Latin Pulse

Latin Pulse: 5.17.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:43:02 PDT

Human rights in Central America, both past and present, take center stage this week on Latin Pulse. The program looks at the fallout from the guilty verdict in Guatemala that has sent former dictator Efrain Rios Montt to prison for genocide and crimes against humanity. Also, the program looks at the return of death squads in Honduras and the lack of human rights there in an election year. The news segment of the program covers the controversial change in ownership of the television network Globovision in Venezuela.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Kathryn Johnson of the Guatemala Human Rights Commission (GHRC); and
Alex Main of the Center for Economic & Policy Research (CEPR).

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Hugo Chavez
Central America
Nicolas Maduro
United States
media
politics
gangs
Venezuela
violence
murder
genocide
extra-judicial killings
justice
Drug War
Honduras
elections
coup
disappearances
Efrain Rios Montt
death squads
human rights
Juan Carlos Bonilla
Guatemala
law enforcement
indigenous issues
military
militarization
police
DEA
Libre Party
Liberal Party
National Party
Xiomara Castro
Manuel Zelaya
national security
Drug Enforcement Administration
U.S. State Department
minority issues

Latin Pulse: 5.02.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:42:48 PDT

With the visit of President Barack Obama to Mexico and Central America this week Latin Pulse focuses on the agenda of the United States in the region. Obama has underlined the importance of trade and economic agreements that will frame this trip. However, the program also ranges into the issues of immigration and the Drug War that will undoubtedly also be important to this round of diplomacy. The news segment of the program covers the clash in the Venezuelan National Assembly between the ruling socialist party and the opposition, leaving lawmakers literally bruised and battered.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Manuel Suarez-Mier of American University; and
Francisco Robles Rivera of the Universidad Nacional and the Universidad de Costa Rica.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
El Salvador
Central America
Barack Obama
United States
immigration
politics
Mexico
Venezuela
economics
trade
diplomacy
European Union
deportations
Drug War
violence
NAFTA
CAFTA
poverty
Enrique Pena Nieto
Trans-Pacific Partnership
human rights
Otto Perez Molina
Guatemala
El Salvador
John Kerry
CELAC
imperialism

Latin Pulse: 4.26.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:38:57 PDT

The unseen effects of immigration policy in the United States are the focus this week on Latin Pulse. The primary discussion revolves around the large number of deportations in the Latino population of undocumented living in the United States. The discussion looks at a research project to see how deportations affect Salvadoran communities, with a special focus on the effects on children. The news segment of the program looks at the outcome of the presidential elections in Paraguay and plans that president-elect Horacio Cartes has to reconnect his country to the trade bloc Mercosur.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Eric Hershberg of the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University; and
Dennis Stinchcomb of CLALS.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
El Salvador
Colorado Party
U.S. Senate
immigration
politics
Mexico
elections
Paraguay
trade
Latinos
United States
Marco Rubio
violence
reforms
health issues
remittances
gangs
deportations
Horacio Cartes
social services
gang truce
truce
Barack Obama

Latin Pulse: 4.19.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:16:50 PDT

The surprising results of the snap Venezuelan presidential election and the violence that followed provide one theme for this week's edition of Latin Pulse. The program includes two interviews reacting to the outcome, including a former U.S. ambassador to Venezuela. The program also looks at the issues facing Venezuela's new president. The other central theme of the program is a look forward at this weekend's elections in Paraguay, which includes the comeback of that country's powerful Colorado Party. The news segment of the program reviews the details of the recently unveiled bipartisan immigration reform proposal in the United States Senate.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Charles Shapiro of the Institute of the Americas
Dr. Christopher Sabatini of the Americas Society/Council of the Americas; and
Dr. Peter Lambert of the University of Bath.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Hugo Chavez
Nicolas Maduro
Henrique Capriles Radonski
Venezuela
politics
economics
elections
coup
immigration
United States
U.S. Senate
reforms
violence
John Kerry
recount
OAS
UNASUR
protests
oil
nationalizations
shortages
business
capitalism
diplomacy
Efrain Alegre
Horacio Cartes
Colorado Party
corruption
Federico Franco
Fernando Lugo
Paraguay impeachment

Latin Pulse: 4.12.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:19:34 PDT

The Venezuelan snap presidential election has Latin America enthralled this week and so Latin Pulse turns its full attention this week to pre-election politics. The program focuses on the candidates: Interim President Nicolas Maduro and Governor Henrique Capriles Radonski. Some of the discussion deals with inequities during the campaign and how Capriles is trailing in the polls. The program also looks at Maduro's record and discusses the potential for diplomacy between the United States and Venezuela moving forward. The program includes analysis from both Washington, D.C. and Caracas.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

David Smilde of the University of Georgia; and
Alex Main of the Center for Economic & Policy Research.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine
Writer: Zach Cohen.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Hugo Chavez
Nicolas Maduro
Henrique Capriles Radonski
Venezuela
politics
economics
elections
coup
media
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Henri Falcon
Carlos Ocariz
CELAC
ALBA
Sebastian Pinera
Chile
diplomacy
United States
Barack Obama
unions
labor
espionage

Latin Pulse: 4.05.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 16:55:04 PDT

Politics and justice provide the twin themes this week on Latin Pulse with a discussion of Venezuelan politics before the country's snap presidential elections and a look at the historic human rights trial in Guatemala. The program discusses the chances of Venezuelan candidates Acting President Nicolas Maduro and Governor Henrique Capriles Radonski, with a discussion of how the Capriles campaign can possibly become competitive in the race, as it also fights the popularity of the late Hugo Chavez, the former president. The program segment on the Guatemalan trial discusses why this step is so important for that country's indigenous population. The news segment of the program covers the reaction of Paraguay's president to accusations that he took power through questionable means last summer.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Victor Amaya of TalCual; and
Kathryn Johnson of the Guatemala Human Rights Commission.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine
Writer: Zach Cohen.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
human rights
Venezuela
Guatemala
justice
politics
Paraguay
Federico Franco
Nicolas Maduro
coup
elections
genocide
indigenous issues
Henrique Capriles Radonski
corruption
impunity
media
Claudia Paz y Paz
Hugo Chavez

Latin Pulse: 3.29.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 07:17:43 PDT

This month marks the anniversary of the controversial 2012 gang truce in El Salvador. This week, Latin Pulse looks back at how the truce has worked between the large transnational criminal organizations MS-13 and Barrio 18, which characterize themselves as street gangs or maras. The primary question is how was the truce brought about? Did the Catholic Church broker the gang peace independently or did the Salvadoran government mask its involvement in the truce by getting the Church involved? The news segment of the program looks at the expectations of President Barack Obama concerning the debate over immigration reforms.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Steven Dudley of InSight Crime; and
Hector Silva of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS).

