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...
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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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