Welcome to WTF is Going on in Latin America &amp; The Caribbean, CODEPINK&#39;s weekly podcast of hot news out of Latin America and The Caribbean with host Teri Mattson. Each week features a country and/or issue related to the affects of U.S. foreign, economic and/or military influence and intervention in the hemisphere of The Americas. Our guests include academics, policy-makers, journalists as well as activists recognized for their groundwork within local communities and movements.CODEPINK is a women-led grassroots organization working to end U.S. wars and militarism, support peace and human rights initiatives, and redirect our tax dollars into healthcare, education, green jobs and other life-affirming programs. Join us! <a href="https://www.codepink.org/" rel="nofollow">https://www.codepink.org/</a>SIGN UP FOR EMAIL UPDATES: <a href="https://www.codepink.org/join_us_today" rel="nofollow">https://www.codepink.org/join_us_today</a>Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/codepinkalert" rel="nofollow"> https://www.facebook.com/codepinkalert</a>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/codepinkalert/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/codepinkalert/</a>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/codepink" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/codepink</a>Learn more about our Broadcast Partners:<a href="https://friendsoflatinamerica.org/" rel="nofollow">Friends of Latin America</a><a href="https://masspeaceaction.org/" rel="nofollow">Massachusetts Peace Action</a><a href="https://taskforceamericas.org/" rel="nofollow">Task Force on the Americas</a>

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This episode was broadcast live from Managua, Nicaragua three days after the inauguration of President Daniel Ortega and Vice-President Rosario Murillo. It is a conversation with journalists Camila Escalante of <a href="https://kawsachunnews.com/" rel="nofollow">Kawsachun News</a> and Fiorella Mayorca and Jonathan Mayorca of <a href="https://theconvocouch.com/home/" rel="nofollow">The Convo Couch</a> all of whom attended the inauguration on January 10.We discuss events leading up to the re-election of the Nicaraguan President and Vice-President and what the continuation of their administration means for the Hemisphere of the Americas.A few things of regional importance included in the conversation: since winning re-election on November 7, the Ortega government has announced that Nicaragua will leave the OAS and also return to the recognition of The People&#39;s Republic of China. As part of the inauguration ceremony November 10, President Ortega announced that Nicaragua will join the Belt and Road Initiative.Follow:Camila Escalante <a href="https://twitter.com/camilapress" rel="nofollow">@camilapress</a>Fiorella Mayorca <a href="https://twitter.com/Fiorella_im" rel="nofollow">@Fiorella_im</a>Jonathan Mayorca <a href="https://twitter.com/JonathanMayorca" rel="nofollow">@JonathanMayorca</a>Kawsachun News <a href="https://twitter.com/KawsachunNews" rel="nofollow">@KawsachunNews</a>The Convo Couch <a href="https://twitter.com/theconvocouch" rel="nofollow">@theconvocouch</a>

Nicaragua Vive:  a post-inauguration conversation

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On December 19, a left of center millennial who rose to prominence during anti-government protests in 2019 was elected Chile’s next president after a bruising campaign against a free-market firebrand likened to Donald Trump.With 56% of the votes, Gabriel Boric handily defeated, by more than 10 points, lawmaker José Antonio Kast, who tried unsuccessfully to scare voters that his inexperienced opponent would become a puppet of his allies in Chile’s Communist Party and upend the country’s vaunted reputation as Latin America’s neoliberal prototype.In a model of democratic civility that broke from the polarizing rhetoric of the campaign, Kast immediately conceded defeat.  Meanwhile, outgoing President Sebastian Pinera — a conservative billionaire — held a video conference with Boric to offer his government’s full support during the three month transition.Among many things, Boric campaigned with the promise to fight climate change by blocking a proposed mining project in what is the world’s largest copper producing nation.He also promised to end Chile’s private pension system — the hallmark of the neoliberal economic model imposed by the dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet.He has said, “We are a generation that emerged in public life demanding our rights be respected as rights and not treated like consumer goods or a business.  We know there continues to be justice for the rich, and none for the poor, and we no longer will permit that the poor keep paying the price of Chile’s inequality.”Joining us this episode to discuss this historic victory in Chile is friend and guest Patricio Zamorano who is a political analyst and the Director of <a href="https://www.coha.org/" rel="nofollow">The Council of Hemispheric Affairs</a>. Patricio is a Chilean citizen living in the US and voted on December 19 at the Chilean Embassy in Washington DC.

