LA Quick Hits: Hugo & the Banks, Cubans Doubtful About Change, Peru Talking FTA as Exports Explode & I Wish My Girlfriend Was Colombian

• Since he has not done enough to frighten off investment and squelch any hope for private sector growth, Hugo is going after the banks now. He also gives a hat tip to Correa for coming up with the idea of not allowing banks to have ownership stake in media.
• Cubans sceptical of Raul's promise for economic change, they have seen this all before.
• Peru has started FTA talks with Central America.
• Year-to-year, Peruvian exports shot up a shade over 40%, imports were up 38%.
• Colombians only buy 2.2 shoes a year?

Raul Doesn't Speak, What Does it Mean?

More regular than the swallows at San Juan Capistrano are the Castros on July 26. So yesterday rolls around and we are left Castro-less at the mic. The Babalu crowd was as muted as Raul but they should have been concerned. By not bothering to speak By going sotto voce Raul seems to be underlining their often made statement that the "Revolution" is about something more than the Castro Bros. True, he could have sent a stronger signal by having someone other than octogenarian-to-be keynote, but the point is made nonetheless. Very subtle but the message is clear.