Day Without a Car in Bogota
By Rodrigo Pardo Thursday, February 4, 2010
How is this possible? Incredibly for a Latin American city of over six million inhabitants, stop moving one million three hundred thousand vehicles.
Every year during the first Thursday of February is done in Bogota for Clean Air Day, popularly known as the “day without a car.” On this day Bogotanos leave their private cars at home and develop their activities normally travel on public transport or cycling. Stop moving in practice something like one million three hundred thousand vehicles. How is this possible? Incredibly for a Latin American city of over six million inhabitants, this initiative - which this week will be held for the eleventh time - was enacted by popular vote through a referendum. But we start from the beginning.
More...Gangs tied to paramilitaries cited in Colombia violence
By Admin Thursday, February 4, 2010
(CNN) —Criminal gangs that emerged from Colombia’s former paramilitary organizations are carrying out massacres, rapes and extortion, a human rights group said Wednesday.
Nowhere is that violence more pronounced than in Medellin, which recorded more than 200 slayings in January alone. The city’s homicide rate also more than doubled in 2009 from the previous year.
More...Toronto’s Colombian connection
By Admin Thursday, February 4, 2010
In recent years, the city’s stock and capital markets have played a critical role in financing the Latin American country’s oil boom.
When Colombia’s top energy regulator Armando Zamora kicked off his effort to raise international interest in the country’s latest round of bidding for oil concessions, his first stop was not Calgary or Houston or even New York.
He began his international tour in Toronto, which for the last few years has been the most important source of capital for the country’s mining and oil industries.
More...Army Chief to Meet With Colombian War Veterans
By Admin Thursday, February 4, 2010
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Han Min-koo left for Colombia Wednesday for talks with ranking officials there. He will also visit Peru, the first visit by a South Korean Army Chief of Staff to the country, from Feb. 7 to 11.
During his five-day stay in Colombia, Han will meet with Colombian war veterans and deliver a message of appreciation for the sacrifices they made during the 1950-53 Korean War.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the war.
Colombia Airstrike Aimed at Driving Indians Out, Group Says
By Admin Thursday, February 4, 2010
BOGOTA – An airstrike in northwestern Colombia that left four Indian civilians wounded was part of a campaign to drive residents away from the site of a major mining project, a group representing indigenous people said Tuesday.
The charge was made by William Carupe, senior councilor of the Indigenous Organization of Antioquia (province), or OIA.
“The interest of the state and of the multinationals is to displace us,” he told Efe from Medellin, capital of Antioquia and headquarters of the OIA.
More...Shakira, Alicia Keys and Usher to perform at All-Star Game
By Admin Thursday, February 4, 2010
NEW YORK—International superstar and Grammy Award-winning pop diva Shakira will team up with 12-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and actress Alicia Keys for a one-of-a-kind performance headlining the 2010 NBA All-Star Game Halftime Show on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, Feb. 14. The NBA All-Star Game will air live at 8 p.m. ET on TNT, Score Canada, ESPN Radio, and in more than 200 countries in more than 40 languages.
Bogota’s bulletproof tailor
By Admin Thursday, February 4, 2010
Brooklyn, New York (VBS.TV)—Colombian tailor Miguel Caballero specializes in making garments that enable the wearer to get shot at point-blank range with nary an injury besides, maybe, a bruised ego. At-high-risk-of-catching-a-bullet demographics, such as rappers and politicians all over the world, rely on Miguel’s handiwork. And, lucky me, when I was recently in Bogota for VBS.TV covering a few stories, I had the chance to visit Miguel’s shop, learn about his protective clothing, and get shot in the gut by him. Seriously.
More...Obama’s Base Pact with Colombia Accelerates Dangerous Trend
By Admin Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Obama administration’s pact to use seven Colombian military bases accelerates “a dangerous trend in U.S. hemispheric policy,” an article in The Nation magazine warns.
The White House claims the deal merely formalizes existing military cooperation but the Pentagon’s 2009 budget request said it needed funds to improve one of the bases in order to conduct “full spectrum operations throughout South America” and to “expand expeditionary warfare capability.”
More...Colombia Judge Says Uribe Referendum Unenforceable
By Admin Thursday, February 4, 2010
A Colombian judge said a proposed referendum on whether President Alvaro Uribe can run for a third consecutive term is unenforceable, El Tiempo said, without saying where it obtained the information.
Constitutional Court Justice Humberto Sierra’s findings may provide the basis for the high court to block the law passed by congress that would organize the national vote, the Bogota-based newspaper said.
More...Colombian Paramilitaries’ Successors Called a Threat
By Admin Thursday, February 4, 2010
CARACAS, Venezuela — Criminal armies that emerged from the ashes of the Colombian government’s attempt to disband paramilitary groups are spreading their reach across the country’s economy while engaging in a broad range of rights abuses, including massacres, rapes and forced displacement, a human rights group said Wednesday.
More...Teaching English to Colombian Police
By Admin Thursday, February 4, 2010
UNK is recruiting students from what may seem like an unlikely place.
