�鶹��ý - Ryan Mallett-Outtrim

In Photos: Mexico Commemorates Centenary of Zapata’s Assassination

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Sat, 13 Apr 2019 14:45:00 +1000

The hundred-year anniversary of the assassination of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata has exposed the deepening fault-lines in the country’s left.

Mexico: AMLO's government expands controversial preventive detention laws

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 17:15:00 +1100

Mexico’s new left-wing government has tripled the list of crimes that carry automatic pre-trial detention, in what President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) says is a crackdown on corruption. Human rights groups, however, have warned the move may end up funnelling more innocent people into Mexico’s already strained penal system, writes Ryan Mallett-Outtrim.

Mexico's AMLO picks a mixed-bag cabinet

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 11:00:00 +1100

The cabinet picked by Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) is the most progressive in generations, despite some dubious choices, writes Ryan Mallett-Outtrim from Puebla.

Mexico’s first left-wing president in decades is one month away from taking office, though his cabinet picks — half of whom are women — remain a mixed bag for progressives. On one hand, AMLO supporters have welcomed selections like Olga Sanchez Cordero, the incoming interior minister who supports legalising abortion and recreational marijuana.

Why NAFTA 2.0 bodes ill for Mexico's AMLO

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 15:15:00 +1000

Mexico’s next president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO for short) is still three months away from taking office, but some of his campaign trail promises already seem distant, writes Ryan Mallett-Outtrim from Puebla.

Back in July, AMLO became the first left-wing candidate in Mexico’s modern history to win a presidential election, though he has to wait until December 1 to take office.

Mexico: Leftist scores landslide victory despite rampant ‘voter suppression’ efforts

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 17:45:00 +1000

Mexico’s left-wing Morena movement stormed the presidency and appeared poised to flood both houses of congress, despite an election marred by violence and allegations of irregularities.

Mexico: With left ahead in the polls, what could an AMLO presidency look like?

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 14:30:00 +1100

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador could become Mexico’s first progressive president in generations, but what would such a presidency actually look like? It is not an easy question to answer, though his time as leader of Mexico’s largest city could offer some insights.

Why Mexico’s presidential race is terrifying investors

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 16:15:00 +1100

The slow-burn fire sale of Mexico’s public assets could be about to end – or at least, that’s what has market analysts worried.

Cuba in the age of Obama and Trump

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Thu, 18 Jan 2018 14:15:00 +1100

What’s the fate of Cuba in the age of Trump? It is not an easy question to unravel, but Canadian author and journalist Arnold August provides some answers in his latest book, Cuba-US Relations: Obama and Beyond.

Venezuela: After Chavista local elections' landslide, internal struggles comes to the fore

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 19:00:00 +1100

Venezuela’s socialists scored an overwhelming victory in mayoral elections on December 10, taking over 90% of the country's municipalities.

President Nicolas Maduro’s United Venezuelan Socialist Party (PSUV), along with its allies, have secured victory in 308 of Venezuela’s 335 municipalities. According to preliminary results, the governing socialist party managed to take 21 out of the country’s 23 state capitals as well as the Caracas Capital District.

Venezuelans vote in rival symbolic polls

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 10:00:00 +1000

Venezuela’s government and opposition both claimed millions voted in rival symbolic elections on July 16.

Meanwhile, the US has responded to the opposition vote, with President Donald Trump describing the unofficial referendum as an example of “democracy, freedom, and rule of law” in a White House statement on July 17.

Venezuela: Revolutionaries demand ‘truly communal state’

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Fri, 19 May 2017 10:00:00 +1000

Thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets of Caracas on May 9 to rally in support of the country’s commune movement.

Socialist revolutionaries from across the country joined the march, calling on the government of President Nicolas Maduro to endorse a proposal to provide constitutional recognition of communes.

Trump’s gift to Mexico: A left-wing president?

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 11:00:00 +1100

Much has been made of US President Donald Trump’s potential impact on Mexico, but one critical story has been largely ignored in the Western media.

