Latin America Update, March 2014
In 'Latin America Update' Gateway House lists some of the important events in Latin America over the past month
Courtesy: Google Maps
Courtesy: Google Maps
Courtesy: durdaneta/Wikimedia Commons
Tough times for Venezuela
On the political as well as economic fronts, Venezuela is facing multiple problems – from protests against shortages and crime, to high inflation and low foreign exchange reserves. The government itself is responsible for creating this situation over the years and a change in leadership may now be the solution
Courtesy: vm2827 / Flickr
Decoding anarchism and swaraj
By calling himself an anarchist, Arvind Kejriwal has started a debate among supporters who equate anarchy with a potential breakdown of law and order. But anarchist philosophers believe that the basis of society is self-governing individuals and not a dominating ruler – an idea similar to Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘swaraj’
Courtesy: Prasar Bharati
Taking Doordarshan global
News channels like China’s CCTV, Russia Today and Al-Jazeera have become definitive voices for their nations and for international views. It is the right time for Doordarshan, a late entrant to electronic media-driven influence, to showcase India’s growing global ties and the success of its democracy to the world
Courtesy: The Prime Minister's Office/Flickr
Bangladesh elections: was India right?
The return of the Awami League to power has generated protests and violence in Bangladesh. India’s support to the January 5 election was aimed at keeping at bay anti-India forces in Bangladesh, but anti-India sentiment in the country is high and fresh elections may throw up a result that does not suit New Delhi
Courtesy: monotrilho|/Flickr
Latin America: A review of 2013
With elections scheduled in seven Latin American countries, 2014 will be a year of significant political developments in the region. As we enter 2014, Gateway House examines the important events that defined Latin American politics and economy in 2013
Courtesy: lndhslf72/Flickr
Uruguay’s answer to the ‘war on drugs’
A law that legalises cannabis will come into force from April 2014 in Uruguay. Some political parties have objected, as has the UN’s International Narcotics Control Board. Critics say the law will increase consumption, but evidence suggests otherwise
Courtesy: Ministry of External Affairs, India
The Maldives: small gains
Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen’s visit to India this week aims to repair ties, strained after the Maldives terminated a $500 million contract to the Bangalore-based infrastructure company, GMR. Yameen’s conciliatory stand stems from the need for international help, including India’s, to fix an economy in decline
Courtesy: isafmedia/Flickr
Non-violence in Afghanistan
Gateway House recently co-hosted the premiere show of the documentary ‘Frontier Gandhi’ in Mumbai. But do the ideals of non-violence have any active adherents in Afghanistan today? A search reveals a remarkable variety of passionate action in the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Badshah Khan
Courtesy: WikimediaCommons
The return of the Left in Chile
The return of the Left after four years, with the election this week of Michelle Bachelet as the president of Chile, will not mean any drastic change of direction. Chile has the most stable democracy and dynamic market in Latin America, and its Left can become a model for other countries, including India