Bart van Zwieten
@bvzw.bsky.social
Latin America expert and aficionado. Retired Dutch diplomat and UN expert, postings in Mexico, Brazil, Cuba, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Barbados, Suriname, Bangladesh, the Netherlands. Fan of Feyenoord, Rotterdam, music. Home is Oaxaca de Juarez, Oaxaca, Mexico
Reposted by Bart van Zwieten
Mexico City in 1628, a small city surrounded by lakes. This map can be found in the exposition in the Torre Latinoamericano (hence the presence of this building on the map), which was built in the period 1948-56, and is really worth a visit for the panoramic view on the 44th floor and the exposition
December 2, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Mexico City in 1628, a small city surrounded by lakes. This map can be found in the exposition in the Torre Latinoamericano (hence the presence of this building on the map), which was built in the period 1948-56, and is really worth a visit for the panoramic view on the 44th floor and the exposition
Reposted by Bart van Zwieten
The Donroe Doctrine seems the foreign-policy of a new hemispheric conservatism, drawing on public disillusionment (corruption, insecurity, institutional stagnation). With the left fragmented, this reinforces Trump’s strategy of carving out exceptions to rule of law. www.eldiplo.org/318-las-garr...
December 2, 2025 at 12:46 PM
The Donroe Doctrine seems the foreign-policy of a new hemispheric conservatism, drawing on public disillusionment (corruption, insecurity, institutional stagnation). With the left fragmented, this reinforces Trump’s strategy of carving out exceptions to rule of law. www.eldiplo.org/318-las-garr...
Reposted by Bart van Zwieten
Trump announced a pardon to a former Hondras president, Juan Orlando Hernández, who is on a 45-year US prison sentence for drug trafficking. Rather than serving as a reliable partner in drug trafficking, Trump demonstrates that alignment with its hemispheric agenda matters more than accountability.
December 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Trump announced a pardon to a former Hondras president, Juan Orlando Hernández, who is on a 45-year US prison sentence for drug trafficking. Rather than serving as a reliable partner in drug trafficking, Trump demonstrates that alignment with its hemispheric agenda matters more than accountability.
Mexico City in 1628, a small city surrounded by lakes. This map can be found in the exposition in the Torre Latinoamericano (hence the presence of this building on the map), which was built in the period 1948-56, and is really worth a visit for the panoramic view on the 44th floor and the exposition
December 2, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Mexico City in 1628, a small city surrounded by lakes. This map can be found in the exposition in the Torre Latinoamericano (hence the presence of this building on the map), which was built in the period 1948-56, and is really worth a visit for the panoramic view on the 44th floor and the exposition
The Donroe Doctrine seems the foreign-policy of a new hemispheric conservatism, drawing on public disillusionment (corruption, insecurity, institutional stagnation). With the left fragmented, this reinforces Trump’s strategy of carving out exceptions to rule of law. www.eldiplo.org/318-las-garr...
December 2, 2025 at 12:46 PM
The Donroe Doctrine seems the foreign-policy of a new hemispheric conservatism, drawing on public disillusionment (corruption, insecurity, institutional stagnation). With the left fragmented, this reinforces Trump’s strategy of carving out exceptions to rule of law. www.eldiplo.org/318-las-garr...
Trump announced a pardon to a former Hondras president, Juan Orlando Hernández, who is on a 45-year US prison sentence for drug trafficking. Rather than serving as a reliable partner in drug trafficking, Trump demonstrates that alignment with its hemispheric agenda matters more than accountability.
December 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Trump announced a pardon to a former Hondras president, Juan Orlando Hernández, who is on a 45-year US prison sentence for drug trafficking. Rather than serving as a reliable partner in drug trafficking, Trump demonstrates that alignment with its hemispheric agenda matters more than accountability.
War in Venezuela? US media report that the Trump-Maduro call was an ultimatum, with the threat of strikes if Maduro doesn't agree to leave. Airspace closures, the Notifications to Airmen, unrealistic Maduro demands and the military build-up in the Caribbean —> war www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
White House gives Maduro ultimatum as U.S. moves toward land operations
The call quickly reached an impasse as it became clear that the two sides’ positions were far apart.
www.miamiherald.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:41 AM
War in Venezuela? US media report that the Trump-Maduro call was an ultimatum, with the threat of strikes if Maduro doesn't agree to leave. Airspace closures, the Notifications to Airmen, unrealistic Maduro demands and the military build-up in the Caribbean —> war www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
The Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude is located in the city of Oaxaca de Juárez, in southeastern Mexico in the state of Oaxaca. Built between 1682 and 1690, it is a sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Solitude, patron saint of the city of Oaxaca. The building is in the Baroque style.
