Latin Pulse/Pulso Latino

Latin Pulse/Pulso Latino A new concept in current affairs, LatinPulse/Pulso Latino is a bilingual English/Spanish half-hour series providing news and analysis on Latino America through the eyes of Latin American media. http://www.linktv.org/programs/latin_pulse en-us Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:45:00 -0800 Ecuador: The Tribes vs. Chevron-Texaco http://www.linktv.org/video/4544 78f1893678afbeaa90b1fa01b9cfb860 (Latin Pulse: October 27, 2009) Thousands of people representing Ecuador's indigenous tribes are suing Chevron-Texaco over the pools of toxic wastewater the company left behind. Following Chevron-Texaco's 30 years of profit from indigenous lands and resources, the tribes are seeking 27.3 billion dollars from the California-based corporation for the clean-up. We talk with Joe Berlinger about his new film on the case, Crude, and with Amazon Watch about the worst environmental disaster since Chernobyl. But Chevron-Texaco is not the only problem for the indigenous communities of Ecuador; the native population is taking to the streets, demanding a seat at the negotiating table with the government in order to contest other proposed developments on their territories.Learn More About This Issue: <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/05/texaco200705" target="_blank">Vanity Fair article</a> <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/13/144859/413/430/567074" target="_blank">Daily Kos explanation of oil development in Western Amazon</a> <a href="http://chevrontoxico.com/news-and-multimedia/2009/0503-60-minutes-amazon-crude.html" target="_blank">Sixty Minutes Report</a> <a href="http://www.crudethemovie.com" target="_blank">Crude</a> <a href="http://www.chevron.com/ecuador/" target="_blank">Chevron</a> Find Out What You Can Do: <a href="http://www.amazonwatch.org/" target="_blank">Amazon Watch</a> <a href="http://chevrontoxico.com/" target="_blank">Campaign against Chevron</a> Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Latin Pulse, Pulso Latino, Ecuador, Latin America, Chevron, Texaco, Wastewater, Toxic, Environmental, Environment, Joe Berlinger, Crude, Amazon Watch, Indigenous, Native Link Media, Inc. Chagas: A Silent Epidemic http://www.linktv.org/video/4458 4e2ecebbfafe27a7c00e0462fad0873a (Latin Pulse: October 12, 2009) Latin Pulse brings you a special investigative report from Telesur on the epidemic of Chagas in Argentina's rural provinces. Although it already affects upwards of 18 million people throughout the Americas, causing heart failure, digestive problems and death, the disease may be spreading from the rural population to the cities. Scientists and researchers argue that the failure to identify and correct the main source of disease - poverty - is the result of government negligence, corporate indifference and historic inequality. <a href="http://www.telesurtv.net/" target="_blank">Click here for more information on Telesur.</a>En Español Chagas: Una enfermedad silenciada Pulso Latino les trae un reportaje investigativo realizado por el canal latinoamericano Telesur, acerca de la epidemia del Chagas en las provincias rurales argentinas. Sin embargo, esta enfermedad afecta a más de 18 millones de personas a través del continente americano. Fallas cardiacas, problemas digestivos y la muerte, son algunas de las consecuencias del mal de Chagas, una enfermedad que se expande a las ciudades a medida que las poblaciones rurales se urbanizan. Científicos e investigadores sostienen que la falla en identificar y solucionar la causa de la enfermedad - la pobreza -, es resultado de la negligencia gubernamental, la indiferencia de parte de la industria farmacéutica y una inequidad histórica. Para más información acerca de Telesur, visite <a href="http://www.telesurtv.net/" target="_blank">www.telesurtv.net</a>. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Chagas, Latin Pulse, Pulso Latino, Latin America, Disease, Poverty, Argentina, Telesur, Rural, Medicine, Science, Inequality Link Media, Inc. Argentina's Food Farmers Trumped by Soy http://www.linktv.org/video/4285 63cb524a9f51b7858733e1108bf556fa (Latin Pulse: September 1, 2009) In this episode of Latin Pulse we focus on the struggle between Argentine food farmers and transnational soy producers. The soy producers bribe landowners and buy lands inhabited by indigenous tribes such as the Toba, Mocoví and Wichí among others, and bulldoze the forest to plant Monsanto soy. We explore the destruction of the Chaco forest of South America with a documentary from Argentine filmmaker Alejandro Fernández Mouján. The destruction of the Amazons are well known, but one of South America's other biodiversity centers and it's second largest forest, El Chaco, is also in danger. In an original Link interview preceding the documentary, local human rights lawyer Rolando Núñez tells us that the soy struggle may be the closing act in the slow extermination of El Chaco's indigenous tribes. After the forest has been bulldozed, the land is bathed in Monsanto 'Roundup' herbicide, and the Roundup-ready soy is planted, harvested and exported to feed pigs, cows and make biofuels in both China and the US. The heavy use of herbicides and pesticides is causing alarming rates of disease and deformities in the surrounding communities, however, the profit margins compel Argentina's farmers to grow the exported crop on lands where Argentina's food stuffs once grew.