Professors Dr. Keith and Lisa Terry went to Colombia this past summer to teach English to members of the national police force. Some of them have followed the Terrys back to UNK.
More...Regional mentions in DNI threat assessment
By Admin Thursday, February 4, 2010
Continuing my series of posts of Latin America and Caribbean mentions in larger US strategy documents, copied below is the regional portion from today’s testimony of Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence, to the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. The document is intended to provide a “threat assessment” from the intelligence community’s perspective. I have some disagreements with the document, but am posting without comment for now.
Bogota Colombia Business
White House likely to meet congressional resistance on free trade
Thursday, February 4, 2010
President Obama is likely to meet with congressional roadblocks, if, as he promised in last week’s State of the Union address, he intends to pursue a policy “that opens global markets.”
In a little-quoted passage of the annual speech, Obama also promised to “strengthen our trade relations in Asia and with key partners like South Korea, Panama and Colombia.”
Ecopetrol Announces Change in Accounting Methodology for its Statement of Cash FlowsThursday, February 4, 2010
Ecopetrol S.A. (NYSE: EC; BVC: ECOPETROL; BVL: EC) Pursuant to current standards issued by the Contaduria General de la Nacion (National Accounting Office), as of December 31, 2009 Ecopetrol S.A. ("Ecopetrol" or the “Company") will apply the indirect method in its statement of cash flows instead of the direct method which had been used prior to such date. This change makes local accounting standards consistent with U.S. GAAP. Furthermore, the new methodology will not have any financial impact on the Company and is in accordance with local and international accounting standards.
Colombia’s Bond Yields Drop as Inflation Concerns OverblownThursday, February 4, 2010
Colombia’s peso bonds rose, with yields tumbling the most in two weeks, as investors said concerns a drought may stoke inflation were overblown.
The yield on Colombia’s 11 percent benchmark bonds due in July 2020 dropped 14 basis points, the most since Jan. 21, to 8.92 percent at 5:17 p.m. in New York, according to Colombia’s stock exchange. The yield touched a four-month high of 9.06 percent yesterday. A basis point equals 0.01 percentage point. The bond’s price rose 1.03 centavos to 113.66 centavos per peso.
American News
Welcome to the Osama-Obama Generation
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Welcome to the Osama-Obama opening chapter along the March to Marxism.
As the chapter opens we find Osama and Obama on the same page. Both terrorist and president are on the same page on global warming. You don’t have to be CIA to ask the obvious question: “How is this even possible?”
Both parties know diddly squat about orchestrated man-made global warming, other than what is spoon fed to them by Al Gore and Company.
American’s managers may fill in if flight attendants strikeThursday, February 4, 2010
American Airlines Inc. has told the Federal Aviation Administration that it may train management employees to replace flight attendants in case of a strike.
American said Tuesday that such contingency planning is normal in the airline industry during contract talks.
World News
Taiwan supermarkets to join suicide-prevention campaign
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Taipei - Supermarkets and 24-hour convenience store chains in Taiwan, which has one suicide almost every two hours, have agreed to join in the government’s suicide-prevention campaign, an official said Thursday. “Six supermarket chains and four convenience store chains have agreed to cooperate with us in preventing suicide,” said Cheng Shu-hsin of the Department of Health.
Rebuilding Effort in Haiti Turns Away From TentsThursday, February 4, 2010
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Shifting tactics in the race to shelter an estimated one million Haitians displaced by the earthquake, aid groups on Wednesday began to de-emphasize tents in favor of do-it-yourself housing with tarpaulins at first, followed by lumber.
Brazil
Brazil Demand Reducing Slack in Economy
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Brazilian policy makers said that rising domestic demand is reducing slack in the economy and increasing the risk that inflation may quicken, according to the minutes of their last meeting.
The bank’s board, led by President Henrique Meirelles, voted unanimously last week to hold the overnight rate at 8.75 percent, as forecast by all 43 economists surveyed by Bloomberg.
Brazil Economists Capitulating to Rates Traders: Chart of DayThursday, February 4, 2010
Economists are capitulating to traders in the Brazilian interest rates market after underestimating growth in Latin America’s biggest country.
The CHART OF THE DAY shows that the median year-end benchmark rate forecast in a central bank survey of economists has surged to 11.25 percent from 9.5 percent in the last week of September. The implied year-end forecast based on interest-rate futures, known as the DI market, has been little changed over that time, slipping to 12.35 percent from 12.5 percent, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Honduras
Ex-Leader of Honduras Says Successor Must Hasten Purge
Thursday, February 4, 2010
MEXICO CITY — At the end of his first week in exile, former President Manuel Zelaya of Honduras said Wednesday that his newly inaugurated successor had done nothing to remove those who carried out the coup that overthrew him in June.
Speaking by phone from Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Zelaya said that the new president, Porfirio Lobo, had shown only gestures of good will so far. “Legitimacy is a path, it is a process,” he said. “It is not a whim.”
