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
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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.
Bolsa Familia Succeeds
Attached is an excellent article on Brazil's creative anti-poverty program.
It has raised up millions from poverty. The program has been adapted by a number of countries and enhanced Brazil's soft power around the globe.
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Cuba Not Freer
According to Washington Post veteran Latin American reporter Charles Lane, little has changed in Cuba in terms of freedom since the agreement to reestablish full relations with the United States.
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Property Claims Cuba
US and Cuban diplomats are discussing the $1.9 billion in claims that Americans have against Cuba for properties seized by the Cuban government after Castro seized power.
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Opposition Margin in Venezuela
The opposition to the Maduro government claims that it’s close to achieving and absolute legislative majority, 112 seats. This is the first time that the government has not controlled the legislature, having already dominated the executive and how Maduro and company will respond to the loss of power.
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Coming Turmoil in Latin Ameica
The distinguished Venezuelan intellectual, Moisé Naím, argues that the period of prosperity in Latin America, 2004 to 2013, is yielding to slow growth. This will hurt the middle class an may bring what he calls “corrosive social conflict, government paralysis, and political instability.”
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Impeachment Proceedings Against Dilma
Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff faces impeachment, an unprecedented event in that country and perhaps Latin America. A summary: “Eduardo Cunha, speaker of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies, approved the launching of the impeachment proceedings. The process will examine Rousseff’s possible connection to a huge corruption scandal at the state-controlled oil company Petrobras and the decision by Petrobras to buy an overpriced oil refinery in Pasadena, Tex., in 2006 when Rousseff was the company’s board chairwoman, officials said. More seriously, the proceedings will focus on allegations that she broke the law through irregularities in the government’s accounting and spending.”
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The Fearless Nun
For more than 17 years, Sister Neyda Rojas, a Catholic nun, has been serving God in a place described as hell on earth—a Venezuelan prison. If you value human rights this is a powerful story.
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What Can Latin America Teach the US?
Rather than relying on wealthy individual donors, many countries across the Western Hemisphere fund their elections with public money — over half of all Latin American democracies, in fact. Rather than relying on wealthy individual donors, many countries across the Western Hemisphere fund their elections with public money — over half of all Latin American democracies, in fact. And while most allow some corporate financing of campaigns, they impose more stringent limits than in the United States. Colombia forbids corporate money in presidential races. Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Paraguay have banned all corporate donations to political campaigns, due in part to worries about their power to skew the political process.
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Hispanic Vote
Various factors indicate that the Hispanic vote in the United States will double by 2030: aging, naturalization, and immigration.
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Impact of Macri
The election of Mauricio Macri as President of Argentina promises to have hemispheric and global implications, according to Andrés Oppenheimer of the Miami Herald. See this interview:
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2015/1123/Argentina-s-president-elect-Macri-promises-an-end-to-divisive-politics-video
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End of the Left?
The triumph of Mauricio Macri as next president of Argentina is a signal event in Latin American and Argentine politics. Will this be the end of the left? Article argues that more pragmatic and less ideological candidates are emerging. Moreover, the decline in commodity prices is reducing the amount of money that populists can give out to their political bases.
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What Does Argentina's Election Mean for South America?
Argentina’s presidential election on Sunday, November 22 may bring significant change to that country. The results will have important implications for the rest of the continent.
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Not a Good Year for the Left
The Latin American left is considerably weaker these days. The most striking examples: Argentina and Venezuela. This article asserts that governments of the left are becoming less popular, but the old right is not making a comeback.
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Argentina Moves Right?
The runoff election for president in Argentina (November 22) is likely to move the country to the right. In any case it’s good bye to Kirchnerism. So says Foreign Affairs magazine.
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Why So Much Crime?
According to this report, the reasons for so much crime in Latin America are: 1. The disorganized growth of cities; 2. police and justice systems did not adjust; 3. 32 million youth do not study or work. Add drug trafficking and organized crime.
