LA Quick Hits: Para Leader to Talk, Raul Will Talk Less, But Wants Others to Talk More, Alvaro and Correa Won't Talk at All and Much More

• This should be interesting. The para leader testifying in Colombia is promising to name names.
  
• Raul says that university students should debate "fearlessly." Raul also promised to make fewer speeches and labeled el lider maximo as irreplaceable. As for the debating part I would caution students to heed the call. Opennings in Cuba are usually followed relatively closely by new repression. It is a typical ploy to ferret out dissenters and non-believers. It's not that I find Raul insincere but in 47 years he has given little reason for anyone to trust him. As for the fewer speeches that is a no-brainer. Raul is an awful speaker, the more the people see him the less they would respect him. As for Fidel's importance to the revolution of that there is no doubt so that if there truly is a Cuban style glasnost it is because Raul knows that he can't be all controling like Fidel and get away with it.
• The rubber stamp known as the Cuban National Assembly meets today.
• CSM reports on the escalating tensions among Colombia's neighbors over its aerial spraying. Correa canceled his visit to Colombia in an effort to pressure Uribe. (en esp.)
• The Peace Corps is pulling out of an impoverished neighborhood near La Paz after a bus with a Peace Corps volunteer was attacked by a pro-Evo mob. They were trying to impede anti-Evo protestors from getting to Santa Cruz.
• Hugo rips Reporters Without Borders.
• Cuba is going to aid Venezuela in its fight against corruption. The sound you hear is me trying not to laugh out loud.
  
• Former Uruguayan strongman Jose Maria Bordebarry has been charged with additional crimes that occured during his country's "dirty war."
• 91 or 94 imprisoned members of APPO, the troublemakers in Oaxaca, were relocated. Among those moved were the movements leaders. If you're not sure about what is happening in Oaxaca Slate has dispatch from there.
  
• Calderon is looking to boost funding for migrants by 21%. The PRI and PRD said it wasn't enough. The first half of the budget has been approved. (en esp.)
• Fewer Mexicans are crossing the border back home for the holidays.
• Former Peru Prez Toledo has been charged with forgery. If this is all that he did he qualifies as a saint in LA.