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<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd"> <html> <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com:80/southamerica/","20130315165034","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1363366234"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <title>McClatchy blog: Inside South America</title> <meta name="description" content="The Inside South America blog is written by Jim Wyss, the South America bureau chief for the Miami Herald and McClatchy Newspapers."/> <meta name="keywords" content="Hugo Chavez, Rafael Correa, Juan Manuel Santos, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, FARC, ELN, Henrique Capriles, guerrillas, South America politics, ALBA, South American crime, drug trade, BACRIM, paramilitary"/> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034cs_/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/styles.css" type="text/css"/> <link rel="alternate" type="application/atom+xml" title="Atom" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/atom.xml"/> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="RSS" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/index.rdf"/> <link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="http://www.typepad.com/t/rsd/1556698"/> <link rel="meta" type="application/rdf+xml" title="FOAF" href="http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/foaf.rdf"/> </head> <body> <div id="wrapper"> <div id="header"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034im_/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/south_america_banner_web.jpg" alt="Inside South America"/></a> </div> <div id="content"> <div id="col_1"> <a id="a6a00d83451c64169e2017c367ee48a970b"></a> <div class="blog_entry"> <p class="date">February 01, 2013</p> <h2 class="entry-header"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/02/three-colombian-police-killed-along-venezuelan-border-amid-smuggling-activities-.html">Three Colombian Police Killed Along Venezuelan Border Amid Smuggling Activities </a></h2> <p> <a class="asset-img-link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/.a/6a00d83451c64169e2017d40ad71f8970c-pi" style="float: left;"><img alt="Buenaventura peces y madera 07" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451c64169e2017d40ad71f8970c" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034im_/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/.a/6a00d83451c64169e2017d40ad71f8970c-320wi" style="margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px;" title="Buenaventura peces y madera 07"/></a>Three Colombian police officers were killed today along the Venezuelan border as they were on the lookout for gasoline smugglers, authorities said. Venezuela's gasoline cost just pennies the liter, and there's a thriving blackmarket for the cheap fuel on this side of the border. </p> <p>The government has not released details about today's murders but authorities have increasingly accused ELN and FARC guerrillas of muscling into the trade.</p> <p>I recently talked to the commander of the Pacific Navy fleet and he said there are indications that the FARC are not only in the blackmarket gas business but illegal logging, too. </p> <p>Here's that story:</p> <p>BUENAVENTURA, Colombia -- In a muddy creek on the outskirts of town, hundreds of thick logs were piled up waiting to be turned into planks and plywood. Luis Mercedes, a veteran logger, admits he felled the trees and floated them downriver without a permit, but he says poverty forces him to cut corners.</p> <p>Authorities see it differently. They fear that unregulated logging, mining and other gray-market activities along the coast are turning into sources of income for rebels and criminal gangs that haunt the area.</p> <p>Colombia and the nation’s largest guerrilla group resumed peace talks in Havana this week in hopes of ending a bloody, 50-year civil conflict. The talks come as the country is braces for a possible new spate of violence starting Sunday when the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, lift a unilateral ceasefire imposed over the holidays.</p> <p>Both sides have said they’re optimistic that the sweeping five-point peace plan will bring an end to the violence by year’s end. But hurdles remain. Among them, the FARC will be required to give up the drug trade.</p> <p>But on this marshy western Pacific coast, long-known for its cocaine smuggling routes, authorities say the guerrillas are diversifying into industries that are harder to detect because they’re easily camouflaged amidst the poverty, and the final products — wood and gold — are legal.</p> <p>“The narco-terrorists have realized how lucrative these businesses are, and there are areas along Colombia’s Pacific that are abandoning coca cultivation and turning to illegal mining and other activities,” said Vice Admiral Rodolfo Amaya, commander of the Pacific Navy fleet. “These bandits want to control any industry that is producing cash.”</p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/18/3189541/as-colombia-aims-for-peace-some.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy%20" target="_self">Click here for full story</a></p> <p> <div class="blog_tools"> <ul class="inlist"> <li>Posted by Jim Wyss at 03:34 PM in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/venezuela/">Venezuela</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/02/three-colombian-police-killed-along-venezuelan-border-amid-smuggling-activities-.html">Permalink</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/02/three-colombian-police-killed-along-venezuelan-border-amid-smuggling-activities-.html#comments">Comments <span class="stats">(1)</span></a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/02/three-colombian-police-killed-along-venezuelan-border-amid-smuggling-activities-.html#trackback">TrackBack <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <br/>  <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034js_/http://feeds.feedburner.com/mcclatchydc/ZULc?i=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.mcclatchydc.com%2Fsouthamerica%2F2013%2F02%2Fthree-colombian-police-killed-along-venezuelan-border-amid-smuggling-activities-.html" type="text/javascript"></script> </ul> </div></div></p><br/> <a