Argentina, Latin America: Week in Review
Argentine Supreme Court Allows Abortion For Victims of Rape
March 14, 2012 By Staff
Today in Latin America
Top Story — Argentina’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled Tuesday that abortion is legal for victims of rape in the country, clarifying an ambiguous 1922 law. Previously, some courts had interpreted the law to apply only to women with mental disabilities. Tuesday’s Supreme Court ruling revolved around the case of a fifteen year-old girl who was raped by her stepfather, with the high court upholding a decision by a provincial court that the girl could have an abortion. The Supreme Court said that a delay over the meaning of the law had in some cases endangered the health of women waiting to know if they could perform the procedure, and urged judges not to intervene in cases of rape. The head of Argentina’s bishops conference, Monsignor Jose Maria Arancedo, criticized the ruling by saying, “There is nothing that justifies the elimination of an innocent life, not even the lamentable and sad case of rape.” Cuba and Guyana are the only Latin American nations to have fully legalized abortion.
Read more from The Chicago Tribune.
Headlines from the Western Hemisphere
North America
- A law approved Tuesday by Mexico’s Senate makes attacks against journalists a federal crime.
- Federal officials unveiled Tuesday a new immigration detention center intended to provide a less penal setting for detainees.
- A senior Mexican government official said that an agreement on whether to increase contributions to the International Monetary Fund may be reached next month.
Caribbean
- Cuba Cardinal Jaime Ortega is scheduled to address the nation about the visit later this month of Pope Benedict XVI.
- A Haitian man was killed on the campus of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, while a young student of Haitian origin was injured.
Central America
- The political party of former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya will be able to participate in the country’s elections in 2013.
- Panamanian authorities seized 1.4 tons of cocaine and arrested three Colombians on a boat near the country’s Pacific coast.
- Nicaragua allegedly aided in the capture of Alejandro Jimenez, who is involved in the murder of deceased songwriter Facundo Cabral.
Andes
- Health officials in the northern region of Peru report a doubling of dengue fever cases so far this year compared to the same period in 2011.
- Ecuadoran prosecutors said that armed attacks against foreigners, such as one recent hostage situation, have happened in the past.
- Peruvians feel robbed over a decision by the U.S. courts to give Spain 17 tons of silver and gold coins taken from Peru.
Southern Cone
- The first charges against Brazilian government representatives during the country’s military dictatorship have been filed by prosecutors.
- A Paraguayan senator will use the mansion modeled on the one used in the film “Gone with the Wind.”
- Rumors have spread that the controversial Uruguayan soccer star Luis Suárez could walk away from his contract with Liverpool this summer.
Image: Gabby DC @ Flickr.
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