Friday, January 27, 2012
Argentina v UK
For the past 30 years, Argentina and the UK have been fighting over the Falkland islands. Things escalated this past week when Prime Minister David Cameron referred to the Argentinians as "colonialists." The legislators and citizens of Argentina are up in arms about the comment, claiming that the UK is breaking a UN resolution by developing the islands unilaterally when there is dispute over the area. The UK says they will let the Falklands be British as long as they wish, but Argentina says they want to work towards independence. The UK is drilling in the oil-rich sea beds of the Falklands. Argentina issued a statement instructing them not to exploit the resources of the area until ownership has been settled. We will still have to see if the UK will follow these instructions. I doubt they will, considering their powerful status in the world. Both sides want to work out the issues diplomatically, but they have been working to that end for nearly 30 years. What do you think will happen with the Falklands? What is the best way to resolve the situation?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Guatemalan Drug Fight
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16570292
In Guatemala, the government has decided to crack down on drug crimes, particularly in the province of Alta Verapaz. Drug trafficking is a major problem in the area. The Zetas cartel was essentially running the province after infiltrating and corrupting the police force, so the president has ordered the military to take over. Following in the footsteps of Mexico's Felipe Calderon, the new Guatemalan president has issued a strict ban on the drug trade. Cocaine is frequently shipped from Guatemala through Mexico to the United States. This practice is detrimental to the country because the illicit drug trade lowers the legitimacy of Guatemala's crime fighting practices, especially since cartels have taken over police jobs. The new president plans to use military measures within the country to take back the province, but this allows military personnel to conduct searches without a warrant, a policy Honduras also implemented on its war on drugs. The Guatemalan president had been in office for one day when he issued this order. Do you think he's making the right decision? The drug trade is a major problem for the country, but is taking away rights that people once had an acceptable way to govern? What type of circumstances warrant suspension of people's rights? Do any? How do you think Guatemalan officials should handle the problem?
In Guatemala, the government has decided to crack down on drug crimes, particularly in the province of Alta Verapaz. Drug trafficking is a major problem in the area. The Zetas cartel was essentially running the province after infiltrating and corrupting the police force, so the president has ordered the military to take over. Following in the footsteps of Mexico's Felipe Calderon, the new Guatemalan president has issued a strict ban on the drug trade. Cocaine is frequently shipped from Guatemala through Mexico to the United States. This practice is detrimental to the country because the illicit drug trade lowers the legitimacy of Guatemala's crime fighting practices, especially since cartels have taken over police jobs. The new president plans to use military measures within the country to take back the province, but this allows military personnel to conduct searches without a warrant, a policy Honduras also implemented on its war on drugs. The Guatemalan president had been in office for one day when he issued this order. Do you think he's making the right decision? The drug trade is a major problem for the country, but is taking away rights that people once had an acceptable way to govern? What type of circumstances warrant suspension of people's rights? Do any? How do you think Guatemalan officials should handle the problem?
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