id="a6a00d83451c64169e2017ee7dacf37970d"></a> <div class="blog_entry"> <p class="date">January 24, 2013</p> <h2 class="entry-header"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/spains-el-pais-pulls-picture-of-hugo-chavez-on-operating-table.html">Spain's El Pais pulls picture of 'Hugo Chavez' on operating table</a></h2> <p> <a class="asset-img-link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/.a/6a00d83451c64169e2017ee7daadc9970d-pi" style="float: left;"><img alt="IMG_4627" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451c64169e2017ee7daadc9970d" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034im_/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/.a/6a00d83451c64169e2017ee7daadc9970d-320wi" style="margin: 0px 5px 5px 0px;" title="IMG_4627"/></a>Spain's El Pais published and then pulled a picture that purported to be Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on the operating table, after the government began circulating the YouTube video the image was captured from. (On the left is another screen shot from that same video, in which the soon-to-be intubated gentleman is most definitely not the Venezuelan leader.)</p> <p>The govenrment routinely charges the press with being part of a global conspiracy against the Bolivarian Revolution, and this unfortunate incident has only given the administration fodder. </p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://internacional.elpais.com/internacional/2013/01/24/actualidad/1359002703_817602.html" target="_self">In this follow up story</a>, El Pais said the image was on its website for about half an hour and that it suspsended printing when it realized its mistake.</p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.avn.info.ve/node/152706" target="_self">Here's the government press release. </a></p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB4bIH0GsYU" target="_self">And here's the link to the original YouTube video. </a></p> <p> <div class="blog_tools"> <ul class="inlist"> <li>Posted by Jim Wyss at 10:59 AM in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/venezuela/">Venezuela</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/spains-el-pais-pulls-picture-of-hugo-chavez-on-operating-table.html">Permalink</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/spains-el-pais-pulls-picture-of-hugo-chavez-on-operating-table.html#comments">Comments <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/spains-el-pais-pulls-picture-of-hugo-chavez-on-operating-table.html#trackback">TrackBack <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <br/>  <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034js_/http://feeds.feedburner.com/mcclatchydc/ZULc?i=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.mcclatchydc.com%2Fsouthamerica%2F2013%2F01%2Fspains-el-pais-pulls-picture-of-hugo-chavez-on-operating-table.html" type="text/javascript"></script> </ul> </div></div></p><br/> <a id="a6a00d83451c64169e2017d4046e2bd970c"></a> <div class="blog_entry"> <p class="date">January 21, 2013</p> <h2 class="entry-header"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/venezuela-under-the-new-yorker-microscope-in-slumlord-.html">Venezuela under the New Yorker microscope in 'Slumlord' </a></h2> <p>Venezuela is getting the <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=jon+lee+anderson" target="_self">Jon Lee Anderson</a> treatment in the Jan. 28 issue of the New Yorker.</p> <p> Anderson has had the chance to interview Chávez on several occasions and was in Cuba in 1999 when the newly-elected president traveled to Havana and played nine-innings with Fidel.</p> <p> In this 12-page spread, titled <em>Slumlord - What has Hugo Chavez wrought in Venezuela,</em> Anderson spends much of his time studying how the administration’s lax regulations and socialist ideology have led to a massive squatter’s movement and soaring crime.</p> <p> José Argenis, the leader of Caracas’ <em>El Milagro invasion</em>, tells Anderson “This government has been more permissive—previous governments were more repressive. And so the cultura malandra”—the thug culture—“ has ﬂourished, and it has gone out from the prisons to the schools, to the universities, to the streets. It has become the national culture.”</p> <p> It appears Anderson was in Caracas in November, shortly after Chávez won his third six-year term, but he didn’t get the chance to meet with the ailing leader, who has been in holed up in a Cuban hospital since Dec. 10. </p> <p> For the Venezuelans who continually voted for him, Chávez’s possible death “represents the end of a long and enthralling performance,” Anderson writes. “They gave him power, in one election after another: they are the victims of their aﬀection for a charismatic man, whom they allowed to become the central character on the Venezuelan stage, at the expense of everything else.”</p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/01/28/130128fa_fact_anderson" target="_self">The full article, which requires a subscription, can be found here.</a></p> <p> <div class="blog_tools"> <ul class="inlist"> <li>Posted by Jim Wyss at 09:03 AM in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/venezuela/">Venezuela</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/venezuela-under-the-new-yorker-microscope-in-slumlord-.html">Permalink</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/venezuela-under-the-new-yorker-microscope-in-slumlord-.html#comments">Comments <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/venezuela-under-the-new-yorker-microscope-in-slumlord-.html#trackback">TrackBack <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <br/>  <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034js_/http://feeds.feedburner.com/mcclatchydc/ZULc?i=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.mcclatchydc.com%2Fsouthamerica%2F2013%2F01%2Fvenezuela-under-the-new-yorker-microscope-in-slumlord-.html" type="text/javascript"></script> </ul> </div></div></p><br/> <a id="a6a00d83451c64169e2017ee77f54a1970d"></a> <div class="blog_entry"> <p class="date">January 16, 2013</p> <h2 class="entry-header"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/venezuela-is-this-chavez-signature-proof-of-life-.html">Venezuela: Is this Chavez signature proof of life? </a></h2> <p>As most people know, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez