America.gov-The Americas

Obama Tells Blogger He Wants Greater Freedom for Cubans

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:21:17 -0500

President Obama responds to a set of questions posed by Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez about the U.S.-Cuban relationship, and praises Sanchez and her fellow bloggers for their “efforts to empower fellow Cubans to express themselves” and project their voices through technology.

U.S. Congress Studying Current Restrictions on Travel to Cuba

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:59:54 -0500

The U.S. Congress is looking at removing a decades-old policy that restricts travel by Americans to Cuba. Legislation introduced in Congress would abolish travel restrictions to Cuba. Action on the legislation likely will be delayed while Congress grapples with other pressing legislative issues.

Delayed Honduran Vote on Zelaya Not Counter to Accord, U.S. Says

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:32:56 -0500

The United States wants Honduran President Manuel Zelaya restored to power in a timely manner, but says the Honduran Congress’ decision to delay the vote until after the November 28 presidential election does not violate an accord brokered through the Organization of American States.

Educating Indigenous Latin American Youth

Sharon Carper — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:44:48 -0500

If “it takes a village to raise a child,” what happens when the child leaves the village and returns as an educated individual to help his people? How easy is it for the student to become a contributing member of society? Two men with experience in indigenous peoples education talk to America.gov.

Loss of Ecuador Base Leaves Gap in Counternarcotics Surveillance

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:21:04 -0500

U.S. officials view the 10-year lease of an Ecuadorean air base at Manta as having been a major success in stemming the flow of cocaine northward, but are concerned that the departure of American personnel leaves a gap in the ability to spot and disrupt trafficking operations in the eastern Pacific.

United States Bolsters Environmental Expertise in Latin America

Bridget Hunter — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:31:23 -0500

With nearly 40 percent of the planet’s biodiversity, Latin America has a rich environmental heritage, but it lacks trained environmental stewards. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is partnering with Flora & Fauna International to develop university-level training for professional conservationists.

First Lady Honors After-School Arts Projects That Inspire Youth

Jeffrey Thomas — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:30:40 -0500

First lady Michelle Obama honored 19 after-school programs at the White House November 4, presenting each with a Coming Up Taller Award. Youth programs in Mexico, China and Egypt were among the honorees. The programs exemplify how arts and humanities programs can affect the lives of young people.

Latin American Women Entrepreneurs Get Business Development Help

Sharon Carper — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:57:53 -0500

An October State Department-sponsored conference in Washington to help entrepreneurs from the Western Hemisphere improve their business opportunities was unique. All the entrepreneurs were women. The conference was part of State’s Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas initiative.

Young Leaders of Grass-Roots Movements Meet in Mexico City

Lauren Monsen — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:59:42 -0500

When Web-based activists gathered in Mexico City recently for the Alliance of Youth Movements Summit, they spoke about their experiences in using the power of the Internet to achieve positive social change. As their stories reveal, technology now facilitates civic involvement around the world.

Senate Vote Marks Next Step in Complex Effort to Close Guantánamo

Howard Cincotta — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:08:15 -0500

Efforts to close the detention facility at the Guantánamo Bay Naval Station reflect the complexity of ensuring due process as well as national security. The U.S. Senate votes to allow government transfer of prisoners from Guantánamo to U.S. federal courts for prosecution.

Honduras Agreement Important Example for Latin American Democracy

Stephen Kaufman — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:17:14 -0500

Secretary Clinton praises Honduran leaders for their agreement to peacefully end the country’s political crisis stemming from the June 28 coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya. She describes the agreement as “a big step forward” for democracy within the inter-American system.

Honduran Negotiators Only Need Political Will to Reach Agreement

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:42:43 -0500

The U.S. delegation sent to Tegucigalpa to help facilitate talks between Honduras’ de facto government and President Zelaya has been asked to stay longer. Ambassador Shannon, who heads the delegation, says an agreement between the two sides will help legitimize November 29 elections.

Ambassador Rice’s Remarks on U.N. Resolution on Cuba

Amor Safi — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:37:55 -0500

Ambassador Susan Rice, the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations, responds to the U.N. General Assembly vote against the United States on Cuba.

Clubs Help Mayan Girls in Guatemala Stay in School

Burton Bollag — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:04:44 -0500

In rural Guatemala, where nearly half the population is Mayan Indian, girls typically end their education early and get married soon thereafter. The pattern contributes to deep poverty. But girls clubs are making a difference by helping girls to stay in school.