Neoliberalism Dies in Chile

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On November 30th, just two days after historic presidential elections in Honduras, conservative ruling party candidate Nasry Asfura conceded defeat in the Presidential Election paving the way for his Libre Party rival Xiomara Castro to become the first female leader of the Central American country. With over 52 percent of the votes tallied by the evening of November 30, Castro had 53.4 percent support.Although the electoral council has not published preliminary vote totals for congressional races, early results point to a possible majority for Castro&#39;s Libre Party and its main allies.As Asfura&#39;s concession brings to an end a turbulent period under the US supported National Party which has been dogged by scandals and corruption accusations especially during the two terms of outgoing President Juan Orland Hernandez.Hernandez is deeply unpopular and has been implicated in a drug trafficking case in a US federal court. His brother is already in prison. He denies wrongdoing but could face an indictment when he leaves office.Castro&#39;s victory will see the center-left return to power after a 12-year hiatus that followed the ousting of her husband, former president Manuel Zelaya, in a US backed coup in 2009.Joining today&#39;s conversation to discuss the historic presidential elections in Honduras on November 28th is journalist Alina Duarte. Alina hosts and produces a Sunday afternoon news hour on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/sincensuraMedia" rel="nofollow">Sin Censura</a>. She is a reporter for Canal Catorce in Mexico City and is also a journalist with <a href="https://twitter.com/NuestraRedMx" rel="nofollow">Nuestra Red</a>.Alina and I were election observers with <a href="https://cespad.org.hn/" rel="nofollow">CESPAD</a> (Centro de Estudio para Democracia) in Honduras on November 28th. She with the Nuestra Red contingent and me with the <a href="https://globalexchange.org/" rel="nofollow">Global Exchange</a> team.

Honduras Elects a New Future

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On November 30, 2021 in an overnight ceremony in the capital, Bridgetown, Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as president.The new era for Barbados ends Britain&#39;s centuries of influence, including more than 200 years when the island was a hub for the transatlantic slave trade.Dame Sandra Mason, 72, the island&#39;s governor-general since 2018, was named as president-elect of the nation following a vote in parliament last month. She now replaces the Queen as the head of state.Barbados announced its plan to become a republic last year, but it will remain within the Commonwealth.It was one of England&#39;s first slave colonies. English settlers first occupied the island in 1627 and, under British control, it became a sugar plantation economy using enslaved people brought in from Africa.Slavery was abolished in Barbados in 1834 and the country became fully independent in 1966.With a population of about 285,000 people, Barbados is one of the more populous and prosperous Caribbean islands.Joining us this episode to celebrate the newly created Republic of Barbados is David Denny, General Secretary of the Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration, President of Cuban-Barbadian Friendship Association and General Secretary of Friends of Venezuela Solidarity Committee Barbados

The End of the Reign, Barbados becomes a Republic

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Today I am joined in conversation with my friend and CODEPINK team mate Leonardo Flores. Leo holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Maryland and he dropped out of a master’s program at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy to work as an analyst of U.S.-Venezuela relations. Leonardo was born in Venezuela and maintains close ties to social movements that have transformed the country over the past twenty years. In this episode, we will focus on the November 21 Mega Elections in Venezuela where I served as an internal observer and of which Leo has written a terrific article: <a href="https://www.laprogressive.com/left-won-in-venezuela/" rel="nofollow">Why the Left Won in Venezuela in Five Steps</a>

A Big Win for Venezuela's Mega Elections

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This episode was recorded live in Managua, Nicaragua on November 10, 2021, three days after President Daniel Ortega and Vice-President Rosario Murillo won re-election. The November 7 Presidential elections in Nicaragua were the first in a series of elections throughout Latin America and the Caribbean over the course of the month.Joining the conversation are delegates who traveled to Nicaragua in October to observe conditions prior to Election Day and others who were on-the-ground serving as international observers on November 7.Guests include:Yoav Elinevsky, Latin America Working Group of <a href="https://masspeaceaction.org/" rel="nofollow">Massachusetts Peace Action</a>Stansfield Smith, <a href="https://chicagoalbasolidarity.org/" rel="nofollow">Chicago ALBA Solidarity</a>Michelle Munjanattu who accompanied the November 7, 2021 elections as a member of the <a href="https://friendsatc.org/" rel="nofollow">Friends of the ATC</a> observation delegation.