hasn’t been seen or heard from since he traveled to Cuba on Dec. 10 to undergo another round of surgery for an undisclosed form of cancer. </p> <p>His prolonged silence has fueled all sorts of rumors that he was in an induced coma, on life support, etc. Those suspicions only grew deeper last week when Chávez purportedly wrote to the National Assembly to say that he would not be at his Jan. 10 inauguration. That letter, however, was not signed by Chávez, but by his VP Maduro. </p> <p>But now a Chávez signature has turned up. On Tuesday, Maduro said the ailing president had appointed Elías Jaua as his new foreign minister. Today, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.vtv.gob.ve/articulos/2013/01/16/en-gaceta-nombramiento-de-elias-jaua-como-nuevo-canciller-firmado-por-chavez-8656.html" target="_self">VTV has running with this image </a>of the Official Gazette, which show’s the president’s signature as part of the Jaua designation. </p> <p>Still, most people want to see or hear their leader, but this does seem to support the  administration’s claims that Chávez is making a recovery. </p> <p> <div class="blog_tools"> <ul class="inlist"> <li>Posted by Jim Wyss at 10:28 AM in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/politics/">Politics</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/venezuela/">Venezuela</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/venezuela-is-this-chavez-signature-proof-of-life-.html">Permalink</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/venezuela-is-this-chavez-signature-proof-of-life-.html#comments">Comments <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/venezuela-is-this-chavez-signature-proof-of-life-.html#trackback">TrackBack <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <br/>  <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034js_/http://feeds.feedburner.com/mcclatchydc/ZULc?i=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.mcclatchydc.com%2Fsouthamerica%2F2013%2F01%2Fvenezuela-is-this-chavez-signature-proof-of-life-.html" type="text/javascript"></script> </ul> </div></div></p><br/> <a id="a6a00d83451c64169e2017ee6698f74970d"></a> <div class="blog_entry"> <p class="date">December 19, 2012</p> <h2 class="entry-header"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/venezuela-vote-shows-the-power-of-chavismo-without-chavez.html">Venezuela vote shows the power of Chavismo without Chavez</a></h2> <p>Venezuela's opposition was thrashed in Sunday's regional vote, and it's still unclear what the consequences will be for the MUD coallition. I would think a major shakeup is coming and I wonder how that might affect Capriles' role as the movement's poster boy. </p> <p>At any rate, here's a look at some of the issues:</p> <p>BOGOTA Two months after losing the presidency to Hugo Chávez, Venezuela’s newly united opposition was hoping that regional elections would prove that it could still put up a fight.</p> <p>Instead, the red tide of Chavismo swept away all but three opposition governors Sunday and showed that it could pack a punch even when its ailing leader was not actively campaigning.</p> <p>Sunday’s vote was a stunning defeat for the opposition and is likely to lead to a shakeup in the coalition. But it also cleared the political battlefield, leaving Miranda Gov. Henrique Capriles as one of the few likely options to take on an eventual Chávez successor.</p> <p>Capriles won Miranda — which includes part of greater Caracas — with 52 percent of the vote in a race that pitted him against former Vice President Elías Jaua, who had been handpicked by Chávez to defeat the opposition poster boy.</p> <p>“Capriles’ victory in Miranda clearly positions him as the only viable opposition candidate in the very likely event that Chávez’s health issues force him to step down and call new elections,” wrote the U.S.-based Eurasia Group consulting firm. “This is very positive for the opposition in that it will facilitate the process of selecting a unified candidate in what will likely be a very short turnaround before new elections are held.”</p> <p>Chávez traveled to Cuba last week to undergo his fourth surgery in 18 months to treat an undisclosed form of cancer. On Tuesday, the government said Chávez was in stable condition after devloping a resperatory infection as result of the “complicated” surgery. They also said he required “absolute rest in coming days.” If he is unable to begin his new six-year term on Jan. 10, or if he steps down within the first four years of his administration, new elections would have to be held within 30 days</p> <p>The illness comes as Venezuela urgently needs to make economic adjustments, including a devaluation, said Risa Grais-Targow, a Latin America analyst with Eurasia. And the ruling party would be well served to hold elections before those unpopular reforms are rolled out, “In terms of the economic incentives and the necessary devaluation, I think they need to hold the election as soon as possible,” she said. “And now with the momentum of the regional elections, they have even more motivation to do so.”</p> <p>Before traveling to Cuba, Chávez asked the nation to support Vice President Nicolás Maduro if new elections are called.</p> <p>John Magdaleno, the director of the Caracas-based Polity consulting firm, agrees that Capriles is the most visible opposition candidate at the moment, but he said that might change as the opposition coalition takes heat for Sunday’s defeat.</p> <p>In the 2008 regional race, the opposition won six state houses and picked up a seventh when Lara Gov. Henry Falcón split with the PSUV.</p> <p>Many were expecting the coalition to hold onto at least five or six states in this election, he said.</p> <p>The loss “will spark a debate in the short term about the efficiency of the opposition,” he said. “And there are going to be questions about how decisions are being made at the helm of the coalition.”</p> <p>Those questions might lead to a new primary, or other changes, that could threaten Capriles’ position.