This set organizes programs in the "Latin Pulse" series that discuss the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

NAFTA

The debate over immigration in the U.S. took center stage in Washington, DC, and with the U.S. Congress this week, and that provides one of the main themes for this edition of Latin Pulse this week. The program looks at the historical context of the immigration debate and analyzes the potential for progress on immigration reform.  The program also provides an update on the Zapatistas in Chiapas and discusses the problems that they face with violence and repression. The news segment of the program looks the series of hearings this week regarding diplomacy between the U.S. and Cuba.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Susan Martin, director of Georgetown University's Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM); and 
Giles Clarke* of Getty Images Reportage. 


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Producer: Jim Singer; and
Production Assistant: Gabriela Canchola.


*Clarke's photo essay on the Zapatistas for Business Insider can be found here:  http://www.businessinsider.com/mexican-zapatistas-chiapas-mexico-2014-9


The photo of a road sign in California is from the Iraqi government and is in the public domain.


The program is produced at Webster University: www.webster.edu/


Rejoining the Immigration Debate & Revisiting the Zapatistas (Lp2062015)

Originating in Puerto Rico this week, "Latin Pulse" takes a look at the status of the island and whether there is movement forward on a change to statehood or independence.  The program also covers the issues of identity, culture and economics facing the island commonwealth.  The program also delves into the special relationship the U.S. has developed with Mexico and how trade pacts and economic reforms have brought the countries closer.  The news segment of the program deals with the latest charges and counter-charges related to allegations that powerful leaders in Venezuela are connected to the drug trade.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Maria Acosta Cruz of Clark University; and
Shannon O'Neil of the Council on Foreign Relations.


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Producer: Jim Singer; and
Production Assistant: Sierra Hancock.


The photo is by Nicholas Laughlin of Trinidad and Tobago via Flickr, through a Creative Commons license: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nicholaslaughlin/2306679094/sizes/z/in/photolist-4vQkkd-4ZvmG9-gLmys-5wM5bq-fvh4W-5P2tQV-xdiVQ-6LMEXt-5h7XHk-dGyFE-wFrYK-7iUm1d-e2iwUQ-dZuLLr-5jQ1p2-78HqM9-5XMHx2-9y6GiV-az1qzY-az1qwf-9vpwHi-cfroGS-Q1dZH-dYGfRo-5aRECf-5aMr8c-aezKZ5-dtbkUG-4Fobe8-CWdRM-dnPoQ1-dnPfHK-dnPmHf-dnPjrN-dnPnnb-dnPn4S-dnPjV9-dnPg7B-dnPiZd-dnPhBR-dnPopf-dnPkv1-4ZCwWV-7ywjwQ-9sDHiQ-dSvnvK-PZKZw-bWX7f2-9WA5Vb-bWX7s8-bWX7KR/

Produced in Puerto Rico for release on May 22, 2015.


The program is produced through the support of Webster University: www.webster.edu/


Exploring Puerto Rico & the Special Ties between Mexico and the U.S. (Lp5262015)

Trade and financial concerns provide the central themes this week on Latin Pulse as the program focuses on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the debt crisis in Puerto Rico.  With the U.S. Congress split over the TPP, the program debriefs an economic expert on how the proposed trade pact will have an impact on jobs in Latin America, the U.S. and Asia too.  The program also unravels the key issues related to the debt problems of Puerto Rico. The news segment of the program covers the ongoing debate between Argentina and the U.K. over disputed islands in the South Atlantic.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Rob Scott of the Economic Policy Institute; and
Mauro Guillen of the Lauder Institute of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Producer: Jim Singer; and
Production Assistant: Sierra Hancock.

The graphic is from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and is used through a Creative Commons licensing agreement:  https://act.eff.org/action/don-t-let-congress-fast-track-tpp

Produced for release on June 12, 2015.

The program is produced through the support of Webster University: www.webster.edu/


Finance & Trade: Analyzing the Trans-Pacific Partnership & Debt Crisis in Puerto Rico (Lp6122015)

Trade, finance and economics provide the main themes on Latin Pulse this week. The program gives an in-depth analysis of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and what obstacles it faces in the U.S. Congress and the U.S. political system.  The program also reviews the current status of the debt crisis in Puerto Rico and dissects how the island territory piled up billions in debt.  The news segment of the program covers the results of presidential elections in Latin America, with a focus on why the presidential race in Argentina is headed to a second round of voting.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Chris Sabatini of Columbia University & Latin America Goes Global; and
Mauro Guillen of the Lauder Institute of the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Technical Director: Jim Singer; and
Associate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership logo is from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and is in the public domain.

Produced for release on Oct. 30, 2015.


