战略与国际研究中心-Hemisphere-Highlights,-Volume-VII,-Issue-5_6页_151kb

HEMISPHERE HIGHLIGHTS SUMMARY (MAY 2008)

Core Content

This issue of Hemisphere Highlights provides an overview of key political and social developments across North America, the Caribbean, and South America in May 2008. The focus includes government resignations, electoral processes, regional integration efforts, and the impact of political decisions on national and international relations.

Main Events and Highlights

Upcoming Events

• June 20: Presentation by Roberto Flores Bermudez, Ambassador of Honduras.

North America

Canada

• Foreign Minister Resignation: Maxime Bernier resigned on May 26 after classified documents were left in his ex-girlfriend's apartment. His departure is expected to lead to a cabinet reshuffle.
• Political Challenges: The Harper administration has faced a series of minor crises, including the replacement of the chief of staff following the "NAFTA gate" scandal and federal police raids on the Conservative Party's headquarters.
• Opposition Exploitation: These incidents are likely to be used by the opposition to challenge Harper's credibility in the minority Parliament.

Mexico

• Tariff Elimination: President Felipe Calderón announced the elimination of tariffs on corn, rice, beans, and wheat, and a halving of the tariff on powdered milk, aiming to reduce domestic food prices.
• Criticism and Concerns: Opposition parties and farm organizations criticized the policy as cosmetic, arguing it does not address structural agricultural issues.
• Food Security: The government warned that food shortages and high costs could persist for three years, with the minister of agriculture labeling this a national security issue.

Caribbean

Dominican Republic

• Presidential Election: Leonel Fernández Reyna was re-elected for a third term with 54% of the vote, avoiding a runoff.
• Election Process: The OAS Electoral Observation Mission confirmed the electoral process was conducted correctly, but noted ongoing issues such as state participation in campaigns and weak enforcement of electoral laws.
• Political Context: Fernández has a history of economic reform and is the first president to serve three consecutive terms since the 1994 term limit ban was lifted.

South America

Regional Integration

• UNASUR Treaty: 12 South American countries signed a treaty to establish the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) in Brasília on May 23.
• Goals and Structure: The union aims to promote integration in cultural, social, economic, and political fields. It includes a Council of Heads of State, a Council of Foreign Ministers, and a General Secretariat in Quito.
• Challenges: The treaty is ambitious but a work in progress. Consensus-based decision-making may be difficult due to differing policy orientations among members.

Colombia

• Extradition of Paramilitary Leaders: 15 ex-paramilitary leaders were extradited to the U.S., marking a significant step in the country's justice process.
• FARC Leadership Changes: The FARC confirmed the death of its leader, Manuel Marulanda, and surrendered one of its most feared commanders, Nelly Avila Moreno.
• Military and Political Shift: The FARC's military strength has declined by 40%, and its command structure has shown weaknesses, indicating a shift in power dynamics with the government.

Brazil

• Environment Minister Resignation: Marina Silva resigned under political pressure from Blairo Maggi, a major soy farmer, to change deforestation regulations.
• Controversy Over Oil Discoveries: The Brazilian Director General of the National Petroleum Agency, Haroldo Lima, made an arguably premature announcement about the Carioca oil field, which may hold 33 billion barrels.
• Economic and Environmental Concerns: The discovery could boost Brazil's economic status, but there are concerns about deforestation increasing due to the country's growing economy.

Chile

• Scholarship Programs: President Michelle Bachelet announced a $6-billion Bicentennial Fund for Human Capital to increase scholarships for postgraduate study abroad.
• Educational Initiatives: The program aims to improve economic competitiveness by developing human capital and addressing the lack of technical training in Chile.
• Focus on Inequality: Emphasis was placed on improving public primary and secondary education to reduce income inequality.

Key Information

• Political Reshuffling: Canada's Foreign Minister resignation may lead to a cabinet reshuffle.
• Regional Integration: UNASUR represents a significant step toward South American unity but faces challenges in implementation.
• Justice and Peace: Colombia's extradition efforts and FARC leadership changes signal progress in reducing violence and impunity.
• Environmental Concerns: Brazil's environmental policies face criticism, especially with the potential for increased deforestation.
• Economic Development: Chile's scholarship programs aim to enhance its economic competitiveness through education and technical training.

Authors

• Peter DeShazo – Director, Americas Program
• Johanna Mendelson-Forman – Senior Associate
• Phillip McLean – Senior Associate
• Jessica B. Horwitz – Program Coordinator
• Sarah McCune – Intern-Scholar
• Catherine Rebecca Dooley – Intern-Scholar
• Ana Janaina Nelson – Intern-Scholar

Publisher

Hemisphere Highlights is published monthly by the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a nonpartisan and nonproprietary research institution.