Coverage of Mexico in the Trump era has been dominated by speculation over the fate of the stumbling Mexican peso, the possibility of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) collapsing and, of course, the wall.

Meanwhile, a seismic shift is quietly taking place in Mexican politics: the right wing is the weakest it has been in generations, while the left is seeing a historic resurgence.

Mexico: Neoliberal attacks ignite gas war

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 11:00:00 +1100

New Year’s Day is usually a moment of peace in the chaos of Mexico City — but not this year. For Mexicans, 2017 began with nationwide protests against the government’s plans to deregulate petrol prices, a move opponents say will hurt everyone from the poor to middle class.

Since January 1, protests have only continued to spread, with almost daily demonstrations in nearly every large city. Major highways have also been blockaded by furious transport workers, who say they can’t keep up with rising prices at the bowser.

No, Venezuela is not actually a dictatorship

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Sat, 29 Oct 2016 11:00:00 +1100

After a year of political turmoil, Venezuela turned a corner recently, at least according to an eye-catching October 21 op-ed in The Washington Post. Titled “It’s official: Venezuela is a full-blown dictatorship”, the piece claimed the country has become an “all-out, no-more-elections dictatorship”.

Venezuela says US must abandon LA military bases

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 11:00:00 +1100

Venezuelan foreign minister Delcy Rodriguez called on the United States to pull out of its military bases across Latin America on October 6.

In a fierce speech, Rodriguez labelled the US military presence across the region as a threat to peace and stability.

“We denounce the presence of 70 US bases in our region, we have to unite and demand the closing of these bases,” said Rodriguez.

The comments were made while Rodriguez addressed the Latin American Summit of Progressive Movements in Quito, Ecuador.

The worst massacre in Paris since WWII was the 1961 police killing of Algerian protesters

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 11:00:00 +1100

If the horrific attacks in Paris, France have taught us anything, it is that some tragedies matter more than others. For example, look no further than these headlines: • 120 Dead in Paris Attacks, Worst Since WWII (ABC/AP, November 14); • Paris Wakes Up Under Siege After Deadliest Attack Since WWII (The Daily Beast, November 14);

Venezuela: Vandalism bill hits millions, Maduro proposes peace conference

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 11:00:00 +1100

Millions of dollars worth of damages to public property may have been caused by a wave of violence across Venezuela, according to government sources. The assessment comes after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called for a “National Peace Conference” as a means of resolving the on-going violent opposition protests in Venezuela.

Venezuelans mark one year since Chavez's death

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 11:00:00 +1100

Venezuela has commemorated the one year anniversary of the death of former president Hugo Chavez with rallies across the country. Supporters of the late socialist president turned out in hundreds of thousands for official commemoration services.

Ecuador eyewitness: Elites protest as Correa calls for debate on redistributing wealth

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 10:00:00 +1000

Ecuador's left-wing President Rafael Correa has called for dialogue with his country's right-wing opposition amid a wave of protests over proposed reforms aimed at taxing the rich.

An open letter to Lyle Shelton

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Fri, 29 May 2015 10:00:00 +1000

Australian lawmakers are set to begin debating marriage equality, and the anti-equality brigade is not happy at all. The Australian Christian Lobby’s managing director Lyle Shelton is the public face of the campaign against marriage equality in Australia. I certainly don’t agree with him on everything, but I do agree with his motto, which can be aptly summarised by Helen Lovejoy’s catchphrase, “won’t somebody please think of the children.” But for once in my life I should make a minor confession: I mostly agree out of pure narcissism. This is my open letter to Shelton. * * *

Western Saharans condemn EU-Morocco fisheries deal

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 11:00:00 +1100

Human rights conditions in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara remain dire according to activists, even though the territory is once again open for business to European fishing companies. Despite Moroccan pledges to improve conditions for Western Sahara's indigenous Sahrawi, head of the Sahrawi Centre for Media and Communication Mohamed Brahim said the situation is getting worse under Moroccan rule. “Nothing seems to be improving,” Brahim told �鶹��ý Weekly from Laayoune.

