RIO Newsletter – April 2016
Newsletter for the Remittance Industry Observatory.
Analysis
Security for Sale
The rapid rise of the private security industry is an inevitable byproduct of high levels of crime and violence in the region, and brings a new set of challenges to citizen security in Latin America.
Duque Vows Crackdown on Criminals if Elected Colombia’s President
Colombian presidential candidate Iván Duque vowed to hold criminals accountable, crack down on corruption, and push through sweeping reforms at an event Thursday at the Inter-American Dialogue.
Video
Leaders sign Regional Agenda for Early Childhood Development
Líderes de América Latina se unieron en Bogotá para compartir sus experiencias en materia de primera infancia y firmaron la Agenda Regional del Desarrollo Integral de la Primera Infancia.
Video
Trump y la Cumbre de las Américas
El 24 de marzo, Michael Shifter, presidente del Diálogo Interamericano, apareció en el programa de CNN Español Choque de Opiniones para ofrecer su perspectiva sobre que logrará el presidente estadounidense en la Cumbre de las Américas y el nombramiento del próximo secretario de estado, Mike Pompeo.
Video
A Conversation with Iván Duque Márquez
On March 22, the Inter-American Dialogue was pleased to host the Colombian presidential candidate, Iván Duque Márquez, for an open conversation on the pressing issues surrounding the elections. Among other topics, the candidate for the Centro Democrático party discussed his plans to advance national unity, jump-start economic growth, tackle corruption and handle the implementation of the peace deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Video
The Explosive Growth of Private Security in Latin America
On March 27, the Inter-American Dialogue in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, D.C. hosted an event titled “The Explosive Growth of Private Security in Latin America.” This discussion, moderated by Michael Camilleri from the Dialogue, featured panelists Claudia Paz y Paz from the Organization of American States, Eric Tardif from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and Adam Blackwell from the Development Services Group. This discussion drew from a report recently published by the Dialogue titled, “Security for Sale: Challenges and Good Practices in Regulating Private Military and Security Companies in Latin America,” co-authored by Sarah Kinosian and James Bosworth.
Costa Rica ante la seducción del mesianismo
En la segunda vuelta, los ciudadanos se enfrentan a una encrucijada que permitirá ver el futuro de América Latina: elegir a un diputado y cantante evangélico o al candidato del impopular partido en el poder.
How Would Pompeo Affect U.S. Policy Toward the Region?
Will Pompeo receive smooth confirmation in the Senate? What does Pompeo’s rise to secretary of state mean for U.S. policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean? What will Trump accomplish on his trip to South America next month?
Chinese Development Finance “Down But Not Out” in Latin America
Chinese investment and lending in the region declined last year, in part reflecting skittishness over the deteriorating situation in Venezuela. Despite the drop, Chinese state-to-state finance continues to outstrip the World Bank, IDB and CAF.
Michael Shifter: “Trump está considerando seriamente imponer un embargo petrolero a Venezuela”
En esta entrevista con Prodavinci, Michael Shifter comenta sobre la crisis venezolana, la posible respuesta de Donald Trump a esta situación, el nombramiento de Mike Pompeo como Secretario de Estado, y el rol del Grupo de Lima, CARICOM y UNASUR entre otros.
Video
Neuquén Governor Highlights Challenges and Opportunities to Developing Vaca Muerta
The government of Neuquén—Argentina’s top oil and gas producing province and home to the country’s huge shale play Vaca Muerta—is implementing a detailed plan to eliminate barriers to hydrocarbon development, Governor Omar Gutierrez said at an Inter-American Dialogue panel discussion. This includes facilitating equipment imports by removing customs tariffs, gradually eliminating consumer subsidies for natural gas, and signing a new labor agreement between the provincial government and labor unions.
“Es exagerado afirmar que si Petro gana, Colombia sería otra Venezuela”
La izquierda y el fervor religioso se hacen un lugar en medio de los históricos récords de impopularidad de los mandatarios salientes este año: Santos, Temer, Peña Nieto, Cartes y Solís, quienes difícilmente superan el 20 por ciento de aprobación a su gestión. Michael Shifter analiza en esta entrevista con Semana este incierto panorama político de 2018.
Argentina: The state of teacher policy
Findings and recommendations to strengthen teacher policies in Argentina.
Video
Venezuela’s Migration Crisis
On April 2, the Inter-American Dialogue in partnership with the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) hosted an event titled “Venezuela’s Migration Crisis.” This discussion, which was moderated by Michael Camilleri, featured panelists Shannon O’Neil from CFR, Francisca Vigaud-Walsh from Refugees International, and Dany Bahar from the Brookings Institution. This conversation explored the current status of the migration crisis, the US and international community’s response, and the challenges going forward.