Honduras broke diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March and then established diplomatic relations with the Republic of China the same month. Dr. Moncada was appointed back in June, but he wasn't sworn in until this week. Honduras is the latest country to shift its foreign policy away from Taiwan, growing its diplomatic and economic ties with Beijing.
Bernardo Arévalo won with 58% of the votes against the former first lady Sandra Torres, who got 37% of the vote. Despite winning the elections, the Semilla (seed) party was temporarily suspended by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal in Guatemala on dubious allegations. The suspension of the party will affect fundraising efforts, and their members elected to Congress will not be able to hold committee assignments.
During his campaign for the presidency, Petro promised major changes and initiatives that would take place during his time in office, including a focus on expanding peace processes with armed groups, environmental protection, and social welfare in historically neglected parts of Colombia. However, a year in, Petro has largely failed to deliver on his campaign goals and is facing major challenges in his administration's efforts via crumbling legislative support, personal scandals, and increasing disapproval from Colombia’s populace with their new leader.
Ciudad Juárez in northern Mexico “has long prided itself on absorbing waves of newcomers” and has served as a pitstop for migrants aiming to enter the United States. However, it has turned into a permanent hub for those who have been sent back by U.S. authorities or who are waiting to apply to enter the U.S. legally. Part of the reasoning for this influx of migrants to the city is due to a deal that the U.S. Biden administration has made with Mexico – the U.S. can expel Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans to Mexico in exchange for creating legal pathways for them to pass into the United States.
On April 6, the United Nations ruled to “reject Venezuela’s challenge to the case’s admissibility” meaning that the ICJ officially has jurisdiction over the border dispute case. Guyana has asked the court "to rule that the 1899 border decision is valid and binding on both countries." Should the court rule favor Venezuela, Guyana could lose up to half its territory. However, should the court rule in favor of Guyana, it has the potential to become one of the largest oil producers in Latin America.
Honduras is the fifth Central American ally to shift away from Taiwan since 2017 – El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic have all rejected Taiwan. Taiwan will be left with only 13 diplomatic allies if this change is officialized. By not engaging China in diplomatic ties, Honduras was missing out on more economic opportunities like the$300 million hydroelectric dam built in the middle of the country.
Lawmakers have “refused to move forward with a proposed tax reform meant to finance key elements of the president’s progressive agenda”. The proposed reform would collect 3.6% of GDP, propose a mining royalty, and “included adjustments for income tax, a wealth tax, the reduction of exemptions, measures against evasion, and greater spending on tax incentives”. As promised by the government, the additional revenue was meant to “fund future reforms in the pension and health systems”.
Haitian President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in his home on July 7, 2021 and police suspected a “hit squad of mainly foreign mercenaries” to be responsible. While the investigation into President Moise’s death in Haiti has paused, investigations have proceeded to the United States since it is allegedly Haitian-American citizens who came up with the plan. The U.S. now has a total of seven suspects in custody.
Senator Do Val alleges of having “met with Bolsonaro and lawmaker Daniel Silveira on Dec. 9 at the presidential residence” which is where the discussion of the plot took place. Supreme Court Justice, Alexandre de Moraes, has confirmed that this is the same information the senator shared with him. However, Moraes has also ordered Do Val to “provide sworn testimony to federal police within five days as part of Supreme Court investigation into the January 8 riots”.
Thousands gathered in protest in the capital of Lima, including people from remote Andean regions, to "demand [President] Boluarte's resignation, immediate elections and the dissolution of Congress," along with redrafting the country's constitution. The use of tear gas and pellets on Tuesday is no surprise since Boluarte has answered the protests with repression and violence by deploying military forces, refusing to acknowledge the demands being made, and labeling the protestors far-left agitators. President Boluarte has since called for a political truce.
The Patterson Journal of International Affairs 