</p> <p><a href="%20Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/18/3148063/venezuela-vote-shows-power-of.html#storylink=cpy" target="_self">Read the full story here</a> </p> <p> <div class="blog_tools"> <ul class="inlist"> <li>Posted by Jim Wyss at 08:12 AM in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/venezuela/">Venezuela</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/venezuela-vote-shows-the-power-of-chavismo-without-chavez.html">Permalink</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/venezuela-vote-shows-the-power-of-chavismo-without-chavez.html#comments">Comments <span class="stats">(2)</span></a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/venezuela-vote-shows-the-power-of-chavismo-without-chavez.html#trackback">TrackBack <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <br/>  <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034js_/http://feeds.feedburner.com/mcclatchydc/ZULc?i=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.mcclatchydc.com%2Fsouthamerica%2F2012%2F12%2Fvenezuela-vote-shows-the-power-of-chavismo-without-chavez.html" type="text/javascript"></script> </ul> </div></div></p><br/> <a id="a6a00d83451c64169e2017d3ee2d672970c"></a> <div class="blog_entry"> <p class="date">December 17, 2012</p> <h2 class="entry-header"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/chavezs-psuv-party-crushes-in-regional-elections-but-capriles-is-left-standing.html">Chavez's PSUV party crushes in regional elections, but Capriles is left standing</a></h2> <p> Venezuela’s ruling party had vowed to sweep the nation’s key governors’ race as a tribute to their stricken leader President Hugo Chávez who is convalescing in a Cuban hospital.</p> <p>On Sunday, it made good on that promise, winning 20 of 23 states and punching into opposition strongholds, according to preliminary results.</p> <p>“Chavismo, the force of the nation, won a crushing majority,” said Jorge Rodriguez, the head of the national campaign for the ruling Unified Socialist Party of Venezuela. “This is a victory for all of Venezuela but particularly a victory for Chávez.”</p> <p>But there were some bright spots for the battered opposition. Henrique Capriles, the 40-year-old governor of Miranda state, won reelection in a critical race that may give him a second-shot at leading the country.</p> <div><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/16/3145270/venezuelans-hit-polls-with-chavez.html#storylink=cpy" target="_self">Read the full story here</a></div> <p> <div class="blog_tools"> <ul class="inlist"> <li>Posted by Jim Wyss at 08:52 AM in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/politics/">Politics</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/venezuela/">Venezuela</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/chavezs-psuv-party-crushes-in-regional-elections-but-capriles-is-left-standing.html">Permalink</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/chavezs-psuv-party-crushes-in-regional-elections-but-capriles-is-left-standing.html#comments">Comments <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/chavezs-psuv-party-crushes-in-regional-elections-but-capriles-is-left-standing.html#trackback">TrackBack <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <br/>  <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034js_/http://feeds.feedburner.com/mcclatchydc/ZULc?i=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.mcclatchydc.com%2Fsouthamerica%2F2012%2F12%2Fchavezs-psuv-party-crushes-in-regional-elections-but-capriles-is-left-standing.html" type="text/javascript"></script> </ul> </div></div></p><br/> <a id="a6a00d83451c64169e2017d3ea854dd970c"></a> <div class="blog_entry"> <p class="date">December 10, 2012</p> <h2 class="entry-header"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/chavez-heads-back-to-cuba-for-cancer-surgery-leaving-questions-in-his-wake.html">Chavez heads back to Cuba for cancer surgery, leaving questions in his wake</a></h2> <p>News has a way of breaking into your holiday. I've been on furlough for the last week, but had to rush home as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced that he was returning to Cuba for more surgery to treat his cancer.</p> <p> This is his second relapse and fourth surgery, and it raises an interesting question: how was his health - really - when he was on the campaign trail just a few weeks ago and telling crowds that he was completely cured? </p> <p> On Sunday, his rival in the Oct. 7 presidential race, which Chavez won with a commanding 55 percent of the vote, said many people had voted for the presdient  because they had been reassured that he was healthy enough to take office Jan. 10 and fulfill the six-year term.</p> <p>Did Chavez know his cancer had returned while he was still on the trail? Did he put his health at risk to win the election? We'll likely never know, but they're interesting questions.</p> <p>At any rate.<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.vtv.gob.ve/articulos/2012/12/10/presidente-chavez-partio-a-cuba-para-ser-intervenido-quirurgicamente-4883.html" target="_self"> Here's a video of Chavez leaving for Havana early this morning</a>. And <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/12/09/3134920/chavez-cancer-relapse-has-venezuela.html#storylink=misearch" target="_self">here's the story Andrew Rosati and I wrote last night about the reaction in Caracas</a>.</p> <p>When things slow down, I want to tell you about this place and these trees:</p> <p> <a class="asset-img-link" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/.a/6a00d83451c64169e2017ee61cf21e970d-pi" style="display: inline;"><img alt="IMG_4179" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451c64169e2017ee61cf21e970d" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034im_/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/.a/6a00d83451c64169e2017ee61cf21e970d-320wi" title="IMG_4179"/></a><br/><br/></p> <p> </p> <p> <div class="blog_tools"> <ul class="inlist"> <li>Posted by Jim Wyss at 08:26 AM in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/politics/">Politics</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/venezuela/">Venezuela</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/chavez-heads-back-to-cuba-for-cancer-surgery-leaving-questions-in-his-wake.html">Permalink</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/chavez-heads-back-to-cuba-for-cancer-surgery-leaving-questions-in-his-wake.html#comments">Comments <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/chavez-heads-back-to-cuba-for-cancer-surgery-leaving-questions-in-his-wake.html#trackback">TrackBack <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <br/>  <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034js_/http://feeds.feedburner.com/mcclatchydc/ZULc?i=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.mcclatchydc.com%2Fsouthamerica%2F2012%2F12%2Fchavez-heads-back-to-cuba-for-cancer-surgery-leaving-questions-in-his-wake.html" type="text/javascript"></script> </ul> </div></div></p><br/> <a id="a6a00d83451c64169e2017ee503b386970d"></a> <div class="blog_entry"> <p class="date">November 12, 2012</p> <h2 class="entry-header"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/pets-pinky-and-dry-excrement-colombian-gangs-and-their-silly-aliases.html">Pets, Pinky and Dry Excrement - Colombian gangs and their silly aliases</a></h2> <p>Los Rastrojos is one of Colombia’s most feared criminal gangs and their top leader was recently arrested as he held a “Mafioso summit” at his farm, authorities said.</p> <p>The man’s name is José Leonardo Hortúa Blandón, but he’s better known as <em>Mascotas</em> or Pets. Police also arrested the gang’s number-two man <em>Picante</em> or Hot, as in spicy. He had assumed the leadership position after his predecessor <em>Pinky, </em>sometimes spelled <em>Pinkhy,</em> had been arrested.</p> <p>Colombia’s criminals and guerrillas are fond of absurd monikers. Among some of the most memorable are <em>Gordolindo</em> (Fat beauty), <em>Vasodeleche </em>(Glass of Milk) and<em> Mierda Seca </em>(Dry Excrement)<em>.</em> Dry Excrement, a member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, earned his name due to his chronic halitosis, according to Semana Magazine.</p> <p>The excellent periodical has a list of some of the more ridiculous monikers <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.semana.com/enfoque/diccionario-alias/186767-3.aspx" target="_self">here</a>.</p> <p> <div class="blog_tools"> <ul class="inlist"> <li>Posted by Jim Wyss at 11:07 AM in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/colombia/">Colombia</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/guerrillas/">Guerrillas</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/pets-pinky-and-dry-excrement-colombian-gangs-and-their-silly-aliases.html">Permalink</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/pets-pinky-and-dry-excrement-colombian-gangs-and-their-silly-aliases.html#comments">Comments <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/pets-pinky-and-dry-excrement-colombian-gangs-and-their-silly-aliases.html#trackback">TrackBack <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <br/>  <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034js_/http://feeds.feedburner.com/mcclatchydc/ZULc?i=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.mcclatchydc.com%2Fsouthamerica%2F2012%2F11%2Fpets-pinky-and-dry-excrement-colombian-gangs-and-their-silly-aliases.html" type="text/javascript"></script> </ul> </div></div></p><br/> <a id="a6a00d83451c64169e2017c333b47b5970b"></a> <div class="blog_entry"> <p class="date">November 08, 2012</p> <h2 class="entry-header"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/the-us-elections-as-seen-from-south-of-the-rio-grande.html">The US elections as seen from south of the Rio Grande</a></h2> <p>I spent election day on Colombian naval base on the Pacific. Military men are pretty circumspect when it comes to politics, but everyone said it wouldn't have mattered who won the vote, because US-Colombia relations are so institutionalized and far-reaching that they're immune to politics. I'm not sure that's completely true, but thought it was an interesting sentiment.</p> <p>My colleagues Mimi Whitefield and Tim Johnson take a deeper look at the Latin American reaction to the US vote in today's Miami Herald.  </p> <p>MEXICO CITY -- There’s agreement across the region that Latin America wasn’t a priority during the first term of President Barack Obama but analysts say there are issues that might raise the profile of Latin America and the Caribbean during the president’s second term. Among them: trade, potential political change in the region, the potent voting bloc U.S. Hispanics have become, immigration, changing U.S. attitudes toward drug policy and security. But, in general, regional expectations for meaningful change in U.S. Latin American and Caribbean policy during Obama’s second term were muted. The campaigns of both Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney “proved that Latin America is not a priority for the United States,’’ said Simon Pachano, a political science professor at the Latin American Faculty for Social Sciences in Ecuador. “Latin America existed when they were looking for Hispanic votes, but it wasn’t present in their foreign policy proposals.” </p> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/11/07/3086849/will-latin-america-become-a-higher.html#storylink=cpy" target="_self">Read the full story here. </a></p> <p> </p> <p> <div class="blog_tools"> <ul class="inlist"> <li>Posted by Jim Wyss at 10:26 AM in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/amazon/">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/andes/">Andes</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/argentina/">Argentina</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/bolivia/">Bolivia</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/brazil/">Brazil</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/chile/">Chile</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/colombia/">Colombia</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/ecuador/">Ecuador</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/politics/">Politics</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/venezuela/">Venezuela</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/the-us-elections-as-seen-from-south-of-the-rio-grande.html">Permalink</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/the-us-elections-as-seen-from-south-of-the-rio-grande.html#comments">Comments <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/the-us-elections-as-seen-from-south-of-the-rio-grande.html#trackback">TrackBack <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <br/>  <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034js_/http://feeds.feedburner.com/mcclatchydc/ZULc?i=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.mcclatchydc.com%2Fsouthamerica%2F2012%2F11%2Fthe-us-elections-as-seen-from-south-of-the-rio-grande.html" type="text/javascript"></script> </ul> </div></div></p><br/> <a id="a6a00d83451c64169e2017d3d49a61d970c"></a> <div class="blog_entry"> <p class="date">November 05, 2012</p> <h2 class="entry-header"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/colombias-farc-find-new-line-of-work-refining-crude.html">Colombia's FARC find new line of work: refining crude</a></h2> <p>Colombia’s FARC guerrillas have always had a yen for business. Along with extortion, kidnapping and drug running, they’ve made inroads into mining and logging, according to authorities.