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Barack Obama
immigration
gangs
MS-13
politics
crime
El Salvador
Mauricio Funes
violence
media
prisons
Catholic Church
Barrio 18 Gang
homicide
drug cartels
organized crime
Mexico
United States
truce
Central America

Latin Pulse: 3.22.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 07:17:29 PDT

The installation of Pope Francis this week focuses Latin Pulse on topics of both spirituality and science. The program discusses the rise of evangelical Christianity over liberation theology. The program also explores the pope's views on same sex marriage, the LGBT community, and how the Catholic hierarchy failed to fight the military junta that ruled Argentina. The focus of the program turns to health with the allegations of the Venezuelan government regarding the origins of the cancer that afflicted former President Hugo Chavez. The program also looks at the rise of cancer rates in Latin America.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Prof. Andrew Chesnut* of Virginia Commonwealth University; and Rolando Camacho of the Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT).

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

*Chesnut is the author of Competitive Spirits: Latin America's New Religious Economy.

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Hugo Chavez
Veneuzuela
pope
Catholicism
spirituality
Argentina
health issues
LGBT issues
religion
pentacostalism
evangelicalism
Pope Francis
The Vatican
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner
Brazil
Malvinas
theology
diplomacy
poverty
cancer
HIV-AIDS
same sex marriage
Falkland Islands
dirty war
United States
Israel
politics

Latin Pulse: 3.15.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:34:46 PDT

This week, Latin Pulse returns to the topic of telenovelas. The program explores the cultural aspects of this popular television form and discusses the advances of that form as propelled by television writers and producers in Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil. The program also explores how telenovelas have been used as metaphorical political commentary, especially in Venezuela and Brazil. The news segment of the program covers how Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was elevated to pope, replacing Pope Benedict XVI, and became the first pope from Latin America.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Antonio La Pastina of Texas A&M University and
Carolina Acosta-Alzuru of the University of Georgia.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Alexia Campbell.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

A full listing of songs used in the production of this special can be found here.

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Hugo Chavez
Veneuzuela
pope
politics
elections
Colombia
Ugly Betty
gender issues
religion
Catholicism
Argentina
Pope Francis
United States
Pope Benedict XVI
telenovelas
culture
media
Venevision
RCTV
censorship
Yo Soy Betty La Fea
Cafe con Aroma de Mujer
free speech
Brazil
Cosita Rica
O Clone
Gloria Perez
Caminho das Indias
De Corpo e Alma
Empreguetes
Cheias de Charme

Latin Pulse: 3.08.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:02:52 PST

The death of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez resonated globally this week and this episode of Latin Pulse focuses on Chavez and his legacy. The program looks at the positives and negatives attached to the Chavez government. Some parts of the program look at the outcomes of the Chavez social programs in Venezuela. The discussion also covers Venezuelan politics after Chavez. Finally, the program focuses on the potential for diplomatic change between the United States and Venezuela in the post-Chavez era.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Daniel Hellinger of Webster University and the Center for Democracy in the Americas (CDA);
Eric Hershberg of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS); and
Fulton Armstrong of American University's CLALS.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Hugo Chavez
Veneuzuela
cancer
politics
elections
Colombia
Nicolas Maduro
Diosdado Cabello
Cuba
poverty
healthcare
human rights
United States
Henrique Capriles Radonski
oil
economics
UNASUR
CELAC
OAS
diplomacy

Latin Pulse: 3.01.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 07:29:22 PST

Politics in South America provides the common theme this week on Latin Pulse, as the program looks at upcoming votes in Paraguay and on the Falkland Islands. Voters on the Falklands will decide if they wish to stay a part of the United Kingdom. Argentina claims the islands and refers to them as the Malvinas. The program also looks at the presidential campaign in Paraguay and questions posed about frontrunner Horacio Cartes. The news segment of the program covers the move this week by Mexican prosecutors to charge the powerful head of that country's teachers union with various corruption charges.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Prof. Andrew Nickson of the University of Birmingham in the U.K.; and
Peter Hakim of the Inter-American Dialogue.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine
Writer: Zach Cohen.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
United Kingdom
Mexico
Paraguay
politics
elections
Malvinas
Falkland Islands
Horacio Cartes
education
corruption
Argentina
Colorado Party
Fernando Lugo
Enrique Pena Nieto
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner
impeachment
Efrain Alegre
Wikileaks
referendum
China
economics
express coup
land reform
sexual impropriety
Drug War
coup
media
diplomacy
Grupo Clarin

Latin Pulse: 2.22.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 07:26:05 PST

El Salvador and its relationship with the United States is the focus this week on Latin Pulse. The program includes an in-depth interview with El Salvador's ambassador to the United States and the conversation ranges across a variety of issues including immigration, gangs, and human rights. The ambassador discusses how immigration is not solely a domestic issue for the United States but is also part of diplomatic relations, due to remittances. The news segment of the program covers the reaction to the re-election of Rafael Correa as the president of Ecuador.

