This set organizes the "Latin Pulse" segments that deal with Honduras.

Honduras Collection

Death and resurrection are the twin themes this week on Latin Pulse.  The theme of resurrection is provided just ahead of the Easter season through an examination of the growth of evangelical Protestantism throughout Latin America.  The program looks at the explosive growth of pentecostal denominations in Brazil, Central America and other parts of the region.  News of the death of Nobel-prize winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez has cast the region into mourning for this important writer.  The program reflects on the life and legacy of Garcia Marquez and discusses how he made magical realism a key form in literature.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University; and
Nuria Vilanova of American University.  


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml; and
Writer: Rae Daniel.


The photo is by Jose Lara of Seattle, WA via Flickr, using a Creative Commons license: https://www.flickr.com/photos/35376879@N00/4443661353


“Latin Pulse” is produced at American University’s School of Communication. This program is sponsored by the university’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS), in association with Link TV.

http://www.american.edu/soc/
http://www.american.edu/clals/latin-pulse.cfm


The Rise of Evangelicals in Latin America & the Death of Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Lp4182014)

This week, "Latin Pulse" covers a variety of topics, including the crackdown on the protest movement in Venezuela and corruption tainting police in El Salvador.  The segment on Venezuela reviews the opinions of one of the leaders of the opposition protest movement who has also been influential with the country's student protestors too.  The Salvadoran segment traces the history of the national police and how criminal organizations infiltrated the police during the past generation.  The news segment of the program covers the visit of Uruguay's President Jose "Pepe" Mujica to Washington, D.C. and his discussion of health issues and human rights.  The program also includes a commentary on the failure of marriage equality in Colombia.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Rodrigo Diamanti of El Mundo Sin Mordaza; and
Hector Silva of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS). 


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; and 
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml.


The photo is by Marquinam via Flickr using a Creative Commons license: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marquinam/13155160395/


“Latin Pulse” is produced at American University’s School of Communication. This program is sponsored by the university’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS), in association with Link TV.

http://www.american.edu/soc/
http://www.american.edu/clals/latin-pulse.cfm



Cracking Down on Protests in Venezuela & Police Corruption in El Salvador (Lp5162014)

This week before heading out on an extended summer break, Latin Pulse provides a 90-minute summer special filled with emotion and information.  The in-depth segments include an update on the protest movement in Venezuela, an examination of Brazilian national identity and the World Cup, an update on immigration issues in Mexico, and an analysis of the Panama Canal as it celebrates 100 years of operation.  Also, included: a commentary on women and the World Cup.  The program also includes a special interview with the U.S. ambassador to Honduras.  The news segment deals with coca and the Drug War.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Ambassador Lisa Kubiske, U.S. Ambassador to Honduras; 
Sonja Wolf of Mexico's INSYDE; and 
Julie Greene of the University of Maryland.


Additional interviews include: 

Hermann Escarrá of Universidad Central de Venezuela; 
Javier Ciurlizza of the International Crisis Group; 
Mark Weisbrot of the Center for Economic & Policy Research (CEPR); 
Carlos Lauria of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ); 
Rachel Glickhouse, writer; 
Julia Michaels, writer; and
Roberto DaMatta, University of Notre Dame;  


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Associate Producer: Megan Ekhaml; and
Reporter: Elyssa Pachico.


The photo is by Carlos Diaz of Venezuela via Flickr using a Creative Commons license: https://www.flickr.com/photos/carlosdiazme/13977683128/


Special: Protesting in Venezuela; Celebrating in Brazil & the U.S. View from Tegucigalpa (Lp6272014)

This week, "Latin Pulse" comes remotely from Costa Rica to deal with two issues of crisis: the media economic crisis in Costa Rica and beyond, and the problem of undocumented and unaccompanied minors on the U.S.-Mexico border.  The U.S. Border Patrol says the crisis concerning undocumented minors is past its peak, but this program explores the causal issues.  The news segment relates how Pope Francis has shifted the Vatican's policy concerning pedophilia in the clergy and has fired a bishop and ordered the house arrest of a former archbishop concerning cases in Paraguay and the Dominican Republic.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Eric Olson of the Wilson Center; and
Prof. Ignacio Siles of the Universidad de Costa Rica.
 
Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Producer: Jim Singer; and
Associate Producer: Gabriela Canchola.

The photo of an undocumented and unaccompanied child in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility in Brownsville, Texas is by Eduardo Perez for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.  The photo is from the U.S. government and is in the public domain.

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


Crises: Undocumented Minors on the Border & Media Economics (Lp9262014)

This week, "Latin Pulse" dives into the Drug War.  The program explores two of the most important fronts in that war: Mexico and Venezuela.  The segment of the program on Mexico gives an overview of the condition of various cartels and why the strategy to focus on drug kingpins has mostly failed. The segment on Venezuela focuses on the ties between Venezuela's military and the drug trade. The news segment of the program gives the latest information about the controversy surrounding 43 missing university students in Mexico and whether they were massacred by police and drug cartels colluding together.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Jo Tuckman of The Guardian;
Jeremy McDermott of InSight Crime.