</p> <p>Now there appears to be a new line of work.  </p> <p>Last week, the army said it broke up a FARC-run oil refinery in Nariño. The clandestine operation was being used by the Daniel Aldana faction of the guerrillas to refine crude stolen from the Trans-Andean Oil Pipeline, which is also a frequent target of guerrilla attacks.</p> <p> According to the statement, the army recovered 600 gallons of gasoline.</p> <p>It’s worth remembering that the FARC and the government will be gathering in Havana Nov. 15 to <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/10/18/3056590/colombia-peace-talks-off-to-touchy.html#storylink=misearch" target="_self">begin peace talks in earnest</a>. Among the issues that will have to be dealt with: demands that the FARC give up the drug trade.</p> <p> Leaded or regular?</p> <p> Here’s the full release:</p> <p> <strong>Localizan refinería ilegal de las Farc</strong></p> <p><strong>Bogotá, dos de noviembre de 2012.</strong> En el marco de las operaciones realizadas por soldados del Ejército en contra de las organizaciones ilícitas de minería ilegal, en las últimas horas se logró neutralizar una refinería clandestina en el departamento de Nariño.</p> <p>La acción militar fue desarrollada por los hombres de la Brigada Móvil No. 32, quienes lograron ubicar y destruir una refinería ilegal utilizada por terroristas de la cuadrilla ‘Daniel Aldana’ de las Farc, para el hurto y procesamiento de crudo del oleoducto Transandino.</p> <p>Los hechos se registraron en el municipio de Tumaco, en  el Kilómetro 80, lugar donde los efectivos localizaron una refinería artesanal, más de 600 galones de petróleo y una piscina.</p> <p>El material incautado fue puesto a disposición de las autoridades competentes.</p> <p> <div class="blog_tools"> <ul class="inlist"> <li>Posted by Jim Wyss at 08:00 AM in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/colombia/">Colombia</a>, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/economy/">Economy</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/colombias-farc-find-new-line-of-work-refining-crude.html">Permalink</a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/colombias-farc-find-new-line-of-work-refining-crude.html#comments">Comments <span class="stats">(1)</span></a></li> <li> | </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/colombias-farc-find-new-line-of-work-refining-crude.html#trackback">TrackBack <span class="stats">(0)</span></a></li> <br/>  <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034js_/http://feeds.feedburner.com/mcclatchydc/ZULc?i=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.mcclatchydc.com%2Fsouthamerica%2F2012%2F11%2Fcolombias-farc-find-new-line-of-work-refining-crude.html" type="text/javascript"></script> </ul> </div></div></p><br/> <div class="pager-bottom pager-entries pager content-nav" style="text-align: center;"> <div class="pager-inner"> <span class="pager-right"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/page/2/"><span class="pager-label">Next</span> <span class="chevron">»</span></a> </span> </div> </div> </div> <div id="col_2">  <div class="box_1"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/rss.xml"><img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034im_/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/icon_rss.gif" border="0" width="22px"/></a> <h3>ABOUT THIS BLOG</h3> <img src="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034im_/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/wyss-100.jpg" alt="jim wyss" align="right" width="100" height="120" hspace="10" vspace="10" border="0"> <p>Inside South America is written by Jim Wyss, the South America bureau chief for the Miami Herald and McClatchy Newspapers.</p> <p>Feel free to send a <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/mailto:jwyss@miamiherald.com">story suggestion</a>. Read <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://pd.miami.com/sp?aff=1100&keywords=jim+wyss&submit.x=0&submit.y=0" target="_blank">Jim's stories</a> at MiamiHerald.com.</p> </div> <p> <form style="border:1px solid #ccc;padding:3px;text-align:center;width:280px;" action="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify" method="post" target="popupwindow" onsubmit="window.open('http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=mcclatchydc/ZULc', 'popupwindow', 'scrollbars=yes,width=550,height=520');return true"><p>Enter your email address:</p><p><input type="text" style="width:200px" name="email"/></p><input type="hidden" value="mcclatchydc/ZULc" name="uri"/><input type="hidden" name="loc" value="en_US"/><input type="submit" value="Subscribe"/><p>Delivered by <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://feedburner.google.com/" target="_blank">FeedBurner</a></p></form> </p> <div class="box_2"> <h3>MCCLATCHY LINKS</h3> <ul class="vlist2"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.mcclatchydc.com/"><strong>McClatchy homepage</strong></a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/mexico"><strong>Blog:</strong> Mexico Unmasked</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/china"><strong>Blog:</strong> China Rises</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/washington"><strong>Blog:</strong> Planet Washington</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/law/"><strong>Blog:</strong> Suits & Sentences</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="box_2"> <h3>RECENT POSTS</h3> <ul class="vlist"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/02/three-colombian-police-killed-along-venezuelan-border-amid-smuggling-activities-.html">Three Colombian Police