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Impunity Observer

Impunity Observer•impunityobserver.com
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The Impunity Observer is committed to fearless investigative journalism and policy research. Our mission is to foster positive relations between the United States and Latin America. Independent journalism enables common understanding and the rule of law towards trade and economic development.
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Episodes

Observing Impunity with Steve Hecht

Join our Editor at Large Steve Hecht, who will discuss his latest insights regarding the United States and Latin America.

Sep 05, 2022•27 min

Chile's Constitutional-Convention Train Wreck | Cristina Villagómez

Cristina Villagómez—a legislative advisor in Chile’s constitutional convention—argues the new proposed constitution would undermine the rule of law and threaten fundamental rights. It is similar to those approved over the last two decades in Bolivia, Venezuela, and Ecuador: an extensive positive-rights (entitlements) document. After witnessing for 10 years the poor performance of the new constitution in her home country of Ecuador, Villagómez concludes that Chile’s proposed constitution would no...

Aug 30, 2022•28 min

Why Bolivia Is a Narco Paradise | Mauricio Ríos García

Mauricio Ríos—founder of Crusoe Research and a macroeconomic analyst—explains in this podcast episode how Bolivia has become a narco paradise. He contends most of the people in Bolivia work in the informal economy, specifically in black markets. Black markets have been growing in Bolivia due to excessive taxes, regulations on the labor market, lack of respect for private property, and investors fleeing the country. The trend suggests a black market growing even further. Ríos also analyzes how re...

Aug 10, 2022•21 min

What Riots in Ecuador Portend

Fergus Hodgson—managing editor of the Impunity Observer—hosted the first live roundtable discussion about the riots in Ecuador. Paz Gómez and Mauro Echeverría—analysts on the ground—explained the riots’ consequences for the country. Ecuador’s risk premium doubled during the riots, making the Andean country less attractive to local and foreign investors. In addition, President Guillermo Lasso faces a complex scenario for his three remaining years in office, including a lack of support in Congress...

Aug 03, 2022•32 min

How ZEDEs Can Be a Geopolitical Tool against China | Ryan Berg

The Zones of Employment and Economic Development (ZEDEs) in Honduras have already proved effective in attracting foreign capital and importing socioeconomic institutions for prosperity. For Ryan Berg, senior fellow for the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), ZEDEs also offer diplomatic leverage for the United States to counteract Chinese expansion in the region. China is garnering economic power in Central America with a significant presence in Salvador...

Jul 06, 2022•20 min

The Future of ZEDEs in Honduras | Nicholas Dranias & Humberto Macias

In April 2022, the Honduran Congress repealed the law that created the Zones of Economic Development and Employment (ZEDEs). The measure has raised doubts about the state of the ongoing ZEDEs and future investments in the country. In this podcast episode, Nicholas C. Dranias—the general counsel at Honduras Próspera Inc.—and Humberto N. Macias—the deputy general counsel at Honduras Próspera Inc. and the chief executive officer of the Próspera Arbitration Center LLC—provide us with their insights....

Jun 01, 2022•35 min

What Has Enabled Open Season for Illegal Migration | Jessica Vaughan

Jessica Vaughan of the Center for Immigration Studies joins us to explain why illegal immigration is ballooning in the United States under Joe Biden—despite available infrastructure and technology to tackle the challenge. She also analyzes a potential withdrawal of Title 42, which allows swift deportations of illegal arrivals in the United States. It suggests even higher levels of illegal flows in the remainder of 2022. Show notes: https://impunityobserver.com/2022/05/11/what-has-enabled-open-se...

May 11, 2022•26 min

María Fernanda Cabal: The Left Sells Nothing but Poverty, Misery (Spanish)

In an exclusive interview, Colombian Senator María Fernanda Cabal addresses the country’s major challenges, especially foreign interference. She also reflects on running for president against leftist candidate and former guerrilla member Gustavo Petro. Cabal shares why she supports and has confidence in former Medellín Mayor Federico Gutiérrez over Petro in the May 29 presidential election. Show notes: https://impunityobserver.com/2022/04/19/maria-fernanda-cabal-the-left-sells-nothing-but-povert...

