Around the Hemisphere - Thursday Edition

The U.S. elections swiftly approach, and Latin America has virtually fallen off the political radar in this country. Not to blame the candidates for that; pretty much all foreign policy issues, even Iraq, are taking a backseat to the economy these days. Still events in Latin America roll on, and we can't stop paying attention:

• Russia offers to help Bolivia…fight narco-trafficking? Seems like an odd combination to me, but then again Russia has been rather active in the region of late, perhaps looking to further expand its influence in the hemisphere.
  

• McCain is losing ground among U.S. Hispanics. Another area where his campaign is failing to adapt to realities on the ground…
  

• Condaleeza Rice is in Mexico to address increasing drug violence. Hope she has better luck there than she did in the Middle East.
  

• The Pemex vote is imminent in Mexico’s legislature. The debate is whether parts of the state-run oil company should be privatized, and how much autonomy the company will have in decision making.
  

• Fujimori’s “Megatrial” in Peru suspended as the former president falls ill and is taken to the hospital. Looks like he’s screwed anyway.
  

• Ties between Cuba and the European Union were formally restored after five years of limited relations. This includes a $30 million humanitarian aid package for hurricane relief. The question now: Will Obama finally make the bold move of lifting the embargo?

Foto: Latuff