Resume of Semester in Politics.

This semester for the blog assignment I've seen several political transformations in the America's positive and negative but id like to stick with the positive. From Argentina to Canada political transformations have shaped the future of foreign policies, and how they construct a way in which the American relations are shaped abroad. From impeachments to total transformations in dialogues with old enemies, only the future has way whether this chapter will end on positive terms.

                                                                    Obama and Castro
    The most surprising event was the reunion between Obama and Castro after the reopening of both corresponding embassies after 50 years. After unsuccessfully invading Cuba with the exiles the Castro brothers sought isolation from the U.S. and after 50 years of tension and blockades president Obama finally reached out to the Cuban government which greeted him warmly his rapprochement. Still some obstacles are on the way, but what was more surprising was the level of dialogue and how fast both countries reestablished relations, and even coincided with the visit of a U.S. president something that hasn't happened in 86 years.

Rouseff and Da Silva former president.

Another event that surprised alot of media corporations was the swiftly move of the Brazilian Supreme Court against former President Luis Ignacio Lula Da Silva and Dilma Rouseff. Both are being impeached for getting funds from the oil giant Petrobras to fund their elections.  This has surprised many Brazilians as the power of their party Popular Party has weaned, thus their support has also gone down the drain. Also many Brazilians are outraged in the amount of spending on the Olympics, arguing that corruption is swallowing many funds, and those funds should be used on the people. Also crime has gone up leaving Olympic organizers whether the sites are safe. Still the impeachment and trial are underway many wait whether Dilma and Lula will go to prison or be impeached from politics.

Venezuela:Shaping the future through tough times.

The current Venezuelan government is under fire as it has systematically failed to protect and provide the Venezuelans with the basic necessities, and has been the product of shortages and violent upheavals which have pushed members of the political opposition to demand a referendum in which the current President Maduro will be up for votes whether he should continue being president or step down from office. 

Protester Demanding a Referendum

 The economical and social situation in the country has reached a critical level, as most basic necessities are hard to obtain, and along with rampant inflation and crime, most Venezuelans demand the current administration to step down. President Maduro who has been ruling the country for three years. His predecessor Hugo Chavez ruled with ruthlessness taking over most of the private companies while kicking out foreign companies without compensation for their lands or machinery. Meanwhile corruption levels in government owned companies have rendered them unusable and many haven't reached production levels as required. Meanwhile lack of investment in public utilities companies and mismanagement have led to water and power shortages, which the Venezuelans have become used to them.Crime which has soared to record highs, caused by high levels of corruption and cronyism have led to ineffective plans to fight against crime. Some gangs even are armed with grenades and high potency guns only owned by the military, which have rendered crime fighting useless.  

Main opposition leader Henrique Capriles 

Meanwhile the opposition have led to a campaign for signatures in order to hold elections and depose the current President and other high level ministers. The government has called this a conspiracy from the outside, and has responded by putting high members of the opposition in jail, and censuring the media. But in just two day the opposition managed to get more than one million signatures demanding an election to depose Nicolas Maduro the current president. 

Brazil: In the Middle of a Crisis

   Brazil is in the middle of a political crisis as Dilma Rouseff is currently being impeached due to misusing funds for the state owned Petrobras, and for allegations of campaign money fraud during the last presidential elections. Also her predecessor is being called into trial for the same charges.
 

Dilma Rouseff and Luis Ignacio Lula Da Silva

Luis Ignacio Lula Da Silva was the first populist president of Brazil, and one of the most controversial. He approached several of his adversaries with ruthlessness while increasing the accessibility for the poor to engage in the commerce and education fields, also he pursued a bilateral exchange with several populist governments which caused some controversy by right-wing movements. But the most controversial one was the corruption cases of Petrobras which is the state owned oil company. Corruption and Nepotism have flared under his administration and with Rouseff's term, causing friction with the population. Also the 2016 Olympics have had several cases of funds which have seen staggering amounts for projects which have caused protests from the population. 

Recently the Supreme Court of Brazil has opened a case against the two leaders, and has thwarted the decision of the former President to become a prime minister giving him legal immunity. Meanwhile Rousseff will be temporarily deposed as the legal battle ensues with the two populist leaders. Also if they are found guilty this would be the end of populist rule, and a big win for the right wing parties.