Evaluating the Trans-Pacific Partnership & Debt Crisis in Puerto Rico (Lp10302015)

Looking ahead at what appear to be the key issues for 2016 in Latin America is the mission for Latin Pulse this week.  The program includes an in-depth and extended discussion with a director of one of the top research centers reviewing Latin American affairs and includes in-depth discussion of Brazil, Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, and United States policy towards the region.  The news segment of the program discusses the move this week to extradite Mexican cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman to the United States after he was recaptured in Mexico.

The program includes an in-depth interview with:

Eric Hershberg, the director of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS).

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Technical Director: Jim Singer; and
Associate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.

The photo of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto is from the U.S. government and is in the public domain.



The Political & Economic Forecast for Latin America in 2016 (Lp1152016)

The Rio Olympics set for this summer in Brazil and their various problems provide the central themes this week on "Latin Pulse." The program analyzes a variety of challenges for these games including security, crime, transportation, infrastructure, and environmental and economic impacts of the games.  The program also discusses the various health issues confronting these games including the zika virus and super bacteria that are present in some of the venues for water events in the Olympics. The news segment of the program covers the resignation of Eduardo Cunha, president of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies due to corruption charges.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Andrew Zimbalist of Smith College; and
Alex Cuadros, author of Brazillionaires. 


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Technical Director: Jim Singer; and 
Production Assistant: Chorsie Martin.


The graphic is the official logo of the 2016 Olympics and is used here following fair use guidelines.


“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/


Brazil: Debating the Olympics in Rio (Lp7082016)

An hour-long special covers various issues regarding human rights and democratization on Latin Pulse this week. The program includes a wide-ranging discussion of the various crises affecting Venezuela, including the political and economic situations.  The analysis also includes discussions on the peace process in Colombia and accusations of human rights abuses by the military in Honduras.  The program also includes a review of a book on corruption in Brazil. The news segment of the program covers how El Salvador's Supreme Court struck down the country's amnesty law opening the door to human rights prosecutions linked to the country's civil war.
The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Dan Hellinger of Webster University; 
Orlando Perez of Millersville University;
Gimena Sanchez of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and 
Alex Cuadros, author of Brazillionaires. 


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Technical Director: Jim Singer; and 
Production Assistant: Chorsie Martin.

The photo of anti-government protesters marching due to the lack of food supplies in Venezuela is from the Venezuelan government and is in the public domain.

“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/


Special: Crisis in Venezuela; the Peace Process in Colombia; and Brazillionaires (LP7152016)

Venezuela, Colombia, and their simmering problems provide the central themes on Latin Pulse this week. The program includes an in-depth analysis reviewing the state of democracy in Venezuela and how that affects the current crisis situation.  The program also discusses how minority groups (Afro-Colombians and indigenous tribes) have been marginalized as part of the negotiations to end the country's long-running civil war. The news segment of the program covers the inauguration of Pedro Pablo Kuczynski as both Peru's newest and oldest president, along with noting his support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (the TPP).


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Dan Hellinger of Webster University; and
Gimena Sanchez of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA). 


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Technical Director: Jim Singer; and 
Production Assistant: Chorsie Martin.


The photo of an anti-government protester in Venezuela is from the Venezuelan government and is in the public domain.

“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/


Venezuela in Crisis & Indigenous and Afro-Colombian Views of Colombia's Peace Talks (LP7292016)

Fútbol (or soccer) at the Olympics and concerns about the military and police in Honduras    provide the varied themes on Latin Pulse this week. The program provides an in-depth analysis of both the women's and men's fútbol competitions at the Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  The program also concludes its two-part critique of the Honduran military. The program also discusses the role the military is playing in both the Drug War and in the political sphere in Honduras. The news segment of the program discusses U.S. President Barack Obama's support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (the TPP).



The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Joshua Nadel of North Carolina Central University; and
Orlando Perez of Millersville University. 


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Technical Director: Jim Singer; and 
Production Assistant: Chorsie Martin.


The photo Brazil’s fútbol team in action against South Africa in the Olympics is by Marcelo Camargo of Agência Brasil.  Agência Brasil offers its images for use via a Creative Commons license:
http://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/rio-2016/foto/2016-08/brasil-estreia-contra-africa-do-sul-no-mane-garrincha

“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/


Rick Rockwell's Album

Olympic Fútbol, Analyzing Soccer in Rio & Concerns About the Military in Honduras (Lp8052016)

LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or trans-gender) issues at the Summer Olympics in Rio, along with economics and politics provide the varied themes on Latin Pulse this week. First, the program delves into homophobia in Brazil and how Brazilian crowds have reacted to LGBT athletes.  The program also includes an in-depth analysis into the current economic and political issues facing Cuba. The news segment of the program discusses the uptick in Zika cases in Honduras and how newborns are being affected there, while civil society groups call for more access to birth control.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Jim Buzinski of Outsports; and
Dan Hellinger of Webster University. 