The program includes an in-depth interview with:

Ambassador Francisco Altschul of El Salvador.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
United States
immigration
Ecuador
politics
elections
Honduras
Barack Obama
Rafael Correa
Nicaragua
remittances
FMLN
El Salvador
social programs
Barrio 18 Gang
18th Street Gang
deportations
Mauricio Funes
crime
gangs
MS13
violence
immigration reform
Central America
human rights
impunity
justice
diplomacy
democracy
maras
civil war
Inocente Montano
Jesuit killings

Latin Pulse: 2.15.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 05:51:55 PST

This week Latin Pulse takes divergent paths in its weekly examination of Latin America. The program provides one key focus on the Ecuadoran elections this weekend, where President Rafael Correa is seeking re-election. The program covers Correa's prospects for re-election and key themes for his next term. The program also looks at new affirmative action programs in Brazil and discusses the inequities for Afro-Brazilians in the education and corporate spheres. The news segment of the program gives the latest on the rhetorical debate in the United States regarding proposed reforms in immigration policies.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Rob Albro of the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University; and
Bernd Reiter of the University of South Florida.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
United States
immigration
Ecuador
politics
elections
Barack Obama
Rafael Correa
Wikileaks
media
oil
Guillermo Lasso
social programs
Afro-Latin American issues
Afro-Brazilians
Hugo Chavez
CIA
imperialism
Venezuela
discrimination
affirmative action
racial inequality
racial policies
racism
Brazil
diplomacy

Latin Pulse: 2.08.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 07:27:10 PST

Disappearances linked to the Drug War and human rights in Mexico are the focus this week on Latin Pulse. The program includes an in-depth report that shows drug cartels are preying on undocumented workers headed to the United States and the Mexican government has not reacted in strong ways to these human rights issues. The program also deals with corruption and the institutional links between law enforcement, the military, and the cartels in Mexico. The news segment of the program deals rape and violence in Acapulco.

The program includes an in-depth interview with:

Robert Goldman of American University.

Other interviews include:

Maureen Meyer of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA);
Nik Steinberg of Human Rights Watch; and
Sonja Wolf of INSYDE.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
human rights
disappearances
violence
immigration
crime
international law
Drug War
Colombia
crime
drug cartels
Felipe Calderon
Enrique Pena Nieto
FARC
civil war
corruption

Latin Pulse: 2.01.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:03:20 PST

The emerging genre of narco-literature is the special focus this week on Latin Pulse. The program takes an in-depth look at award-winning Mexican author, Elmer Mendoza, regarded by critics as the leading voice in this area of crime literature. The program also sets Mendoza's work in the larger spectrum of Mexican crime novels and Spanish-language literature in general. The program also compares work to other leading Mexican writers, such as Paco Ignacio Taibo II. The news segment of the program deals with proposals for comprehensive immigration reform put forth by President Barack Obama and the U.S. Senate.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Prof. Nuria Vilanova of American University; and
Jeff Siegel, author of The American Detective.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
Barack Obama
reforms
violence
immigration
crime
U.S. Congress
literature
crime
Drug War
Elmer Mendoza
Colombia
Sinaloa
narco-literature
United States
drug cartels
Raymond Chandler
Dashiell Hammett
Paco Ignacio Taibo II
writers
media
culture

Latin Pulse: 1.25.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:05:21 PST

Prospects for comprehensive immigration reform in the United States are the primary focus of the discussion this week on Latin Pulse. President Barack Obama signaled that immigration will be a major agenda item in his second term during this week's inaugural speech. How will Republicans react to the push for immigration reform and what specific steps might the country see in the next year. The news segment of the program deals with a controversial kidnapping case that has caused diplomatic rifts between Mexico and France.

The program includes an in-depth interview with:

Alan Kraut of American University.

Other key interviews include:

Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue;
Stephen Dinan of The Washington Times; and
Carlos Amador of United We Dream.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine
Writer: Colin Campbell.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
Barack Obama
reforms
politics
immigration
elections
U.S. Congress
justice
crime
Dream Act
Achieve Act
deportation
Latinos
business
economics
United States

Latin Pulse: 1.18.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 10:39:51 PST

Cuba's new travel policies and the future of Cuban diplomatic relations with the United States are the primary focus of the discussion this week on Latin Pulse. The program also takes a wide-ranging look at how President Barack Obama's second term might spell out some differences in U.S. policies toward Latin America moving forward. Topics covered include: immigration, the Drug War, and U.S. relations with Venezuela.

In-depth interviews in this program:

Bill LeoGrande of American University; and
Mark Schneider of the International Crisis Group.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Venezuela
Cuba
reforms
Raul Castro
Hugo Chavez
Nicolas Maduro
politics
diplomacy
trade
immigration
economics
elections
Mexico
Barack Obama
Guatemala
trade
United States
Dominican Republic
Alan Gross
Drug War
Central America
OAS
Afro-Cubans
NAFTA
violence
gun smuggling
Felipe Calderon
Enrique Pena Nieto
Otto Perez Molina
U.S. State Department
drug decriminalization
drug legalization
marijuana
cocaine

Latin Pulse: 1.11.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:36:10 PST

The health of Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela provides the central focus on Latin Pulse, this week. The program reviews the legal climate regarding the debate over Venezuela's constitution and how it reflects on questions of whether Chavez is too ill to govern. The program also looks at how changes in China's leadership may affect investment and trade, not just in Venezuela, but throughout Latin America. The program includes a commentary covering bilateral trade relations between Brazil and Mexico.

In-depth interviews in this program:

Jennifer McCoy of the Carter Center; and
Margaret Myers of the Inter-American Dialogue.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Venezuela
cancer
health
Xi Jinping
Hugo Chavez
Nicolas Maduro
politics
China
trade
Chile
economics
elections
Argentina
health issues
oil
Brazil
commodities
Colombia

Latin Pulse: 1.04.2013

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 21:11:48 PST

Marijuana legalization and its effects on the drug cartels provide the focus on Latin Pulse this week. After Colorado and Washington state in the U.S. changed laws late last year, experts began analyzing and speculating about whether this would have an impact on the Drug War. This program examines the political and economic scene in the U.S. and in Latin America after these historic votes. The news segment of the program covers the latest on the health condition of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez.

The in-depth interview is with:

John Walsh of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).

Other expert interviews include:

Dr. Jon Caulkins of Carnegie Mellon University;
Allen St. Pierre of NORML; and
Dr. Bruce Bagley of the University of Miami.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Alexia Campbell
Writer: Jordan D'eri.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
cancer
health
Drug War
Hugo Chavez
Nicolas Maduro
Venezuela
marijuana
Uruguay
crime
economics
politics
elections
Enrique Pena Nieto
recreational drugs
drug cartels
drug legalization
Barack Obama
Washington state
Washington
Colorado
United States

Latin Pulse: 12.20.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 14:21:28 PST

This week, Latin Pulse comes one day early to provide a special centered around the myths of the Mayan calendar. Although some wrongly attribute beliefs about a doomsday on Dec. 21, 2012 to the Mayan calendar, this program traces the origins of such misinformation and discusses Mayan astronomy, astrology, and religion. The news segment of the program covers the creation of a new federal police force in Mexico and how that might affect the Drug War and human rights concerns in that country.

