April 5, 2007 [LINK / comment]

Constitutional crisis in Ecuador

The constitutional court in Ecuador has approved the dismissal of 57 members of congress ordered by a judge on the grounds that they were obstructing the new constitutional assembly. New president Rafael Correa is showing no signs of compromise as he pushes his country toward a dangerous, high-stakes showdown. See CNN.com. This is a preposterous situation, showing that institutions in Ecuador are not widely respected.

Argentina (re)-claims Falklands

Argentina has once again reasserted its historical claim to the Falklands / Malvinas Islands. This statement does not carry any weight, however, and seems to be merely a ritualistic gesture on the 25th anniversary of the war that forever cemented Margaret Thatcher's name as the "Iron Lady." Vice President Daniel Scioli said that Argentina hopes to regain sovereignty over the islands through peaceful means. See CNN.com.