LA Quick Hits: Elections Colombian Style, Shut 'em Down Hugo Style, A Bunch of Stuff on Drugs - An Arrest, A Fungus and A Runner & More

• Uribe blew off para leader Mancuso's revelation that the paras pressured voters to support Uribe. (en esp.)
  
• Want to know why Hugo is shutting down RCTV? WaPost has the best story thus far on what it is about RCTV that ticks Hugo off.
• Texan lawmakers are asking for $850 million dollars over five years to fight the drug war in Mexico. Once again we are looking for a proxy to do our fighting for us. Once again we are looking for our southern neighbors to bear the brunt of the drug war. Why don't we spend $850 million to get people off drugs or to get them off of our streets?
• Pedro Diaz Parada, allegedly a drug cartel leader, was arrested in Oaxaca. This is the first major arrest of the Calderon crackdown.
• "Franken-fungus" a powerful herbicide may be to controversial and dangerous to spread here but some in DC don't have a problem in using it in LA to combat drugs.
• Colombian authorities stumbled on $54 million worth of loot while conducting drug raids in four houses.
• Cubans wait and wonder as to the state of Fidel's health. I'll say it again, when he dies there will be wailing in the streets. I'm just preparing myself psychological for the sight and the glowing news reports.
• Cuba is keeping a Colombian drug runner under lock and key, even though they haven't charged him with anything drug related. The insinuation in the piece is that if they let him go he may reveal something to embarass the Cubes. Not that I think the Castro Bros. don't run drugs (I do) but I doubt they would have made a high profile case over a weak link.
• A miner's death has some in Coahuila skittish. 65 miners were buried alive last year and safety remains a concern.
• Former LA prezes are being nailed when they leave office. The Herald explains why...I'll do it quicker most LA gov't's are dirty.
  

LA Quick Hits Special Sat. Edition: Tijuana, Castro Will Die, Kirchner Haters, Norgie Nastiness, Mexican Mess, AMLO Returns, Lots of Hugo & Much More

Obviously I have nothing else better to do this morning-

• Surprising smackdown of Hugo by OAS Sec Gen Jose Miguel Insuza. He rips the Bolivarian Bully for shutting down RCTV - Venezuela's most popular network.
  
• The Tijuana police are back at "work." I say "work" because many believe that Tijuana cops do extra work for dealers and cartels. The public at large is thrilled that their guns have been taken away. The HoustonChron and NYT got the news late.
• US officials still believe that Castro will kick the bucket soon although they did stay away from the word "cancer."
• Huge controversy in Norge over Cuban officials not being allowed to stay in a hotel owned by Hilton. Now I may not like the embargo but it is the law of our land so the Norgies should kick back have one of those disgusting akvavits and relax.
• Kirchner's unannounced re-election bid is drawing candidates. Carlos Menem, oblivious to his staggering unpopularity is giving it another go. Also running is Roberto Lavgna, the economy minister who helped Argentina back on its feet and was unceremoniously dumped by Kirchner once his job was done. This is called pulling a Domingo Cavallo and the result should be the same. In case you were wondering Cavallo also has a website.
• Evo has grown frustrated with the opposition (the democratic process) and has made noises that he will proceed with his reforms without the Constitutional Assembly. (en esp.)
• The Hugo Shuffle continues with his bro taking over education (en esp.)...insert joke here.
  
• FT gives some lousy advice on how to deal with Hugo. It says we should reach out and talk. Stupid gringos never figure out that the anti-Americanism whether real or feigned is a vital part of the governing philosophy of the Loony Latin Left. They need someone to blame for all that ails their countries and the colossus to the north is an easy target. Hugo will talk only when petrol drops and he has no choice. That or if we elect Charles Rangel prez.
• A teen has been arrested in Venezuela for hacking into gov't sites and basically mocking Hugo.
  
• Ecuador is a riskier investment than Iraq...chew on that one for a while.
• Speaking of Ecuador the two deaths from the ETA bombings were Ecuadorian immigrants. One of them came home yesterday. (en esp.)
• A former Colombian cabinet minister escaped captivity after being held six years.
• New Presidents Ortega and Calderon have two basic issues that they will focus on this year. Calderon is stressing security (en esp.) while Ortega is stressing out over the economy. (en esp.)
• Nine bodies were found Michoacan.
• Guerrero is next for Calderon. (en esp.)
  
• Marcela Sanchez from WaPost bemoans the lack of int'l leadership in LA. Most leaders are focusing on domestic issues leaving the platform to the rabble rousing of Hugo.
• The PRD run DF government has a 250 million peso discrepancy - this is me trying not to be surprised.
  
• Chile is projecting 4.2% growth this year, its lowest in three years. (en esp.)
• Pulling a Saban (bold faced lie) - Dems are telling Colombians that their free trade pact isn't good enough for Colombia so they're seeking changes that will help all Colombians....uh...yeah, right.
• Danny Ortega wants a new presidential palace (en esp.) and it will cost the impoverished country $9 million to pay for the whole darned thing.
• AMLO is pulling an Oprah and getting a TV show. Hat tip Vivirlatino.