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Outrage of Venezuela on UN Human Rights Council
One of the worst human rights violators, Venezuela, was just reelected to the UN Human Rights Council. This is outrageous. The government is one of the violators of human rights in the world.
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Poverty Down/Violence Up
Crime, Poverty has been significantly reduced in Latin America since 2000. But violence persists, due to persistent inequality, youth unemployment, “aspirational crime,” drug trafficking, and continued weak security and justice Institutions.
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Guatemala's Elects President
Orlando Perez analyzes prospects for democratic change in Guatemala, a country deeply affected by violence and corruption. Former comedian Jimmy Morales faces great challenges as the new president. Morales has no experience in politics.
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Earthquake in Argentina
No, not that kind. In Argentina’s election on Sunday the heavy favorite, Daniel Scioli, who was backed by the government Peronist apparatus was forced into a runoff election by the center-right opponent, Mauricio Macri. In addition, the governing party lost its congressional majority and the governorship of Buenos Aires Province. The runoff will be November.
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High Cost of Crime
The Inter-American Development estimates that crime costs 3% of GDP. Countries included in study: Chile, Costa, Rica, Honduras, Paraguay, Uruguay.
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What Went Wrong
The economic downturn in Latin America can be blamed mostly on China slowing down. Declining commodity prices have reduced exports and investment. If Brazil and Venezuela are subtracted from the equation, the rest of the countries are doing better.
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Warning Signs for Latin America
Despite good economic performance and the reduction of poverty in recent years, dangerous times lie ahead in Latin America because of slow growth.
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Painting Pigs in Cuba
Despite the warming of relations between the US and Cuba people are still rounded up because of public criticism of the Cuban government. Does this case help the process of normalization? Graffiti artist Maldonado paints names on 2 pigs. Fidel and Raul don’t have a sense of humor.
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Painting Pigs in Cuba
Despite the warming of relations between the US and Cuba people are still rounded up because of public criticism of the Cuban government. Does this case help the process of normalization? Graffiti artist Maldonado paints names on 2 pigs. Fidel and Raul don’t have a sense of humor.
Read More »
Painting Pigs in Cuba
Despite the warming of relations between the US and Cuba people are still rounded up because of public criticism of the Cuban government. Does this case help the process of normalization? Graffiti artist Maldonado paints names on 2 pigs. Fidel and Raul don’t have a sense of humor.
Read More »
Painting Pigs in Cuba
Despite the warming of relations between the US and Cuba people are still rounded up because of public criticism of the Cuban government. Does this case help the process of normalization? Graffiti artist Maldonado paints names on 2 pigs. Fidel and Raul don’t have a sense of humor.
Read More »
Painting Pigs in Cuba
Despite the warming of relations between the US and Cuba people are still rounded up because of public criticism of the Cuban government. Does this case help the process of normalization? Graffiti artist Maldonado paints names on 2 pigs. Fidel and Raul don’t have a sense of humor.
Read More »
Painting Pigs in Cuba
Despite the warming of relations between the US and Cuba people are still rounded up because of public criticism of the Cuban government. Does this case help the process of normalization? Graffiti artist Maldonado paints names on 2 pigs. Fidel and Raul don’t have a sense of humor.
Read More »
Painting Pigs in Cuba
Despite the warming of relations between the US and Cuba people are still rounded up because of public criticism of the Cuban government. Does this case help the process of normalization? Graffiti artist Maldonado paints names on 2 pigs. Fidel and Raul don’t have a sense of humor.
Read More »
China Stumbles in Latin America
The highly touted Chinese economic penetration of Latin America via grandiose construction schemes faces some stark realities. These include political opposition, environmental considerations, as well as growing wariness about China.
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Ecuador's Political Eruption
The populist government of Rafael Correa faces increasing opposition because of its increasing dictatorial ways. Former journalist who was fired describes the situation.
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Panama Canal Expansion
Panama Canal expansion includes bigger locks for more ship capacity. The new technology eliminates the old electric mules, causing safety concerns. Where will they get enough water for the larger locks?