New York: A battlefield for the future.

 The primaries of New York will test whether the last remaining five candidates for the nomination of both parties will either end the momentum for both of the main candidates. The four main candidates have had a a time with the surge of interested voters, but the main showdown will be in the primaries of New York.
   In the Democratic field Sanders had won the last primaries and even won in Wyoming which has low voter population but still has had the lead in the primaries. But even though the momentum of Sanders has gained traction it could be derailed by the sudden win of Clinton who has a large lead against Sanders according to CNN.Sanders has attacked the democratic establishment by accusing it of being biased as the number of delegates have been misappropriately distributed among the candidate. Even though if Sanders or Hillary win there is still a long way to go for the Convention in June for the nomination of the party.
  In the Republican field the showdown between Trump and Cruz has had a very powerful lead, as both candidates have been neck to neck even though Trump has a bigger margin than Cruz. In third place Kasich can still take the lead but as the time pass the margin grows bigger and bigger. Trump who hails from New York can still keep up against Cruz, and reunite voters who are disfranchised by his platform, and gathering the voted he needs to continue the momentum.

Peru: Back to the old or the new?

The South American nation of Peru has upcoming elections that will bring the population of Peru back to the Fujimurism or to the left wing road in which the actual President Humala has taken over. But first Peru has had its share of violence and instability over the years, but recently has been called the Economic Miracle by Forbes, as it has enjoyed high levels of economic growth along with Colombia.

Keiko Fujimori who is the daughter of Alberto Fujimori a former President of Peru is one of the main contenders in the election. His dad has had his reputation of a ruthless leader who ended the Guerilla warfare in the 90's but also committed lots of violations, and a self coup d etat in which he forcefully dissolved the opposition held congress. Fujimori has been recently indicted on a trial for the violations committed during his government, but still has a lot of supporters under the conservative ranks. His daughter who also has a conservative stance has admitted violations were committed under her dad's term, but has changed the attitude of Peruvian politics. A lawyer and a congresswoman, she has had a big role in the quagmires of Peruvian politics, but always with the shadow of her dad whom she has tried to wisk away. Founding her new political party she lost the election of 2011 against populist Ollanta Humala a former military officer, and who lead a revolt against her dad in 2000. 

                                              Alberto Fujimori and Keiko Fujimori
Meanwhile the left leaning candidate Veronika Mendoza who just a few years ago wasn't known in the Peruvian political arena has risen to the polls, just behind the conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori. This is the first time two women are the favorites in the presidential race, and whoever wins will bring a new political force, or be a shadow of a controversial administration. Mendoza has pushed for a more populist model, and emphasized in social programs, while at the same time redistributing wealth and emphasizing in a people's force in order to gain support from the popular classes.

                                                          Veronika Mendoza
  Meanwhile major polls are expecting Keiko Fujimori to win by a small margin against Mendoza, and send shock waves through Latin America, as conservative parties have recently won through the continent. If Mendoza wins this will be a break in the ice for conservative rule, and give the left wing movements in Latin America who are under scrutiny.

The Undemocratic Parties of America.

This week has been a controversial week due to the fact that the Democratic Candidate Bernie Sanders has demanded that the Democratic Party be more transparent during the campaign. According to the Seattle Times Sanders demanded an investigation during the primaries in Arizona, and other states as a lot of people didn't have the opportunity to vote.

Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton

    Since the race started Sanders has denounced what he says is discrimination against his political campaign, and also the counting of the votes in primaries has led to a series of disputes between the final results over fraud and stipulation of the final results in the ballot.
  Another dilemma he has challenged is the dealings in regards to the super delegates who have had a different approach in regards to the distribution of the super delegates and how unequally the game is unfair to the candidate from Vermont. After winning the caucuses in three states, Washington, Hawaii and Alaska this past week, Sanders has urged some of the Super delegates to change their position reiterating that the Senator won at a very wide margin.

