Since the “war” between narcos and police has been making headlines, Mexico has been in a state of Swine Flu frenzy. Now, a natural disaster threatens the already tattered nerves of the Mexican people. On the morning of April 26^th, an earthquake occurred in the southern city of Chilpancingo, reaching 5.6 on the Richter scale. Tremors were felt 130 miles away in Mexico City, prompting workers to run out onto the streets as buildings shook. Two elderly women died of heart attacks during the quake, but no other victims were claimed. One office worker on the 21^st floor of his building in Mexico City said the quake did not damage anything but he could feel the whole structure shake. What with the economic crisis, the Swine Flu outbreak and natural disasters, is it any wonder that residents are asking whether Mexico isn´t going through its own personal version of the Apocalypse?

Abigail Foulkes, V!VA Staff Writer

Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa is set to win the Ecuadorian presidential election following Sunday’s polls. He holds more than two-thirds of the votes, overtaking his rival, ex-President Lucio Gutierrez.

Abigail Foulkes, V!VA staff writer

Worried about the Swine Flu epidemic? You might want to check these sites out:

World Health Organization Swine Flu page

World Outbreak Health Map

Center for Disease Control Swine Flu Page

(Thanks to Abigail Foulkes)

As the Swine Flu threatens to take yet more lives, what are travelers to expect in Mexico and in what ways are they affected? One thing is clear: to visit the chaotic capital at this time would not be a true reflection of how this usually buzzing city lives.
Travelers, prepare to be disappointed in the next few days. The usual hot spots which may be on the itinerary are likely not to be operating. The government has closed libraries and museums, as well as state run theatres and popular night life venues in an attempt to contain the outbreak. Restaurants are reported to have been nearly empty and shopping malls are devoid of their usual frenzied madness. Public and cultural events have been axed, where football matches are played to empty stadiums and churches commence their sparsely attended services without mass.
As a response, more tourists seem to be using the turibus to get to attractions outside of Mexico City. Demand to go to the Teotihuacan pyramids, an hour or so from the capital, has risen as tourists look for alternative sights to visit.
Transport has been affected by the virus outbreak. Flagging down taxis may prove a lot harder than usual as any potential risk of contracting the virus stops drivers from picking up passengers as regularly. The continued operation of the public transport system is also in dispute as the Mayor declared that all activities should be indefinitely suspended until the outbreak is under control. No metro service could throw the city into further chaos though as it is used by an overwhelming 5 million people a day. Mexico City`s international airport, however, remains fully operational, with airlines offering a free time change of travel due to the flu outbreak. However, expect to see doctors on hand in the terminals and an array of Mexicans donning protective face masks.
Health warnings are being issued in and around Mexico City. Basic hygiene, such as washing hands with antibacterial soap, is encouraged, as well as staying away from overly crowded areas, including elevators and waiting lines.
Despite the obvious worries of Mexicans towards the virus, many tourists appear to be finding the measures the government is taking to contain the virus more frustrating than necessary. One tourist described the closure of the city`s major museums as over the top, and another was confused to why even small souvenir shops had closed. One Polish tourist even claimed to not have known about the flu virus, despite seeing people wearing face masks. Many Americans are still considering visiting Mexico against health warnings. In a city where everyone is on red alert, alarm does not seem to be a forefront emotion for many tourists.

-Abigail Foulkes, Viva Staff Writer

Guatemalan gangs have a favorite modus operandi: have two killers drive up to a victim on a motorcycle. As the driver steers through traffic, the passenger guns down the victim. The nomble motorcycle can then easily elude any pursuit. It’s an efficient system, and one that Guatemalan authorities have had enough of. Beginning this month, motorcycles in Guatemala will not be allowed to carry passengers, and all motorcyclists will have to wear bright vests and helmets with the vehicle number of the bike clearly displayed. This is a good step by the Guatemalan authorities, but it treats the symptom and not the illness. Firmer measures are needed to bring Guatemala’s ruthless gangs under control.

Everyone agrees on one thing: Last week, Bolivian security forces got into a 30-minute shootout with foreign nationals in the eastern city of Santa Cruz. Three foreigners were killed: Croatian-Bolivian Eduardo Rosza-Flores, Irishman Michael Dwyer and Hungarian Arpad Magyarosi. Hungarian Elod Toaso and Bolivian-Croatian Mario Tadic Astorga are in custody. That much, at least, is clear.
After that, it gets murky. Bolivian President Evo Morales claims the foreigners were part af an elaborate plot to assassinate him, but the men in custody and a taped 2008 interview with Rosza-Flores seem to indicate that the men were there to help organize defenses in the Province of Santa Cruz should it decide to secede and subsequently be invaded (this is a very real possibility in volatile Bolivia).
Morales made thimgs more compicated this week when he refused the governments of Ireland, Croatia and Hungary access to information about the incident.
Morales is very popular in certain sectors of Bolivian society, and foreigners should be warned that they may be viewed with suspicion in the wake of this incident.

Last week, Colombia’s FARC rebels negotiated the relases of a soldier they have held for ten years. Corporal Pablo Emilio Moncayo will be released soon, although no date has been given. According to Colombia’s government, the FARC still holds some 700 hostages.

Former President of Peru (1990-2000) was convicted yesterday of human rights violations and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Fujimori, while president, created a paramilitary squad to root out communist rebels. This squad was not very competent and massacred 15 innicent civilians at a barbecue in 1991. Although no one could prove that Fujimori had authorized that particular operation, he was nevertheless held responsible. His daughter, 33 year old Keiko Fujimori, is a candidate for president who has voewd to pardon him if elected. So stay tuned! This story ain’t over yet.

Yesterday the head of Bolivia’s anti-narcotics unit (a branch of Bolivia’s Armed Forces) announced the discovery and seizure of 40 tons of marijuana in Chuquisaca Province. Two suspects were also apprehended, who apparently paid local farmers to allow them to plant the marijuana in corn fields where the plants could be hidden by the taller corn stalks. In a related bust, four tons of Cool Ranch Doritos, several hundred posters of Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin which glow in black light and seventeen crates of lava lamps were seized from a nearby building.

The city of Chaiten in southern Chile remains closed to overnight stays due to continuing danger from a nearby volcano, and travel through the city is erratic at best. At Viva, we have received conflicting accounts of whether or not the Chiaten port is still open for ferry service to Puerto Montt. Therefore, we advise avoiding Chaiten entirely for the near future. Check the Navieros Austral web site for information if you urgently need to get into or through Chaiten.