This set organizes programs of the "Latin Pulse" series that deal in depth or in some significant way with poverty.

The photo is of K'iche children in Guatemala from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); as the photo is a government image it is in the public domain.

Poverty

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 martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador provides the theme this week on Latin Pulse.  The program includes discussions of the philosophical debate embodied in the stalled progress of Romero's status as an official Catholic martyr.  The program also includes a discussion of Vatican politics that stretches over the past 30 years.  The program also includes reflections on U.S. policy and how it sparked a climate of violence in Central America.  The news segment of the program covers the controversial economic sanctions from the United States aimed at Venezuela and how that move was condemned by UNASUR.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Jeanette Rodriguez of Seattle University; and
Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University.


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Producer: Jim Singer; and
Production Assistant: Gabriela Canchola.


The photo of Archbishop Oscar Romero is from the Archdiocese of San Salvador and is in the public domain.

Produced for release on March 20, 2015.

The program is produced at Webster University: www.webster.edu/


The Martyr: Remembering Archbishop Oscar Romero (Lp3202015)

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)

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)

Pope Francis and his upcoming trip to the Andes provide the central theme this week on "Latin Pulse." The program includes analysis from Rome and how the issues of marriage equality and LGBT acceptance by the Catholic Church may arise during the pope's trip.  The program also includes discussion of the pope's role in bringing Cuba and the United States together diplomatically during the past year.  The program includes analysis of the pope's shift to favor liberation theology. The news segment of the program covers the plans between Cuba and the United States to resume normal diplomatic relations.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Joshua McElwee of the National Catholic Reporter; and
Andrew Chesnut of Virginia Commonwealth University.


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

The graphic is from the government of Paraguay and is in the public domain.

Produced for release on July 2, 2015.

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


Preview: Pope Francis and his Trip to the Andes (Lp7022015)

Pope Francis and his trip to the Andes region of Latin America provides the central theme on "Latin Pulse." The program includes a deep theological discussion of how Pope Francis is redirecting the philosophy of the Church to take the concerns of poverty more seriously.  The program also discusses the Church's views on LGBT rights, indigenous issues, and euthanasia.  The program also reviews the political issues in Ecuador, Bolivia, and Paraguay that intersect with the pope's trip. The news segment of the program covers the criticisms of ecological policies in Ecuador leveled by the pope during his trip.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:


Rev. Joe Eldridge of American University; and
Alex Wilde of the Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University.


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Producer: Jim Singer; and
Announcer: Guillermo Rodriguez.

The graphic is from the government of Ecuador and is in the public domain.

Produced for release on July 10, 2015.

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


Analyzing the Andes Trip of Pope Francis (Lp7102015)

Looking back at the violent history of repression in the Dominican Republic is the central theme this week on Latin Pulse, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of U.S. efforts to bolster a military dictatorship.  The program discusses the U.S. invasion and occupation in some depth and discusses how this event continues to resonate with Dominicans to this day.  The program also explores the political and economic fallout from that invasion.  The news segment of the program covers the violent transportation strike in El Salvador and how street gangs have amplified the tense conditions.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Tim Shenk of the Committee on U.S.-Latin American Relations (CUSLAR); and
Lauren Derby of UCLA.

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

The photo is from the National Security Archive at George Washington University and is in the public domain: http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB513/

Produced for release on July 31, 2015.

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


Retrospective: 50 Years After the U.S. Invasion of the Dominican Republic (Lp7312015)

Colombia and its civil war provide some of the central themes this week on "Latin Pulse." The program discusses land reform, rural development, and indigenous issues and how they are related to the civil war.  Some of the program discusses the conflict between business development in Colombia and rural residents.  The program also reflects on the Colombian emigrant experience and the various social and cultural forms that this community works to keep alive.  The program discusses Colombian music, dance, and customs.  The news segment of the program covers the debt default of Puerto Rico and its economic crisis.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Jack Laun of the Colombia Support Network; and
Maria Amparo Holmes, author of Conexiones/Connections.


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

The photo of President Juan Manuel Santos is from the Colombian government and is in the public domain.

Produced for release on Aug. 7, 2015.

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




Colombia: Development Concerns & Honoring Emigrant Culture (Lp8072015)

Violence, crime and national security provide the themes this week on Latin Pulse. First, the program reviews security in Mexico, and discusses the rise of various cartels, especially the Sinaloa Cartel.  Another in-depth part of the program deals with the crisis in El Salvador due to the involvement of street gangs in a transportation strike. Both segments discuss how the central governments in these countries do not have the power to stop the criminal groups. The news segment of the program covers the border crisis between Venezuela and Colombia due to unauthorized immigration, violence and the influence of criminal groups.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Jo Tuckman of The Guardian;
and
Hector Silva 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 is of cocaine bricks stamped with a scorpion, a sign associated with the Sinaloa Cartel according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The photo is from the DEA and is in the public domain.

Produced for release on Aug. 28, 2015.


Crime & Violence in Mexico & El Salvador (Lp8282015)

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)

Politics and the competencies of governments in Venezuela and Brazil are the central themes on Latin Pulse this week. The program includes an in-depth discussion about the state of democracy in Venezuela and how it has deteriorated due to crackdowns on opposition leaders.  The program also includes a discussion of the political repercussions of the Petrobras corruption scandal in Brazil and further calls for the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff.  The news segment of the program covers the murder of an activist for transgender rights in Argentina.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

David Smilde of Tulane University; and
Carlos Pereira of the Getulio Vargas Foundation.