In-depth interviews include:

Dr. Mark Van Stone of Southwest College;
and
Dr. David Freidel of Washington University .

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(For a list of songs used in this special, please click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
Guatemala
Mayans
Drug War
indigenous issues
Mayan calendar
archaeology
NASA
culture
2012
astronomy
Mayan apocalypse
human rights
religion
astrology
Enrique Pena Nieto
Human Rights Watch
indigenous religions

Latin Pulse: 12.14.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:08:57 PST

Latin Pulse this week takes a close look at politics and elections in Ecuador, with presidential elections coming in that South American country in February of 2013. Ecuador's President Rafael Correa is far ahead in most polls, but does he face any real political or policy challenges? The program attempts to answer that question while also looking at Correa's inconsistent record regarding free speech. Both the news segment of the program and a commentary focus on the renewed health concerns regarding President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.

In-depth interviews include:

Rob Albro of the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University;
and
Luis Botello of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Ecuador
Venezuela
cancer
Rafael Correa
Hugo Chavez
free speech
health
politics
elections
Bolivia
media
Evo Morales
Guillermo Lasso
Alvaro Naboa
indigenous rights
indigenous politics
oil
democracy

Latin Pulse: 12.07.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 11:48:40 PST

With the passing this week of the third anniversary of the incarceration of Alan Gross, Latin Pulse returns to a focus on Cuba. The program looks at prospects for change between the U.S. and Cuba during the next term of the Obama administration. The program also features discussion of a new mini-documentary produced by Cuban documentary-makers about housing conditions in Havana, an example of reforms and a loosening of communication controls.

In-depth interviews include:

Phil Peters of the Lexington Institute;
and
Prof. Bill Gentile of American University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine
Writer: Jordan D'eri.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Cuba
diplomacy
economics
United States
Barack Obama
Alan Gross
embargo
documentaries
housing
communication
USAID
economic reforms
Raul Castro
Fidel Castro
internet

Latin Pulse: 11.30.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:56:05 PST

This week Latin Pulse returns with a focus on Mexico and the man elected to lead that nation for the next six years: Enrique Peña Nieto. The program looks deeply at politics in Mexico including the history of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI, by its Spanish acronym) and prospects for how that party will help Peña Nieto govern a country confronted by the challenges of corruption and the violent Drug War. The program also discussed Peña Nieto's visit to Washington, D.C. this week and how the administration of President Barack Obama will respond to this leadership change in Mexico.

In-depth interviews include:

Eric Olson of the Wilson Center;
and
Dr. John Ackerman of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM).

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine
Writers: Jordan D'eri and Colin Campbell.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
immigration
Mexico
media
United States
Barack Obama
Drug War
politics
diplomacy
business
trade
PRI
corruption
democracy
Enrique Pena Nieto #Yo Soy 132 Felipe Calderon

Latin Pulse: 11.16.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:51:47 PST

This week Latin Pulse provides a special focus on telenovelas, the very popular cultural form produced throughout the region and exported successfully worldwide. The program includes insights on the gender issues raised by these popular shows and the program looks at how these shows demonstrate how the Drug War is resonating culturally. The news segment of the program deals with announcements this week from U.S. President Barack Obama about the prospects for comprehensive immigration reform during his second term in office.

In-depth interviews include:

Prof. Carolina Acosta-Alzuru of the University of Georgia;
and
Prof. Nataly Guzman of the Universidad de CentroAmerica in El Salvador.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine
Writers: Jordan D'eri and Colin Campbell.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

To see a list of musical themes cited in this podcast from the telenovelas under analysis, please go here.

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
immigration
culture
telenovelas
elections
media
Mexico
Brazil
Colombia
Venezuela
United States
Barack Obama
gender issues
Drug War
narco novelas
machismo
La Reina del Sur
La Monecas de la Mafia
Sin Tetas No Hay Paraiso

Latin Pulse: 11.09.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:24:41 PST

Cuba is again the central focus on Latin Pulse with the second part of our interview with Judy Gross, the wife of Alan Gross, who is imprisoned in Cuba. The program also analyzes the upcoming primary elections in Honduras and the candidates from the three major parties. This episode also includes a commentary about the importance of the Latino community in the recent elections in the United States. The news segment of the program covers the recent earthquake in Guatemala.

In-depth interviews include:
Judy Gross and her attorney Jared Genser;
and
Prof. Dario Euraque of Trinity College.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine
Writers: Colin Campbell and Jordan D'eri.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Cuba
Guatemala
disaster
Honduras
elections
politics
espionage
internet
cancer
diplomacy
United States
Alan Gross
Raul Castro
USAID
Jewish community
dissidents
Cuban Five
Manuel Zelaya
Yani Rosenthal
Mauricio Villeda
Libre Party
National Party
Liberal Party
Central America
Ricardo Alvarez
Miguel Pastor
Otto Perez Molina
Xiomara Castro de Zelaya
United States State Department

Latin Pulse: 11.02.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:15:02 PDT

This week, Latin Pulse focuses on the elections in the United States and what issues that concern Latin America have made the radar screens of the major party candidates. The program focuses primarily on the issue of immigration and undocumented immigrants, along with a focus on business opportunities in Latin America that could be pursued after the presidential election. The news segment of the program deals with voting and democracy in Argentina and how that country has lowered its voting age.

In-depth interviews include:
Prof. Alan Kraut of American University,
and
Prof. Frank DuBois of American University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine
Writer: Colin Campbell.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Cuba
Argentina
voting
democracy
elections
business
trade
Brazil
economics
immigration
Mitt Romney
Barack Obama
Mexico
Latinos
undocumented workers
Venezuela
Arizona
Alabama
China
oil
agriculture
Costa Rica
Petrobras
manufacturing
economic development
United States

Latin Pulse: 10.26.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 11:33:43 PDT

Spirituality and religion are at the heart of Latin Pulse this week. The program discusses the rise of Santeria, tracing the religion from its Afro-Cuban roots to the variety of countries in Latin America that find it appealing. The program also discusses the popularity of the Mexican folk saint known as Santa Muerte, and traces her history back through the Spanish Inquisition up to modern times and the Drug War. The news segment of the program has an update on the destructive Hurricane Sandy.