<a href="http://www.linktv.org/food">Learn more about this issue and find out what you can do!</a>Related Articles: Monsanto Soy Herbicide Could Pose Health Risks Study Released in Argentina Puts Glyphosate Under Fire By Marie Trigona <a href="http://americas.irc-online.org/am/6254" target="_blank">http://americas.irc-online.org/am/6254</a> Argentina: Expansion of Agricultural Frontier Endangers Native Communities By Marcela Valente <a href="http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39087" target="_blank">http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=39087</a> Change on the Pampas: Industrialized Farming Comes to Argentina By Nick Kusnetz <a href="https://nacla.org/node/6079" target="_blank">https://nacla.org/node/6079</a> Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Latin Pulse, Pulso Latino, Argentina, Soy, Farm, Farmers, Agriculture, Chaco, South America, Latin America, Monsanto Link Media, Inc. Toribío: War in the Cauca Region http://www.linktv.org/video/4192 cd474f6341aeffd65f93084d0dae3453 Latin Pulse brings you this episode of the Colombian TV show Contravía, where journalist Hollman Morris and his team travel to a remote community in Southern Colombia to eat, sleep and live with the Nasa Indians through a period of fear, displacement and anguish.With their homes turned into battlegrounds, the indigenous community around Toribío continue their peaceful resistance to the invasion of free trade, armies and guerrillas. Morris combines this inside experience with personal testimonies from all sides, for a transparent exploration of Colombia's drawn-out conflict.Gabriel Garcia Marquez's organization, The Foundation for a New Iberian-American Journalism, awarded Contravía's episode Toribío its highest prize in 2007, for their efforts to raise visibility for the victims of war in a censored and bellicose media environment.For more information on the Colombian journalistic TV show Contravia, you can visit:<a href="http://www.contravia.tv/" target="_blank">www.contravia.tv </a>For more information on the work of Hollman Morris and other independent journalists in Colombia, watch our previous show: <a href="http://www.linktv.org/latinpulse/20090703/colombia-stories-that-kill">Colombia: Stories That Kill</a>. En español:Toribío: La guerra en el Cauca.Pulso Latino les trae un episodio del programa colombiano Contravía. El periodista Hollman Morris y su equipo, viajaron a una remota comunidad al Sur de Colombia, donde vivieron con los indígenas Nasa durante un período de miedo, desplazamiento y angustia.A pesar de ver sus casas convertidas en campo de batalla, las comunidades indígenas de Toribío continúan en resistencia pacífica a los ejércitos, la guerrilla y los tratados de libre comercio. Morris combina esta experiencia con diferentes testimonios, logrando una exploración transparente del conflicto colombiano.La Fundación Nuevo Periodismo Iberoamericano, del escritor colombiano Gabriel García Márquez, le otorgó a "Toribío: La guerra en el Cauca" el premio Nuevo Periodismo en Televisión 2007, por sus esfuerzos para hacer visibles a las víctimas de la guerra, en medio de un ambiente mediático de autocensura y guerra.Para más información sobre el programa periodístico colombiano Contravía, puede visitar: <a href="http://www.contravia.tv/" target="_blank">www.contravia.tv</a>Para más información sobre el trabajo de Hollman Morris y otros periodistas independientes en Colombia, puede ver nuestro episodio: <a href="http://www.linktv.org/latinpulse/20090707/colombia-historias-que-matan">Colombia: Historias que Matan</a>. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Latin Pulse, Pulso Latino, Colombia, Contravia, Hollman Morris, Indigenous, Nasa Indians, Free Trade, Guerillas, Journalism, Latin America Link Media, Inc. Colombia: Stories That Kill Part 2 - An Interview with Hollman Morris http://www.linktv.org/video/4106 4ca9764c98c203d7bc747cbce9d9174f Latin Pulse brings you the complete interview with Colombian award-winning journalist Hollman Morris in this second part of the special report "Colombia: Stories That Kill." Morris calls on the international community for solidarity and support of freedom of speech in Colombia. The Colombian secret police have been illegally spying on Morris since 2004; he tells us why.You can read more about the claims that journalist Hollman Morris was a Colombian secret police target at <a href="http://www.contravia.tv/?p=131">Contravia.tv,</a> a partner organization of Latin Pulse.