Nicaragua Post Election Day

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The month of November 2021 is filled with elections across much of Central America beckoning many of us to say that the hemisphere will look very different economically and politically at the end of the month versus how it is comprised today.  This month we will witness elections on:November 7: Presidential Elections NicaraguaNovember 14: Legislative Elections in ArgentinaNovember 21: Presidential Elections in Chile and Regional and Municipal elections in VenezuelaNovember 28: Presidential Elections in HondurasThis episode will focus on the upcoming elections in Nicaragua, Venezuela and Honduras.My guest co-host for this episode is Fred Mills, Deputy Director of the <a href="https://www.coha.org" rel="nofollow">Council on Hemispheric Affairs</a> and Professor of Philosophy at Bowie State University. We are most fortunate to be joined in conversation by three knowledgeable representatives of each country. The first elections this month are in Nicaragua on November 7. These will be Presidential elections with incumbent Daniel Ortega the front runner. Commentary is provided by Camilo Mejia. Camilo is a Nicaraguan activist based in Miami, Florida. Camilo is a veteran and conscientious objector of the war in Iraq, where he witnessed crimes against humanity by the U.S. military.Next we discuss Venezuela where regional and municipal elections will take place on Sunday, November 21. Leonard Flores of <a href="https://www.codepink.org/" rel="nofollow">CODEPINK&#39;s </a>Latin America team leads the discussion. Leo holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Maryland. He dropped out of a master’s program at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy to work as an analyst of U.S.-Venezuela relations. Leonardo was born in Venezuela and maintains close ties to social movements that have transformed the country over the past twenty years.In closing we discuss the November 28 Presidential elections in Honduras. Lucy Pagoada-Quesada joins us for this segment. Lucy is a NYC Department of Education teacher, Human Rights Defender, The Coordinator of The LIBRE Party US-Canada and The Producer of the program<a href="https://www.facebook.com/WBAIVoicesofResistance/" rel="nofollow"> ‘Voices of Resistance&#39;</a> at WBAI 99.5 fm NY. Sunday’s at 1pm ET

November 2021 Elections in Honduras, Nicaragua and Venezuela

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Guest: La Jornada journalist Angel Guerra CabreraThis episode is bi-lingual: Spanish and EnglishOn October 18-19  in Qingdao, Cuba was introduced as a new member of the Belt and Road Energy Initiative Partnership during the partnership’s second ministerial conference.Cuba joins Bolivia, Venezuela and Suriname as the fourth Latin American country to become a member of the energy partnership.In 2019, officially joined the then four-year old Belt and Road initiative, which is planning to disburse $8 trillion for infrastructure projects mostly in developing nations around the globe.On October 20, 2021:  A shipment of the Cuban Abdala and Soberana Covid-19 vaccines was received in Nicaragua. Health Minister Martha Reyes reported that &#34;the shipment contains 1.2 million doses authorized by MINSA for voluntary immunization of children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 17. &#34; The Minister also noted that the Soberana and Abdala vaccines have a triple dose application protocol showing an efficacy rate above 90% in preventing severe cases. This is the first shipment of the 7 million doses purchased by Nicaragua through the Cuban organization of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries (CUBAFARMA). November 15: the Cuban government will fully open its borders to tourism by expanding arrivals from around the world including the United States.To discuss these recent developments and more, we are joined by La Jornada journalist Angel Guerra Cabrera who is from Cuba and currently lives and works here in Mexico City