Pathways Envoys Inspire Entrepreneurs

Sharon Carper — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:49:57 -0500

Forty Latin American women entrepreneurs of exceptional merit came together in Washington October 7–9 for a conference aimed at giving them the tools to expand upon and deepen their success. The State Department-sponsored conference was part of the Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas initiative.

Clinton Sends U.S. Officials to Honduras to Urge End to Crisis

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:55:41 -0500

With the legitimacy of Honduras’ November elections in jeopardy due to a continuing political dispute, Secretary of State Clinton sends U.S. officials to the country for talks to resolve the crisis resulting from the June 28 coup that ousted President Zelaya.

In Helping Students, Intel Is Good Neighbor in Costa Rica

Kathryn McConnell — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:57:29 -0500

Because U.S.-based Intel Corporation, the largest company in Costa Rica, helps students, the environment and the economy in the Central American country, it has been nominated as a finalist for the U.S. secretary of state’s Award for Corporate Excellence.

Office Supply Company in Argentina Commits to Workers, Community

Melissa Quijada — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:32:52 -0500

Officenet Staples in Argentina is committed to corporate responsibility, as seen by its efforts to sustain the environment, embrace diversity and help the community with donations, fundraising and other programs. Officenet is a finalist for the State Department’s Award for Corporate Excellence.

TOMS Shoes Donates One Pair of Shoes for Every Pair Purchased

Louise Fenner — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:00:28 -0500

Is it a business or a charity? TOMS Shoes has managed to build a profitable retail business and, in the process, to give away more than 150,000 pairs of shoes to poor children around the world. It has been nominated for the State Department’s 2009 Award for Corporate Excellence.

Cell Phone Company Gives Back to Its Community in Haiti

Jeffrey Thomas — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:17:46 -0500

Trilogy International Partners of Bellevue, Washington, is a finalist for the State Department’s 2009 Award for Corporate Excellence for the work its subsidiary ComCEL/Voilà has done to improve lives and educational opportunities in Haiti.

Hispanic Women Entrepreneurs Gather in Washington

Sharon Carper — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:26:31 -0500

The Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas initiative is promoting women’s business connections. The Women’s Entrepreneurial Conference in Washington will link women to markets, finances, technology, and to other women experienced in trade.

Statement on Third Americas Competitiveness Forum

Janelle Simmons — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:49:33 -0500

The State Department releases a statement on the Third Americas Competitiveness Forum in the Western Hemisphere.

Agreement on Colombian Bases Does Not Increase U.S. Presence

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:52:34 -0500

A recent agreement with Colombia formalizes existing U.S. access to certain Colombian military facilities to cooperate against drug trafficking and armed insurgents, a State Department official says. It does not create new bases or increase the presence of American personnel in the country.

United States Calls for Restoration of Honduran Civil Liberties

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:06:28 -0500

The United States expresses grave concerns after the de facto Honduran regime of Roberto Micheletti suspends fundamental civil liberties and political rights in its ongoing efforts to suppress opposition and arrest ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

Vying for a Slice of One State’s Growing Hispanic Consumer Market

Andrzej Zwaniecki — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:14:20 -0500

Hispanics boost the U.S. economy, and increasingly American businesses try to tap into their growing buying power. “Even French restaurants have Mexican chefs,” says one researcher, referring to the contributions of Hispanics to the economy and their buying clout.

Economic Forum Set for Chile

Edmund F. Scherr — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:42:52 -0500

Financing in times of economic crisis, energy and the environment are among topics for the Americas Competitiveness Forum, September 27–29 in Santiago, Chile. The forum is the only venue in the hemisphere that brings together various groups to work for improving regional economic competitiveness.

Hispanics, the Largest U.S. Minority, Enrich the American Mosaic

Louise Fenner — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:59:26 -0500

Hispanics, the largest and fastest-growing minority in the United States, are changing U.S. society and culture. Latinos fill several top positions in the U.S. government, and more and more products, advertising and media — both English and Spanish — are directed at Hispanic consumers.

Statement on Situation in Honduras

Amor Safi — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:34:00 -0500

The State Department releases an updated statement on the situation in Honduras.

Inter-American Network Fights Region’s Poverty, Social Inequality

Eric Green — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:23:22 -0500

A social protection network has been launched in the Americas to fight regional inequality and poverty. Secretary Clinton says the Inter-American Social Protection Network will help the people of the Western Hemisphere by making it possible for citizens to invest in their futures.

Clinton, Arias Call for Calm, Talks Among Honduran Leaders

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:25:54 -0500

Now is the moment for Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and the leaders of the de facto Honduran government to reach an agreement for the benefit of the people, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says. “We just want to see this matter resolved peacefully,” Clinton adds.