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Jimmy Carter
Former president of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, comments on President carter’s affection for Latin America.
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On the Agenda: Cuba
Restoring full diplomatic relations with Cuba will require addressing a number of questions. Among them are Guantanamo, compensation for property, ending the embargo, appointing an ambassador, cooperation on counternarcotics, and protecting the environment.
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Can Republicans Attract Latinos?
Article argues that “a moderate-sounding approach to immigration could take the rough edges off the party’s image, reduce Latino opposition to it and diminish the issue as a Democratic Party advantage.”
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Pope Francis's Argentine Roots
Article discusses the influence of Argentine history, particularly Peronism’s third way with respect to social justice. His “moral and political convictions” were formed during a troubled time.
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New OAS Secretary General
The new Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro Lemes, faces many challenges. These include modernizing the organization, overcoming hemispheric tensions, and promoting democratic change.
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Urban Innovation in Medellin
Mayor Aníbal Gaviria explains how Medellín, Colombia, undertook urban renewal in the midst of violence and poverty. Violence is down to the lowest in 35 year, so is social inequality, and the city is far more livable.
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Migration Policy for Cuba
Richard Gioioso writes on changing American policy on Cuban migration:
‘’American foreign and migration policy should reflect Cuba in 2015, not in 1960. Changing migration policy to Cubans recognizes those who are truly politically persecuted or fear persecution to become refugees or seek asylum. It will expand the currently small class of Cuban travelers to the U.S. who, as members of and stakeholders in the Cuban polity, will return the island with greater motivation, know-how, and support for more political and economic change. A new official U.S. migration policy for Cubans will be a fresh approach to stimulating the political and economic reforms through openness and exchange that five and a half decades of isolation have failed to achieve.”
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Protests Challenge Correa
A combination of factors, including higher taxes and his authoritarian methods of governing, and fears of “venezuelization,” have led to massive protests against Ecuador’s President, Rafael Correa. Biggest protests have been in Guayaquil, home of fierce opponent and former mayor Jaime Nebot.
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Brazil Reforestation
Barack Obama and Dilma Rousseff put climate change at the top of their agenda at their bilateral meeting on Tuesday, with the US and Brazil agreeing to obtain up to 20% of their electricity from renewable power by 2030. Brazil committed to restoring up to 12m hectares of forest – an area about the size of England or Pennsylvania – in another attempt to reduce the carbon pollution that causes climate change.
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Costa Rica Life Sciences
Costa Rica is home to one of Latin America’s leading science sectors. In 2014, the country’s life sciences sector—comprising medical devices, biotech, and pharmaceuticals—drew 27 percent of total foreign direct investment along with nine new investment projects. Exports tripled to $1. 6 billion between 2003 and 2013.
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North American Emerging Market?
Authors David Petraeus and Paras Bhanayani contend that the United States, Canada, and Mexico are positioned to be “the global economic drivers of the 21st century.
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US Must Take Brazil Seriously
Eric Farnsworth, writing in the prestigious journal National Interest, argues that Brazil’s growing strength merits serious attention from the United States. The visit to Washington by President Dilma Rousseff provides an opportunity to “reevaluate and strengthen its approach.”
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Top 10 Universities in Latin America
The ranking of the top 10 universities in Latin America. Brazil has 5, Chile 2, Mexico 2, Colombia 1. Among the top 50, Argentina has 8, Mexico 7, Colombia 5.
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Pope Francis and Liberation Theology
Pope Francis has taken steps to rehabilitate Liberation Theology in the Catholic Church. This story deals with the founder of the theology, Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez of Peru.
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Learning Journalism in Cuba
The US Interests Section in Havana provides instruction in journalism for Cubans, and the Cuban government doesn’t like it.
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U.S. Defense Cooperation in Latin America
General John F. Kelly, Commander of the United States Southern Command discusses defense relations with Latin America.
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