Vaccines, Protests and the Cuban Youth

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Guest: Todd Miller, author of Build Bridges, Not Walls and Empire of BordersIn this episode, we are joined in conversation with Todd Miller, author of Build Bridges, Not Walls and Empire of Borders. Todd has been reporting from international border zones for over 25 years. He writes a weekly post for <a href="http://www.toddmillerwriter.com/" rel="nofollow">The Border Chronicle</a>. He resides in Tucson, Arizona, but also has spent many years living and working in Oaxaca, Mexico. His work has appeared in the New York Times, TomDispatch, The Nation, San Francisco Chronicle, In These Times, Guernica, and Al Jazeera English, among other places.Miller has authored four books: <a href="http://www.citylights.com/book/?GCOI=87286100678920" rel="nofollow">Build Bridges, Not Walls: A Journey to a World Without Borders</a> (City Lights, 2021) <a href="https://www.versobooks.com/books/2908-empire-of-borders" rel="nofollow">Empire of Borders: The Expansion of the U.S. Border Around the World</a> (Verso, 2019), <a href="http://www.citylights.com/book/?GCOI=87286100615860" rel="nofollow">Storming the Wall: Climate Change, Migration, and Homeland Security</a> (City Lights, 2017), and <a href="http://www.citylights.com/book/?GCOI=87286100874610" rel="nofollow">Border Patrol Nation: Dispatches from the Front Lines of Homeland Security</a> (City Lights, 2014).He’s a contributing editor on border and immigration issues for NACLA Report on the Americas and its column “<a href="http://nacla.org/blog/border-wars" rel="nofollow">Border Wars”</a>.This episode was inspired by Leslie Salgado who leads <a href="https://friendsoflatinamerica.org/" rel="nofollow">Friends of Latin America</a>. FoLA is a broadcast partner of WTF is Going on in Latin America &amp; the Caribbean. Todd joins Leslie and Teri to discuss two of his books: Build Bridges, Not Walls and Empire of Borders.BUILD BRIDGES, NOT WALLS: In Build Bridges, Not Walls, he invites readers to join him on a journey that begins with the most basic of questions: What happens to our collective humanity when the impulse to help one another is criminalized?A series of encounters—with climate refugees, members of indigenous communities, border authorities, modern-day abolitionists, scholars, visionaries, and the shape-shifting imagination of his four-year-old son—provoke a series of reflections on the ways in which nation-states create the problems that drive immigration, and how the abolition of borders could make the world a more sustainable, habitable place for all.EMPIRE OF BORDERS: The United States is outsourcing its border patrol abroad—and essentially expanding its borders in the process.The twenty-first century has witnessed the rapid hardening of international borders. Security, surveillance, and militarization are widening the chasm between those who travel where they please and those whose movements are restricted. But that is only part of the story. As journalist Todd Miller reveals in Empire of Borders, the nature of US borders has changed. These boundaries have effectively expanded thousands of miles outside of US territory to encircle not simply American land but Washington’s interests. Resources, training, and agents from the United States infiltrate the Caribbean and Central America; they reach across the Canadian border; and they go even farther afield, enforcing the division between Global South and North.Additional links mentioned in this episode:<a href="https://citylights.com/topographies/tropic-of-chaos-climate-change-geography/" rel="nofollow">Tropic of Chaos</a>

Climate Change, Displacement and the Border Industrial Complex

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Guest: Monisha Rios, Puerto Rican psychologist and social workerThe inspiration for tonight’s episode came during the VI Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) held in Mexico City on September 18. A result of the Summit was a: “SPECIAL DECLARATION ON THE QUESTION OF PUERTO RICO.&#34; The declaration includes two points:1. Reaffirm the Latin American and Caribbean character of Puerto Rico and, recognizing the efforts made and the resolutions adopted by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United Nations about the situation on Puerto Rico, the most recent on June 18, 2021, and reiterate that it is a matter of high interest to CELAC, as was emphasized at the highest level at the V Summit in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, held on January 25, 2017. 2. Undertake to continue working in the framework of international law, particularly of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV): Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples of December 14th, 1960, to put an end quickly and unconditionally to colonialism in all its forms and manifestations in the Latin American and Caribbean Region.Joining us today to talk about Ending US Colonialism of Puerto Rico is Monisha Rios. She is a Puerto Rican psychologist, social worker and US army veteran.

Ending US Colonialism of Puerto Rico

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Guest: Venezuela Vice Minister Yvan GilSince 2017, the private Portuguese bank NovoBanco, 75% of which is owned by US private equity firm Lone Star, has withheld roughly $2 billion USD belonging to the Venezuelan state’s Economic and Social Development Bank (BANDES). BANDES is requesting that NovoBanco transfer roughly $25 million of the $2 billion directly to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to pay for emergency medical supplies for the people of Venezuela. These supplies include: polio vaccines, yellow fever medicine, and thousands of syringes to address a critical shortage in the country.The government of Venezuela directed BANDES to apply for a transfer of funds from its accounts in NovoBanco to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) as of 22 July. These funds were temporarily frozen, but recently have been unblocked by Portuguese legal authorities. And, yet, Novo Banco has issued no response.To talk more with us about this disturbing and criminal withholding of funds is Yvan Gil, Vice Minister for Europe of the People’s Power Ministry for Foreign Relations.

