North American Congress on Latin America

Last updated

AbbreviationNACLA
Formation1966
Type non-profit organization; publisher
Headquarters53 WASHINGTON SQ. SOUTH FL. 4W
Location
Sponsor
 NYU Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS)
Website nacla.org OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

North American Congress in Latin America (NACLA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1966 to provide information on trends in Latin America and relations between Latin America and the United States. [1] The organization is best known for publishing the quarterly NACLA Report on the Americas , and also publishes "books, anthologies and pamphlets for classroom and activist use". [2] The NACLA Report on the Americas print magazine was briefly discontinued in 2015, but relaunched under the Taylor and Francis imprint Routledge in May 2016. [3]

Contents

For the last 50 years, NACLA has been a source of English-language news and analysis for journalists, policymakers, activists, students and scholars in North America and throughout the world.

History

Founding

"[T]he focus of our attention and hope was the Cuban Revolution. The readers and writers of the NACLA Newsletter tended to view the future of Latin America and the Caribbean as resting on the possibility of reproducing something like the Cuban model elsewhere in the region."

Judith Adler Hellman, former NACLA member [4]

In 1966, the founders consisted of civil rights, anti-war, and labor activists. [5] The North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA) was established as a group that performed research for the leftist group Students for a Democratic Society. [5] The group's founders were inspired by the Cuban Revolution [4] and had a goal to challenge the elitist conventions expressed as "national interests" of the American people and to express the interests of those fundamentally opposed to American elitism.

1970s–1990s

The 1970s produced further research on United States (U.S.) involvement in the 1973 overthrow of Salvador Allende's elected government in Chile. The coup reinforced the American "fears" of socialism succeeding in America. That year, the NACLA report called "Facing the Blockade" documented President Richard Nixon's Administration's "invisible blockade" that denied Allende and his regime's "credit arrangements necessary for export-import operations". Salvador Allende responded to NACLA's book New Chile in his speech to the United Nations by saying: "If you want to know how the U.S. has affected Chile, just read New Chile by NACLA." [6]

In 1978, NACLA split into two groups, with one group moving to Oakland, California, called the "Data Center". [7]

In the 1980s, NACLA's reporting focused on the United States' role in the Central American Wars of the 1980s. NACLA activists travelled frequently to El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, studying conflicts in such areas. [8]

In the 1990s, NACLA stated that there was a pervasive culture of impunity in Latin America's new democracies. They highlighted the military consequences of the Drug War and criticized the neoliberal revolution occurring in Latin America. [8]

Rubén Zamora, a presidential candidate for the leftist Democratic Convergence in El Salvador, said that he regards NACLA as responsible for the better part of his political formation. During the darkest part of Haiti's military rule in the early 1990s, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's ambassador-in-exile to the United States, Jean Casimir, wrote to “express [his] gratitude to NACLA for its unflinching solidarity during this important period of our history." [8]

Present

Today, with Latin American leaders and social movements confronting what they call inequalities brought on by neoliberalism and rejecting the Washington Consensus, the growing movement for global justice pushes NACLA's intentions to take a prominent role just as it did in the 1970s and 1980s. Using the internet as an organizing tool and information portal, NACLA's website intends to provide coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean along with an analysis magazine, 50 years of archives, discussion forums, electronic newsletters, action alerts, links to social movements and organizations, and a media analysis project to examine mainstream coverage of the region. [9]

In 2006, the NACLA Report was rewarded with the Utne Independent Press Award for International Coverage. [10]

Since 2013, NACLA has partnered with the New York University Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, in the King Juan Carlos of Spain building, which houses NACLA's offices. [11]

After a brief pause in 2015, the NACLA Report on the Americas resumed publication in May 2016 as a quarterly publication published under the Taylor and Francis imprint Routledge. [12] Content is managed by a small editorial staff and editorial board of academics, activists, journalists, and researchers. [13]

Programs and activities

NACLA developed programs involving public debate and activism surrounding issues in the Americas. This includes its flagship publication, NACLA Report of the Americas, among other books, anthologies, and pamphlets. To support its bi-monthly newsletter, NACLA's site includes blogs, interviews, photo essays, its own radio department, and articles for investigative research and journalism.

NACLA hosts and collaborates with various conferences, seminars, teach-ins, and workshops to bring journalists, students, scholars, and others together such as The Media Accuracy on Latin America project, which involved a network of participants that generate constructive media criticism on U.S. policy in the region.

