South America
No to the privatization of the Brazilian Central Bank
By Marcos Arruda* Why have a Central Bank? Central banks are by nature public because they formulate and administer the MONETARY POLICY. And the objective of this policy is, by nature, investment in the “real economy”, i.e. the part of the economy concerned with socioeconomic development and the production of… »
In Argentina’s Chaco Region, the Forest Is Also a Source of Electricity
The forest is the main resource in the Chaco, a vast plain shared by Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. And how to use it sustainably is the most difficult question. Two recently inaugurated power plants fired by forest biomass provide a possible answer, although they are not free of controversy. »
Will Andrés Arauz Be the Next President of Ecuador?
By Vijay Prashad and Pilar Troya In Ecuador’s presidential election held on February 7, 2021, Andrés Arauz won the largest number of votes but could not prevail in the first round against 15 other candidates; he won 32.71 percent of the vote, short of the 40 percent needed to… »
The Girl Who Found Her Ancestors
TALE by Liz Medina There was once a little girl born on a faraway island kingdom, in a small hut, all by herself. No one could tell her who her parents were. In fact, no one in the tribe knew how she got there, and the medicine… »
Colombia to grant temporary status to one million undocumented migrants from Venezuela
The migrants will receive a 10-year protection status after which they can apply for a residence visa. The decision affects about 950,000 undocumented Venezuelans. Colombia’s president Ivan Duque announced on Monday that the country would grant temporary protection status to around one million undocumented migrants from Venezuela. About 950,000 undocumented… »
Ecuador: With 50% of the votes counted, Andrés Arauz and Yaku Pérez would go to the second round.
Around midnight, Quito time, the candidate of the Citizen Revolution, Andrés Arauz and the candidate of Pachakutik, Yaku Pérez, were leading the presidential elections that took place on Sunday, February 7. A 30.90% for Arauz and a 20.98% for Pérez leave Guillermo Lasso, candidate of the right, out of the… »
Ecuador elects a new President
A little over 13 million Ecuadorans are electing this Sunday a new President, renewing the 137-seat National Assembly and choosing lawmakers for the Andean Parliament. There are 16 presidential candidates in the ballots, though according to recent polls, there are three favorite hopefuls to replace outgoing president Lenin Moreno: Andres… »
Ecuador, a Hinge Election for Latin America
By Javier Tolcachier In the midst of the anxiety caused by the dramatic health and socio-economic situation, Ecuadorians will have a new date with the ballot box on 7 February. The more than 13 million registered voters will have to choose a new president and his or her vice-president… »
Serious Decisions Denounced Against Democracy in Colombia
Control bodies, such as the Attorney General’s Office, the Ombudsman’s Office and the Prosecutor General’s Office, all of which are now headed by officials of the government coalition, have taken two decisions that go against democracy and the Human Rights Protection Measurement System. By: Zenaida Espinosa Cabrera Political… »
‘Women’s role in science is vital’: An interview with Ecuadorian scientist Patricia Castillo Briceño
An interview with a marine biologist from Ecuador Women’s contribution to science has historically not received due recognition. On this occasion we interviewed Ecuadorian marine biologist Patricia Castillo Briceño, who is also co-director of the EBIOAC Equatorial and Ocean Acidification (BIOMA, in Spanish) project and co-founder of the Ecuadorian Network… »