Originating in Puerto Rico again this week, Latin Pulse looks at issues of identity, the media and politics on both the island and in Mexico. The program discusses how U.S. and Latino media often homogenize programming and forget the Puerto Rican experience. The program also reveals how in Mexico, issues of equity and media corruption distort the political debate. How do the political left and right find space for debate in a system dominated by the Institutional Revolutionary Party (the PRI). T...
May 29, 2015
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 ...
May 26, 2015
What happens when you mix drug cartels with religion? This week, Latin Pulse explores the rise of narco-religion in Mexico. The discussion includes a heady mix of discussion regarding the veneration of Catholic saints by violent criminals but also the rise of the devotion of folk saints such as Santa Muerte. The program also discusses curanderos and the use of witchcraft by the cartels. The news segment of the program covers the outbreak of violence in student protests in Chile; the protestors a...
May 15, 2015
This week, Latin Pulse concludes its spring series of programs looking at the roiling political waters in Venezuela. Experts on the program look at the use of conspiracy theories and how they are used to make propaganda gains and control the political discourse. The program also discusses the breakdown of democratic institutions in the country and the credibility of elections. The news segment of the program covers accusations by the head of the Venezuelan National Assembly that he expects the p...
May 08, 2015
Debating conditions in Venezuela provides a special topic this week on Latin Pulse , as the program provides an extended time for a diplomatic representative of the Bolivarian government to respond to questions. Beyond an official representative of the Venezuelan government a left-wing critic of the government also discusses his view that Venezuela is slipping into autocracy. The news segment of the program covers the call this week for further investigations into illegal domestic spying in Colo...
May 01, 2015
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...
Apr 24, 2015
Memories and reviews of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and his work take center stage this week on Latin Pulse as this week marks a year since the death of this winner of the Nobel Prize for literature . The program traces Garcia Marquez from his beginnings as a journalist through his fame as an author setting an example for writers worldwide. The program also discusses the writer's ties to Cuba. The news segment of the program reviews the outcome of the Summit of the Americas and Panama and how the Uni...
Apr 17, 2015
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 asy...
Apr 10, 2015
Judaism, anti-semitism, and Argentina provide the main themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program revisits the mysterious case of the death of Alberto Nisman, a special prosecutor looking at terrorism cases that may have links to Iran. The program discusses how the Nisman case continues to provide a crisis atmosphere in Argentina. Also, the program reflects on the history of Judaism in Latin America and the various waves of prejudice that the Jewish population of the region has weathered. The ...
Apr 03, 2015
The arts and the internet in Cuba provide the twin themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program includes an in-depth discussion with two of Cuba's leaders in the arts, discussing artistic freedom and freedom of expression, along with the cultural themes of their work in the theater. The program also discusses the development of the internet and dissident media in Cuba. The news segment of the program covers the rise in tensions between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, ...
Mar 27, 2015
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...
Mar 20, 2015
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...
Mar 06, 2015
Turmoil in Venezuela and the progress in the peace talks for the civil war in Colombia are the twin themes this week on Latin Pulse. The first half of the program analyzes the politics surrounding the arrest of Mayor Antonio Ledezma of Caracas and how that arrest has drawn international reaction. The second half of the program tracks the ongoing talks attempting to end the 51-year-old war in Colombia. The news segment of the program covers the latest in the case of Alberto Nisman in Argentina an...
Feb 27, 2015
China and its economic and geopolitical strategy and cultural influence provide the central themes for this week's edition of Latin Pulse. The first half of the program examines the trade and economic issues connected to China's strategies in Latin America. And the program debates the response of the U.S. to this economic expansion. The second half of the program examines the history and cultural influence of Chinese emigration to Peru. The news segment of the program covers the protests this we...
Feb 20, 2015
Mystery and celebration are the twin themes of Latin Pulse this week. The mystery is provided through an analysis of the complex case regarding the death of Alberto Nisman, a special prosecutor in Argentina. The program sorts through the case linked to the bombing of a Jewish community center in the 1990s. The celebration theme comes in the form of Carnival in Brazil. The news segment of the program discusses how the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team has cast doubt on the explanation of the M...
Feb 13, 2015
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...
Feb 06, 2015
The tensions within U.S. policy toward Cuba provide the main focus on Latin Pulse this week. The program analyzes how domestic politics in the United States continue to have an effect on the diplomatic changes in Cuba. The program also focuses on the continuation of controversial democracy building programs from USAID, aimed at Cuba. The news segment of the program looks at the complex case in Argentina linking the country's spy agency and the murder of a special prosecutor. The program covers t...
