Worldfocus » Shannon O’Neil

Clinton outlines conditions for Cuba entry to OAS

Worldfocus — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:15:58 +0000

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in Honduras on Tuesday, attending a meeting of the Organization of American States.

One issue on the table was Cuba, which was kicked out of the OAS in 1962. While most of the 34 nations in the group want Cuba to be reinstated without conditions, Clinton said there must be changes made by the Cuban government, including the release of political prisoners, respect for basic human rights and democratic reforms. That position comes despite recent overtures by the United States to improve relations with Cuba.

Shannon O’Neil, an expert on Latin America with the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Martin Savidge to discuss what it would take for Cuba to be re-admitted into the organization, overtures from Cuba to the U.S. and Iran’s interest in Latin American countries.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in Honduras on Tuesday, attending a meeting of the Organization of American States. One issue on the table was Cuba, which was kicked out of the OAS in 1962. Shannon O’Neil of the Council on Foreign Relations discusses what it would take for Cuba to be re-admitted into the organization. http://worldfocus.org/files/2009/06/th_latinamerica_oneil.jpg http://worldfocus.org/files/2009/06/th_latinamerica_oneil.jpg

Obama faces challenges south of the border

Worldfocus — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:12:54 +0000

Following his inauguration on Tuesday, Barack Obama faces many serious global challenges — some of them south of the border.

The retiring Central Intelligence Agency chief said last week the drug violence in Mexico could pose a bigger problem for President Obama than Iraq. Another report by the U.S. military says Mexico is at risk of “sudden collapse.”

Meanwhile, Cuban President Raul Castro has expressed an interest in working with President Obama — while Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Monday that the new Obama administration already has what he called the “stench” of the Bush administration.

Shannon O’Neil, a specialist on Latin America at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Martin Savidge to discuss how President Obama might tackle Mexican drug violence and relations with Cuba and Venezuela.

Read more about world reactions to Obama’s inauguration: The world watches as President Obama takes office.

Following his inauguration on Tuesday, Barack Obama faces many serious global challenges — some of them in Latin America. Shannon O’Neil of the Council on Foreign Relations discusses how he might tackle Mexican drug violence and relations with Cuba and Venezuela. /files/2009/01/th_latam_obamaoneill.jpg /files/2009/01/th_latam_obamaoneill.jpg

Russian warship to arrive, following Venezuela’s elections

Worldfocus — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:40:32 +0000

Sunday’s regional elections in Venezuela saw some gains for Hugo Chávez’s opponents, at a time when the leader awaits the arrival of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and a fleet of Russian warships. The ships will conduct joint exercises with Venezuela’s navy.

Shannon O’Neil, a specialist on Latin America at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Martin Savidge to discuss Chávez’s position, joint naval exercises between Russia and Venezuela and Obama’s approach to Venezuela going forward.

Shannon O’Neil of the Council on Foreign Relations examines Hugo Chávez’s position and the future of Venezuela in light of Sunday’s local elections and forthcoming joint naval exercises with Russian warships. /files/2008/11/th_venezuela_oneil1124.jpg /files/2008/11/th_venezuela_oneil1124.jpg

Obama may shake up relations with Cuba and Venezuela

Worldfocus — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 03:46:49 +0000

Latin Americans held great interest in the U.S. elections, and now relations between the U.S. and Latin American nations may see a shift under President-elect Barack Obama.

Shannon O’Neil, a specialist on Latin America at the Council on Foreign Relations, speaks with Martin Savidge about Obama’s position on Cuba, the future of relations with Cuba and Venezuela and major trade issues that are currently under review in Congress.

Shannon O’Neil of the Council on Foreign Relations discusses the future of relations between the U.S. and Latin American nations under U.S. President-elect Barack Obama. /files/2008/11/th_kc_oneil.jpg /files/2008/11/th_kc_oneil.jpg

Drug cartel infiltrates Mexico’s attorney general office

Worldfocus — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:07:32 +0000

One of Mexico’s drug cartels infiltrated the attorney general’s office and made monthly payments of hundreds of thousands of dollars to government officials. Five officials have been arrested. A cartel member also infiltrated the U.S. embassy and may have leaked information about U.S. drug enforcement operations to the cartel.

Shannon O’Neil, a specialist on Latin America at the Council on Foreign Relations, speaks with Martin Savidge about the politicized and corrupt nature of the justice system in Mexico, the possibility of a mole within the country’s U.S. embassy and the challenge of combating this corruption.

Shannon O’Neil of the Council on Foreign Relations discusses the corruption of Mexico’s justice system. /files/2008/10/th_mexico_oneil10281.jpg /files/2008/10/th_mexico_oneil10281.jpg

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez visits China

Worldfocus — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:44:24 +0000

While many of the world’s leaders are meeting at the United Nations, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez made his way to China. Shannon O’Neil, a Latin American specialist with the Council on Foreign Relations, speaks with Martin Savidge about the significance of Chavez’s visit to China and his domestic problems in Venezuela.

Shannon O’Neil, a Latin American specialist from the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses Chavez’s relationship at home and abroad. /files/2008/09/th_vid_intvshannon.jpg /files/2008/09/th_vid_intvshannon.jpg