Ted Cruz and Donald Trump 

    Meanwhile on the other side of the Primaries some conservative GOP leaders such as Mitt Romney have denounced Trump's volatile declarations, and have pursued legal actions in order to invalidate Trumps campaign. Romney has denounced him as being a phony and a fraud, and has urged fellow Republicans not to nominate Trump, as he doesn't represent the true party ideals. Meanwhile Trump backfired at him bringing up the issue of the 2012 elections, and blaming him for the defeat of the GOP against Barack Obama.
  Another issue is the meddling of the candidates wife's in the elections as Trump has called out Ted Cruz's wife, and has even made it a common term during his campaign the action of lying Ted. Meanwhile Cruz has called Trump and urged respect for him and his wife, and called him intolerant and childish according to the Washington Post.

A new period in Latin America.

 As Latin America becomes more U.S. friendly, and the most anti-US country now has opened itself many politicians see this as an accomplishment by the Obama administration regarding the foreign policies he has implemented. According to the Miami Herald a positive relation with Latin American countries is a stepping stone for democracy in the Western Hemisphere.

Raul Castro and Obama

Cuba which has been a burden for the United States for the last 55 years since the beginning of the Cuban revolution has been a test for many of the American presidents since Eisenhower. Probably Kennedy had the worst burden of it all as the country was the base of several Soviet missiles, and also the embarrassment of a failed invasion of Cuban Exiles in the Bay of Pigs, which he was strongly against. President Obama took a more direct approach by engaging in direct dialogue with the Cuban government, and establishing a political power in the island.President Obama recognized differences between the two countries but believed in direct engagement, and mutual respect from both parties. But the main burden to be eliminated is the embargo which depends on the U.S. Congress to eliminate it.

Mauricio Macri and Obama

Argentina has been an ally for the United States since its founding but in recent years the Kirchenrism political force has distanced itself from the political establishments of the United States.After Macri the current President assumed the Presidency the United States has gained a new political ally in which depends on the political influence on the region. Obama also gave his condolences to the victims of the 1976 coup and the Dirty War which was supported by the United States, and also scarred alot of Argentineans due to the denial of previous administrations in regards to the role the U.S. had during these events.

Cuba: On the road-path of a new change.

  Cuba has been in the headlines these last recent days regarding the visit of President Obama and the changes that will be implemented regarding the relationship between both countries. The Obama administration in his last two years in office has made official changes in the relations between the two countries which have been hostile for the last 55 years according to the Washington times.

Cuban Leader Raul Castro with President Obama

The relations between both countries were suspended in 1961 after the Cuban Revolution took over American business and allied with the Soviet Union. Since then only word of war where exchanged and futile attempts by the exile community in Miami to topple the Castro regime. Most recently the rapprochement was due to economical benefits to the island, and due to the small but significant reforms Raul has implemented on the island. Small homerun enterprises have sprung up through the island giving way for more economical freedom to the citizens.Also the waning power of the Castro brothers is more evident, as freedom of media and education has expanded the knowledge of the Cubans . Raul who is the current head of state is due to retire in 2018 according to Cuban media. The United States wants to play a role in the democratization of Cuba if the power struggle takes shape for a successor of the leader. 

On Sunday March 20th both leaders will meet in Havana, Cuba and discuss lifting the embargo and the future of the Guantanamo Base in Southeastern Cuba. Obama will also be expected to meet several disidents in order to discuss the democratic transition that Cuba is having and support their cause.

Super Tuesday: Elections that will shape the year.

  The Super Tuesday results for the Republican and Democratic primaries have had mixed results as the leads in the polls were a surprise for many of the political analysts. Trump and Clinton are leading in the polls but not by much difference, and as the New York Times said, this is the closest primary results since the 2000 primaries.
 

Trump and Cruz

Trump still has the lead but by a small margin against Cruz, but still leads by alot of Republicans. The Republican party also split this week, as former Republican candidate Mitt Romney has accused Trump of being a scapegoat for the party. He also hinted in becoming a candidate for the Republican party. The recent declaration of Romney has caused some media news outlets to hint of a possible rift between conservative leaders in the party, while Trump ideology is somewhat radical which has caused some tensions to flare up with GOP members. Businesses men and prominent religious leaders have either supported the two candidates, or have lost trust in what is one of the most tight Republican primaries in recent years. 

Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton 

And on the other side Sanders and Clinton have had a tight race, but to the surprise of many Sanders  has had a quick momentum against Clinton, but still shortfalls against the main Democratic candidate. To many analysts she continues to ignore the criticism she receives, and aligns herself with the current President, but doesn't agree with the current issues affecting the country. Still she has aligned herself with many minorities, as had Sanders especially with the newer generations. Sanders also has alot of support with college students, as his proposals have drawn attention from them. This Saturday three states will be up for grabs, and it will gain momentum whether both candidates will get the nomination.  

Houston: The first three months of a new Mayoral term.

   The city of Houston has had a recent election marked with controversy, as a mayor who has had several run ins with the law, and his former wife has had a mark on Mayor Turners political life. According to the Houston Chronicle the leading newspaper of Houston the last term of Anisse Parker was filled with corruption and the inability to fight against some cases such as flooding and crime which went mostly unchecked under her term. 

   Mayor Turner has distanced himself from Parker’s political platform, as he sees it more damaging than helpful.  His platform was based on the pensions of the city workers payments, as some of the firefighters have been denied their pension and benefits. Also Turner has promised to keep his private life aside from his political goals, as the previous mayor pushed for several liberal agendas in an otherwise conservative city. Many see this as a move by the mayor to focus on the agenda of inclusion for everyone in a very diverse city.  But recently Turner is at odds with the governor of Texas, as he has welcomed many refugees from Syria and Iraq, but recently he governor has backlashed against what he calls sleeper cells infiltrated as refugees according to CNN. Also the conservative faction of the city, as many of his plans to simplify the budget has had a backlash.   

 

  So far Mayors Turner term in office has been a positive one, as many of the controversies affecting the city of Houston have been put on as a plan to be resolved. According to the Houston Chronicle the issue of transportation has been put on the agenda, as also has been the issue of flooding and crime. He has also implemented a plan in which he wants to repair several potholes a day, and has even created a pothole hotline for the people of Houston. 

Mexico: A clear example of the perfect dictatorship

Mexico has had some political transformations in the recent years, as hundreds of people have disappeared during recent years. But the inaction of the politicians have had consequences on the ruling party the PRI. The disappearances of the students in Iguala have tainted the reputation of the President Enrique Pena Nieto who even before being elected has caused controversy in the political sphere of Mexico. Many of the politicians who have been under the membership of the PRI have had a reputation of being corrupt such as the ex-governor of Coahuila Humberto Moreira.

Humberto Moreira 

The disappearances of the 43 students in Iguana has exposed the levels of corruption in the state of Guerrero, and the recent case of the first lady buying a million dollar home in an upscale neighborhood in Mexico City has caused the population to reject the current government. Another thing that has caused controversy in the silence of most media outlets especially the National Broadcaster Televisa who has just been a cheerleader of the National Government. 

                                    Jaime Rodriguez Calderon, and Enrique Pena Nieto
But during the last years election in the state of Nuevo Leon Jaime Rodriguez Calderon who jumped the Talanquera or political party from the PRI to running as an independent candidate. His campaign was very controversial, as the main media corporations were against the candidate platform, but to the surprise of the political spectators Rodriguez Calderon won by a very wide margin against the PAN candidate by 30 points. Many candidates have decided to follow Calderon's example, and are planning now to run as independent's and disdain the political groups that have hampered the North American nation.
  Still the media is influenced by the big politicians who pour a lot of money and intimidate anyone who rises up again the government. For example 30 journalists have been killed just in the current administration, and thousands have disappeared, and many live in exile, because of the drug cartels or the Mexican government.

Venezuela: A battle for the country's future.

Venezuela: In the cross paths of a regime change.

 The country of Venezuela has experienced a change of government in this year. The opposition has won the legislative camera, and have now been an obstacle for many of the presidential changes Nicolas Maduro has wanted to implement. He has ruled with absolute power, as the government controlled legislative assembly gave special powers to the President to fight against what the government supporters say is a foreign conspiracy against the country.

Venezuela for the last 17 years has been ruled by a socialist-democratic government, but as Hugo Chavez successor has leaned more to radical changes in the government, as he has imprisoned major opposition leaders, and closed the border with neighboring Colombia, something that seemed impossible under Chavez's term.But also Maduro's term has been hampered with high inflation, and a political crisis that has summoned many citizens to endure long lines to buy basic supplies, at very high prices. Also Maduro has tightened the selling of dollars to private companies, which have hampered production of many materials, thus increasing the market's dependence on foreign imports. 

