Joo know what time it is?

 In the last two weeks, Latin America has been faced with some of their greatest challenges in recent history.

On September 30, 2010 Ecuadorian police officers rioted and revolted against President Rafael Correa due to cuts in their benefits. The officers walked off the job and did not provide any police action, which quickly prompted the Army to assume security detail to keep Ecuador in order. In the United States, we are used to seeing police deal with rioters (especially in El Lay) but many in the US would never even think of police officers themselves conducting a riot. The situation quickly turned from bad to worse when President Correa himself went to a police barracks to confront the protesting officers. Tear gas was launched at the president and forced him to take refuge in a hospital, from the hospital and using a loudspeaker he made a statement “If you want to kill the president, here he is! Kill him, if you want to! Kill him if you are brave enough!” President Correa was rescued that evening by a commando unit. Ecuador is still in a state of emergency and the police officers responsible for the attack will be punished with no chance for a pardon.

 

Despite all the violence in Ecuador, Latin America should be proud of a major accomplishment. Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa (who my family had the pleasure of knowing him) won the Nobel Prize for Literature on Thursday October 7, 2010. His work is mostly related to the political conditions of Latin America and was once a Peruvian presidential candidate in 1990.  Mexican president, Felipe Calderon praised Vargas Llosa stating that his accomplishment is a tribute to “Latin American pride”. He is currently teaching Latin American studies at Princeton University. Congratulations, Sir!

 

Chile can now rest a little bit easier this week, the Chilean miners who have been trapped underground for sixty-six days will be seeing daylight soon. Chilean rescue workers have been drilling into the mine shaft, and the plan is to lower a capsule down the shaft to rescue the men from the collapsed mine. The men appear to be in good spirits, and an entire nation will celebrate their rescue. Chile has recently celebrated their bicentennial and the nation will once again rejoice.

By Exiled Writer – Political Contributor to chismetime.com

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