Venezuela: Workers demand car industry natonalisation

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Sat, 01 Mar 2014 11:00:00 +1100

Venezuelan car workers have slammed multinational car manufacturers for cutting back production in the country. The country's largest trade union federation has called for the industry to be nationalised. Accusing multinational car companies of being “imperialist”, the National Workers' Union (UNT) has called on the government to place car factories under worker control. The UNT said: “It's clear that building socialism relies on the working class, indeed the workers' control of the factories.”

Venezuela: Maduro determined 'to make economic revolution'

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 11:00:00 +1100

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he would take “the most radical measures to protect our people's economy” as a deadline for businesses to adhere to new price controls approaches. “We will expropriate whatever needs to be expropriated,” Maduro said during a February 4 speech in Caracas amid commemorations of the 22nd anniversary of a 1992 failed military rebellion. The coup was led by Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chavez. Although he was jailed for the insurrection, Chavez became a popular figure with the poor majority. He won the 1998 presidential elections by a landslide.

Venezuela: Gov't ramps up economic reforms to tackle right-wing sabotage

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 11:00:00 +1100

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced a slew of policy reforms aimed at combating speculation and hoarding. New government institutions are also being created to regulate trade and oversee foreign currency exchange. “We have to make real decisions for the benefit of the economy and society, whatever the cost and whatever happens,” Maduro said on November 6. Describing the package of reforms as an “economic offensive”, Maduro pledged to “strike hard” at speculators and hoarders.

Venezuela: Maduro calls for 'powerful, united' environment movement

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 10:00:00 +1000

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has approved Bs40 million (about $6.75 million) in funding for an environmental mission, and announced the creation of a national ecosocialist school. During a meeting of Venezuela's environmental movement, Maduro called on students and young people to join in state-sponsored environment rehabilitation projects.

Left govt’s condemn colonialism, capitalism at historic Havana summit

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 11:00:00 +1100

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called for an “eradication” of “colonialism” in Latin America at the annual summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). During the summit held in Cuba’s capital, Havana, over January 28 and 29, Maduro called for Puerto Rican independence and an end to British administration of the Falklands/Malvinas Islands, to which Argentina claims sovereignty. Puerto Rica was offered full membership of CELAC under a proposal made to the summit by Venezuela.

Left govt’s condemn colonialism, capitalism at historic Havana summit

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 11:00:00 +1100

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called for an “eradication” of “colonialism” in Latin America at the annual summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). During the summit held in Cuba’s capital, Havana, over January 28 and 29, Maduro called for Puerto Rican independence and an end to British administration of the Falklands/Malvinas Islands, to which Argentina claims sovereignty. Puerto Rico was offered full membership of CELAC under a proposal made to the summit by Venezuela.

Cuba: Fresh UN condemnation of US blockade

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 11:00:00 +1100

The UN General Assembly has voted for the 22nd consecutive year to reject the US embargo, with 188 nations opposed the embargo and three abstentions. Only the US and Israel voted in favour of the continuation of the embargo, which has been in place since 1960. The UN resolution is non-binding. On October 29, Cuba's foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez described the embargo as “extraordinary” and “barbaric”.

Venezuela: Big rise in social spending in proposed budget

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 11:00:00 +1100

Venezuela's finance minister, Nelson Merentes, presented a draft 2014 budget to the National Assembly on October 22 that devotes more revenue to social services, while predicting continued economic growth and lower inflation. About 62% of the 551 billion bolivars budget (about $92 billion) would be devoted to social services, compared with 37.7% this year.

Palestine campaign needs Greens support

Ryan Mallett-Outtrim — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 11:00:00 +1100

With the escalation of the war on Gaza in the past week, now is the time for the Greens to urgently reconsider backing the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign (BDS). This campaign aims to bring international pressure on Israel until it stops human rights abuses against Palestinians. BDS has grown rapidly in Australia in recent years, though mainstream politics has barely noted its progress. Even the Greens, generally far more sympathetic to the suffering of the Palestinian people, have now completely abandoned BDS.