Killed Along Venezuelan Border Amid Smuggling Activities </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/spains-el-pais-pulls-picture-of-hugo-chavez-on-operating-table.html">Spain's El Pais pulls picture of 'Hugo Chavez' on operating table</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/venezuela-under-the-new-yorker-microscope-in-slumlord-.html">Venezuela under the New Yorker microscope in 'Slumlord' </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/venezuela-is-this-chavez-signature-proof-of-life-.html">Venezuela: Is this Chavez signature proof of life? </a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/venezuela-vote-shows-the-power-of-chavismo-without-chavez.html">Venezuela vote shows the power of Chavismo without Chavez</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/chavezs-psuv-party-crushes-in-regional-elections-but-capriles-is-left-standing.html">Chavez's PSUV party crushes in regional elections, but Capriles is left standing</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/chavez-heads-back-to-cuba-for-cancer-surgery-leaving-questions-in-his-wake.html">Chavez heads back to Cuba for cancer surgery, leaving questions in his wake</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/pets-pinky-and-dry-excrement-colombian-gangs-and-their-silly-aliases.html">Pets, Pinky and Dry Excrement - Colombian gangs and their silly aliases</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/the-us-elections-as-seen-from-south-of-the-rio-grande.html">The US elections as seen from south of the Rio Grande</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/colombias-farc-find-new-line-of-work-refining-crude.html">Colombia's FARC find new line of work: refining crude</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="box_2"> <h3>BLOGROLL</h3> <ul class="vlist2"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/world/americas/" target="_blank">Miami Herald: Americas</a> (English)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/andres_oppenheimer/" target="_blank">Miami Herald: Andres Oppenheimer</a> (English)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://miamiherald.typepad.com/cuban_colada/" target="_blank">Miami Herald: Cuban Colada</a> (English)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://settysoutham.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Setty’s Notebook: Chile</a> (English)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://caracaschronicles.com/" target="_blank">Caracas Chronicles: Venezuela</a> (English)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times' La Plaza</a> (English)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.southamericannews.com/" target="_blank">South America Daily</a> (English)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.buenosairesherald.com/" target="_blank">Buenos Aires Herald</a> (English)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.ain-bolivia.org/" target="_blank">Andean Information Network</a> (English)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.narconews.com/" target="_blank">Narco News: Reporting on the drug war</a> (English)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.thedialogue.org/index.cfm" target="_blank">Inter-American Dialogue</a> (English)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.theargentinepost.com/" target="_blank">The Argentine Post</a> (English)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.incakolanews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Inca Kola News</a> (English)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.elnuevoherald.com/" target="_blank">El Nuevo Herald</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.chavez.org.ve/" target="_blank">Hugo Chavez Blog: Venezuela </a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Ultimas Noticias: Venezuela</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.noticias24.com/" target="_blank">Noticias24: Venezuela</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.eltiempo.com/" target="_blank">El Tiempo: Colombia</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.semana.com/Home.aspx" target="_blank">Semana: Colombia</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.elcomercio.com/" target="_blank">El Comercio: Ecuador</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.eluniverso.com/" target="_blank">El Universo: Ecuador</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.rambletamble.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ramble Tamble: Argentina</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.elmostrador.cl/" target="_blank">El Mostrador</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.eldeber.com.bo/" target="_blank">El Deber: Bolivia</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.larepublica.com.pe/" target="_blank">La República: Peru</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.abc.com.py/" target="_blank">ABC Digital: Paraguay</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.larepublica.com.uy/" target="_blank">La República: Uruguay</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://ciperchile.cl/" target="_blank">Centro de Investigación y Información Periodística</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.chilesustentable.net/" target="_blank">Programa Chile Sustenable</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://abi.bo/" target="_blank">Agencia Boliviana de Información</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.alainet.org/" target="_blank">Agencia Latinoamericana de Información</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/" target="_blank">La Nacion: Argentina</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.clarin.com/" target="_blank">Clarin: Argentina</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.tercera.cl/" target="_blank">La Tercera: Chile</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.emol.com/" target="_blank">El Mercurio: Chile</a> (Spanish)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.agenciabrasil.gov.br/" target="_blank">Agência Brasil</a> (Portuguese)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://oglobo.globo.com/pais/noblat/" target="_blank">Ricardo Noblat: Brazil</a> (Portuguese)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.dpi.inpe.br/proarco/bdqueimadas/" target="_blank">Brazil's