                                 Nicolas Maduro and Henrique Capriles opposition leader.
   But as the tight elections in December 6 came to a close, many in Latin America were surprised to see how the opposition who have dealt with severe blows, and division within itself won by a very large margin. But some in the opposition have called openly for the revocation of the President, while others want to focus on the economy. This has caused a stagnation with the various presidential and legislative duties, which now have been dealing with a dead match between each other, thus hampering any type of reconciliation with the main two political powers.
 

Nicolas Maduro & Henry Ramos Allup

Recently the president of the legislative assembly has called for a revocation of the president which will start next month on April, He has admitted that the country's recovery will start when the government attitude changes towards the opposition, or the government will have to go.

Iowa: A new road map has just begun.

                Last Monday the first primary election for both the democrats and republicans was held in the state of Iowa. The results where surprising, as trump was expected to win by a large margin according to several polls made prior to the election. And on the democrat side Sanders and Hillary where Clinton lead him by only 3 delegates. The primary shows how much of an influence the platforms of the candidates influence the polls regarding the outreach the candidate has.
   In the republican side Donald Trump was expected to win as a majority of the polls made in the state gave him a margin of defeating Senator Ted Cruz, But many of the voters feel more connected to Cruz, as he hails from a conservative family, appealing to the mainly christian voters in the state.
Meanwhile the polls in New Hampshire point to a big win for the mogul. Trump leads in mostly all polls against Cruz but this will be proven on Tuesday if the polls tell the truth.

                                                        Trump and Cruz


                                                     Sanders and Clinton
     In the democratic side Sanders and Clinton both surprised voters when both ended tie to tie, surprising many, as Clinton was expected to lead in the primaries. Clinton and Sanders have both had very similar proposals, but Sanders have distanced himself form the Obama's administration subjects during his presidential term. Meanwhile Clinton has praised the Obama administration while failing to acknowledge his wrongdoings.
  For the polls in New Hampshire Sanders is leading by almost 20 points, and is expected to win in the primaries on Tuesday. Nationwide Sanders is winning by a slim margin over Clinton.

Argentina:A new rise behind a troubled past.

    Argentina has just had presidential elections in November 22. But this has just been an example in how polarized the country has been since the rise of the Kirchnerism political movement. But all this has started more than have a century ago since the rise of the Peronism which has similar ideals than the Kirchenrists. The Peronisms Juan and Eva Peron ruled Argentina with huge social spending, and at the same time welcomed many new immigrants that were fleeing devastated Europe. Their rule was marked by social stability, and wealth fare for all, but for some disgruntled officials it meant the beginning of communism. After a coup which overthrew Peron a military junta took over destroying much of the Peronism era. But after coming back to exile Jaun Peron again ruled but with his less popular wife Isabel who was overthrown after he had suddenly died. A new and oppresive regime soon followed to which many Argentinians remember as the Dirty War. Soon after the demise of the regime, was the eventual democracy ,but with many economical challenges especially in the late 90's and early 2000's in which the IMF suggested Argentina to cut back on spending leaving many without jobs, and aid. This economical actions affected everyone, and with high inflation values, gave rise to the political movement called Peronism. Nestor Kirchner was elected based on the ideal of social welfare, and eliminating the controls that the IMF had imposed on Argentina.

Macri and Cristina

The political movement also gave rise to an opposition who viewed the government as an ally to communist countries, and as of an oppressive regime who wished to control every aspect of the political and social being of the country. One of the most prominent leaders in the opposition  Mauricio Macri was elected governor to the Buenos Aires Province, which further complicated the relationship between him and the National government headed by Cristina Nestor's successor, which many compare them to the Peron's. 

Macri and Cristina

Recently during the latest elections the relationship was further strewn when Cristina refused to hand over the presidency, and delegated powers to a  temporary successor who was going to be the one who handed over the power. Also Cristina refused to have any type of meeting with Macri or the opposition movement, and left the Presidential House empty, and without greeting the new Presidential family.