December 1, 2025 at 9:27 AM
The Basilica of Our Lady of Solitude is located in the city of Oaxaca de Juárez, in southeastern Mexico in the state of Oaxaca. Built between 1682 and 1690, it is a sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Solitude, patron saint of the city of Oaxaca. The building is in the Baroque style.
Mexico’s industrial policy is based on selective tariffs against Asian imports, targeting goods which can be domestically produced. But as there is a slowdown in economic activity, the business community is pushing the government to pause or recalibrate the tariff strategy elpais.com/mexico/econo...
Los empresarios buscan aplazar ‘el muro arancelario’ de México a China
En plena desaceleración económica, los industriales mexicanos cabildean en el Poder Legislativo por una aplicación gradual de las tasas a más de un millar de productos asiáticos
elpais.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Mexico’s industrial policy is based on selective tariffs against Asian imports, targeting goods which can be domestically produced. But as there is a slowdown in economic activity, the business community is pushing the government to pause or recalibrate the tariff strategy elpais.com/mexico/econo...
The Honduran government reported a 90% drop in irregular entry of foreign migrants compared to last year, but warned that, despite the overall decline, a flow of Cuban citizens continues to arrive, usually traveling to Nicaragua thanks to a visa-free agreement. www.laprensani.com/2025/11/17/n...
Nicaragua sigue como "trampolín" de migrantes cubanos hacia Honduras
Honduras reporta llegada masiva de migrantes cubanos, lo cual evidencia que Nicaragua sigue siendo "trampolín" migratorio a EE. UU.
www.laprensani.com
December 1, 2025 at 9:22 AM
The Honduran government reported a 90% drop in irregular entry of foreign migrants compared to last year, but warned that, despite the overall decline, a flow of Cuban citizens continues to arrive, usually traveling to Nicaragua thanks to a visa-free agreement. www.laprensani.com/2025/11/17/n...
Throne back with a sovereign, a courtier (possibly a woman), and a deity in the center.
Culture: Maya
Region: Piedras Negras, Usumacinta River
Period: Late Classic
Year: 600-909 CE
Technique: Limestone, sculpted in the round
Dimensions: 112 x 169 x 23 cm
Provenance unknown
Culture: Maya
Region: Piedras Negras, Usumacinta River
Period: Late Classic
Year: 600-909 CE
Technique: Limestone, sculpted in the round
Dimensions: 112 x 169 x 23 cm
Provenance unknown
November 30, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Throne back with a sovereign, a courtier (possibly a woman), and a deity in the center.
Culture: Maya
Region: Piedras Negras, Usumacinta River
Period: Late Classic
Year: 600-909 CE
Technique: Limestone, sculpted in the round
Dimensions: 112 x 169 x 23 cm
Provenance unknown
Culture: Maya
Region: Piedras Negras, Usumacinta River
Period: Late Classic
Year: 600-909 CE
Technique: Limestone, sculpted in the round
Dimensions: 112 x 169 x 23 cm
Provenance unknown
Finally! For years Mexico waited expectantly for the arrival of “nearshoring”—investments to replace manufacturing capacity in global supply chains relocating away from China. Now that the term has fallen out of fashion the shift seems to be beginning to materialise. www.mxpe.org/p/mexico-for...
Mexico’s foreign direct investment spike explained
MXPE Weekly Essentials ft. the farmer-teamster shut down, financial crackdown deepens, and other highlights in Mexican politics, policy, and markets from the past week.
www.mxpe.org
November 30, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Finally! For years Mexico waited expectantly for the arrival of “nearshoring”—investments to replace manufacturing capacity in global supply chains relocating away from China. Now that the term has fallen out of fashion the shift seems to be beginning to materialise. www.mxpe.org/p/mexico-for...
The unemployment rate in Mexico declined in the 3rd quarter of the year. However, informality shows an increase of 466 thousand workers, compared to the 3rd quarter of the previous year. Labor informality rises, reaching 55.4%; Oaxaca tops the list with 80.1%. www.diariomarca.com.mx/2025/11/info...