In-depth interviews include:
Michael Atwood Mason of the Smithsonian Institution and author of Living Santeria;
and
Prof. R. Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University and author of Devoted to Death.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine
Writers: Jordan D'eri and Colin Campbell.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(Michael Atwood Mason also authors the blog Baba Who? Babalú!.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Cuba
Hurricane Sandy
Colombia
disaster
religion
spirituality
Santeria
Afro-Cuban
Brazil
Venezuela
Nigeria
Benin
animal sacrifice
spirit possession
Mexico
Santa Muerte
Spanish Inquisition
grim reaper
folk saint
skeleton saint
Dia de los Muertos
Catholicism
Drug War
indigenous religions

Latin Pulse: 10.19.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:58:12 PDT

With the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis this week, Latin Pulse focuses on that island nation. The program features an interview with Judy Gross, the wife of Alan Gross, a U.S. government contractor imprisoned in Cuba. The program also looks at how a crisis from 50 years ago continues framing relations between the United States and Cuba. The news segment of the program has an update on the peace talks between the Colombian government and the FARC guerrilla movement.

In-depth interviews include:
Judy Gross and her attorney Jared Genser;
and
Phil Brenner of American University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine
Writer: Jordan D'eri.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Cuba
peace talks
Colombia
Cold War
Cuban Missile Crisis
Alan Gross
cancer
crisis
diplomacy
FARC
travel restrictions
Barack Obama
John F. Kennedy
espionage
United States
Norway
visas
Cuban Five
Russia
civil war
Raul Castro
dissidents
Nikita Khrushchev
Soviet Union
United States State Department
USAID
reforms

Latin Pulse: 10.12.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 10:57:26 PDT

Venezuela and Colombia provide the central focus this week on Latin Pulse. The program looks forward to the peace talks set to begin in the next week concerning the civil war in Colombia, where Venezuela's foreign policy also plays a role. The program also analyzes the re-election of President Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. The program looks at the complex ties between the Drug War, Colombia's civil war, and Venezuela. The program also looks at the ties between Venezuela, China and Iran, fostered by Chavez.

In-depth interviews include:
Juan Carlos Hidalgo, the Cato Institute;
and
Stephen Johnson, the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine
Writers: Colin Campbell and Jordan D'eri.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Venezuela
peace talks
Colombia
health issues
Henrique Capriles Radonski
Hugo Chavez
cancer
democracy
elections
FARC
Alvaro Uribe
Barack Obama
Juan Manuel Santos
politics
United States
China
Iran
Mitt Romney
economics
diplomacy
civil war
drug war
oil

Latin Pulse: 10.05.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 15:16:52 PDT

Heated elections in Venezuela draw a special focus this week on Latin Pulse. With voters headed to the polls on Sunday, Oct. 7 the program features two in-depth interview that take a look at both politics and media policy in Venezuela. The program includes coverage of the latest polls and how credible they might be in a country where polling agencies are as polarized as the political landscape. The news segment of the program covers the announcement this week that Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos has cancer. The program also features a commentary on Mexico's soon-to-be-installed government.

In-depth interviews include:
Carlos Lauria, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ);
and
Alex Main, the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine
Writer: Colin Campbell.

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Venezuela
peace talks
Colombia
health issues
Henrique Capriles Radonski
Hugo Chavez
cancer
democracy
elections
media
free speech
Barack Obama
Juan Manuel Santos
politics
United States Globovision
RCTV
coups

Latin Pulse: 9.28.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 10:05:45 PDT

This week marks a year online for Latin Pulse, and so the program is celebrating by featuring a review of some of the biggest stories of the year and includes some important interviewers that listeners may have missed the first time they went online. The topics covered this week include the Drug War, immigration, the pope's trip to Latin America, Cuba's economic reforms and politics in Central America. Unlike the rest of the program, the news segment is new this week, with coverage of the new abortion law in Uruguay.

Interviews include:
Luis Botello, International Center for Journalists (ICFJ);
Sonja Wolf, INSYDE;
Vicki Gass, Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA);
Manuel Orozco, Inter-American Dialogue;
Jimena Aguilar of El Faro;
Eric Hershberg, Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) of American University;
Daniel Calingaert, Freedom House; and
Tom Quigley, formerly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Curt Devine
Writers: Jordan D'eri and Colin Campbell.

(Note: This podcast includes graphic descriptions of violence that may disturb some listeners.)

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
Central America
Uruguay
Drug War
Pope Benedict XVI
drug cartels
human rights
Daniel Ortega
abortion
Mauricio Funes
immigration
Honduras
Nicaragua
violence
politics
impunity
corruption
El Salvador
Raul Castro
Jaime Ortega
economics
Cuba
media

Latin Pulse: 9.21.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 12:45:04 PDT

With the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. this weekend, Latin Pulse devotes this special program to the literature of Latin America. The program features an interview with an award-winning Mexican author and goes in-depth on the literary themes contrasting newer writers with the older generation of Latin American writers. The program also features a commentary on the trade bloc known as Mercosur. The news segment of the program covers the latest regarding the undercover arms smuggling sting gone wrong, known as "Fast and Furious," which the U.S. Congress held hearings about this week.

In-Depth Interviews:
Alberto Ruy Sanchez, Mexican author and
Nuria Vilanova of American University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Writers: Colin Campbell, Jordan D'eri and Curt Devine.

(Note: This podcast explores adult themes in its discussion of literature.)

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
arms smuggling
literature
Drug War
United States Congress
drug cartels
magical realism
Roberto Bolano
Morocco
United States
Spain
eroticism
Peru
Chile
Mogador
Mercosur
Brazil
Alberto Ruy Sanchez
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Mario Vargas Llosa

Latin Pulse: 9.14.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 17:47:26 PDT

Latin Pulse focuses on the weakness of some democracies in Latin America this week with a special program devoted to how constitutions are being bent to the will of some powerful forces. The program discusses what are called "express coups" and the details of controversial governmental change in Paraguay and Honduras. The program also looks at the judicial crisis in El Salvador which some characterized as a constitutional crisis. The news segment of the program covers the Caravan for Peace that wound its way from Tijuana to Washington, D.C., lobbying for policy changes in the Drug War.