Lobo Assumes Presidency as U.S., Latin America SplitThursday, January 28, 2010
Porfirio Lobo assumed the presidency of Honduras today as the U.S. remains split from most of Latin America over whether the fledgling government is legitimate or should be rejected as the outgrowth of a coup.
Lobo, 62, has vowed to unite the Central American country by naming a panel to investigate last year’s coup against then- President Manuel Zelaya and by appointing opposition members to his Cabinet. Zelaya, 57, who was holed up at the Brazilian Embassy in the capital, Tegucigalpa, since September, left for the Dominican Republic as promised after Lobo was installed.
Venezuela
How Do Chávez’s Challenges Affect His Hold on Power?
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who took office 11 years ago today, is facing a number of challenges to his popularity as his government prepares for legislative elections in September. Those challenges include a countrywide electricity shortage, high inflation and recent protests over government control of the media. How will these challenges affect Chávez in 2010? Will opposition politicians benefit electorally from Chávez’s perceived weakness? AEI resident scholar Roger F. Noriega offers the following response.
Chavez Turns to Cubans for Help With Energy CrisisThursday, February 4, 2010
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)—President Hugo Chavez has turned to his friends in Cuba for help in tackling Venezuela’s energy crisis, drawing criticism for seeking advice from the communist-led island that has struggled with its own electricity woes.
Canada in the News
Canadian Company Selling Tiger Woods Mistress Golf Ball Collection
By Admin Thursday, February 4, 2010
Now you don’t have to be a world-famous professional golfer to play around with Tiger Woods’ mistresses. A Canadian company is now selling Tail of the Tiger golf balls, with each ball featuring a portrait of a woman linked to Woods.
Unfortunately, it’s not an all-inclusive set and includes just 12 of the rumored 19 women. But I guess that mean’s there’s still room for the company to create an add-on set. Creative Classics is selling the 12-ball set for $44.95. For $5 more you can buy a fancier set for display.
Features
Mining salt on Colombia’s coast
Thursday, February 4, 2010
MANAURE, Colombia — Where South America juts like a finger into the Caribbean ocean, sheets of salt roll out into the sea, made bright white under a scorching sun.
In the coastal town of Manaure, home to Colombia’s largest salt deposits, salt miners of the Wayuu indigenous group shuffle their flip-flops over a slush of salt, sand and seawater that sears the soles of their feet. They shovel the salt into 100-pound sacks that they sell to the company down the road.
Travel tourism
Cultural Heritage & Sense of Tradition In Colombia
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
For one thing, “the” king momo ‘and’ queen of queens’ synthesize the festive spirit of a people from the human side and from his passion, devotion and surrender to the carnival, “said Maria Pia Quiroga, executive producer and researcher the documentary. On the other, “Alfonso El Torito Fontalvo-director of a troupe-embodies the importance of cultural heritage and sense of tradition, while Monica Lindo dancer and choreographer-enrichment represents innovation and the need to transmit Carnival to more young people to remain alive forever, “complements Quiroga, Colombian documentary some years working in Argentina.
Restaurant reviews
Tomato and Red Pepper Rice (Arroz con Tomate y Pimentón)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Plain white rice is eaten by most people in Colombia every day, but for entertaining, a more interesting rice dish is often served, such as this one.
This dish is the perfect accompaniment to your favorite grilled meat or poultry.
Enjoy it!
Ingredients
(4 – 6 Servings)
Sports
South American Dispatch: Cruzeiro Take Complete Control
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The bold tactics of Cruzeiro head coach AdIlson Batista paid off a treat last night as the Brazilian outfit clobbered their way through to the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.
Last year’s beaten finalists are clearly keen to erase the scars of their recent final defeat to Estudiantes de La Plata. The Brazilian club had deserved to win last week after leading their Bolivian hosts Real PotosI for most of the match.
Classic for brotherhood - Soccer game for HaitiFriday, January 29, 2010
Last night I attended a soccer game between the two soccer teams in Cali, Deportivo Cali and America.
Soccer is super important in Latin America, and pretty much everywhere else in the world besides the States, so people get pretty into it. Normally, when America and Cali play each other there are basically fights, riots, stampedes, etc. However, they played last night as part of a fundraiser for Haiti, so it was supposed to be a “friendship game”. (This didn’t stop the players from engaging in multiple fights, but such is life...)
...No one seems to know how many there are. Passersby are too busy going to and fro their business to contemplate the growth of their ranks. They are the “canchosos” (street dogs) who roam freely...
Step aside, Julio Iglesias and all you other romantic Latino singers, Paco the Parrot is here.
While soap opera fans the world over are watching the never-ending misadventures of “Bety la fea” (Ugly Betty), there is another every day soap opera going on in a certain Anapoima mandarino tree.
If you think parrots like “The Dancing Parrot” are captivating on television, you should see them in their natural habitat. And now you can on CFP’s sister site, Bogota Free Planet (BFP)!