The Americas Post - Cocaine in Spain is headed down the drain. Photo Credit: Spanish Interior Ministry

Spanish police and the FBI have reportedly blocked a major Mexican drug cartel from launching a European operation. Sinaloa cartel member Jesus Gutierrez Guzman was part of the operation. Guzman is alleged to be the cousin of Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman, known as “El Chapo,” the leader of the Sinaloa cartel.

The ministry said the cartel wanted to make Spain a gateway for operations in Europe, even carrying out test runs using shipping containers without drugs. But investigators managed to monitor many of the group’s activities and intercepted a container carrying 373 kilos (822 pounds) of cocaine in late July before moving in to make the arrests.

The Interior Ministry statement said Jesus Gutierrez Guzman, Rafael Humberto Celaya Valenzuela, Samuel Zazueta Valenzuela and Jesus Gonzalo Palazuelos Soto were arrested near their hotels in the Spanish capital. The statement did not say precisely when the arrests were made, and when called by phone ministry officials could not immediately give exact details of the dates.

Jesus Gutierrez Guzman is alleged to be the cousin of Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman, known as “El Chapo,” the leader of the cartel and Mexico’s most wanted man. Since escaping prison in 2001, Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman has run the Sinaloa cartel, one of Mexico’s two most powerful drug-organizations, from a series of hideouts and safe houses across Mexico.

Law-enforcement officials say he has earned billions of dollars moving tons of cocaine and other drugs north to the United States. In recent months, the Sinaloa cartel and its allies have been waging a brutal war against the paramilitary Zetas cartel across Mexico, often carrying out mass killings that have left hundreds of dismembered bodies dumped in public places.

Along with the alleged link to the cartel leader, the arrests in Spain have attracted a great deal of media interest in Mexico because a Facebook page in Celaya Valenzuela’s name appears to show a photograph of him alongside Mexico’s President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto. The photo was posted on Feb. 11. The presidential elections were held in July.

The operation against the Sinaloa cartel was made possible thanks to agents using “the most modern research techniques,” which had at all times been supervised by judges and prosecutors, the Interior Ministry statement said. It noted that “the bulk” of the investigation was carried out in the United States.

U.S. agents had learned that cartel members were planning to travel to Spain and were later able to confirm the trip, which took place in March 2011, the statement said. Thanks to the information provided by the FBI’s Boston division, Spanish police located the suspects and monitored them closely “to ensure their full identification,” the statement said.

The statement said FBI investigators had determined that the gang intended to begin large cocaine shipments by sea with the drugs concealed in cargo containers. The cartel used stringent security measures to try to ensure the success of the operation and did several test runs, initially shipping containers without any drugs in them.

When they sent a first drugs shipment to Spain on board a ship from Brazil in late July, officers intercepted it, the statement said.

The arrest of his alleged cousin could potentially lead to information about the whereabouts of the fugitive Mexican drug lord. Investigators working to bust Sinaloa’s operations thought in June that they had nabbed a son of Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman, but it turned out they got the wrong man.

Chavez and Ahmadinejad. Photo Credit Elmer Martinez AFP Getty Images

During the last six months, Iran is developing an offensive in Latin America.  Tehran views the latinamerican region as one of the main points to overcome its increasing international isolation due to its nuclear program.

The Iranian strategy is comprehensive. For example, a few weeks ago, the inhabitants of Quito were surprised by the appearance of  street billboards calling to commemorate a new anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Khomeini.

the posters read “a lifetime dedicated to the people and the revolution”.

During the event, held on 31 May in the Auditorium of the National Council of Pichincha with the presence of Iranian diplomats, Khomeini was compared to the latinamerican independence hero Simón Bolivar.

The event was broadcasted by Hispan TV, a satellite TV channel that the Iranian regime inaugurated last December, which broadcasts news in Spanish on a 24 hours a day  basis and whose main target is the Latin American audience.

Another way of showing the Iranian involvment in the subcontinent are the Iranian diplomacy,  who have increased their activity and presence in the region. In  the case of Bolivia,  Iran has 145 diplomats accredited, more than the rest of the diplomatic corps in La Paz.