In-Depth Interviews:
Fulton Armstrong of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University, and
Geoff Thale of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Writers: Jordan D'eri and Colin Campbell

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Colombia
express coups
coups
Drug War
Caravan for Peace
peace movement
judicial crisis
constitutional crisis
Mexico
arms smuggling
democracy
judiciary
El Salvador
constitution
Fernando Lugo
Mauricio Funes
Honduras
Paraguay
United States
Hugo Chavez
Manuel Zelaya
Alvaro Uribe
Organization of American States
OAS
Venezuela
FMLN
ARENA
politics
Barack Obama

Latin Pulse: 9.07.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 15:32:23 PDT

This week, Latin Pulse weighs in on the complex issues surrounding the asylum case of Wikileaks' founder Julian Assange who is being shielded from extradition by Ecuador. The program also concludes its focus on the problems of indigenous groups in Colombia suffering during the country's long civil war. The news segment of the program also looks at more details of the recently announced peace process that many hope will end Colombia's war. The program also includes a commentary about the peace process.

In-Depth Interviews:
Carlos Lauria of the Committee to Protect Journalists, and
Gimena Sanchez of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Jenna Longoria
Writers: Jordan D'eri and Colin Campbell

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Colombia
indigenous issues
Juan Manuel Santos
Drug War
civil war
Alvaro Uribe peace talks
Rodrigo Londono Echeverry
Nasa
civil war
Ecuador
Wikileaks
Julian Assange
asylum
United Kingdom
free speech
media
journalism
Rafael Correa
United States
FARC

Latin Pulse: 8.31.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 12:24:23 PDT

This week Latin Pulse focuses on indigenous issues in Latin America. The program discusses the controversial Belo Monte Dam under construction in Brazil and the legal cases that have failed to halt the project. The dam will have direct effects on indigenous groups and urban residents who will be displaced by flooding caused by the dam. The program also looks at the controversial practice of herbicidal spraying as a method in the Drug War and how that has caused health problems and posed other challenges for indigenous groups such as the Embera-Katio, Embera-Chami, and Awa people of Colombia. The news segment, this week, covers the oil refinery fire in Venezuela, which killed dozens of people.

In-Depth Interviews:
Dr. Eve Bratman of American University, and
Gimena Sanchez of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Jenna Longoria

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Venezuela
Hugo Chavez
oil
disaster
indigenous issues
environment
minority issues
Dilma Rousseff
Colombia
Afro-Colombians
Juan Manuel Santos
Belo Monte Dam
the Amazon
Ignacio Lula da Silva
Awa
Embera-Chami
Embera-Katio
energy
Rio+20
Drug War
herbicidal spraying
civil war
violence
Brazil
Alvaro Uribe

Latin Pulse: 8.24.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 04:17:32 PDT

Latin Pulse returns from another brief summer hiatus this week with a special focus on Argentina. The program includes in-depth interviews about the Argentine economy, the Falkland Islands/Malvinas dispute, the country's diplomacy, and Argentina's controversial media reform law. The news segment, this week, covers the latest on the dispute between Ecuador and the United Kingdom over asylum for the founder of Wikileaks, Julian Assange.

In-Depth Interviews:
Peter Hakim of the Inter-American Dialogue, and
Victoria Villegas of Argentina's AFSCA.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Argentina
United Kingdom
Wikileaks
Ecuador
Rafael Correa
Falkland Islands
free speech
media reform
diplomacy
economics
media concentration
business
finance
Malvinas
media
economics
finance
Grupo Clarin
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner

Latin Pulse: 8.10.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 04:04:58 PDT

Latin Pulse returns this week from a brief summer hiatus with an interview conducted in Mexico City about the dangers of immigration and a deep discussion of how problems with immigration link to both the Drug War and Mexico's long-time problem with human rights. The program also includes discussion of Brazil's economic success despite the global financial crisis. The news segment, this week, covers the latest from student protests in Chile that have disrupted the capital, Santiago.

In-Depth Interviews:
Sonja Wolf of the Instituto para la Seguridad y la Democracia (INSYDE), and
Maria Antonietta del Tedesco Lins of the Universidade de São Paulo.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
United States
immigration
migration
undocumented immigration
Central America
drug war
infant mortality
corruption
Chile
student protests
education
PRI
Brazil
violence
economics
taxes
finance
economic crisis
global economic crisis drug cartels

Latin Pulse: 7.27.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 12:55:27 PDT

This week, the focus is on gender issues and AIDS on this episode of Latin Pulse. With the 19th International AIDS Conference concluding, the program includes an interview with an AIDS activist in Honduras. The program also includes the second part of an interview with one of the leading newspaper editors in Guatemala on issues confronting women The commentary section deals with Brazil's economic challenges. The news segment of the program includes coverage of Raul Castro's speech calling for diplomatic talks with the United States.

In-Depth Interviews:
Ana Carolina Alpirez of elPeriodico, and
Sandra Zambrano of APUVIMEH.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Cuba
United States
diplomacy
Raul Castro
Gauatemala
religion
women's rights
Honduras
AIDS
HIV
LGBT isssues
Brazil
health issues
infant mortality
sex education

Latin Pulse: 7.20.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 09:29:27 PDT

Latin Pulse provides a special focus this week on women's rights and issues in Latin America. The program includes a frank discussion on such topics of rape and abortion in Latin America. The news segment of the program includes discussion of the problem of money laundering in the Drug War in Mexico.

In-Depth Interviews:
Prof. Macarena Saez of the Washington College of Law at American University, and
Ana Carolina Alpirez of elPeriodico.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
Drug War
money laundering
drug cartels
violence
rape
abortion
women's rights
maternity leave
immigration
Guatemala
Chile

Latin Pulse: 7.13.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:01:14 PDT

This week, Latin Pulse looks at the new book Cuban Economic and Social Development and what it predicts regarding policy and politics in Cuba. The program also deals with the fallout from the presidential change in Paraguay. Latin Pulse introduces a new opinion feature this week that also takes a position on Paraguay. The news segment of the program covers calls by Mexico's president-elect Enrique Pena Nieto for protestors to accept the outcome of the recent elections.