<a href="http://www.linktv.org/video/4107/colombia-historias-que-matan-parte-2-una-entrevista-con-hollman-morris" target="_self">Click here to watch this video in the original Spanish.</a> Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Latin Pulse, Pulso Latino, Colombia, Hollman Morris, Journalist, Free Speech Link Media, Inc. Colombia: Historias Que Matan Parte 2 - Una entrevista con Hollman Morris http://www.linktv.org/video/4107 2297607a5db8576d5ad6bbd83696ff60 En esta segunda parte del reportaje especial: Colombia: Historias que matan, Latin Pulse presenta le entrevista completa con el premiado periodista colombiano Hollman Morris. Morris nos cuenta sobre su delicada situacion de seguridad y hace un llamado a la comunidad internacional, a la solidaridad y al respeto de la libertad de expresion en Colombia. El periodista Morris venia siendo seguido por la policia secreta colombiana desde el ano 2004. En esta entrevista nos cuenta por que. Sun, 12 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Latin Pulse, Pulso Latino, Colombia, Hollman Morris, Journalist, Free Speech, Spanish, Espanol Link Media, Inc. Colombia: Historias Que Matan http://www.linktv.org/video/4188 c76db12c821b79a91d361a4c705ce6b4 Plagado por la violencia, el narcotráfico y la corrupción, Colombia es uno de los lugares más peligrosos del mundo para los periodistas. Preguntamos, qué tipo de discursos estan siendo silenciados? Cómo y quién los censura? Algunos de los periodistas que trabajan hoy desafiando los límites de la libertad de expresión, comparten con nosotros su lucha por contar las historias de la guerra, para ellos, una tarea clave para lograr la paz en Colombia. Pulso Latino habló con el galardonado periodista Hollman Morris, quién nos explicó por qué la policía secreta colombiana venía espiando ilegalmente en su contra, y por qué el Presidente Álavaro Uribe Vélez lo acusa de ser aliado del terrrorismo. Morris, y otros periodistas como él, trabajan para exponer las razones y los efectos del conflicto colombiano a pesar del riesgo que corren sus vidas. Ellos trabajan en las regiones mas inaccesibles y remotas de Colombia para dar voz a las víctimas de la guerra, a los indígenas, a la oposición y a las personas que luchan por la paz. En colaboración con: CIR <a href="http://www.centerforinvestigativereporting.org/" target="_blank">http://www.centerforinvestigativereporting.org/</a> CONTRAVIA <a href="http://www.contravia.tv/" target="_blank">www.contravia.tv</a> Morris Productions <a href="http://www.morrisproducciones.com/" target="_blank">http://www.morrisproducciones.com</a>Para seguir los últimos desarrollos en el caso de espionaje ilegal de parte de la policía colombiana, puede visitar: <a href="http://elespectador.com/impreso/judicial/articuloimpreso153978-los-estragos-del-espionaje-del-g-3" target="_blank">http://elespectador.com/impreso/judicial/articuloimpreso153978-los-estragos-del-espionaje-del-g-3</a> Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Latin Pulse, Pulso Latino, Colombia, Hollman Morris, Journalist, Free Speech, Spanish, Espanol Link Media, Inc. Colombia: Stories That Kill http://www.linktv.org/video/4071 fa8dbbcb682699544e4e8f2212115f73 (Latin Pulse: July 2, 2009) Plagued by violence, drug trafficking, and corruption, Colombia is one of the world's most dangerous places to be a journalist. We look at what kind of speech is being silenced, by whom, and how. Today, independent journalists working up against the boundaries of free speech share with us their struggle to tell the stories of the country's bloody reality, a task they feel is key to creating more peaceful Colombia. Join us as our team, supported by Mark Schapiro of the Center for Investigative Reporting, speaks with award-winning journalist Hollman Morris, who explains why the secret police monitor his activities and the president calls him a terrorist. He and others like him work to expose the reasons and effects of Colombias conflicts. They speak out despite the risk to their lives to give voice to the victims of war, the indigenous, and the opposition, working to achieve peace.FEATURED PARTNERSCenter for Investigative Reporting <a href="http://www.centerforinvestigativereporting.org/" target="_blank">http://www.centerforinvestigativereporting.org/</a>Contravia<a href="http://www.contravia.tv" target="_blank">http://www.contravia.tv</a>Morris Productions<a href="http://www.morrisproducciones.com/" target="_blank">http://www.morrisproducciones.com</a>HOLLMAN MORRIS - BIOMorris has spent most of his career covering Colombia's internal armed conflict, with a particular focus on human rights issues. He has done this in a variety of settings: through local and national