February 8th, 2018
Written By - Emily Moritz '18
COLUMBIA has begun to start a sort of healing process after the end of their 50 year long Civil War in 2016. A truth commission led by a Jesuit priest will attempt to reconstruct the events of the war in order to help better understand the numerous human rights violations that marred the conflict. The Truth Commission takes inspiration from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that helped South Africa to move past the horrible events that occurred under Apartheid. However, despite progress being made to move past the events of the Civil War, it must be noted that conflicts between government forces, paramilitary forces, and guerrilla groups are still taking place in Columbia and threatening poverty stricken communities. On monday the 29th a series of terrorists attacks from a rebel guerrilla group called the ELN hit Northern Columbia and suspended peace talks. Hopefully the progress made by the Truth Commission can usher in the peace this country so desperately needs.
Sporadic looting and food riots have surged in VENEZUELA due to its collapsing economy. Venezuela is currently experiencing widespread inflation and severe food shortages, which have been exacerbated by the U.S. backed financial sanctions. Venezuela's economic crisis is caused by the decades of mismanagement and dependence on the state-run oil company.
The COSTA RICA based Inter-American Court of Human Rights made a January ruling that same sex couples should be allowed the rights afforded to straight couples such as adopt children. Many south american countries whom this court’s ruling applies to are in the midst of political elections and this topic has become of great debate. Many latin american countries whom this ruling affects are majority Roman Catholic, and since some of them are in the midst of elections this topic is gaining a high profile, with Costa Rica veering towards electing a candidate named Fabricio Alvarado, who quickly rose to first place in the polls after announcing his opposition to this ruling.
In HONDURAS, President Juan Orlando Hernández has been inaugurated for a second term. Re-election in Honduras has been banned for several decades. In his previous terms Hernandez fired four Supreme Court justices and replaced them with people who, analysts and critics say, are loyal to him. He has also been accused of corruption. However, despite this, Hernandez has made significant gains in the curbing of violence and during his first term homicides fell to 42 for every 100,000 residents from 86 for every 100,000 residents in 2012 and he greatly increased the country's security budget and retrained the national police.
In contrast to Honduras, ECUADOR has approved a two term limit for presidents, preventing former president Rafael Correa from returning to power.
Thanks to the help of laser terrain mapping, more than 60,000 Mayan structures have been uncovered in GUATEMALA. This reveals the Mayan civilization to have been even more complex and densely populated than initially thought.
Other Issues:
Nauru Refugees
Pacific Islands EU Tax Blacklist
Panama Same Sex Marriage
Earthquakes
Comments