reform, rural development, and indigenous issues and how they are related to the civil war.  The program also reflects on the Colombian emigrant experience and the various social and cultural forms that this community works to keep alive.  The program discusses Colombian music, dance, and customs.  The news segment of the program covers the debt default of Puerto Rico and its economic crisis.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Jack Laun of the Colombia Support Network; andMaria Amparo Holmes, author of Conexiones/Connections.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; andProduction Assistant: Sierra Hancock.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.) (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin AmericaColombiadevelopmentagricultureminingculturemusicpolicecivil warindigenous issuesPuerto Ricomusicdebt

Looking back at the violent history of repression in the Dominican Republic is the central theme this week on Latin Pulse, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of U.S. efforts to bolster a military dictatorship.  The program discusses the U.S. invasion and occupation in some depth and discusses how this event continues to resonate with Dominicans to this day.  The program also explores the political and economic fallout from that invasion.  The news segment of the program covers the violent transportation strike in El Salvador and how street gangs have amplified the tense conditions.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Tim Shenk of the Committee on U.S.-Latin American Relations (CUSLAR); andLauren Derby of UCLA.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; andProduction Assistant: Sierra Hancock.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.) (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin Americaelectionspoliticsmilita

Issues in the Caribbean provide the central themes this week on Latin Pulse.  The program provides a deep analysis of the issues confronting the new relationship between Cuba and the United States.  Major parts of the discussion reveal how these relations are linked to domestic presidential politics in the United States.  The second segment in the program discusses the racial tensions fueling immigration policy in the Dominican Republic, regarding threats to deport Haitian immigrants.  The news segment of the program covers the details of the historic ceremonies to officially open the Cuban embassy in Washington, D.C.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Bill LeoGrande of American University; andTim Shenk of the Committee on U.S.-Latin American Relations (CUSLAR).Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; andProduction Assistant: Sierra Hancock.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.) (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.

War and politics provide the themes on Latin Pulse, this week, as the program tunes in to events in Guatemala and Colombia. The first segment of the program discusses the complex political matrix in Guatemala as the country heads toward presidential elections and what effects the anti-corruption protests in the country might have on that process.  The second part of the program examines how U.S. policies have affected the conduct of the civil war in Colombia. The news segment of the program gives details of the prison escape by Joaquin "El Chapo Shorty" Guzman, the head of the Sinaloa Cartel.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Julie Lopez of Plaza Publica; andWinifred Tate of Colby College.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; andProduction Assistant: Sierra Hancock.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.) (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin America electionspoliticsmilitaryGuatemalaColombiaMexicoprisonsc

Pope Francis and his trip to the Andes region of Latin America provides the central theme on Latin Pulse. The program includes a deep theological discussion of how Pope Francis is redirecting the philosophy of the Church to take the concerns of poverty more seriously.  The program also discusses the Church's views on LGBT rights, indigenous issues, and euthanasia.  The program also reviews the political issues in Ecuador, Bolivia, and Paraguay that intersect with the pope's trip. The news segment of the program covers the criticisms of ecological policies in Ecuador leveled by the pope during his trip.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Rev. Joe Eldridge of American University; andAlex Wilde of the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; andAnnouncer: Guillermo Rodriguez.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.) (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.)&

Pope Francis and his upcoming trip to the Andes provide the central theme this week on Latin Pulse. The program includes analysis from Rome and how the issues of marriage equality and LGBT acceptance by the Catholic Church may arise during the pope's trip.  The program also includes discussion of the pope's role in bringing Cuba and the United States together diplomatically during the past year.  The program includes analysis of the pope's shift to favor liberation theology. The news segment of the program covers the plans between Cuba and the United States to resume normal diplomatic relations.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Joshua McElwee of the National Catholic Reporter; andAndrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; andProduction Assistant: Sierra Hancock.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.) (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcastnewsLatin Americareligionp

Looking ahead to next week and the important meetings between Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff and U.S. President Barack Obama, Latin Pulse gives an analytical preview of what to expect.  The program includes viewpoints from both Brazil and the United States, taking into account the domestic problems Rousseff faces, including the worst economic climate in a generation as Brazil slips into recession, and the worst presidential popularity ratings in Brazil's democratic history. The news segment of the program covers the success of special trade authority in the U.S. Congress this week and what that means for Mexico, Peru and Chile.The program includes in-depth interviews with:Matias Spektor of the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Brazil; andVictoria Langland of the University of Michigan.Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Producer: Jim Singer; andProduction Assistant: Sierra Hancock.(To download or stream this podcast, click here.) (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.)&n