National Institute of Space Research: Deforestation</a> (Portuguese)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://oglobo.globo.com/" target="_blank">O Globo: Brazil</a> (Portuguese)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.uol.com.br/" target="_blank">UOL: Brazil</a> (Portuguese)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://tangosetragedias.folha.blog.uol.com.br/" target="_blank">Tangos e Tragedias: Noticias Argentinas - Folha de Sao Paulo</a> (Portuguese)</li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.overmundo.com.br/" target="_blank">Overmundo</a> (Portuguese)</li> </ul> </div> <div class="box_2"> <h3>MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS</h3> <ul class="vlist2"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.adn.com/" target="_blank">Anchorage Daily News (AK)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.beaufortgazette.com/" target="_blank">Beaufort Gazette (SC)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.belleville.com/" target="_blank">Belleville News-Democrat (IL)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.bellinghamherald.com/" target="_blank">Bellingham Herald (WA)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.sunherald.com/" target="_blank">Biloxi Sun Herald (MS)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.bradentonherald.com/" target="_blank">Bradenton Herald (FL)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.centredaily.com/" target="_blank">Centre Daily Times (PA)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/" target="_blank">Charlotte Observer (NC)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/" target="_blank">Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (GA)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.elnuevo.com/" target="_blank">El Nuevo Herald (FL)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.star-telegram.com/" target="_blank">Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.fresnobee.com/" target="_blank">Fresno Bee (CA)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.idahostatesman.com/" target="_blank">Idaho Statesman (ID)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.islandpacket.com/" target="_blank">Island Packet (SC)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.kansascity.com/" target="_blank">Kansas City Star (MO)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.kentucky.com/" target="_blank">Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.macon.com/" target="_blank">Macon Telegraph (GA)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.mercedsunstar.com/" target="_blank">Merced Sun-Star (CA)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.miamiherald.com/" target="_blank">Miami Herald (FL)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.modbee.com/" target="_blank">Modesto Bee (CA)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.thesunnews.com/" target="_blank">Myrtle Beach Sun News (SC)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.theolympian.com/" target="_blank">The Olympian (WA)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.newsobserver.com/" target="_blank">Raleigh News & Observer (NC)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.heraldonline.com/" target="_blank">Rock Hill Herald (SC)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.sacbee.com/" target="_blank">Sacramento Bee (CA)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.thestate.com/" target="_blank">The State (SC)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.sanluisobispo.com/" target="_blank">San Luis Obispo Tribune (CA)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.thenewstribune.com/" target="_blank">Tacoma News Tribune (WA)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.tri-cityherald.com/" target="_blank">Tri-City Herald (WA)</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://www.kansas.com/" target="_blank">Wichita Eagle (KS)</a></li> <ul> </div> <div class="box_2"> <h3>THIS MONTH</h3> <ul> <table summary="Monthly calendar with links to each day's posts"> <tr> <th>Sun</th> <th>Mon</th> <th>Tue</th> <th>Wed</th> <th>Thu</th> <th>Fri</th> <th>Sat</th> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td> </td> <td><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/02/three-colombian-police-killed-along-venezuelan-border-amid-smuggling-activities-.html">1</a></td> <td>2</td></tr> <tr> <td>3</td> <td>4</td> <td>5</td> <td>6</td> <td>7</td> <td>8</td> <td>9</td></tr> <tr> <td>10</td> <td>11</td> <td>12</td> <td>13</td> <td>14</td> <td>15</td> <td>16</td></tr> <tr> <td>17</td> <td>18</td> <td>19</td> <td>20</td> <td>21</td> <td>22</td> <td>23</td></tr> <tr> <td>24</td> <td>25</td> <td>26</td> <td>27</td> <td>28</td> <td> </td> <td> </td></tr> </table> </ul> </div> <div class="box_2"> <h3>ARCHIVES</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/02/index.html">February 2013</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2013/01/index.html">January 2013</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/12/index.html">December 2012</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/11/index.html">November 2012</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/10/index.html">October 2012</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/09/index.html">September 2012</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/08/index.html">August 2012</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/07/index.html">July 2012</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/05/index.html">May 2012</a></li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://blogs.mcclatchydc.com/southamerica/2012/04/index.html">April 2012</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="col_3"> <div class="advert">advertisement</div> <center>  <script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript">var _miDartOrd = new Date().getTime() * Math.random(2341032);var _miDartInc = 0;_miDartInc++;  </script> <noscript> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130315165034/http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/mi.mdc00/News/World;atf=y;dcove=d;pl=blog;sect=InsideSouthAmerica;pos=1;sz=160x600;tile=1;!c=blog;pub=McClatchyDC;ord=123456789" target="_blank"> <img 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