Spain, with all its historical relationship with Iran  has  between 8 and 10 Iranian diplomats.

The estimated number of Iranian diplomats accredited in Venezuela is even greater than in Bolivia.

Another important step taked by Iran is the several visits of  Iranian officials to Latin America that are constant and often are accompanied by economic benefits for the countries visited.

Recently over a week ago, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended  a Summit on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro and then started with a mini tour in South America,  announced a few days in advance.

It is the second visit of the Iranian President in six months and the fourth in the same period of a senior Iranian top government official.

Last January, Ahmadinejad visited Venezuela, Ecuador, Cuba and Nicaragua. In May it was the turn of the vice president, Ali Saeidlo, who made the same tour also including Bolivia.

In Managua, Iranian officials announced the cancellation of debt of Nicaragua with Iran.

Days before the Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi visited Bolivia , who opened the Defense College of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA), the regional integration organization that emerged on the personal initiative of Hugo Chavez. About Vahidi weighs an international warrant for his involvement in the bombings in 1992 and 1994 in Buenos Aires against the Embassy of Israel and Argentina Jewish Mutual, which caused a total of 115 dead.

In their travels, Vahidi was accompanied by Iranian representative Kanbiz Jalali, head of the Directorate General for Latin America created by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Jalali is a  diplomat with extensive experience in the region.

Tehran is focusing on military and defense issues. In less than 24 hours has signed a military assistance pact with Bolivia. Also the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez admitted the announcement  that Venezuela is building drones under the supervision of Iranian engineers.

Ramin Keshavarz, a leading member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, is responsible for overseeing the project.

One the other hand, Brazil is not so enthusiastic about Iran . President Rousseff refused to meet privately with Ahmadinejad, despite Iran’s insistence.

Brazil is not the only obstacle. Colombia is also resisting Iran´s “charme” offensive, while in Argentina the Iranian official representation only adheres to senior diplomats, due to the arrest warrant that Justice has issued Argentina against senior Iranian officials , including Vahidi and Ali Rafsanjani, due to the bombing of a Jewish center in Buenos Aires (AMIA).

However, this diplomatic chill has not stopped the trade between the both countries, that has gone from zero to $ 400 million in just four years, or since 2010 Iran is the second world soybean buyer Argentina.

The Americas Post - Tempers are flaring over Argentina's recent move to nationalize YPF

Spanish oil company Repsol-YPF announced it will demand over nine billion dollars from Argentina for nationalizing 51 percent of its YPF division, a price tag that has already been rejected by authorities in Buenos Aires.

The Argentine government’s decision to take control of the company has sparked a diplomatic crisis between Argentina and Spain, while provoking a flood of international criticism against the South American country for the abrupt action.

Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez on Monday spoke of the country’s largest oil company, which generates half of Repsol-YPF’s revenue, and sent her Congress a bill to expropriate 51 percent of its shares after months of  pressure and blame for reduced oil production in the country.

After years of spending millions on imports that undermine its trade surplus, Argentina wants to regain energy independence.  Many analysts however, doubt that nation’s ability to compensate Repsol-YPF and also find the money for the necessary investments.

“We’re going to request a total valuation of 18 billion dollars,” said Repsol chairman Antonio Brufau, in a two-hour press conference.

Repsol, which held 57.43 percent of YPF, called the decision illegal, but Argentina disputes the amount demanded by the Spanish.

“We will not pay what they say, as Mr. Brufau, 10 billion dollars,” said Deputy Economy Minister Axel Kicillof, speaking before the Senate.  “The valuation of YPF will be based on objective data rather than stock market speculation,” he said.

YPF’s market capitalization is currently about 10.4 billion dollars, but the company has lost nearly a third of its value already in 2012 due to pressure from Argentina and fears of expropriation.

Kicillof said he is reviewing “secret” information to determine the company’s market value.

“The numbers the directors or former directors were talking about in a very careless way about the value of the company will be reviewed as we learn the intricacies of secret information that the company handled,” he told senators.

