Isolated for so long, and lacking a political culture on which to force democratic values, Paraguay needs help and support from its neighbors in order to move forward. This is especially needed from Brazil, the obligatory country of reference for Paraguayans, and one of the few countries that are capable of positively influencing the management of what will be the new government after the presidential elections in April.

Brazil, just like other emerging countries, is experiencing an shortage of infrastructure, which is hindering its economic growth. For this reason, President Lula’s government launched the Growth Acceleration Plan (PAC in its Portuguese initials) exactly one year ago: a four year, 190 billion euro investment plan that hopes to achieve the goal of a GDP economic growth rate of 5 percent between 2007 and 2010.

Hugo Chávez needs the FARC for his carom shot on the great Bolivarian homeland table, which includes Colombian territory. Álvaro Uribe has reasons to confront Chávez and to line up behind him the national unit of Colombians that are being held in check and offended from both the inside and the outside. Washington backs Uribe, its main ally in South America, but it is in need of a Chávez that will guarantee that, at the end of the day, Venezuelan oil finds its way to the American gas pumps and tanks.

• The international mediation in Colombia, is it defusing the conflict?
  por José Luis Gómez Garavito

According to the author, recovering Argentina has been doing better and better ever since its economy became a mostly cash/equity game (while having very little consumer credit and very little foreign, national, corporate and mortgage debt), and the United States is bound to discover that its cure for anemic economic growth (credit) just might turn out to be toxic in the long run.

• The Globalization of Brazil
  por Marcelo Luchino
• The Challenges of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in Foreign Policy
  por Luciano Anzelini

A particular political, diplomatic and legal phenomenon can be observed in relation to the drama of the kidnappings in Colombia: the matter has gone international. The question is whether this fact complicates or simplifies the liberation of those kidnapped, including those in the present as well as the future, those in Colombia and those that are held captive throughout the entire world.

What is happening politically in Mexico today is difficult to believe even for the Mexicans themselves. The PAN (National Action Party) rules and uses priist politics, the PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party), in the opposition is panist and the PRD (Democratic Revolution Party) is lost, outside of reality.

Why Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is much more than just a fad. An in depth study of the structural forces that are bringing businesses in developed countries towards more social responsibly. What is demanded of today’s corporations regarding familial responsibility and the paradox of Latin America.

• More Corporate Responsibility
  por Bernardo Kliksberg
• Climate Change Hits the Poorest, Hardest
  por Bernardo Kliksberg
• Obscene Disparities
  por Bernardo Kliksberg

No one doubts the overwhelmingly strong force that is the current Brazilian economy. Brazil’s production represents a third of the total of Latin America. Large local conglomerates in the sectors of iron and steel, mining, oil, and manufacturing are paving the way toward globalization. However, optimism decreases upon reviewing some empirical data. Why economic growth less than expected, including a 5 percent average growth rate, one inferior to its neighbors. Is it the responsibility of the Central Bank of Brazil and its monetary policy? Divisions among analysts.

• Venezuela does not want another Putin
  por Iraxis Bello
• Hope for Guatemala?
  por Javier Bernabé
• The Challenges of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in Foreign Policy
  por Luciano Anzelini
• Rafael Correa and the "mother of all battles"
  por Juan Pablo Morales Viteri
• Nicaragua, Second Sandinista Government
  por Augusto Zamora R.

Is Latin America divided into two models, as Europe maintains it is? For the author, it is actually diversity and heterogeneity that prevail. Paradoxically, in the forest of the distinct situations that exist today in Latin America, the success stories (Chile, Brazil, Peru and Colombia) are those that make less noise and receive less attention.

• The bitter taste and the lessons from Santiago de Chile
  por Fabián Bosoer
• How to Overcome the Mercosur Crisis
  por Luciano Anzelini
• How to Strengthen the Integration between Brazil and Argentina
  por Javier del Rey Morató
• Mexico Searches for a Global Strategy Against Drug-Trafficking
  por Zidane Zeraoui