With a recent history of destabilizing violence from various radical narcotics groups such as the FARC, Colombia has surprised many observers of the region over the past two decades by transforming the outlook for the country from desperate and violent, to leading the region in stability and growth. In hosting the Summit of the Americas in…
His full name is Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Blanco, and his legacy is equally voluminous. Born on July 24, 1783, he was serendipitously raised in an age of revolutions, and was one of the key leaders in the struggle for independence from Spain which would spread throughout…
The Andes mountain range is the world’s longest continental mountain range, and while second in height outside of Asia, the range contains the highest volcanoes in the world. Consensus currently supports the idea that the Andes derive their name from the Quechua word “anti” which can be translated to “high crest.” Running over 4,000 miles…
As mayor of Bogota, Gustavo Petro has put forth a ban on carrying guns in public even with a legal permit. Skeptics have countered that criminals will not follow the ban, and the result will only disarm citizens legally carry guns for security reasons. In 2002 Brazil implemented restrictions which made it virtually impossible for…
According to the Chilean newspaper “El Mercurio” Chile’s economy is projected to grow 4.1% in 2012. Down from 6.5% in 2011, expected growth in 2012 would nonetheless top not only the projected average for all of Latin America, but the global average of just 3.1% according to the paper. Regional growth is expected to be…
Mercosur is a full customs union encompassing Argentina, Brasil, Paraguay y Uruguay. Additionally, Venezuela, Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, Colombia and Perú are associate members of the union, and as such, participate in the economic union, but not the unified customs system. While Venezuela signed into the union in 2006, their membership has been blocked ever since by…
Initiated in 2004 under the George Bush administration, the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) was signed into law in October 12, 2011 under pressure largely from conservative politicians in the US government. US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), in particular has condemned the pace with which the Obama administration moved forward with the agreement, and suggested that US trade with…
After the United States, China is Colombia’s second largest trade partner. In order to facilitate and foster trade between China, Colombia, and gobal partners, China has been in discussions with Colombia to initiate a “dry canal” which would connect trade from the Pacific to the Atlantic by way of a rail line. A new city…
Mexico, Chile, Peru and Colombia met on the 16th of December to solidify an economic alliance initiated by Alan García Pérez, the former president of Peru. In the interest of greater integration between the four countries, The Pacific Alliance (Alianza del Pacífico) has solidified bilateral trade agreements to facilitate and foment trade between the countries in addition to…
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