战略与国际研究中心-Hemisphere-Highlights,-Volume-VII,-Issue-6_6页_150kb

HEMISPHERE HIGHLIGHTS Summary

Core Content

This summary presents a compilation of recent political and economic developments across the Americas, focusing on key events in Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean (particularly Cuba), South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia), and Argentina.

Upcoming Events

• July 25: Presentation by Dr. José Bayardi, Minister of Defense of Uruguay.

Recent Events

• June 30: Discussion Panel on whether Haiti is drifting toward crisis.
• June 20: Presentation by Roberto Flores Bermudez, Ambassador of Honduras.
• June 19: European Union lifts a five-year ban on diplomatic relations with Cuba.
• June 17: Mexico's President Felipe Calderón signs legislation to reform the country's judicial system.
• June 23: President of Ecuador's Constituent Assembly, Alberto Acosta, resigns in protest of the upcoming deadline for constitution approval.
• June 25: Three additional autonomy referendums are approved in Bolivia.
• June 29: U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia, Philip Goldberg, is recalled following protests at the U.S. embassy in La Paz.

North America

Canada

• Canada and Colombia concluded free-trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, which will improve market access for agricultural, industrial, and service products.
• The agreement includes side agreements on labor and the environment, aligning both countries with international standards.
• The FTA is part of Canada's broader strategy to reengage in the Americas.
• The legislation will be tabled in the House of Commons for 21 days before a vote, though it may be delayed due to the summer recess or a federal election.

Caribbean

Cuba

• The EU ended a five-year ban on diplomatic relations with Cuba, signaling a new partnership.
• The decision was made four days after the EU vote, with the removal of sanctions.
• The EU imposed conditions, including the release of political prisoners, and will evaluate Cuba's progress over the next year.
• The U.S. expressed disappointment, maintaining its 50-year trade embargo.
• The EU's move is unlikely to significantly affect U.S. policy toward Cuba, which remains constrained by existing legislation requiring democratic reforms and free elections.

South America

Colombia

• UNODC reported a 27% increase in coca cultivation in Colombia over the past year.
• Despite this, narcotics production has remained stable due to lower productivity in new areas.
• President Álvaro Uribe plans to call a referendum to seek endorsement of his re-election.
• The referendum is in response to allegations of corruption by the Colombian Supreme Court, which has been investigating legislators linked to paramilitary groups.
• The judicial system has been under strain due to past drug mafia attacks, and the court's legitimacy is at stake.
• There is concern that the referendum could undermine Colombia's constitutional balance.

Ecuador

• The president of the Constituent Assembly, Alberto Acosta, resigned to protest the July 26 deadline for constitution approval.
• The assembly has faced criticism for its lack of diversity, with most members belonging to President Rafael Correa's Alianza PAIS party.
• The draft constitution includes provisions for state control of major industries and limits provincial autonomy.
• Public support for the new constitution has dropped significantly, from 81% to 37%.
• The opposition is concerned about the constitution's centralizing tendencies and has called for changes to the recall referendum rules.

Bolivia

• President Evo Morales faces increased opposition after autonomy referendums in several departments.
• The opposition-controlled Senate approved legislation to allow recall referendums for the president and department prefects.
• Morales's anti-U.S. rhetoric has intensified, with protests at the U.S. embassy and calls to expel USAID workers.
• U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg was recalled following violent demonstrations.
• The opposition is now calling for modifications to the recall referendum rules, fearing a potential challenge to their leadership.

Argentina

• Argentina's political party system is in the process of reconstruction after the 2001 crisis.
• The Partido Justicialista and Unión Cívica Radical remain dominant, though fragmented.
• Former President Néstor Kirchner has taken steps to rebuild the Justicialista coalition.
• Elisa "Lilita" Carrió leads the opposition, forming the Coalición Cívica.
• The proportional representation system for mid-term elections is expected to favor a three-way race, which could be a stepping stone for the 2011 presidential contest.

Key Authors

• Peter DeShazo: Director, Americas Program
• Phillip McLean: Senior Associate
• Carlos M. Regúnaga: Argentina Office
• Jessica B. Horwitz: Program Coordinator
• Catherine Rebecca Dooley: Intern-Scholar
• Ariadne Medler: Intern-Scholar
• Joseph A. Kapusnick: Intern-Scholar
• Russell Prag: Intern-Scholar

About Hemisphere Highlights

• Published monthly by the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
• Nonpartisan and nonproprietary research.
• CSIS does not take specific policy positions, and all views expressed are those of the authors.