An Argentine Senate committee began Tuesday to discuss the proposed expropriation, in a meeting attended by Kicilliof and the current auditor of YPF, Planning Minister Julio De Vido.  During the meeting there were harsh exchanges between legislators and officials.

Kicillof suggested that in recent years Repsol funded its international expansion by “squeezing” YPF for the dividends that the company distributed.

According to local law, Argentina should negotiate with Repsol-YPF for compensation. In case of disagreement, a court will decide based on an appraisal yet to be agreed on.

“The range of defensive measures that could be taken is broad and may include individual or class actions in the various countries involved, including  civil or commercial claims for compensation for damages, ” said Brufau.

Argentina already owes hundreds of millions of dollars outstanding in antigovernment decisions in international court.

Argentina’s decision sparked a wave of criticism in the international community, from Madrid to the EU and Mexico.  The Government of Spain confirmed that the case will be discussed on Friday in cabinet.  Speaking at an event in Mexico, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy expressed “deep distress”.

“The company has been seized without any justification or economic reason, and they have to explain what happened”, he said.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Tuesday he expects Argentina to respect international agreements on protection for business with Spain.

“I am seriously disappointed by the announcement yesterday. I hope that the Argentine authorities respect their international agreements and obligations, particularly those resulting from a bilateral agreement on investment protection in Spain,” said Barroso.

The Americas Post - Just think of Chavez' show "Alo Presidente" as the ultimate in reality TV

Venezuela President Hugo Chavez threatened on Sunday to nationalize any private bank that fails to comply with local legislation setting standards for agricultural finance and other projects in the country.

The leftist leader, who since 2008 has increased state involvement in the financial sector, has criticized banks repeatedly for their lack of support with  agriculture and housing.

“The private banks, if they don’t comply with the Constitution and the law, well I have no problem, I repeat, to nationalize them.  We have to enforce the Constitution and laws of this Republic,”  Chavez said in his weekly TV show.

The new ruling, to promote financing for agriculture in the oil-producing country, says a bond issue will provide banking resources for the agricultural  sector.  But Chavez provided no details,  requesting a meeting with executives of banks Banesco and commercial premises, and the Spanish Banco Provincial.

The Provincial Bank, a subsidiary of Spanish bank BBVA is one of the largest in the country.

“(Vice President) Elijah (Jaua), this week you call the presidents of the largest banks, namely Bank Banesco, the Provincial and Commercial, call them to the vice presidency and talk to them but do not fall for flattery, “Chavez said in the third edition of his program.

The retired army officer, who claims to be cured of his cancer diagnosed in mid-2011, passed a law enabling private banking fund transfers to portfolios directed at agricultural financing.

“I am ready, if they do not comply, to nationalize the banks.  I have no problem, I repeat,” said Chavez, who said he is willing to work on “coordination and cooperation with private banks “.

The program also announced that Vice President shall resume the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Lands.  Since taking office in 1999, Chavez, seeking reelection in the presidential election of 2012, has nationalized large sectors of the Venezuelan economy. In July 2009 he completed the nationalization of Spanish financial group Santander.

The Americas Post - This Spanish fishing boat outran the Argentine Coast Guard

This weekend a unique diplomatic standoff took place when a Spanish ship, authorized by Britain to fish in the Falkland Islands, was pursued by Argentine authorities but successfully fled to Uruguayan waters.

The incident began when the Spanish ship Villa Nores, having departed for the Falklands from Montevideo the previous Saturday, was challenged by the Argentine Coast Guard.  The captain of the Argentine ship GC24 Mantillas ordered the Spanish ship to stop and present documents authorizing final destination and right of passage, in accordance with an Argentine law passed last year requiring that nation’s permission to go to the Falklands.  Instead of stopping, the Spanish captain turned and ran for Uruguayan territorial waters, escorted by a Uruguayan naval aircraft.

Uruguayan naval commander Alberto Carames said that President Jose Mujica and Defense Minister Eleuterio Fernandez monitored the situation throughout.  The previous week, President Mujica had been caught up in a diplomatic tiff when, in solidarity with Argentina, Uruguay denied entry to a ship flying the flag of the Falkland Islands.