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


The photo shows President Nicolas Maduro (left) meeting with President Dilma Rousseff (right). The photo is by Roberto Stuckert for the Brazilian government and is in the public domain.

Produced for release on Oct. 16, 2015.


Politics: Deteriorating Democracy in Venezuela & Corruption Fallout in Brazil (Lp10162015)

Religion and politics, the so-called taboo subjects provide the central themes for "Latin Pulse" this week.  The program provides a preview of Cuba's favorite religious celebration, the feast day of San Lazaro.  The program explores the mix of faiths that honor that day on Dec. 17, including the practitioners of Santeria and those with Christian beliefs.  The program also goes in-depth on reaction to the surprising landslide win of opposition groups in Venezuela in that country's Congressional elections. The program includes excerpts from an international press conference that analyzes the political scene in Venezuela.

The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Michael Atwood Mason, the Director of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage; and
David Smilde of Tulane University and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).

Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Technical Director: Jim Singer; and
Associate Producer: Natalie Ottinger.
 
*Michael Atwood Mason is also the author, editor, and curator of a cultural blog called Baba Who? Babalu!  http://baba-who-babalu-santeria.blogspot.com/

†David Smilde is also the curator, editor and author of the WOLA blog, Venezuela Politics & Human Rights: http://venezuelablog.tumblr.com/ 

The photo of a woman making the pilgrimage to Rincon during the Feast of San Lazaro celebrations is from the Cuban government and is in the public domain.


Cuba and Venezuela: Santeria, the Feast of San Lazaro & Election Results (Lp12112015)

Politics and diplomacy provide the main themes for "Latin Pulse" this week.  The program marks the anniversary of the diplomatic opening between Cuba and the United States with a special interview recorded in Havana.  The program deals with the prospects for the end of the embargo and future business ties between the countries.  The program also follows the complicated corruption scandal in Brazil that has now intersected with the political movement to impeach and unseat President Dilma Rousseff.  The scandal has now evolved into a political crisis as all branches of the Brazilian government are involved in which politicians should be prosecuted and removed from office.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Bob Holden, former Governor of Missouri and now with Webster University; and
Matt Taylor of American University.


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


The photo of Presidents Dilma Rousseff of Brazil and Raul Castro of Cuba is from the Chinese government and is in the public domain.


Produced for internet distribution on Dec. 18, 2015.


Politics: The Promise of U.S.-Cuba Relations & Crisis in Brazil (Lp12182015)

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)

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)

Latin American cinema provides the key discussion points this week on "Latin Pulse." The program includes an in-depth discussion with the director of "Embrace of the Serpent," the first Colombian film nominated for an Academy Award.  The program also includes a survey of some of the most interesting newer film releases from Brazil, including "Casa Grande," "The Second Mother," and "Neighboring Sounds." The news segment of the program covers the latest move by U.S. President Barack Obama to close the detention facilities at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo and how the U.S. Congress has thwarted those efforts.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Ciro Guerra, director of Embrace of the Serpent; and
Kathy Corley of Webster University.


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


The photo is a screenshot from the film “Embrace of the Serpent” and is used here with permission as part of the promotions for the film: http://embraceoftheserpent.oscilloscope.net/



Films: 'Embrace of the Serpent' from Colombia & Notable Releases from Brazil (Lp2262016)

Consequences regarding abuses of power provide the central discussion this week on "Latin Pulse." The program delves into the politics of impeachment in Brazil as President Dilma Rousseff tangles with members of Congress.  Congress says Rousseff misled them about the country's finances.  But many of those looking to prosecute Rousseff are themselves tangled in various corruption scandals.  The program's analysis gives the necessary context before a Congressional impeachment vote this coming weekend. The program also looks at the reaction in Latin America to the Panama Papers scandal.  The discussion revolves around the Panamanian view of the corruption scandal.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:

Alex Cuadros, the author of Brazillionaires; and
Luis Botello of the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).


Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; 
Technical Director: Jim Singer; and
Production Assistant: Brittney Madison.


The photo of members of the Chamber of Deputies in Brazil demonstrating about impeachment is from Fábio Rodrigues Pozzebom of Agência Brasil .  Agência Brasil is the Brazilian government news agency and offers its material through a Creative Commons license: http://otaboanense.com.br/noticia/19327/deputados%20usam%20cartazes%20para%20manifestar%20voto%20sobre%20impeachment


The Impeachment Debate in Brazil & Panama Papers Fallout (Lp4152016)

The controversial presidential election in Peru is the centerpiece of discussion this week on Latin Pulse. The program includes two interviews recorded at the recent Latin American Studies Association (LASA) meetings in New York City with two of the top experts on Peruvian politics. Besides providing details about the two challengers Keiko Fujimori and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, the program also talks about the legacy of corruption left by Fujimori's father, Alberto, who once was Peru's dictator but is now serving time for his various crimes.  The program also discusses the recent scandals haunting the Fujimori campaign.


The program includes in-depth interviews with:
Cynthia McClintock of George Washington University; and
Jo-Marie Burt of George Mason University and the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA).


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


The photo of Keiko Fujimori 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/ 



Peru: Presidential Election Preview (Lp6032016)

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)

“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.  

Poverty

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