radio, television, newspapers, as a documentary filmmaker, and independent writer.In his coverage of the conflict Morris has been fiercely committed to uncovering the truth about atrocities committed by both sets of illegal armed groups in the country: right-wing paramilitaries and left-wing guerrillas. Morris has not shied away from covering abuses committed by government authorities such as the police or military. His work has done a great deal to shed light on the conflict's impact on Colombias most vulnerable -- and often forgotten -- citizens. Morris spent 1999-2000 as a correspondent for Television Channel RCN in San Vicente del Caguan, where the Pastrana administration was conducting peace negotiations with the leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). During this time, Morris produced a number of special reports on the peace negotiations, including a series of pieces designed to educate the public at large on the details of the resulting agreements.He was also among the few journalists covering the atrocities that the FARC was committing in the zona de distension the Switzerland-sized piece of territory that the government ceded to the FARC to incentivize negotiations.In 2000 Morris founded and became the editor of the Peace and Human Rights Section of El Espectador, one of Colombias two most prominent newspapers. In this capacity, Morris wrote numerous articles on the Colombian conflict, including pieces on Colombias disappeared, the problem of impunity for human rights abuses, the practice of confinement (by which armed groups strictly limit access to and exit from certain communities), the situation of the so-called communities of resistance in the region of El Choco, and the FARCs involvement in the assassination of U.S. citizens.After having to leave Colombia under threat in 2000, Morris wrote and published his first book, Operacin Ballena Azul. The books tells the true story of how the M-19 guerrilla group stole a cache of weapons, and how Colombias armed forces recovered them. Through this story, the book also gives an account of systematic human rights violations during a particular period of Colombias history.While in Spain, Morris also continued writing articles about the Colombian conflict. One of his stories dealt with the number of people who had been forced to leave Colombia as a result of threats.CONTRAVIA - BIOStarting in July 2003, Morris Productions and Communications assumed the difficult task of developing a national television program named Contravia (going against the right of way). The program is dedicated to promoting and defending Human Rights in Colombia. The show has received the recognition of the Colombian Press and in April 2004 was awarded the Premio India Catalina by the Corporation of the Film Festival of Cartagena, Colombia. This prize is awarded to the best journalism report in the country. That same year, in November, after issuing sixty reports, the program was also awarded the Simon Bolivar National Prize for the best report in television, in this case, the Jaime Garzon report. The report investigated the murder of Jaime Garzon, a well known political activist who often criticized Colombian politics as corrupt and believed peace could only be achieved if the government committed to a dialogue with armed groups in the country. It was this position that made him a target for ultra right armed groups who threatened and eventually killed Mr. Garzon. The report included interviews of the lawyers involved in the case and Garzons family members and eventually concluded that the investigation of the murder was being misguided and manipulated by political forces who did not want the truth to be known. The report criticized the nations Attorney General for not doing enough to bring Garzons killers to justice. This position was shared by the Judge who heard the case and agreed with many of the findings reported by the program Contravia.<a href="http://www.linktv.org/latinpulse/20090707/colombia-historias-que-matan" target="_self">Click here to watch this video in the original Spanish.</a> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700 Latin Pulse, Pulso Latino, Colombia, Colombian, Journalism, Journalist, Media, Independent, Hollman Morris, Human Rights Link Media, Inc. Violence and Drug Trafficking in Mexico http://www.linktv.org/video/3934 f8f122d50eba11c3af5607575b277bc6 (Latin Pulse: May 21, 2009) Day after day, Mexico is home to more and more victims of drug trafficking and organized crime. In 2008 alone, 6,290 murders were attributed to fighting between the factions of organized crime. These factions are fighting for control over the drug routes to the United States, the world's biggest consumer of drugs. In addition, other illicit, million-dollars businesses - like human trafficking and kidnapping - are also expanding, even beyond Mexico's borders. A special investigative report from <a href="http://www.telesurtv.net/" target="_blank">Venezuela's Telesur TV.