The ambassador of Spain in Uruguay, Aurora Diaz Rato, has lodged a protest in Montevideo against the Argentine action, claiming freedom of navigation in international waters.  It remains to be seen how the four countries involved will resolve this latest twist in the ongoing conflict which now spans many decades.

Interpol Summit in Montevideo against tech crime

During the inauguration in Montevideo, Uruguay of the XI International Conference of the Interpol Working Group on Technology Crime (including cybercrime) , the President of the Interpol Working Group Mr. Miguel Angel Justo (from Argentina) said that “the police of the countries of Latin America must bring their national legislation on tech crime to the conference, in order to increase cooperation to better cope with cybercrime”.
After inaugurating the 11th Meeting of the Working Group in Montevideo, the Principal of the Argentine Federal Police Mr. Justo also said that “the ongoing challenge is to achieve international cooperation against technology and Internet crime.”

“There is no technique that can advance in cybercrime without achieving  international cooperation, due to the dynamic nature of the Internet,” Police Chief Justo said, estimating  that “international cooperation is the only way to circumvent the difficulty of defining the jurisdictions in investigating a cyber crime of this type.”

The current state of cooperation “today may not be the ideal to which we aspire,” Mr. Justo admitted. “We think our countries should have a better legal and legislative framework to fight cybercrime, but to alleviate the shortcomings of law we are making efforts at the regional level within the framework of Interpol,” he added.

Justo explained that the nature of such crimes makes it difficult to apply traditional rules. For example, in most countries of the region Business Internet Service Providers BSIP are not required to store information for a specific period.

“When there is no obligation for them to store this information, we do not have the information necessary to conduct an investigation,” he said.

“This happens in most countries , and very few have legislated on the subject”, added Mr. Justo that “ at some point our countries are going to regulate this technology , so that we can do our police work, “he said.

From Wednesday until Friday in Montevideo, representatives of police research units of each country devoted to combating cybercrime will exchange information on new types of crime through the use of Internet and social networking and ways to combat them.

The participants and members of this Working Group include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, Spain, France, Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Paraguay.

Spanish judge Baltasar Garzón is now working as adviser for the Mission to Support the Peace Process established by the OAS. Photograph Credit to Dominique Faget/AFP/Getty Images

During a lecture under the XXIX Interdisciplinary Course on Human Rights which concluded on August 19th at the American Institute of Human Rights in Costa Rica, the Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzón said that governments foster instability among citizens when politicians elaborate security policies without consulting the people. Garzón  called upon the american states to include the opinions and needs of more people, common citizens, in the elaboration of security policies.
For the lawyer and advisor to the International Court in Hague, the authorities act in secret and assume that  regular people do “not understand” their policy decisions.
Garzón thinks that “Citizens must participate in the design of those aspects or rules that affect them.”
For the jurist, one of his major concerns is that some governments postulate the safety of citizens, but continue to violate basic human rights.

Garzon gained worldwide fame for promoting an arrest warrant against former dictator Augusto Pinochet for the death and torture of Spanish citizens during his dictatorship. He also accused Pinochet of commiting crimes against humanity. Garzón has niow been suspended in Spain, due to his initiative to investigate the human rights situation during the Franco regime.
“What is the role of victims in the fight against organized crime,” he asked yesterday at the Institute headquarters in Los Yoses, San Pedro, Montes de Oca.  “Normally, no government takes into account what the victims claims during the design of security policies ,” ​​the judge responded to an audience that included senior officials and security minister, Mario Zamora, and the president of the Supreme Court Justice Luis Paulino Mora.
Garzón said that “we need citizen involvement to define the security agenda so that everything does not become a critique of the government in power because in the end is a matter of coresponsibility.”
During his speech of nearly an hour, Garzon said he was alarmed by the levels of “very serious” violence  that plague countries like Mexico and Colombia in the fight against drug trafficking. He said that violence has led criminal groups to bring their operations in the Isthmus, especially in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
In this regard, he considered that they are wrong who believe that the attacks by organized crime reach only members of rival groups in fight among themselves for power quotas or zones of influence.  “Anyone who thinks this makes a big mistake,” said Garzón.

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