In-Depth Interviews:
Dr. Jorge Dominguez of Harvard University, and
Dr. Adrienne Pine of American University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
politics
elections
Enrique Pena Nieto
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
PRI
PRD
coup
corruption
race
Venezuela
communisim
Cuba
China
economics
Brazil
Paraguay
Honduras
Mercosur
Afro-Cubans
United States
Raul Castro
Fernando Lugo
Manuel Zelaya
Porfirio Lobo

Latin Pulse: 7.06.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:01:00 PDT

Latin Pulse may be back in Washington, D.C. this week, but the focus is with the aftermath of the Mexican presidential elections and with the re-election campaign of President Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. Although Enrique Pena Nieto of Mexico's Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) apparently won the election, new questions have arisen about corruption and voting irregularities. Meanwhile, how will relations between the media and Chavez affect the voting in Venezuela. Much more on presidential politics this week.

In-Depth Interviews:
José "Pepé" Carreño of Mexico's Excelsior, and
Vanessa Haces Gonzatti of Venezuela's Tal Cual.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
politics
elections
Enrique Pena Nieto
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
PRI
PRD
Drug War
energy
oil
corruption
Hugo Chavez
Venezuela
Globovision
media
Henrique Capriles Radonski
crime

Latin Pulse: 6.29.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:00:45 PDT

Latin Pulse comes remotely from Mexico this week, with presidential politics taking center stage. Mexico will select a new president this weekend with the PRI's Enrique Pena Nieto leading the polls. And this week, the decision by Paraguay's parliament to impeach and then remove President Fernando Lugo has caused diplomatic waves throughout Latin America. The entire program is focused on these important presidential changes.

In-Depth Interviews:
José "Pepé" Carreño of Excelsior, and
Eric Hershberg of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies at American University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
politics
Brazil
Fernando Lugo
Federico Franco
elections
impeachment
coup
Paraguay
Mercosur
United States
Enrique Pena Nieto
Josefina Vasquez Mota
#Yo Soy 132
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
OAS
Honduras
PRI
PRD
PAN
diplomacy

Latin Pulse: 6.22.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:00:25 PDT

Latin Pulse comes remotely from Guatemala this week, but the focus is elsewhere: in Brazil and in Washington, D.C. In Brazil, the largest U.N. conference ever, Rio+20 is concluding with some disappointed it did not take more aggressive action on the global environment and sustainability. The program includes an in-depth interview reacting to events at the conference and includes a look forward at the expected decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on Arizona's controversial immigration law. The news segment of the program covers the results of the G-20 Summit in Mexico.

In-Depth Interviews:
Craig Hanson of the World Resources Institute (WRI), and
Jayesh Rathod of the Washington College of Law at American University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Vanessa Haces Gonzatti
Writer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
economics
economic crisis
G20 Summit
summit
Felipe Calderon
Brazil
Rio+20
environment
United Nations
transportation
immigration
Arizona
United States
U.S. Supreme Court
Arizona v. U.S.
states rights

Latin Pulse: 6.15.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 07:18:10 PDT

Latin Pulse comes remotely from Honduras this week, with a special focus on Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, and Transgender (LGBT) issues. The program discusses a recent study that focuses on 75 murders of members of the LGBT community in the past four years. The discussion includes the murder cases of Erick Martinez and Walter Trochez. The program also discusses the wide disparities in LGBT rights throughout Latin America. The news segment of the program includes information about the upcoming G-20 Summit in Mexico.

In-Depth Interviews:
Sandra Zambrano of APUVIMEH, and
Mirka Negroni of San Francisco State University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Vanessa Haces Gonzatti
Writer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
economics
Honduras
Argentina
violence
repression
human rights
insecurity
Cuba
economic crisis
G20 Summit
summit Felipe Calderon
Costa Rica
gay marriage
Mariela Castro
Raul Castro
Walter Trochez
Erick Martinez
LGBT issues
gay rights

Latin Pulse: 6.08.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 07:18:01 PDT

Mexico is the focus this week on Latin Pulse, with a look forward at the G-20 Summit which will be hosted by Mexico. Besides an in-depth discussion about how Latin America has lessons for Europe during its economic crisis, the program also features an in-depth discussion of human rights during the Drug War in Mexico. The news segment of the program covers cooperation between Colombia and Venezuela in the Drug War.

In-Depth Interviews:
Manuel Suarez-Mier of American University, and
Maureen Meyer of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Vanessa Haces Gonzatti
Writer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

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news
Latin America
Mexico
economics
diplomacy
Europe
euro
Argentina
human rights
justice
Colombia
Juan Manuel Santos
drug war
Venezuela
Felipe Calderon
economic crisis
G20 Summit
summit

Latin Pulse: 6.01.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 07:17:44 PDT

Mexico's new #Yo Soy 132 movement takes center stage on Latin Pulse as the Mexican presidential campaign begins to heat up. The program features an in-depth interview on links between this grassroots student movement and Mexico's left-wing candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The program also features an interview with a documentary-maker who is crafting a personal project about Argentina's Dirty War. The news segment of the program covers the release of French journalist Romeo Langlois by Colombia's FARC.

In-Depth Interviews:
Manuel Suarez-Mier of American University, and
Eileen Reardon, documentarian.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Vanessa Haces Gonzatti
Writer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
elections
politics
dissidents
PRI
PRD
PAN
Enrique Pena Nieto
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador
Josefina Vazquez Mota
#Yo Soy 132
Argentina
human rights
dirty war
Colombia
Alvaro Uribe
FARC

Latin Pulse: 5.25.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:15:27 PDT

This week's edition of Latin Pulse comes remotely from the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) Congress in San Francisco. The program focuses on the issue of free speech at the academic conference revolving around controversial visa decisions from the U.S. State Department, denying visas to some Cuban scholars but allowing Mariela Castro, the daughter of Cuba's president, to speak. The program also features an in-depth interview with the writers of an important book on Central American street gangs. The news segment of the program includes the results of the elections in the Dominican Republic.