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and
Technical Director: Jim Singer. 
 
*This program includes frank discussion of adult themes related to sexuality and sexual identity. 

The photo of female soccer competitors, including Megan Rapinoe (left) is a public domain photo.

“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/


LGBT Issues at the Rio Olympics & Economic Challenges in Cuba (Lp8192016)

The proposed peace treaty dealing with the FARC in Colombia and the deterioration of democracy in Nicaragua are the twin themes on Latin Pulse this week. First, the program dissects the proposed peace pact between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC by its Spanish acronym) and the Colombian government. Also, the program explores how President Daniel Ortega has manipulated the electoral system in Nicaragua. The news segment of the program covers the end of Dilma Rousseff's presidency as the Brazilian Senate found her guilty of shifting funds without Congressional approval and with misleading the Brazilian Congress.
The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Adam Isacson of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and
Manuel Orozco of the Inter-American Dialogue. 

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and
Technical Director: Jim Singer. 

The photo of celebrations about the proposed peace treaty in Colombia is from the Venezuelan government and is in the public domain.

“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/


The FARC Peace Treaty in Colombia & Politics in Nicaragua (Lp9022016)

Brazil and its various concerns are again on the radar of "Latin Pulse" this week. First, the program looks at what is in store for Brazil politically and economically after the ouster of President Dilma Rousseff by the country's Congress. And how will the Temer administration deal with anti-government protests? Also, the program discusses ways to fight the Zika virus, after the disease started in Brazil but has now spread to Central America and beyond. The news segment of the program covers how funds to fight Zika and support research for Zika vaccines are stalled in the U.S. Congress.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Prof. Matthew Taylor of American University; and
Dr. Reina Turcios-Ruiz of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and
Technical Director: Jim Singer. 

The photo of protests in Brazil is from the Venezuelan government and is in the public domain.

“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/

Brazil: Unrest After the Rousseff Exit & Fighting Zika (Lp9092016)

We celebrate the "Latin Pulse" five-year anniversary fiesta, with out-takes and excerpts from the past year, a tradition for the program.  The audience's favorite themes are on display.  Those themes include: the clash between the National Assembly and the president in Venezuela; the shift to the right in Argentina; the impeachment trial and corruption scandals in Brazil; and the Feast of San Lazaro and Santeria. The news segment of the program covers the defense by Brazil's President Michel Temer before the United Nations' General Assembly, justifying the impeachment and removal of Dilma Rousseff, an act that brought Temer to power.


The program includes interviews with:


Eric Hershberg of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS);
David Smilde of Tulane University;
Matthew Taylor of American University;
Chris Sabatini of Columbia University; and 
Michael Atwood Mason of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. 


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and
Associate Producer: Jim Singer. 

Excerpts and out-takes from this program came from these popular programs:

https://soundcloud.com/latinpulse/cuba-venezuela-santeria-feast-san-lazaro-election-results-lp12112015

https://soundcloud.com/latinpulse/political-crisis-brazil-aftereffects-obama-trip-argentina-lp4012016 

https://soundcloud.com/latinpulse/political-economic-forecast-latin-america-2016-lp1152016




“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/

Anniversary V: Outstanding Out-Takes & Excerpts (Lp9232016)

Join us as we discuss with Dr. Laura Riley, the “ins and outs” of a growing international epidemic, Zika virus. How is it transmitted? If I get the virus, what information is available about the short and long term effects? You can find the podcast on iTunes, Google Play, SoundCloud and our website www.catalyst.harvard.edu/thinkresearch

Zika Virus: Understanding the Global Crisis

This special edition of Latin Pulse includes a different perspective on the presidential elections in the U.S.: a view from Cuba.  A Cuban professor discusses how the elections could have an impact on the warming relations between the two countries.  The program also discusses the rise of English as a mandated second language in South America and how that could reflect cultural imperialism. The news segment of the program covers the negotiations between opposition parties in Venezuela and the president to avert further protests and a move by the National Assembly to hold an impeachment trial.


The program includes interviews with:

Santiago Perez Benitez of the University of Havana & the Center for International Political Research (CIPI); and
DJ Kaiser of Webster University.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and
Associate Producer: Jim Singer. 

The photo of Cuban President Raul Castro and U.S. President Barack Obama is from the Cuban government and is in the public domain.

“Latin Pulse” is produced at Webster University’s School of Communications: www.webster.edu/communications/

Special: The U.S. Elections, the Cuban View & Education in South America (Lp11052016)

“Latin Pulse” is a weekly program that reviews news from Latin America and analyzes politics, culture, religion, and important issues throughout the region. This weekly podcast is distributed by Link TV, iTunes, and, of course, SoundCloud.  

Rejoining the Immigration Debate & Revisiting the Zapatistas (Lp2062015)

LatinPulse

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