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Producer: Jim Singer; and
Associate Producer: Gabriela Canchola.

The photo of Mexican marines on patrol is from Wikimedia Commons and is in the public domain:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Drug_War

The program is produced at Webster University: www.webster.edu/


The Drug War: Analysis of the Front Lines in Mexico & Venezuela (Lp11142014)

The historic changes between Cuba and the United States are rolling out but the Obama administration is also making aggressive diplomatic moves throughout Latin America.  That strategic shift provides the centerpiece for discussion on Latin Pulse this week. The program takes a wide-ranging view of the geopolitical situation in Latin America and provides a preview of the summit next week of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).  The news segment of the program focuses on the negotiations between the U.S. and Cuba and President Barack Obama's policy pronouncements on Cuba.

Adam Isacson of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and
Michael McCarthy of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS). 

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Producer: Jim Singer; 
Engineering Support: Zach Kromer; and
Production Assistant: Gabriela Canchola.

The photo is from the Brazilian government and is in the public domain.

The program is produced at Webster University: www.webster.edu/


Latin America: The Obama Administration's Policy Changes & the CELAC Summit (Lp1232015)

Two years after the death of Hugo Chavez, this week "Latin Pulse" reviews the legacy of this polarizing political figure and what policies from the Chavez era still affect the current state of affairs in Venezuela. The program includes analysis on the handling of politics and economics by the government of President Nicolas Maduro and whether that government is now slipping into authoritarianism as it jails members of opposition groups.  The news segment of the program tracks the successful arrests this past week in Mexico and Bolivia of both drug cartel leaders and those in government working with illegal organizations.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Hugo Perez Hernaiz* of the Universidad Central de Venezuela & the "Venezuelan Politics & Human Rights" blog; and
Dan Hellinger of Webster University.


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


  *Hugo Perez Hernaiz is also the author of the "Venezuela Conspiracy Theories Monitor" blog: http://venezuelaconspiracytheories.blogspot.com/
"Venezuelan Politics and Human Rights" can be found here: http://venezuelablog.tumblr.com/

The photo of Hugo Chavez is from the Venezuelan government and is in the public domain.

Produced for release on March 6, 2015.

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


Venezuela: Coup Conspiracies & Remembering Hugo Chavez (Lp3062015)

The United States and its participation in the Summit of the Americas this weekend provides the central theme this week on Latin Pulse. Although the summit has a specific agenda to deal with economic inequality in Latin America, experts expect that diplomacy between the U.S. and Cuba, and U.S. relations with Venezuela will dominate what happens at this meeting. The news segment of the program covers deportations and extraditions concerning former members of the Salvadoran military who sought asylum from prosecution on human rights charges stemming from their actions in the Salvadoran Civil War.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Eric Olson of the Woodrow Wilson Center; and
Peter Hakim of the Inter-American Dialogue.


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

The graphic is from the Summit of the Americas and is in the public domain.

Produced for release on April 10, 2015.

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


Analyzing the Summit of the Americas (Lp4102015)

Justice, human rights and immigration policy regarding Central America provide the triple themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program focuses on the extradition case of Inocente Montano, a former colonel and leader for the Salvadoran military during El Salvador's civil war.  Spanish authorities want Montano sent to Spain to face human rights charges connected to the massacre of Jesuit priests at a university in San Salvador.  The program also looks at Congressional concerns over U.S. immigration policy in Central America. The news segment of the program reviews the controversial trade mission to Cuba of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Geoff Thale of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA); and
Eric Olson of the Woodrow Wilson Center.


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



The photo of a temporary memorial to those killed in the massacre at the Universidad CentroAmericana (UCA) is from the Salvadoran non-profit organization FUNDAMER and is in the public domain: https://fundahmer.wordpress.com/


Produced for release on April 24, 2015.

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


Seeking Civil War Justice in El Salvador & Immigration Policy for Central America (Lp4242015)

Violence and salvation are the themes this week on Latin Pulse. The alarming rise in homicide rates in El Salvador catches our attention and the program discusses the causes and how the government is reacting to the rise in gang-related violence.  The reaction seems to be extrajudicial killings and the return of death squads.  The program also includes an analysis about the shift of religious beliefs in Latin America, including the rise of evangelicals and religious pluralism. The news segment of the program covers the latest votes related to the Trans-Pacific Partnership and special trade authority for President Barack Obama.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Hector Silva of the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University; and
Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University.

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

The photo of Salvadoran gang members is from InSight Crime using a Creative Commons licensing agreement: http://www.insightcrime.org/news-briefs/el-salvador-gang-truce-technically-finished-police

Produced for release on June 19, 2015.