Sanctions Kill:  The Novo Banco Case

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Guest: Carlos Ron, Venezuela Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs for North AmericaOn July 24, the 238th Anniversary of Simon Bolivar&#39;s birth, Mexico&#39;s president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador addressed an audience of foreign ministers and international dignitaries saying: Let’s initiate a relationship in our hemisphere based on the premise of George Washington, according to which “nations should not take advantage of the misfortune of other peoples”.I am aware that this is a complex issue that requires a new political and economic outlook. The proposal is no more and no less than to build something similar to the European Union, but in accordance with our history, our reality, and our identities. In this spirit, the replacement of the OAS by a truly autonomous organization, not a lackey of anyone, but a mediator at the request and acceptance of the parties in conflict, in matters of human rights and democracy, should not be ruled out.Serving as President Pro Tempore of CELAC, AMLO re-convened members of the organization in Mexico City on September 18 after a four year &#34;pause&#34;. President Nicolas Maduro attended the Summit representing Venezuela&#39;s democratically elected government. Much of the Summit&#39;s conversation focused on creating a unified Latin America and Caribbean economic bloc, similar to the European Union, free to trade in a multi-polar global framework.September 21 the world witnessed the opening of the 2021 United Nations General Assembly Debate. Thursday morning, 18 countries including Venezuela gathered to sign a declaration to uphold the founding principles of the United Nations. The countries are collectively known as the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter.And, late September Venezuela Dialogue resumed in Mexico City for a third round. It has been a powerful and evolutionary summer in the Americas!  Join us for an informative and inspiring conversation about how unity and multilateralism are shaping current day Latin America and the Caribbean.(this episode was recorded between two international locations and contains occasional audio lapses).

A New Political Context for the Americas:  CELAC, the OAS and the UN

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Guest: <a href="https://johnphilpot.com/en/home/" rel="nofollow">John Philpot</a>, senior criminal litigation attorney. A member of the <a href="http://www.barreau.qc.ca/" rel="nofollow">Barreau du Québec</a> since 1984, he has practiced Criminal Law in Montreal since 1984 and International Criminal Law since 1998.From “Alex Saab vs. Empire: How the US is Using Lawfare to Punish a Venezuelan Diplomat” By Roger Harris of broadcast partner Task Force on the Americas (MintPress May 24, 2021):“<a href="http://www.mppre.gob.ve/en/comunicado/venezuela-joins-request-african-lawyers-demands-government-cape-verde-immediately-release-alex-saab/#:~:text=Alex%20Saab,%20Special%20Envoy%20and,which%20is%20why%20Cape%20Verde" rel="nofollow">Special Envoy and Ambassador</a> to the African Union for Venezuela Alex Saab was on a humanitarian mission flying from Caracas to Iran to procure food and gasoline for the Venezuelan <a href="https://venezuelanalysis.com/news/14602" rel="nofollow">CLAP</a> food assistance program. Saab was detained on a <a href="https://www.afriquemedia.tv/afrique/cape-verde-heading-to-hell-paradise-destination-with-high-risk-of-ill-treatment-and-arbitrary-detention" rel="nofollow">refueling stop</a> in the African nation of Cabo Verde and has been held in custody ever since June 12, 2020.Saab’s “crime” — according to the U.S. government, which ordered the imprisonment — was money laundering. That is, Saab conducted perfectly legal international trade. Still, his circumventing of the U.S. sanctions – which are designed to prevent relief to the Venezuelans – is considered by Washington to be money laundering.After a two-year investigation into Saab’s transactions with Swiss banks, the Swiss government concluded on March 25 that there was <a href="https://en.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/politica/fiscales-suizos-abandonan-investigacion-contra-alex-saab/#:~:text=A%20Geneva,%20Switzerland%20prosecutor%20has,for%20that%20office%20announced%20Thursday.&text=Swiss%20prosecutors%20concluded%20that%20the,charges%20against%20Saab%20and%20others." rel="nofollow">no money laundering</a>. Saab is being prosecuted because he is serving his country’s interest rather than that of the U.S. Saab was born in Colombia but now holds Venezuelan citizenship. The U.S. does not recognize Saab’s diplomatic status.”Joining us this episode to discuss this case of Extra-Judicial Reach of the United States and to provide an update on the Alex Saab case is John Philpot. John is an experienced international defense attorney before international criminal courts (ICC, ICTR) and in Canada. He has been active in Africa, Latin America and Europe as well as in Canada.Links referenced in this episode:Registration for the Meng conference 22 September<a href="http://hamiltoncoalitiontostopthewar.ca/event-release-meng/" rel="nofollow">http://hamiltoncoalitiontostopthewar.ca/event-release-meng/</a>An ongoing international appeal of over 15,000 signatures, sent to the US president and the president and prime minister of Cabo Verde: <a href="https://solidaritycenter.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/petition/sign?reset=1&sid=23" rel="nofollow">https://solidaritycenter.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/petition/sign?sid=23&amp;reset=1</a>An archive of articles, statements and reference materials on the developing case: <a href="https://afgj.org/free-alex-saab" rel="nofollow">https://afgj.org/free-alex-saab</a>May 19 webinar panel featuring two of Saab’s lawyers, Cabo Verde’s Geraldo da Cruz Almeida and Nigeria’s Femi Falana, in addition to activists William Camacaro, John Philpot, Stanfield Smith and Sara Flounders: <a href="https://youtu.be/TZXfO0dZXiQ" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/TZXfO0dZXiQ</a>August 10 webinar hosted by Massachusetts Peace Action: <a href="https://youtu.be/dAjgIvhOrvQ" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/dAjgIvhOrvQ</a>Social media campaign to #FreeAlexSaab:<a href="https://afgj.org/urgent-call-alex-saab-social-media-campaign" rel="nofollow">https://afgj.org/urgent-call-alex-saab-social-media-campaign</a>We Don&#39;t Deserve This: the impact and consequences of US sanctionhttps://sanctionskill.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SanctionsReport_v1.pdf