</a> Thu, 21 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700 latin pulse, pulso latino, mexico, mexican, drugs, violence, organized crime, trafficking, kidnapping, telesur Link Media, Inc. Interview with El Salvador's President-elect Mauricio Funes http://www.linktv.org/video/3847 a3048e47310d6efaa4b1eaf55227bc92 (Latin Pulse: May 1, 2009) Link TV's Latin Pulse Team brings you an exclusive interview with El Salvador's president-elect Mauricio Funes in this second part of the special presentation "El Salvador: A Historic Election".El Salvador, a tiny Central American country, has elected its first leftist president. The Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front FMLN candidate Mauricio Funes won the election with 51.3% of the votes.Funes, 49, is a popular TV journalist with a reputation for honest and critical reporting. Funes' broadcasting journalism career spans over 20 years, including as a CNN correspondent for 15 years. In 1994 Funes was awarded the Columbian University Maria Moors Cabot Prize for outstanding reporting on Latin America and the Caribbean, and in 1996 he received a journalism prize from the Brazilian government.Real democracy may finally come to El Salvador with this unlikely FMLN candidate, who is individually more of a moderate than his colleagues.The president-elect faces many challenges, as El Salvador is gripped by economic and public-security crises. A quarter of the population depends on money sent by their relatives who are working in the United States. Yet these funds are drying up as the U.S. economic situation deteriorates. The nation has one of the highest homicide rates in the world: ten to twelve people die every day.Funes faces these issues, in addition to an angry, powerful and well-funded right wing, as well as hard-liners in his own party who may push for radical reforms.As Funes takes the reins of power on June 1st, people are waiting to see how U.S.-Salvadoran relations will change.For a long time, El Salvador has been a staunch U.S. ally. Now the smallest country in Central America has joined the increasing number of Latino American countries that have chosen a change to the left. However, with a new U.S. president warmly shaking hands with Funes, Brazil?s Lula, and even Venezuela?s Hugo Chavez, many are hopeful about the future of Latin American-U.S. relations.En EspañolPulso Latino Reportaje EspecialEl Salvador: "Una Elección Histórica" Parte IIEl equipo de Pulso Latino presenta una entrevista exclusiva con el presidente electo de El Salvador Mauricio Funes.El Salvador un pequeño país Centroamericano eligió en las urnas al primer Presidente de un partido de izquierda. El candidato del Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional FMLN, Mauricio Funes ganó la elección con el 51.3 % de los votos.Funes de 49 años, es un periodista y presentador de TV con una reputación de honestidad y criticismo en sus reportajes. La carrera periodística de Funes se expande por más de 20 años, fue el corresponsal de CNN en Español por 15 años. En 1994 Funes recibió el premio María Moors Cabot por excepcional reportajes en Latino América y el Caribe que otorga la Universidad de Columbia.Y en 1996 un premio periodístico del gobierno de Brasil.Finalmente la democracia parece estar llegando a El Salvador con este inverosímil candidato del FMLN, quién es más un moderado que sus colegas del partido.El presidente electo confronta varios retos, El Salvador confronta fuertes crisis en los sectores de la economía y la seguridad. Un cuarto de la población dependen del dinero enviado por familiares trabajando en los Estados Unidos; estas fuentes de ingreso se están secando en la medida en que la situación económica en los EEUU se deteriora. El país tiene una de las más altas tazas de homicidio en el mundo, diez a doce personas mueren cada día.Funes además tendrá que bregar con una derecha política encolerizada y con mucho dinero, así como también con los miembros de su partido de línea dura quienes pueden tratar de empujar por reformas radicales.Mauricio tomará las riendas del poder el 1 de junio, la gente esta esperando como las relaciones entre los EEUU y El Salvador van a cambiar.Por mucho tiempo El Salvador ha sido un firme aliado de los Estados Unidos, por ahora el más pequeño país de Centro América se ha unido al creciente número de países Latinoamericanos que han escogido explorar un cambio hacia la izquierda. Sin embargo con un nuevo Presidente estadounidense estrechando con gusto las manos de Funes, Lula de Brasil, y Chávez de Venezuela, muchos tienen esperanzas en el futuro de las relaciones entre Latino América y los Estados Unidos. Fri, 01 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700 latin pulse, el salvador, president, mauricio funes, interview, latin