November 30, 2025 at 12:43 PM
The unemployment rate in Mexico declined in the 3rd quarter of the year. However, informality shows an increase of 466 thousand workers, compared to the 3rd quarter of the previous year. Labor informality rises, reaching 55.4%; Oaxaca tops the list with 80.1%. www.diariomarca.com.mx/2025/11/info...
The Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque Chiapas, with its staircases and the funerary chamber of the ruler of Lakamha: Kinich Jannab Pakal. Discovery by archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhullier in 1952, when he accessed the funerary chamber. I saw this chamber in 1987, before it was closed to the public!
November 29, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The Temple of the Inscriptions, Palenque Chiapas, with its staircases and the funerary chamber of the ruler of Lakamha: Kinich Jannab Pakal. Discovery by archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhullier in 1952, when he accessed the funerary chamber. I saw this chamber in 1987, before it was closed to the public!
An IDB technical note on remittances across Latin America and the Caribbean in 2025 finds a 7.2% year-on-year increase and a new record, driven by the rise in transfers to Central America amid growing migration uncertainty in countries such as the United States. efe.com/economia/202...
El envío de remesas alcanzará otro récord con el avance destacable en Centroamérica, según el BID - EFE
El envío de remesas a Latinoamérica y el Caribe subirá un 7,2 % más interanual este 2025, impulsado por el aumento en Centroamérica.
efe.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:59 AM
An IDB technical note on remittances across Latin America and the Caribbean in 2025 finds a 7.2% year-on-year increase and a new record, driven by the rise in transfers to Central America amid growing migration uncertainty in countries such as the United States. efe.com/economia/202...
Hardship in Venezuela is such that there is support for a violent end to Nicolás Maduro’s regime, as long as it is swift. But Maduro’s fall would alter the balance of power that keeps nonstate armed groups, incl. Colombian guerrillas and criminal gangs in check www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
The Peril of Ousting Maduro
Only a gradual transition—not regime change by corce—can restore Venezuela’s democracy.
www.foreignaffairs.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Hardship in Venezuela is such that there is support for a violent end to Nicolás Maduro’s regime, as long as it is swift. But Maduro’s fall would alter the balance of power that keeps nonstate armed groups, incl. Colombian guerrillas and criminal gangs in check www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Mexico’s GDP contracted 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. The slowdown reflects the completion of major public infrastructure projects in construction and weaker investment in the automotive sector. FDI is increasing, but it accounts for only 10% of total investments. www.eleconomista.com.mx/economia/pib....
PIB de México se contrae 0.3% en III Trimestre
En los nueve meses reportados la actividad ha registrado un avance de 0.4%
www.eleconomista.com.mx
November 28, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Mexico’s GDP contracted 0.3% in the 3rd quarter. The slowdown reflects the completion of major public infrastructure projects in construction and weaker investment in the automotive sector. FDI is increasing, but it accounts for only 10% of total investments. www.eleconomista.com.mx/economia/pib....
Milei’s austerity brought Argentina’s inflation down to its lowest levels in 7 years, but the fallout is destruction of purchasing power and productive paralysis which causes recession, depressed wages and transfer of resources from labor to financial income. www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/the...
The Chainsaw and the Miracle | Mercedes D’Alessandro
Argentina's midterm elections have given Milei a renewed mandate to slash the state, working in concert with the IMF and US Treasury.
www.phenomenalworld.org
November 28, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Milei’s austerity brought Argentina’s inflation down to its lowest levels in 7 years, but the fallout is destruction of purchasing power and productive paralysis which causes recession, depressed wages and transfer of resources from labor to financial income. www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/the...
Paraguay has banned all use of the term “gender” in schoolbooks. Education campaigners have reacted with dismay to the ruling, describing it as regressive, anti-science, and likely to disadvantage Paraguayan children. www.theparaguaypost.com/p/paraguay-s...
Paraguay Scrubs "Gender" from Schoolbooks
The Weekly Post | 24.11.25
www.theparaguaypost.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Paraguay has banned all use of the term “gender” in schoolbooks. Education campaigners have reacted with dismay to the ruling, describing it as regressive, anti-science, and likely to disadvantage Paraguayan children. www.theparaguaypost.com/p/paraguay-s...