Jan 30, 2015
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...
Jan 23, 2015
During the first month of the new year, Latin Pulse focuses on the spiritual aspects of indigenous communities as a way of providing reflection on this time of change. The program features the stories and analysis of experts on archaeology and anthropology to provide context on these deep topics. The program looks at spiritual practice and history in Mexico and Guatemala. The news segment of the program discusses the latest change in travel and trade regulations between the U.S. and Cuba, allowi...
Jan 16, 2015
Venezuela, its economy, and its structure as a petro-state are the central themes this week on Latin Pulse . As Venezuela slips into recession and shortages of consumer goods become more acute, criticism of the government of President Nicolas Maduro is increasing. The program looks at the patterns of how oil prices have often dictated the popularity of presidents and the shape of politics in Venezuela. The news segment of the program covers the meeting this week between U.S. President Barack Oba...
Jan 09, 2015
This week, Latin Pulse looks at the historic decision of the United States and Cuba to normalize diplomatic relations. After more than a half-century of tensions and embargoes, the next steps for Cuba are the central focus of this program. The program also includes analysis of the human rights situation in the country and debates the effectiveness of democracy-building programs initiated by the United States. The news segment of the program looks at the onset of recession in Venezuela and the re...
Jan 02, 2015
In this special edition of Latin Pulse , we dip into the holiday spirit, literally, by exploring the spirit of tequila. The program includes an in-depth discussion of the business and economics surrounding the trade of tequila and how the taste for tequila has changed, propelled by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The program also includes a tasting and discussion of top shelf tequilas. The news segment of the program looks at the historic proposal this week worked out between th...
Dec 19, 2014
This week, Latin Pulse rejoins its analysis of Venezuela with a focus on the political and economic debate there. With the U.S. levying economic sanctions on the country due to human rights violations, the opposition and protests movements again take center stage in the debate. The program also looks at the issues of justice regarding accusations leveled at opposition politicians and the jailing of Leopoldo Lopez. The program includes a wide-ranging discussion of the development of the current f...
Dec 12, 2014
This week, Latin Pulse puts its focus back on Cuba as Alan Gross, an imprisoned U.S. citizen passed the five year mark of his incarceration on the island. The program includes an in-depth interview analyzing the Gross case and what it means for U.S.-Cuba relations. The program also looks at the modern history of secret negotiations between the U.S. and Cuba and how those negotiations have subtly changed policy. The news segment of the program looks at the resumption of peace talks in Colombia af...
Dec 05, 2014
This week, Latin Pulse goes in-depth on politics and the environment. The program gives a preview of the United Nations conference on climate set for next month in Peru. And the program looks ahead to the run-off presidential race in Uruguay set for the end of the month. The analysis of the race in Uruguay also covers the country's controversial marijuana law. The news segment of the program covers the announcement by President Barack Obama that the government will give relief to unauthorized im...
Nov 21, 2014
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 univer...
Nov 14, 2014
This week, Latin Pulse takes a deeper look at the disappearance of students from Ayotzinapa and Cuban migration to the United States. Global activists are protesting due to the disappearance of the 43 university students in Mexico. The situation is emblematic of decades of corruption and collusion in the Mexican government. This time, however, it appears the Mexican government will be held to account. Later in the program, Cuban immigrants are coming to the U.S. in higher numbers now than any ti...
Nov 07, 2014
This week, Latin Pulse studies the culture of indigenous religions as the program dives into the history of the Day of the Dead. The program takes a look at the impact of colonialism on this holiday, and how those changes impact Latin America today. However, the day continues to be a celebration of humanity's relationship with death and the environment. Then, in the second half of the show, the program analyzes Mayan spirituality and its central role in Mayan culture. The news segment of the pro...
Oct 31, 2014
This week, Latin Pulse provides insight into important elections in South America: presidential races in Brazil and Uruguay. Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff is fighting for her political life as some polls show conservative challenger Aecio Neves ahead with voting coming this weekend. In Uruguay, polls show former president Tabare Vazquez is the front-runner. However, balloting this weekend may reveal he is not popular enough to avoid a second round of voting. Necessary improvements in educati...
Oct 24, 2014
This week, Latin Pulse focuses on Argentina's debt crisis. A federal judge in the U.S. is holding Argentina in contempt for failing to come up with a plan that satisfies all of its creditors from a default in 2001. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled it would not review the case, thus upholding the lower court decisions on the bond repayments. That decision triggered a second default. This case holds implications not only for Argentina's economic future, but for the position of financial outlets in New...
Oct 17, 2014
