News & Commentary
2025 Philadelphia Tango Festival
Wednesday April 30, 2025
The 2025 Philadelphia Tango Festival will take place over Memorial Day Weekend, from Friday, May 23 ...
In Memory of His Holiness Pope Francis
Monday April 21, 2025
The Pan American Association of Philadelphia joins the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness...
Elections for President in Ecuador
Thursday February 13, 2025
Daniel Noboa, the 37 year old current president of Ecuador, failed to get a plurality of the votes i...
Upcoming Events
85th Annual Meeting and William J. Clothier II Award
Wednesday October 29, 2025 - 11:30 am
The Union League of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PAThe Pan American Association of Philadelphia is excited to announce that it will hold its 85th Annual Meeting and William J. Clothier II Memorial Award on October 29, 2025 at the Union League of Philadelphia. We are pleased to announce that H. E. Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, Ambassador of Mexico to the United States, will be our Keynote Speaker.
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The Pan American Association
P.O. Box 22655
Philadelphia, PA 19110-2655
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The Pan American Association provides News & Notes for the Philadelphia community and for all those interested in developing a better understanding of the vibrant and deep relationship between the United States and the people of the Americas. For over 80 years the Pan American Association has been the preeminent forum for dialogue in the Delaware Valley on a relationship which is intensifying daily. We hope that News & Updates will serve as a solid bridge of communication among all the countries of the Americas. Never in history has the need for such a dialogue been greater than it is today.
Pope Francis on Beatification of Archbishop Romero
“The beatification of Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero Galdámez, who was Pastor of that dear Archdiocese is a cause for great joy for the Salvadoran people and for those who rejoice by the example of the best children of the Church. Archbishop Romero, who built peace with the strength of love, gave witness to the faith with his life, given to the extreme.”
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Jews in Argentina after Nisman
Article reviews the reaction of the Jewish community in Argentina to the murder of prosecutor Alberto Nisman. Excerpt: “Nisman’s death has also had a profound effect on Argentina’s Jewish community—the largest in Latin America—that once again faces age-old accusations of double loyalties, raising questions about their full inclusion in Argentine society. But worse, Nisman’s death and the official reaction have also presented serious risks for broader civil society in Argentina that go beyond the country’s Jewish community.”
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Peace Coming to Colombia
The negotiations between the government of Colombian and the FARC have progressed significantly. Author’s assessment: “Though negotiators are walking a dangerous tightrope, the peace process has proven robust so far. So despite several mishaps (including another battle at the end of April), the progress to date and the underlying structure of the conflict are still forcing the parties toward a deal.”
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Pope Francis and Cuba
The prospective visit to Cuba in late September by Pope Francis has the potential to open up space for Catholicism. This is especially so because the Pope helped make the deal for rapprochement between the United States and Cuba. But it won’t be easy.
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Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico's struggling economy has led to an exodus of young people moving to the US mainland - while wealthy Americans are starting to call San Juan home. As a result, the economy and identity of both places are changing in surprising ways. BBC reports.
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Billions Lost in Venezuela
The amount of money lost to corrupt schemes in Venezuela is astounding. New York Times reports that making money on government purchases is easy to do, with impunity.
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Facts on Hispanic Media
The Pew Research Center provides some fascinating data on audiences for the Spanish language media in the United States. There are 54 million Hispanics, 60% of whom are bilingual. Note robust growth for Philadelphia’s Al Dia newspaper.
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Collapse of Health Care in Venezuela
Article details the virtual collapse of health care in Venezuela. The shortage of medicines and supplies for operations, corrupt bureaucracy, and the exodus of doctors (including Cuban medics) is creating serious problems. In addition, food subsidies and price controls for foods heavy in carbohydrates, sugars, and fats adds to the high rate of obesity.
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Ambassador of Panama talks business opportunities in Philadelphia
The ambassador of Panama to the United States, Emanuel González-Revilla, talked about what his country has to offer in terms of business opportunities during the annual luncheon of the Pan-American Association.
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Ambassador Duddy on Venezuelan Crisis, US Sanctions, Regional Reaction
Former Ambassador to Venezuela, Patrick Duddy, comments on the crisis in Venezuela, the recent imposition of sanctions on Venezuelan officials, and the role of the Union of South American Nations. Summary:
“The language in the U.S. executive order characterizing Venezuela a threat to the national security of the United States may seem hyperbolic to some but the crisis in Venezuela is real. UNASUR efforts to encourage dialogue last year failed. At the same meeting at which they scolded the U.S. for interventionism, they announced their intention to try again to foster a dialogue between the Maduro government and its domestic opponents. North Americans should wish them success. Criticizing the U.S. for taking the very limited steps contemplated by President Obama’s executive order will not improve the reality on the ground in Venezuela. Maybe a new mediation effort will fare better. It is in no one’s interest to see Venezuela collapse—either politically or economically. But stability achieved at the price of the political liberties that the region worked so hard to recover in the relatively recent past is not going resolve the problems of the present moment.”
