战略与国际研究中心-Hemisphere-Highlights,-Volume-IX-Issue-3_9页_650kb

HEMISPHERE HIGHLIGHTS Summary

Core Content

This document provides an overview of political, economic, and social developments in the Americas, focusing on key events and issues in the region during March 2010. It highlights the efforts of various governments and international institutions to address challenges related to development, security, and governance.

Upcoming Events

• April 6, 2010

  • 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
    Conference Room B1
    "Environmental and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA)"
  • 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
    4th Floor Conference Room
    "The Chile-U.S. Free Trade Agreement: Lessons Learned from the Chilean Experience"

• Past Events

  • March 17, 2010
    Conference Room B1
    "Chronic Diseases along the U.S. - Mexico Border"

Key Issues and Developments

Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)

• The IADB governors agreed to replenish the bank's capital for the first time since 1995, increasing callable capital by $70 billion and paid-in capital by $1.5 billion over five years.
• This brings the total capitalization to $170 billion, enabling annual loan disbursements of $12 billion and debt forgiveness for Haiti.
• Latin American and Caribbean leaders criticized the amount as inadequate, fearing instability due to increased liquidity.
• U.S. officials were less ambitious than the Latin leaders, and the U.S. Treasury Secretary sent a lower-ranking official to represent the country.
• The agreement is expected to ensure the re-election of IADB President Luis Alberto Moreno.

Haiti

• The U.S. has contributed nearly $1 billion to the relief efforts following the devastating earthquake in January 2010.
• President Obama requested an additional $2.8 billion for medium-term recovery, emphasizing the importance of agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.
• A donor conference is scheduled for March 31 to coordinate international aid and establish structures for managing reconstruction funds.
• The Interim Haiti Recovery Commission, with 20 members including those who pledged $100 million, will guide the use of funds.
• The commission will be overseen by a Haitian-led board and managed by a multidonor trust fund under the World Bank.

El Salvador

• A new juvenile penal law was passed, increasing the maximum detention sentence for juveniles aged 16 to 18 from 7 to 15 years.
• President Funes vetoed the original bill, but the revised version was accepted.
• The reform has sparked controversy over its impact on youth and the justice system.
• Crime rates remain high, with 12 homicides per day and a homicide rate of 71 per 100,000 inhabitants.
• The government has pledged to improve police and judicial capacities, but long-term solutions for organized crime and youth violence are still lacking.

Bolivia

• The government and Jindal Steel and Power Ltd. are in dispute over the terms of a 2007 contract for the El Mutún iron ore and steel project.
• Jindal proposed changes to the contract, including tax adjustments and production timelines, while the government threatened to terminate the project.
• Tensions have eased, but the government remains critical of Jindal's progress.
• The contract is seen as a key foreign investment under the Morales administration, despite declining interest in Bolivia's natural gas industry.

Colombia

• Congressional elections on March 14 resulted in continued support for Uribe's "democratic security" policies.
• Uribe cannot run for a third term but remains influential.
• The new congress may be tainted by corruption, with some members linked to paramilitary groups.
• A presidential race is ongoing, with Noemi Sanín and Antanas Mockus as leading candidates.
• A second round run-off is likely, with Sanín and Mockus as the main contenders.

Peru

• The Ministry of Health announced the free distribution of emergency contraception, leading to constitutional debate.
• The Constitutional Court previously ruled against free distribution, citing uncertainty about the contraceptive's abortifacient properties.
• The WHO confirmed that emergency contraception is not abortifacient, leading to its reinstatement.
• The decision has been criticized by the Catholic Church and some lawmakers, who argue it violates the constitution.

Venezuela

• Spanish judge Eloy Velasco accused the Venezuelan government of collaborating with ETA and FARC.
• The accusations are based on evidence from FARC leader Raul Reyes's emails and statements from demobilized guerrillas.
• The Venezuelan government denied the allegations, and a judicial investigation was promised.
• The controversy has strained relations between Venezuela and Spain, with Chávez accusing Zapatero of threatening energy investments.

Argentina

• A power struggle emerged between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches over the use of financial reserves.
• President Kirchner issued an Emergency Decree to access $6 billion in reserves for debt service, which was later revoked.
• Two new decrees were issued to transfer $2.2 billion and $4.4 billion from reserves to pay debts.
• The opposition is attempting to assert its authority, but the political system allows the president to bypass Congress with a DNU.

Brazil

• President Lula da Silva's visit to the Middle East emphasized Brazil's growing economic ties with the region.
• Brazil's interest in the Middle East includes trade and investment opportunities, particularly in technology and pharmaceuticals.
• Despite disagreements with Israel on settlements and Iran's nuclear program, Brazil remains Israel's largest trading partner in Latin America.
• Lula's planned trip to Iran in May aims to support its nuclear energy program.

Conclusion

The document highlights the complex interplay of political, economic, and social challenges across the Americas, emphasizing the need for effective governance, transparency, and long-term strategies in development and security. Each country faces unique issues, from the rebuilding of Haiti to the ongoing security concerns in El Salvador and the political tensions in Venezuela and Argentina. Brazil's growing regional influence and economic interests in the Middle East further illustrate the shifting dynamics in the Western Hemisphere.