LA Quick Hits: Cholera Kills in Haiti, Juarez (Again), Hugo and Santos, Bolivia - Not So Gassy, Peru Talks Security, PRD Drops Godoy & More

• Cholera outbreak in Haiti kills 150 thus far; not in Port-au-Prince but earthquake to blame. WaPost and LAT also follow story.
• 15 youths dead in Juarez.
• Santos and Hugo to meet in Caracas on October 29.
• Bolivia gas reserves a lot lower than previously believed.
• Colombia, Brazil and Peru talk security (notice the source link and how they play down Chavez nuke plans).
• Peru says FARC is hanging out there.
• Peru talks narcos with Bolivia.
• PRD dumps Godoy. Why did they accept him in the first place. Godoy has ties to organized crime and still sits in Chamber of Deputies. He is immune from prosecution while in office.
• PAN's preemptive strike against AMLO fails - they should just ignore him. They are turning him into a martyr...again.
• Colombia has more fauna under threat than any country in world, save Mex.
• Susana Villaran still has a 14K vote lead in Lima mayoral race with over 88% of votes counted.

LA Round Up: Vicky Cashes In, AMLO Again, Alvaro-n-Hugo & Peru Explodes

• Vicky Pelaez is going to get PAID by the Ruskies. Like she wasn't getting paid before.
• Because it wasn't fun enough the first time "El Mesias Tropical" is gearing up to do it again. Ebrard is playing nice for now, but no way he lets AMLO get the PRD nod without a fight.
• Camacho Solis coordinator of the lefty Mexicans (PRD, PT and Convergencia) says they need to stick to one candidate in 2012 - good luck if the consensus isn't el Peje.
• Year to year numbers for May show Peru exports to the Americas up 30%. All that and no Export Initiative? Amazing how that works.
• Venezuela blames Uribe for keeping relations testy - I'm SHOCKED!

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.