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| Welcome to edition 3502 published on 01/11/2008 | There are 5 articles in this week´s edition.
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Unemployment and crime are the two main problems in Latin and Central America , according to the 2007 Latinobarómetro survey. Paradoxically, some Central American countries believe in democracy, interpersonal trust and civic security, but at the same time are dissatisfied with the economy, participation and taxes. Overall, there has been a slight drop in support for democracy while authoritative regimes have gained popularity. The support for the market economy and the importance of private business are declining and the State's popularity is growing.
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published 01/11/2008 |
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Eight years after the US handed control of the Panama Canal to Panama , the inter-oceanic waterway is in the process of undergoing an unprecedented expansion. Panamanians are waiting to see which consortium will win the contract to design and build the Canal's third set of locks, which will allow for larger Post-Panamax ships to pass and carry up to 600 million tons. Four consortiums are bidding for the multimillion dollar project, which will require a US$5.25 billion investment.
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published 01/11/2008 |
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In the final weeks of his presidency, Óscar Berger announced a hike to the minimum wage that was so small that it immediately drew fire from the Minister of Labor of the incoming Colom administration. Moreover, Berger revealed the creation of a new tier of wages for workers in the maquila and export sectors – these workers will now earn less than workers in other non-agricultural industries. Critics say that Berger exceeded the limits of his power by creating this new wage category, and was flagrantly working to boost the coffers of the private sector. Across the board, these raises have failed to keep up with rapidly heightening inflation.
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published 01/11/2008 |
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Less than two weeks after President Mel Zelaya led Honduras to join the Venezuelan-led Petrocaribe oil consortium, the National Congress was vowing to reject a simultaneous effort to import Venezuelan fuel. The Zelaya administration argues that the deal's favorable conditions – which permit Honduras to pay for the fuel in installments – will free up funds for a variety of projects. The Congress, though, invoking worries about indebtedness and the influence of “cold war era” governments, has overwhelmingly opposed the deal. One prominent proponent for energy reform says that much of the vehemence towards Petrocaribe arises not from concern for the national interest, but rather fear among certain interests of being cornered out of the gas and oil market.
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published 01/11/2008 |
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The Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) has never won the presidency, but its chances of victory improved radically after it chose the journalist Mauricio Funes as its candidate for the 2009 elections. Funes, a relative moderate, is one of the nation's most respected figures. He is the first ever FMLN presidential candidate who did not fight in El Salvador 's civil war. The popularity of the ruling Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) has plummeted in recent years, and, at least for the moment, a population long accustomed to right-wing rule seems disposed to vote for a more progressive government.
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published 01/11/2008 |
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