In-Depth Interviews:
Sheryl Lutjens of California State University at San Marcos,
Tom Bruneau & Sonja Wolf, contributors to
Maras: Gang Violence and Security in Central America.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Vanessa Haces Gonzatti
Writer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
national security
Raul Castro
Mariela Castro
Cuba
United States
United States State Department
Barack Obama
Dominican Republic
Danilo Medina
elections
politics
free speech
gangs
violence
Central America
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras

Latin Pulse: 5.18.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:22:22 PDT

Two recent studies on migration, the U.S.-Mexico border, and remittances take center stage on this week's edition of Latin Pulse. The program discusses the decline of migration but the counter-intuitive finding that remittances are increasing. The program also deals with how migration and immigration policy are affected by the drug war. The program also covers the landmark legislation passed this week for gay rights and gender identification in Argentina.

In-Depth Interviews:
Maureen Meyer of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) and
Manuel Orozco of the Inter-American Dialogue.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
national security
immigration
migration
remittances
economics
gay rights
Central America
transgender rights
Argentina
economic crisis
drug war United States

Latin Pulse: 5.11.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:53:37 PDT

Changes in leftist politics in Latin America related to health and death are the central themes in this week's edition of Latin Pulse. The program provides an update on the status of the Sandinista party (the FSLN) in Nicaragua after the death of Tomas Borge. And with the failing health of President Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, what is in store for that country during this crucial election year? The program also deals with political fallout from the resurgence of the Shining Path guerrillas in Peru.

In-Depth Interviews:
Manuel Orozco of the Inter-American Dialogue, and
Michael McCarthy of Johns Hopkins University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Peru
Shining Path
politics
Nicaragua
Sandinistas
FSLN
Tomas Borge
Daniel Ortega
Rosario Murillo
Venezuela
Hugo Chavez
Henrique Capriles Radonski
elections
democracy

Latin Pulse: 5.04.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:41:33 PDT

Religion and politics, the topics we're told not to bring up in polite company take center stage this week on Latin Pulse, with the focus again returning to Cuba. The Cuban government's response to the visit of Pope Benedict XVI continues to resonate across the island in the human rights community and beyond. The program also includes news of the death of Sandinista leader Tomas Borge in Nicaragua.

In-Depth Interviews:
Tom Quigley formerly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and
Rev. Joe Eldridge of American University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Lydia Beyoud

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Cuba
Raul Castro
human rights
dissident movements
civil society
politics
religion
Catholicism
Pope Benedict XVI
Fidel Castro
United States
Alan Gross
Tomas Borge
Sandinistas
Daniel Ortega
Nicaragua

Latin Pulse: 4.27.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:46:47 PDT

This week, Latin Pulse takes a look at two very different dissident movements. First, a concentration on the crackdown against anti-Castro groups in Cuba after the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. Then the program shifts farther south to look at the Chilean student movement and why those students are setting an example for groups around the globe. The program also includes the latest on the Secret Service sex scandal which may have spread from Colombia to include El Salvador.

In-Depth Interviews:
Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat of the Directorio Democrático Cubano, and
Lisa Llanos of the Center for Democracy in the Americas.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Vanessa Haces Gonzatti

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Colombia
United States
Secret Service
prostitution
scandal
Summit of the Americas
El Salvador
Cuba
Raul Castro
human rights
dissident movements
civil society
education
protest movements
Pope Benedict XVI
Chile
Sebastian Pinera
Camila Vallejo
Augusto Pinochet

Latin Pulse: 4.20.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:17:06 PDT

Beyond the latest on the U.S. Secret Service's Colombian scandal, Latin Pulse looks at corruption and human rights concerns in Brazil, this week. The program also discusses the new book The North American Idea, and what it says about U.S.-Mexico relations, NAFTA and other concerns.

In-Depth Interviews:
Matt Taylor of American University, and
Robert Pastor of American University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Vanessa Haces Gonzatti

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Colombia
Drug War
economics
Brazil
Dilma Rousseff
Cuba
human rights
corruption
diplomacy
Mexico
violence
guns
Falkland Islands
United States
Secret Service
Argentina
NAFTA
trade
prostitution
scandal
Juan Manuel Santos
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner
Summit of the Americas

Latin Pulse: 4.13.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:14:12 PDT

This week, Latin Pulse provides a special focus on this weekend's Summit of the Americas. This is the first such summit in three years, and two of the biggest issues revolve around decriminalizing drugs and bringing Cuba back into the hemisphere's wider diplomatic community. The program discusses these issues, Brazil's rising economic and diplomatic power regarding the summit and this week's meeting between President Barack Obama and Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, among other matters relating to the summit. Beyond discussing whether the summit will reveal more about the contentious relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela, the program includes news about a sensational kidnapping in Caracas this week.

In-Depth Interviews:
Robert Pastor of American University, and
Peter Hakim of the Inter-American Dialogue.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Vanessa Haces Gonzatti

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Colombia
Drug War
drug decriminalization
economics
Brazil
Dilma Rousseff
Barack Obama
United States
Hugo Chavez
Costa Rica
Venezuela
Cuba
diplomacy
summit
violence
CELAC
crime
Summit of the Americas

Latin Pulse: 4.06.2012

LatinPulse@gmx.com (Rick Rockwell) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:07:41 PDT

Various Latin American presidents have floated the idea in recent months of decriminalizing drugs as a strategy in the Drug War. What are the prospects for such a plan? Will this topic make it on the agenda at the upcoming Summit of the Americas? The program also looks at the economic power of Brazil in advance of the summit between U.S. President Barack Obama and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. The news segment of the program deals with the latest release of kidnap victims by Colombia's Revolutionary Armed Forces (the FARC by its Spanish-acronym).

In-Depth Interviews:
Peter Hakim of the Inter-American Dialogue, and
Matt Taylor of American University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell
Associate Producer: Vanessa Haces Gonzatti

(To download or stream this podcast, click here.)

(The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 28 MB.)

podcast
news
Latin America
Mexico
Colombia
Juan Manuel Santos
FARC
drug war
Guatemala
Drug Decriminalization
Felipe Calderon
economics
Brazil
Dilma Rousseff
Barack Obama
Otto Perez Molina