The U.S. passed legislation imposing sanctions on Venezuelan government officials it said violated protesters’ rights during demonstrations earlier this year.  In response the G77 and China condemned the sanctions and called for their repeal.  For his part, Venezuelan President Maduro said “Obama does not understand what is happening in our region and to our peoples.” 

Mujica’s involvement as a mediator started over a year ago in Havana, moved on to Washington and became instrumental at the G77 Summit in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. 

In December 1989, the United States invaded Panama in an operation that left at least 500 dead. Panamanian military sources say the real reason behind the invasion was the refusal of General Manuel Noriega, a former CIA agent, to intervene against the Sandinista government of Daniel Ortega. 

They show that it can be done in a rational manner. 

The Honduran Foundation Olanchanos Unidos in the U.S. called on their compatriots and other Latinos to sign a petition advocating driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants in Florida. 

To win over a disenchanted society, some Latin American analysts say, politicians in the United States are increasingly critical of Wall Street, banks and large corporations. 

Word that the United States is moving to alter its immigration policies provoked varying responses, ranging from hope to condemnation for past failings.

The former president of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernández, said it is time that the United States ended its “Cold War with Cuba” and suggested the island be invited to the Summit of the Americas next year in Panama. 

Washington calls on Mexico to prosecute and punish the perpetrators of this “egregious crime,” but also calls for calm. 

For the twenty-third consecutive year, the General Assembly of the UN presented a resolution asking that the U.S. embargo on Cuba be lifted, while the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) reiterated its condemnation of the blockade, as well.