Apr 19, 2022•26 min

How the United States, G13 Are Meddling in Guatemala

Foreign organizations are heavily involved in Guatemala’s internal affairs. Nicholas Virzi explains how the US State Department, a member of the G13, is one of the most influential, aggressive, and dominant of the bunch. Virzi’s concern is that foreign intervention is counterproductive, since it impedes economic development and stability. Show notes: https://impunityobserver.com/2022/03/24/how-the-united-states-g13-are-meddling-in-guatemala/

Mar 24, 2022•31 min

Costa Ricans Pick Their Socialist Poison in Presidential Runoff

The Costa Rican presidential elections held on February 6 had a record-breaking 25 candidates amid major government corruption scandals. Juan Diego Sánchez, PhD, a lawyer, professor, and columnist explains the political situation in Costa Rica. Furthermore, he analyzes the electoral process, corruption cases, and the April 3, 2022 runoff election between Figueres and Chaves. Show notes: https://impunityobserver.com/2022/02/10/costa-ricans-pick-their-socialist-poison-in-presidential-runoff/

Feb 10, 2022•33 min

US Handpicking of Guatemalan Magistrate Will Fail (Spanish)

La designación de Gloria Porras por parte de la Universidad San Carlos como magistrada ante la Corte de Constitucionalidad de Guatemala se ha paralizado por irregularidades. José Luis González Dubón, abogado, catedrático y doctor guatemalteco en derecho, explica las objeciones legales, las denuncias de presiones y cómo podría terminar el caso. Show notes: https://impunityobserver.com/2022/01/05/us-handpicking-of-guatemalan-magistrate-will-fail-spanish

Jan 05, 2022•30 min

How Guatemala Can Escape Dependency

Guatemala remains mired in poverty, violence, and dependence on remittances from its migrant population. Martin Barillas, a journalist and former US diplomat, explores the causes and offers a way out. Show notes: https://impunityobserver.com/2021/12/08/how-can-guatemala-escape-dependency/

Dec 21, 2021•35 min

La instrumentalización de la historia de Guatemala

La historia de Guatemala y Centroamérica es un campo de batalla cultural entre conservadores y progresistas, principalmente. Carlos Sabino y María Lorena Castellanos, historiadores y catedráticos en universidades guatemaltecas, explican cómo estos grupos tergiversan sucesos como la colonización, la independencia, los conflictos armados y los gobiernos dictatoriales para fines políticos e ideológicos. Notas: https://impunityobserver.com/2021/11/10/instrumentalizacion-historia-de-guatemala/

Nov 10, 2021•39 min

Entrevista a la fiscal general de Guatemala, María Consuelo Porras

En una entrevista exclusiva con Impunity Observer, la fiscal general María Consuelo Porras argumentó que el Departamento de Estado de EE. UU. y sus aliados están involucrados en una campaña para desacreditar a la institución que representa: “Ellos están obstruyendo la justicia en Guatemala,” presumiblemente para tomar el control junto con un un selecto grupo de aliados progresistas. https://impunityobserver.com/2021/10/26/fiscal-general-guatemala-departamento-estado-impide-alcanzar-imperio-ley/

Nov 01, 2021•39 min

Nicaragua’s Untold Story under Daniel Ortega

Nicaragua's road to serfdom under strongman Daniel Ortega has mesmerized observers. Marco Navarro-Genie, a Nicaraguan political scientist living in Canada, explains how the Sandinistas took over the country and whether the United States should brace for another wave of Central American migrants. Show notes: https://impunityobserver.com/2021/10/12/nicaraguas-untold-story-under-daniel-ortega/

Oct 12, 2021•35 min

The Need for Alternative Media in Central America

In the inaugural episode of our podcast, Steve Hecht explains what led him to found the Impunity Observer after living in Guatemala for decades and what stories the mainstream media in the United States are failing to cover. Show notes: https://impunityobserver.com/2021/09/22/the-need-for-alternative-media-in-central-america/

Sep 22, 2021•40 min

Joyce Kaufman interviews Steve Hecht on the 'Deep State Department'

Listen to Steve Hecht on the Joyce Kaufman Show discussing what is going on in the Deep State Department and with the people it is protecting but should not be. Aired on November 26, 2019: https://www.850wftl.com/audio/the-joyce-kaufman-show-11-26-19-hr-1/

Nov 28, 2019•11 min
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