america, fmln Link Media, Inc. El Salvador: A Historic Election http://www.linktv.org/video/3844 494c08f7a144d3cc4cfa661ed1244039 (Latin Pulse: April 30, 2009) The Latin Pulse Team brings you a special report on the historic election in Latin America. El Salvador, a tiny Central American country of 7 million inhabitants, recently elected Mauricio Funes, its first leftist president. Not unlike the evening Barack Obama was elected as President of the United States, the crowds in the capital city of San Salvador were chanting "Sí se pudo" - "Yes we did!"The Funes party, the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front, or FMLN, defeated the rightwing Nationalist Republican Alliance, the ARENA party, who has ruled the country for 20 years. In the 1980s, the FMLN, a coalition of former Marxist guerillas, fought a bitter war against the U.S. backed Salvadoran government. Thousands were killed, tortured, and disappeared. Salvadoran voters were voting for the FMLN candidate because they wanted change. They were worried about poverty, unemployment, and raging crime, and were not impressed by the right wing's well-financed media campaign, which stressed the dangers of communism.The U.S. government has always had a presence in Salvador's electoral process. For that reason, the FMLN publicly asked the American leadership to stay out of the 2009 election more than a year ago. It appears that they did. The next day, President Barack Obama called Funes to congratulate him on his victory.For a long time, El Salvador has been a staunch U.S. ally. Now, the smallest country in Central America has joined the increasing number of Latino American countries that have chosen to explore a change to the left. However, with a new U.S. president warmly shaking hands with Funes, Brazil?s Lula, and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, many are hopeful about the future of Latin American-US relations.En EspañolPulso Latino Reportaje EspecialEl Salvador: Una Elección Histórica?El equipo de Pulso Latino presenta un reportaje especial sobre estas históricas elecciones en Latino América. El Salvador un pequeño país Centroamericano de 7 millones de habitantes eligió en las urnas al primer Presidente de un partido de izquierda. Como la noche en que Obama fue electo presidente de los EEUU, la gente se lanzó a las calles de la capital San Salvador cantando ?Sí se pudo!?El partido de Funes Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional FMLN, derrotó al partido de derecha Alianza Republicana Nacionalista ARENA, quién ha gobernado el país durante los últimos 20 años. El FMLN una coalición de ex-guerrilleros, quienes lucharon contra el gobierno Salvadoreño de extrema derecha en una guerra sostenida y financiada por los Estados Unidos durante la década de los 80. Miles de personas fueron asesinadas, torturadas y desaparecidas. Los salvadoreños votaron por el candidato del FMLN porque quieren un cambio, les preocupa la pobreza creciente, el desempleo y el crimen rampante. No se dejaron influenciar por la fuertemente financiada campaña mediática de la derecha que buscaba amedrentar insistiendo en los peligros de un comunismo.El gobierno Estadounidense ha tenido por largo tiempo una presencia en el proceso electoral salvadoreño, por esta razón hace un año el candidato del FMLN pidió públicamente a los líderes de EEUU de mantenerse fuera de las elecciones del 2009. Parece que así sucedió. Al día siguiente de las elecciones el presidente Barack Obama llamó a Funes para felicitarle por su victoria. Por mucho tiempo El Salvador ha sido un firme aliado de los Estados Unidos, por ahora el más pequeño país de Centro América se ha unido al creciente número de países Latinoamericanos que han escogido explorar un cambio hacia la izquierda. Sin embargo con un nuevo Presidente estadounidense estrechando con gusto las manos de Funes, Lula de Brazil, y Chávez de Venezuela, muchos tienen esperanzas en el futuro de las relaciones entre Latino América y los Estados Unidos.El Salvador Facts/InfoBackground: El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and seceded from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels the FMLN signed a U.N. brokered peace accord that provided for military and political reforms.Area: 21,040 sq km Slightly smaller than MassachusettsNatural resources: Hydropower, geothermal power, arable land.Natural hazards: Known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes.Environment current issues: Deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes.Population:7,185,218 (July 2008 est.)Ethnic groups: Mestizo 90%, white 9%, Amerindian 1%Net migration rate:3.