Ecuador’s democracy at risk

President Rafael Correa’s proposal to create a Constituent Assembly to rewrite Ecuador’s Constitution won an overwhelming 81.7% of the votes in a national Referendum on April 15, 2007.  The Supreme Electoral Court has resolved to convene elections on September 30, 2007 for the 130 delegates to a Constituent National Assembly.  But many see the result of the Referendum as a power grab by the Correa who didn’t present candidates for Congress and had little support to advance his policies. Implications.

NEWS:

• Colombia: President Alvaro Uribe visits President George W. Bush to discuss Trade and Plan Colombia.
• Chavez wants to pull out from the World Bank and IMF. Chavez wants to control a municipality in Argentina. Venezuela set to gain control of Oil Fields. Venezuela will meet all energy needs of leftist allies. Venezuelans struggle to acquire food staples. IACHR sues Venezuela over attacks on RCTV. Venezuela will leave OAS over TV Channel.
• Nicaraguan delegation visits Venezuela to discuss refinery outline. First 20 Cuban doctors in Nicaragua. At risk contract of Glencore in Nicaragua.  
• United Arab Emirates and Uruguay seek to strengthen relations.
• Argentina : Iranian ally and Kirchner loyalist publicly accuses "the Jewish right" for the AMIA bombing. Kirchner and Lula reinforce "strategic alliance" and discuss biofuels.
• Fidel Castro fails to appear at May Day Parade.
• Brazil and Chile sign biofuel cooperation agreement.
• Peru ‘s Garcia voted decree powers.

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