Latin Pulse: 2.19.2016

Politics in Venezuela and Bolivia provide the central themes this week on Latin Pulse. The program analyzes the political fights between Venezuela's new National Assembly and President Nicolas Maduro, often with the Venezuelan Supreme Court reinforcing the president's positions. The program also provides a preview of the important referendum in Bolivia that could extend the term of President Evo Morales. The news segment of the program covers Pope Francis and his recent trip to Mexico, including his scolding of Mexican bishops due to corruption, his condemnation of Donald Trump, and his reaction to the Zika virus. The program includes in-depth interviews with: Michael McCarthy of American University's Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS); and Rob Albro also of (CLALS). Executive Producer: Rick Rockwell; Technical Director: Jim Singer; and Associate Producer: Natalie Ottinger. (To download or stream this podcast, click here.) (The program is 30 minutes in length and the file size is 42 MB.) podcast news Latin America Venezuela politics Mexico Bolivia referendum United States Nicolas Maduro Pope Francis economics immigration Donald Trump Evo Morales Drug War electoral fraud Henry Ramos Accion Democratica Primero Justicia corruption Venezuelan Supreme Court elections immigration oil violence justice media Henrique Capriles Hugo Chavez PSUV recession economic crisis inflation energy homicide guns police MAS autocracy Ecuador hydroelectric dams indigenous issues environmental issues Rafael Correa