Hacer trampa? Mexico won this year’s Miss Universe pageant. The problem? Mexico’s representative was a white woman with green eyes. Second problem? The winner’s father, a senior executive at Mexico’s state-owned oil company, has business ties to the pageant’s president. www.marca.com/en/lifestyle...
Who is Fatima Bosch's father and why is he accused of being the 'culprit' of his daughter's triumph in Miss Universe 2025?
The prestigious beauty pageant Miss Universe 2025 has come to an end, and as expected, there was quite a bit of controversy over the final result. The big winner of the day was Mex
www.marca.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Hacer trampa? Mexico won this year’s Miss Universe pageant. The problem? Mexico’s representative was a white woman with green eyes. Second problem? The winner’s father, a senior executive at Mexico’s state-owned oil company, has business ties to the pageant’s president. www.marca.com/en/lifestyle...
President Sheinbaum warned that any attempt by Peru’s new government to enter the Mexican Embassy in Lima to arrest ex–prime minister Betssy Chávez would violate international law and Mexico’s sovereignty. elpais.com/mexico/2025-...
Sheinbaum advierte de que el asalto a la Embajada mexicana en Perú violaría la normativa internacional
La presidenta de México afirma que el asilo otorgado a Betssy Chávez, ex primera ministra de Pedro Castillo, es un derecho reconocido por todos los países
elpais.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:23 PM
President Sheinbaum warned that any attempt by Peru’s new government to enter the Mexican Embassy in Lima to arrest ex–prime minister Betssy Chávez would violate international law and Mexico’s sovereignty. elpais.com/mexico/2025-...
On Sunday Hondras will have presidential elections, a virtual tie among the top three candidates: former defense minister Moncada, leftist ruling LIBRE party; former Tegucigalpa Mayor Asfura, conservative National Party; and tv host Nasralla, centrist Liberal Party. www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Hondurans face tense election with fraud claims and international scrutiny
Hondurans will go to the polls on Sunday to vote in a tightly fought presidential election beset by heated accusations of fraud in one of Latin America's poorest countries.
www.reuters.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:23 PM
On Sunday Hondras will have presidential elections, a virtual tie among the top three candidates: former defense minister Moncada, leftist ruling LIBRE party; former Tegucigalpa Mayor Asfura, conservative National Party; and tv host Nasralla, centrist Liberal Party. www.reuters.com/world/china/...
A wife bids farewell to her husband, the kuhul ajaw of Pa’ Chan, on his way to war. It is lintel 26 of Yaxchilán, Chiapas, crafted in 724 AD. The protagonists are Lord Shield Jaguar II and his wife Lady Xoc, who hands him his flexible shield and a helmet or headdress in the shape of a jaguar head.
November 26, 2025 at 12:10 PM
A wife bids farewell to her husband, the kuhul ajaw of Pa’ Chan, on his way to war. It is lintel 26 of Yaxchilán, Chiapas, crafted in 724 AD. The protagonists are Lord Shield Jaguar II and his wife Lady Xoc, who hands him his flexible shield and a helmet or headdress in the shape of a jaguar head.
It’s the 50th anniversary of the Church Committee report. This details, among other, efforts to kill Fidel Castro with toxic cigars, exploding seashells, and hypodermic needles disguised as ballpoint pens, and led to an overhaul how the CIA was held to account. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Documents reveal Gerald Ford’s effort to block report on CIA assassination plots
Release of documents comes amid conjecture Trump may have authorized the agency to assassinate Venezuelan president
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:08 PM
It’s the 50th anniversary of the Church Committee report. This details, among other, efforts to kill Fidel Castro with toxic cigars, exploding seashells, and hypodermic needles disguised as ballpoint pens, and led to an overhaul how the CIA was held to account. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The US has intensified its tactics for fighting organized crime in Latin America, including designating various Latin American criminal groups as “foreign terrorist organizations” in 2025. Here’s an interactive map on these organizations from Insight Crime. insightcrime.org/news/us-fore...
US Foreign Terrorist Designations in Latin America: An Interactive Map
InSight Crime maps the Latin American criminal groups designated as "foreign terrorist organizations" by the US.
insightcrime.org
November 26, 2025 at 12:08 PM
The US has intensified its tactics for fighting organized crime in Latin America, including designating various Latin American criminal groups as “foreign terrorist organizations” in 2025. Here’s an interactive map on these organizations from Insight Crime. insightcrime.org/news/us-fore...