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


Violence & Salvation: Homicides in El Salvador & Religion in Latin America (Lp6192015)

Religion in Latin America provides the theme this week on "Latin Pulse," as Cuba prepares for an official visit from Pope Francis. The program analyzes the importance of the pope's upcoming trip to Cuba and reflects on how the Cuba trip will provide a preface for the pope's visit to the United States. The program also reviews a new book that deals with how religion is fighting violence throughout Latin America, especially Central America.  The news segment of the program reviews the results in the first round of the Guatemalan presidential voting and the upset of comedian Jimmy Morales.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University; and
Alex Wilde 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 logo for Pope Francis’ trip to Cuba is from the Archdiocese of Havana and is in the public domain.

Produced for release on Sept. 11, 2015.


Religion: Preparing for the Pope in Cuba & Reflections on Violence (LP9112015)

It's the fourth anniversary of "Latin Pulse," and the program celebrates in its own way:  a medley of out-takes and pithy comments from the most popular programs of the past year. The topics on the program range from a review of the crisis of unaccompanied minors on the U.S.-Mexico border to covering various fronts in the Drug War.  The program also includes segments on the economic impact of China on Latin America.  The news segment of the program covers the aftereffects of the earthquake in Chile that saw a million people evacuate their homes.


The program includes interview segments with:

Eric Olson of the Woodrow Wilson Center; 
Jo Tuckman of The Guardian;
Jeremy McDermott of InSight Crime;
Mark Jones of Rice University;
Kevin Gallagher of Boston University; and
Ignacio Siles of the Universidad de Costa Rica.


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


Produced for release on Sept. 18, 2015.


Anniversary IV: Outstanding Out-Takes & Memorable Excerpts (Lp9182015)

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)

Femicide and violence against women in Latin America provide the themes on Latin Pulse this week.  The program focuses on murders aimed at women in Central America and Mexico, the region with the worst global statistics as assembled by the United Nations.  The program also discusses linkages between such violence and unauthorized immigration.  The program discusses the causes behind femicide and includes analysis about the need to improve the justice in the region.  The news segment of the program covers the constitutional changes in Bolivia to allow President Evo Morales to run for re-election in four years if he wishes.


The program includes an in-depth interview with:
Karen Musalo of the University of California.


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

The anti-femicide logo is from the Honduran government and is in the public domain.

Produced for release on Nov. 6, 2015.


Femicide and Violence Against Women in Latin America (Lp11062015)

Pope Francis and his trip to Mexico provide the central themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program discusses the pope's fourth trip to Latin America, which will primarily focus on key stops throughout Mexico. The program reflects on the pope's efforts to put the global refugee crisis and the need to ease migration restrictions in front of policymakers in the hemisphere.  The news segment of the program covers testimony from the Centers for Disease Control in the United States officially linking the zika virus outbreak to microcephaly, a condition that causes brain damage in infants.
The program includes in-depth interviews with:
Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU); and
Maureen Meyer of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).

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

The photo of Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto and Pope Francis is from the Mexican government and is in the public domain.


Mexico: The Visit of Pope Francis, Migration and Scandal (Lp2122016)

Another push to recall a president and the power of remittances provide the twin themes this week on "Latin Pulse." The program analyzes the latest moves with diplomacy and electoral laws to recall President Nicolas Maduro or at least restore some balance to the eroded democratic system in Venezuela.  The program reviews the debate between Argentina and Venezuela at the Organization of American States (OAS).  The program also includes the second part of our extended look at the links between remittances and globalization.  The news segment of the program includes the latest developments regarding the debt crisis in Puerto Rico.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Michael McCarthy of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) & the Woodrow Wilson Center ; and
Manuel Orozco of the Inter-American Dialogue.


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


The photo of Gov. Henrique Capriles of the Venezuelan opposition with a presidential recall petition is from the Venezuelan government and is in the public domain.

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

Presidential Recall in Venezuela & the Power of Remittances (Lp5062016)

Corruption in Argentina and Honduras provides the central theme this week on Latin Pulse. The program includes a wide-ranging analysis of corruption in Argentina, along with key tangents on the Argentine economy and challenges for the new president, Mauricio Macri.  The program details the indictment against the former president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and why both Fernandez and Macri are mentioned in the Panama Papers.  The program also gives a deep analysis of corruption in Honduras and how the opposition in that country is concerned that the country is slipping toward authoritarianism.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:
Mark Jones of Rice University & the Baker Institute; and
Dana Frank of the University of California, Santa Cruz. 

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

The photo is from the United Nations and is in the public domain.


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



Corruption: Scandals in Argentina & Honduras (Lp5272016)

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)

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)

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)

“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.  

Honduras Collection

LatinPulse