Alex Saab, Sanctions and the Extra-Judicial Reach of the US

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Guest: Yesenia Portillo, East Coast Coordinator for Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES).On September 7, The New York Times reported: &#34;El Salvador on Tuesday became the first country to adopt <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/topic/subject/bitcoin" rel="nofollow">Bitcoin</a> as legal tender, allowing the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/07/world/americas/el-salvador-bitcoin.html" rel="nofollow">cryptocurrency</a> to be used in any transaction, from buying a cup of coffee to paying taxes. The bold move, largely celebrated by the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/07/world/americas/el-salvador-bitcoin.html" rel="nofollow">international bitcoin</a> community, has found a more skeptical reception at home and in the traditional financial world, amid concerns that it could bring instability and unnecessary risk to the Central American country’s fragile economy.In El Salvador, many are viewing the move with confusion and distrust, afraid that the volatility inherent to using <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/01/technology/what-is-bitcoin-price.html?timespastHighlight=bitcoin" rel="nofollow">virtual tokens with no physical backing</a>, which are <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/09/03/climate/bitcoin-carbon-footprint-electricity.html" rel="nofollow">apt to soar and crash</a> in value, could be dangerous for the economy — and their own savings.El Salvador’s move puts it at the forefront of a revolution in finance on the blockchain, where <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/05/us/politics/cryptocurrency-explainer.html" rel="nofollow">a parallel universe</a> of crypto-based alternative banking services is booming and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/05/us/politics/cryptocurrency-banking-regulation.html" rel="nofollow">eliciting alarm from officials in Washington</a> and beyond.&#34;To talk more about this global first, we are joined by Yesenia Portillo of <a href="https://cispes.org/" rel="nofollow">CISPES (Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador)</a>

El Salvador Adopts Bitcoin as Its National Currency

CODEPINK's weekly podcast of hot news out of Latin America and The Caribbean

Welcome to WTF is Going on in Latin America & The Caribbean, CODEPINK's weekly podcast of hot news out of Latin America and The Caribbean with host Teri Mattson. Each week features a country and/or issue related to the affects of U.S. foreign, economic and/or military influence and intervention in the hemisphere of The Americas. Our guests include academics, policy-makers, journalists as well as activists recognized for their groundwork within local communities and movements.

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WTF is Going on in Latin America & The Caribbean

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Nicaragua Vive: a post-inauguration conversation