This report appeared originally in American Diplomacy. Readers can link to homepage: http://www.unc.edu/depts/diplomat/. Ambassador Duddy is currently director of Duke University’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
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What did the Summit Accomplish?
A range of Latin American experts, from former diplomats, to the former president of Costa Rica, to academics and business people, comment on the achievements of the Summit of the Americas held in Panama last week.
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The Correa-Obama Bout
The Seventh Summit of the Americas held in Panama on April 10-11 will be remembered for the good vibrations between President Barack Obama and Raúl Castro on the promise of normalization of relations with Cuba. Overlooked, however, was a remarkable exchange between Obama and Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa. The incident went largely unreported by the American media, which suffers attention deficit disorder on Latin America. It’s worth reviewing it in order to understand contrasting views on the nature of democracy—the checks and balances of American democracy versus the guided democracy of Latin America where the executive is powerful, at times authoritarian.
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A Clash of Histories
Dr. Orlando Perez, Associate Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Millersville University, comments on the recently concluded Seventh Summit of the Americas. He draws a contrast between the forward looking statements of President Obama and those Latin American presidents who looked at the past to criticize the United States.
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Engaging with Latin America
New York Times editorializes about ways that the United States can engage with Latin America. These include mending relations with Brazil, Venezuela, and Cuba. In addition, attention should be given to energy security for Caribbean nations and immigration.
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US Priorities at the Summit
Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, Roberta Jacobson, outlines the key issues for the United States at the Summit of the Americas. They are cooperation on democracy and human rights, global competitiveness, social development, energy and climate change, as well as engagement with Cuba and Brazil.
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All Kinds of Cubans at Summit
The Summit of the Americas I n Panama will be remembered not only for the presidential level discussions. A band of Cubans from both the government and civil society attended. “It’s kind of a beautiful thing. You have Cubans going together and interacting,” said Christopher Sabatini, adjunct professor at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. That this widely diverse Cuban contingent came together at the Summit “demonstrates for the Cuban government a real element of change. It allowed opponents to go to a summit and speak and participate as equals,” added Sabatini.
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Summit of Lies?
Moisés Naím, former editor of Foreign Policy magazine, prolific writer, and former minister in the Venezuelan government writes in Madrid’s prestigious El País that the Summit of the Americas in Panama is a time for celebration, and there will also be a confrontation between the mentiras of the Venezuelan government and its supporters in the Hemisphere and those who want to promote a genuine agenda based on the Summit’s theme: “Prosperity with Equity: The Challenge of Cooperation in the Americas.”
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Obama, Caribbean Energy, and Summit
President Obama stopped in Jamaica on his way to the Seventh Summit of the Americas. There he met more than a dozen Caribbean leaders to discuss meeting the energy needs of Caribbean countries, especially in the throes of losing petroleum subsidies from Venezuela.
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Obama, Caribbean Energy, and Summit
President Obama stopped in Jamaica on his way to the Seventh Summit of the Americas. There he met more than a dozen Caribbean leaders to discuss meeting the energy needs of Caribbean countries, especially in the throes of losing petroleum subsidies from Venezuela.
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What to Expect at the Summit in Panama
Long time Latin America watcher Cynthia Arnson of the Wilson Center in Washington points to the historic nature of the Seventh Summit of the Americas. She states that this an opportunity for the United States and the Latin American countries. But dealing with substantive issues might be sidetracked by secondary matters.
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Quo Vadis Venezuela?
Former Venezuelan Ambassador to the Organization of American States Virginia Contreras writes a penetrating analysis of where Venezuela is headed in the next months. Because of the ineptitude of the political opposition and because the Maduro government will control the country and the electoral process little will change. Ambassador Contreras wrote this report exclusively for the Pan Am American Association of Philadelphia.
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Duddy Advises on Venezuelan Crisis
Ambassador Patrick Duddy, former American envoy to Venezuela, comments on the political crisis in that country. He also analyzes the policy implications and provides recommendations for the United States and other concerned nations. The Council of Foreign Relations is the sponsor of the report.
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The PETROBRAS Scandal
Brazil faces a world class corruption scandal associated with its national oil company. 53 politicians from 6 different political parties, including 2 from the party of President Dilma Rouseff, have been implicated in receiving bribes. The news comes at a time when the country faces a host of problems, including a record drought, slow economic growth, and declining popularity for Dilma.
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Tough Times in Venezuela
Rising poverty, food scarcity, inflation, and the low price of oil make for tough times for the followers of Hugo Chavez. Moreover, the low popularity of President Maduro has plummeted to an all time low of 23%. Many chavistas are questioning their future.
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Brazil's Dim Voice
New York Times editorial criticizes Brazil for its failure to assume international responsibilities. It could, for example, play a constructive role with respect to Cuba and Venezuela.
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Woman General in Bolivia
A 53 year-old Bolivian mother of two becomes the first general in Latin America to command troops. Her father, also military, led the unit that captured and killed Che Guevara.
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No Laughing Matter
Political cartoonists is no laughing matter in some Latin American countries. They risk being hounded by irate government who cannot take the humor.
