Latin America Policy Initiative

Today at 12pm ET, NDN will release Hispanics Rising 2010: An Overview of the Growing Power of America's Hispanic Community, a 21st Century America report by Andres Ramirez and Kristian Ramos that examines the rapidly increasing Hispanic population in the United States and how it affects the politics and policy of our time. 

The rapid increase in the Hispanic population in the U.S. is one of the most tangible demographic trends of the 21st century. Huge waves of immigration from throughout the Americas contributed to this exponential growth, and will have lasting effects on the complexion of the United States. At 15% of the U.S. population today, Hispanics are now America’s largest “minority” group, and are projected to be 29% of all those living in the United States by 2050. The combination of the 2010 Census and the upcoming mid-term elections provides meaningful context for examining the growing influence and power of the Hispanic community.

On March 4th at 11:45am, please join NDN's Latin American Policy Initiative Chair, Nelson Cunningham, Panamanian Ambassador Jaime E. Aleman, and Congressman Eliot Engel for a conversation on the challenges and opportunities in the relationship between the United States and Panama, and a unique perspective on bilateral relations.

The purpose of this series is to establich an ongoing dialogue to better inform those interested in Latin American policy.

As many of you know, this event was originally scheduled for February 11th but was rescheduled due to the inclement weather in Washington, DC.

Space is limited for this event, so please RSVP as soon as you can to reserve a spot.  We will serve lunch at 12:00pm, and the discussion will begin at 12:15pm.  The event will take place at 2255 Rayburn in the Capitol Complex.

For more information of if you have questions, please contact Sarah Sanchez at ssanchez@ndn.org.

A Conversation with the Panamanian Ambassador
Thursday, March 4, 11:45am
2255 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Click Here to RSVP

Please join us on Thursday, March 4th at 11:45pm for the rescheduled event: A Conversation with Panamanian Ambassador Jaime E. Aleman.  This event, originally scheduled for February 11th, but cancelled due to the region's blizzard, will feature a conversation between Congressman Eliot Engle (D-NY) and Panamanian Ambassador Jaime E. Aleman.  Their conversation will touch upon the challenges and opportunities in the relationship between the United States and Panama and will offer a unique perspective on bilateral relations.

As space is limited for this event, please be sure to RSVP if you plan to attend.  We will erve lunch at 12:00pm, and the discussion will begin at 12:15pm.

The event will take place at 2255 Rayburn in the Capitol Complex.

For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Sarah Sanchez at ssanchez@ndn.org.  We hope to see you there!

A piece in Time Magazine by Tim Padgett talks about this evolving situation in Tegucigalpa:

...But for all the audacity of Zelaya's gambit, it's still far from certain that he can win the larger contest: getting the coupsters to accept a negotiated settlement that would let him finish the four remaining months of his term. Calling himself "the President legitimately elected by the Honduran people," Zelaya said, "We're hoping Honduras now returns to calm."

...Contrary to media reports on Monday that indicated Zelaya had reversed course and rejected the Arias pact, Zelaya's Ministers insist he's as ready as ever to sign it. "It's the coup leaders who are unwilling to do so and are just trying to run out time," Zelaya's ambassador to the U.S., Enrique Reina, told TIME from New York. "That's the reason he's in Honduras now — to be with the people there and move this process forward so we can sign San José immediately." Arias and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, while not endorsing Zelaya's theatrics, agreed that "this is the best opportunity, now that Zelaya is back in the country," to ink the accord, said Arias. Clinton called the moment "opportune" to restore Zelaya and "get on with the election that is currently scheduled for November, have a peaceful transition of presidential authority and get Honduras back to constitutional and democratic rule."