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) An estimated 2 million Salvadorans live in the United StatesGDP: $22.28 billion (2008 est.) Labor force by sector: agriculture: 11.2% industry: 24.7% services: 64.1% (2008 est.)Employment: Unemployment is 7% Underemployment is 43% And 81% do not earn a decent wage, per U.N. standardPoverty: More than 53% of the population lives below the poverty line.20% lives in extreme povertyIlliteracy rate: 17% of the populationEducation expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2006)Military expenditures: 5% 0f GDP (2006)2009 Elections Results: 60% of the electorate casted ballotsPresident: FMLN/Funes 51.3% ARENA/Avila 48.7%Assembly 84 Seats: FMLN 35 Seats ARENA 32 PCN 11PDC 5CD 1USA/EL Salvador Relations: The United States is El Salvador?s most important trading partner, receiving 67.3% of its exports and providing 50.1% of its imports. Economic growth will decelerate in 2009 due to the global slowdown and to El Salvador's dependence on exports to the US and remittances from the US. El Salvador leads the region in remittances per capita with inflows equivalent to nearly all export income. With the adoption of the US dollar as its currency in 2001, El Salvador lost control over monetary policy and must concentrate on maintaining a disciplined fiscal policy. In 2005 U.S. and El Salvador governments signed a bilateral agreement to establish an International Law Enforcement Academy ILEA in the region. The training focus is on transnational crimes, human rights and the rule of law with emphasis on trafficking in narcotics, trafficking in persons, terrorism, money laundering and other financial crimes. ILEA is meant to "help protect U.S. interests through international cooperation" by training police, judges, prosecutors, and other law enforcement officials. The U.S. also maintains a Military Monitoring Base in Comalapa that surveys air space traffic in the region to combat narco-trafficking and organized crime activities. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and El Salvador?s National Civilian Police jointly operate the Transnational Anti-Gang unit, which addresses the growing problem of street gangs in both countries. In January 2009, the U.S. and El Salvador signed letters of agreement committing both countries to work jointly under the Merida Initiative to fight crime and drug trafficking. In 2006 El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). In late 2006, the government and the Millennium Challenge Corporation signed a five-year, $461 million compact to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty in the country's northern region through investments in education, public services, enterprise development, and transportation infrastructure. Sources:United Nations Development Program UNDPhttp://www.undp.org/publications/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/es.htmlhttp://www.usaid.gov/policy/budget/cbj2005/lac/sv.htmlwww.fletc.gov/Country?s Timeline http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1220818.stm Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0700 latin pulse, latino pulse, el salvador, election, latin america Link Media, Inc. Immigration Reform and Immigrant Rights http://www.linktv.org/video/3722 56e6a93212e4482d99c84a639d254b67 (Latin Pulse/Pulso Latino: March 17, 2009) President Obama courted Latino voters with immigration reform, but economic worries have taken priority above all else. Through news reports from Latin America and US Latin newscasts, we show the view from the South on immigration. Our partner New America Media speaks with writer Richard Rodriguez about how immigration has changed over the last few years, and what it will mean to leave reform unaddressed. Latin Pulse investigates the role of ICE and its raid policies which the new administration is reviewing.This episode shows what immigration enforcement looks like on the ground, as New American Media follows women in Iowa who are dealing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and then looks at the life of a deportee in El Salvador.<a href="http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=0d16cc2e654071b66a1133add7b43ae1" target="_blank">UPDATE from New American Media, featuring Link TV's Jamal Dajani: Immigration and human rights in San Francisco, April 17, 2009 </a>Espanol: El Presidente Obama cortejó a los votantes latinos con la reforma inmigratoria, pero la crisis económica se ha convertido hoy en su prioridad. A través de reportajes provenientes de noticieros latinoamericanos y de noticieros latinos en Estados Unidos, mostramos como vé el sur el problema de la inmigración. Nuestro socio New America Media, habló con el escritor Richard Rodriguez acerca de los cambios que ha tenido el problema de la inmigración en los ultimos años; y sobre lo qué significará dejar la reforma inmigratoria para otro día. Pulso Latino investiga el papel de la Agencia de Control de Inmigración y Aduanas y sus politicas de redadas, hoy en revisión por parte del nuevo gobierno. Este episodio muestra la cara del control inmigratorio desde el campo de batalla. New America Media viaja primero a Iowa, donde sigue a mujeres que tienen que lidiar con la Agencia de Control Inmigratorio y Aduanas. Despues viaja a El Salvador, para acercarse a la vida de un deportado. Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0700 immigration, reform, ice, obama, raids, latin pulse, latino pulso Link Media, Inc. Latin America Takes to the Streets http://www.linktv.org/video/3555 22b1cd168ec628442b3d4dc00fca434b (Latin Pulse/Pulso Latino: January 29, 2009) High spirits and high hopes are felt around the world as the First African-American president in U.S. history is sworn-in in Washington D.C. Then, in Venezuela, things get ugly between students and police during a protest against the vote on amendments to the constitution regarding re-electing the Venezuelan President. People in Latin America take to the streets in support of Palestinians suffering in the Gaza Strip. Why could we all end up paying more for seafood that comes from Mexico? And, who do you think was the inspiration for these high-end couture dresses?Have a look at this and more in this week's Latin Pulse. Español Enero 29 de 2009. Nueva Confianza y Grandes Esperanzas Confianza y grandes esperanzas alrededor del mundo cuando el primer Afro-Americano es juramentado como el nuevo Presidente en Washington DC. Por otro lado en Venezuela las cosas se ponen feas entre estudiantes y la policía durante una protesta contra el voto para hacer cambios en la constitución para permitir la re-elección del presidente. En algunos países en Latino América la gente se vuelca a las calles para protestar Israel y en apoyo de los Palestinos de Gaza. ¿Por qué vamos a terminar todos pagando más por el pescado y mariscos que llega desde México? ¿Y quién piensa usted ha inspirado estos diseños de alta costura? Todo esto y más en el programa de Pulso Latino de esta semana. Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800 latin pulse, pulso latino, obama, venezuela, chavez, latin america, palestine, gaza, mexico Link Media, Inc. Latin America Meets Obama http://www.linktv.org/video/3512 0dbb3fb9a5cd1d5f8a9075b5bb8070aa (Latin Pulse/Pulso Latino: January 15, 2009) Central America shakes as we start a new year. Who is to blame? In the U.S., President-elect Barack Obama entertains his first visitor from south of the border. And what happens when the INS knocks at your door in the middle of the night? In Venezuela, Hugo Chavez delivers harsh words for Israel's actions in the Gaza strip. And, why did the artist of the comic "Mother Goose & Grimm" end up in front of a judge? This, and more, in this episode of Latin Pulse. Español Pulso Latino, 15 de enero del 2009. Centro América tiembla con el comienzo de un nuevo año.... ¿Quien es responsable? En Estados Unidos... el president electo Barack Obama recibe a su primer visitante Latinoamericano. ¿Que pasa cuando el Servicio de Inmigración toca a su puerta en medio de la noche? En Venezuela... Hugo Chávez tiene duras palabras para Israel por sus acciones militares en la franja de Gaza. ¿Y por qué las caricaturas de Mother Goose and Grimm podrían tener que presentarse frente a un juez? Esto y más, en esta edición de Pulso Latino. Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0800 latin, pulse, pulso, latino, january, 15, central, america, earthquake, obama, INS, hugo, chavez, israel, gaza Link Media, Inc. New Era of Change? http://www.linktv.org/video/3448 c5bbd980e5ab2c17413ec02bd757a9e5 (Latin Pulse/Pulso Latino: December 25, 2008) As the year comes to an end, many believe we are entering a new era of change and hope in U.S.-Latin American relations. Cuba is embraced by most Latin American countries in spite of what Uncle Sam wants or thinks. Is defiance of U.S. policy a trend, or a sign of things to come? And will U.S. foreign policy toward the region stay the course, or charter a new path under incoming President-elect Barack Obama?En Español El año llega a su fin, dentro de lo que muchos creen es una nueva era de cambio y esperanza en las relaciones entre los Estados Unidos y Latino América. Cuba ha entrado en una política de inclusión por parte de la mayoría de países de la región sin consideraciones hacia lo que el Tío Sam piense o quiera. ¿Es esta muestra de desafío hacia la política de los EEUU una tendencia en la región, o un símbolo de lo que traerá el futuro? ¿Y qué pasará con la política extranjera de los EEUU hacia la región, continuará en la misma trayectoria, o tomará un nuevo rumbo bajo el mando del presidente entrante Barack Obama? Esto y más en este programa de Pulso Latino... Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800 latin pulse, pulso latino, cuba, latin america, colombia, brasil, venezuela, foreign policy, relations, barack obama Link Media, Inc. Latin Pulse/Pulso Latino http://www.linktv.org/rss/linktv_rss.gif http://www.linktv.org/programs/latin_pulse