News & Commentary
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...
Save the Date: Judge Nelson A. Díaz Professorship Series at Temple Law – Featuring Anthony Romero
Tuesday February 4, 2025
On March 19, 2025, at 4:00 PM, Temple University Beasley School of Law will host the Annual Judge Ne...
Join Now
Membership has its priviledges:
• Member Discounts
• Quarterly Newsletter
• Social and Political Dialogue
• Networking
• Annual Schedule of Events
Sign Up for Updates
Sign for the Pan American Association e-mail list to receive updates and event invites.
The Pan American Association
P.O. Box 22655
Philadelphia, PA 19110-2655
Designed and Developed by 
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.
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.
Read More »
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.”
Read More »
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.
Read More »
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.
Read More »
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."
Read More »
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.
Read More »
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.
Read More »
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+.
Read More »
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.
Read More »
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.
Read More »
Page 18 of 37