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US Southern Command Strategy
Attached is the annual posture statement to the Senate by General John Kelly, United States Southern Command. The document is a very good source of information on the security environment and strategy for the Americas.
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Americas Let Venezuela Self Destruct
Chris Sabatini criticizes Latin American leaders for not speaking out against the Venezuelan government:
“Latin America has reverted to an earlier time. The diplomatic imperative seems to be for each country to mind its own business, never mind what a neighboring regime may be doing to its own population. In retrospect, it’s become easier to appreciate how exceptional the turn of the century moment was for Latin America, in terms of the cohesion and optimism around a shared democratic vision.”
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Colombia: Latin American Powerhouse
After years of violence and destruction Colombia has been transformed into an economic powerhouse. This article examines the both the positive and negative aspects of the country’s growth.
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Panama Central American Singapore?
Article examines whether Panama can become the transportation hub, logistics, and international financial center that Singapore is. Panama’s advantages and shortcoming are pointed out.
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Why the Nicarauga Canal?
Experts and shipping companies are quite skeptical about the need for the inter-oceanic canal that may be built in Nicaragua. Some of the skepticism:
“The canal would need to generate an annual income of about $5 billion…But the Panama Canal, with a transit of 13,482 ships, carrying 327 million tons, generates annual revenue of only about $2 billion, according to 2014 figures. Naturally, the lack of an apparent financial feasibility has raised questions about whether the Nicaragua Grand Canal is a commercial project for HKND—or a geopolitical project for the Chinese government…But if the Nicaragua canal has to adhere to what any other business has to, from an investment standpoint, I think the canal wouldn't be much of an impact for the Panama Canal," he said. "Based on investment requirements, the prices of the Nicaragua canal would be very high, and the Panama Canal would be able to maintain its profits and lower prices."
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Academicsand LA Policy
This is essential reading for scholars and policy makers dealing with Latin America. Author argues that scholars, especially political scientists, have little impact on foreign policy for Latin America. Reasons include ideological and methodological rigidity, and lack of on the ground research in Latin America.
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Cuba: Caution and Patience
One of this nation’s most distinguished senior scholars of Latin American affairs, Abraham Lowenthal, comments on Cuba and the US. He recommends caution, patience, and flexibility for the United States.
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Aging Population
Latin America’s proportion of people over 65 is growing. Added to declining fertility rates and increasing life spans the pattern will place pressures on the economies. See the 7 most populous countries. Chile, Brazil, and Argentina (in that order) will have the largest percentage of 65+.
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Museum Town in Chile
A remarkably preserved mining town that boomed in the nineteenth century is to be found in the Chilean desert. Humberstone remains practically intact because of the dry desert conditions. A foundation aims to keep it that way.
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Temple University to benefit from Exelon gift honoring Nelson Diaz
Exelon's $450,000 gift to the Beasley School of Law honors longtime board member Judge Nelson A. Diaz, LAW ’72.
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Trolling in Ecuador
President Rafael Correa of Ecuador is very popular and controversial. He has brought social and economic progress to the people, yet some argue that he is autocratic. This article describes his sensitivity to criticism, specifically those in the electronic media.
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Argentine Tragedy
A special prosecutor was going to present a report that accuses senior officials in the Argentine government (including president and vice president) of covering up the facts about Iranian involvement in the terrorist attack against a Jewish cultural center in Buenos Aires. The prosecutor was found dead under suspicious circumstances.
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Impact of Oil Prices
This article explores the pros and cons of falling oil prices on the countries of the Hemisphere. There is good news and bad news, for the environment, investors, oil producers and importers, and for alternative energy.
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Cuba: All About the Regs
Chris Sabatini writes about the regulatory impediments that lie ahead in the normalization of relations with Cuba. The devil may be in the details, he argues.
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Cuba: Moving Forward
A former senior American diplomat, Vickie Huddleston, analyzes how the United States and Cuba should move forward on normalizing relations. She specifies the issues that should be included in negotiations between Washington and Havana.
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Cuba: Change is Coming
Foreign policy initiatives are seldom risk free. Opening up to Cuba is not the end, but the beginning of a long process of democratizing one the last communist dictatorships in the world.
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Pacific Alliance
This is an important article by a distinguished scholar, Moisés Naím. It’s about the success of the Pacific Alliance free trade market, which has made great progress since its inception 20 months ago. Despite this, a number of Latin American countries are reticent about joining.
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Water Problems in Peru
People in the city of Nuevo Pachacutec pay high price for the substance of life: water. The problem is complicated by the retreat of Andean glaciers which provide water to coastal settlements.
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Peruvian cuisine
One of the great cuisines of the world is Peruvian. It mingles indigenous with European (especially Spanish) and African ingredients. The cuisine is becoming increasingly popular around the globe., especially in the United States.
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Latin American Students
The number of Latin American students at US universities is increasing, with strong commitments by Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, and Mexico. Correspondingly, 16% of US youths choose to study in Latin America, compared to 53% in Europe.
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Uruguayan Beef
Uruguay, where cattle outnumber people by 4 to 1, leads the world in computerized traceability of beef to insure quality. Cattle are electronically tagged at birth.
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