Brazil, Latin America: Week in Review
Brazil Supreme Court Appoints First Black President
October 11, 2012 By Staff
Top Story — The Brazilian Supreme Court appointed the first black presiding judge, Joaquim Barbosa, on Wednesday.
Judge Joaquim Barbosa, 58, was appointed by ex-President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2003 and became the first black judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court.
More recently, he has been known for overseeing the “Mensalão,” or “big monthly allowance” case, which convicted senior members of ex-President Lula’s administration for corruption.
Barbosa will take his post once the “Mensalão” trial ends.
Headlines from the Western Hemisphere
North America
- The Mexican Navy said on Wednesday that the killing of Zetas leader Heriberto Lazcano was accidental.
- Tourism in Mexico is growing as U.S visits drop and tourism from other countries rises.
- Undocumented immigrants who are victims of domestic abuse are most negatively affected by SB1070, Tucson May Day Coalition said.
Caribbean
- Cuba closed hundreds of medical facilities due to a reorganization of its health sector, according to figures released by the National Office of Statistics.
- Trinidad’s National Security Minister, Jack Warner, banned the release of crime reports and statistics on Tuesday.
- 1,455 pounds of cocaine bound for the U.S were seized in Puerto Rico, federal authorities said on Wednesday.
Central America
- Honduras’ Attorney General and the Dominican Republic’s Drugs Control Agency Director said on Wednesday that the two countries will collaborate to combat drug trafficking.
- Guatemalan President Otto Pérez Molina pledged to not use the military to break up protests and demonstrations after the backlash over troops killing 8 and injuring 34 protesters last week.
Andes
- Re-elected Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez named Foreign Minister Nicolás Maduro as his new Vice-President.
- The Family of Alberto Fujimori, former Peruvian President and dictator, has requested his pardon and release from prison due to of health problems.
- Colombia and U.S. charities, along with other sponsors, launched a multi-million dollar project provide safe drinking water and sewage sanitation.
Southern Cone
- A Chilean bishop, Marco Antonio Ordenes, has resigned over pedophilia accusations.
- Brazilian indigenous demonstrators shut down construction of the Belo Monte dam on Tuesday.
Image: Governo de Minas Gerais @ Flickr
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