Magazine

NACLA Report on the Americas is the political magazine produced by the North American Congress on Latin America.

The journal describes itself as "the oldest and most widely read progressive magazine covering Latin America and its relationship with the United States". [14]

The magazine changed from bimonthly to quarterly in 2012. It ceased print publication in 2015. [15] However, the magazine announced a return to print through a partnership with Routledge in April 2016. The relaunch of the magazine was set for May 27, 2016. [16]

Format

A standard issue began with several short pieces on Latin American and Caribbean current events followed by a series of longer in-depth articles grouped in a thematic section on a particular topic of Latin American affairs and/or U.S. policy toward the region. Each issue ended with a review section on books related to Latin American and Caribbean political themes.

Reception

The Heritage Foundation stated in 1984 that NACLA "openly acknowledges its leftwing bias, even though other Latin American lobby groups have grown more circumspect" and that "despite the organization's theoretical ties to Marxist-Leninism, it can respond to the changing political realities of Capitol Hill". [5] NACLA was criticized by Brian Nelson, author of The Silence and the Scorpion , for having Gregory Wilpert and Michael Fox of the pro-Bolivarian government website Venezuelanalysis.com [17] on their editorial team. [18] [ self-published source ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salvador Allende</span> 28th president of Chile from 1970 to 1973

Salvador Guillermo Allende Gossens was a Chilean physician and socialist politician who served as the 28th president of Chile from 3 November 1970 until his death on 11 September 1973. He was the first Marxist to be elected president in a liberal democracy in Latin America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eduardo Frei Montalva</span> President of Chile From 1964 to 1970

Eduardo Nicanor Frei Montalva was a Chilean political leader. In his long political career, he was Minister of Public Works, president of his Christian Democratic Party, senator, President of the Senate, and the 27th president of Chile from 1964 to 1970. His eldest son, Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, also became president of Chile (1994–2000).

<i>The American Prospect</i> American liberal policy magazine

The American Prospect is a daily online and bimonthly print American political and public policy magazine dedicated to American modern liberalism and progressivism. Based in Washington, D.C., The American Prospect says it "is devoted to promoting informed discussion on public policy from a progressive perspective." Its motto is "Ideas, Politics, and Power".

<i>Utne Reader</i> Magazine

Utne Reader is a digital digest that collects and reprints articles on politics, culture, and the environment, generally from alternative media sources including journals, newsletters, weeklies, zines, music, and DVDs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1973 Chilean coup d'état</span> Overthrow of President Salvador Allende by Gen. Augusto Pinochet and the U.S.

The 1973 Chilean coup d'état was a military coup in Chile that deposed the Popular Unity government of President Salvador Allende. Allende had been the first Marxist to be elected president of a liberal democracy in Latin America. On 11 September 1973, after an extended period of social unrest and political tension between the opposition-controlled Congress and the socialist President, as well as economic war ordered by United States President Richard Nixon, a group of military officers led by General Augusto Pinochet seized power in a coup of their own, ending civilian rule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Popular Unity (Chile)</span> Political alliance in Chile

Popular Unity was a left-wing political alliance in Chile that stood behind the successful candidacy of Salvador Allende for the 1970 Chilean presidential election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military dictatorship of Chile (1973–1990)</span> Period of Chilean history under the rule of General Augusto Pinochet

An authoritarian military dictatorship ruled Chile for seventeen years, between 11 September 1973 and 11 March 1990. The dictatorship was established after the democratically-elected socialist government of Salvador Allende was overthrown in a coup d'état backed by the United States on 11 September 1973. During this time, the country was ruled by a military junta headed by General Augusto Pinochet. The military used the breakdown of democracy and the economic crisis that took place during Allende's presidency to justify its seizure of power. The dictatorship presented its mission as a "national reconstruction." The coup was the result of multiple forces, including pressure from conservative groups, certain political parties, union strikes and other domestic unrest, as well as international factors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presidency of Salvador Allende</span> Period of Chilean history from 1970 to 1973

Salvador Allende was the president of Chile from 1970 until his 1973 suicide, and head of the Popular Unity government; he was a Socialist and Marxist elected to the national presidency of a liberal democracy in Latin America. In August 1973 the Chilean Senate declared the Allende administration to be "unlawful," Allende's presidency was ended by a military coup before the end of his term. During Allende's three years, Chile gradually transitioned into a socialist state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Latin American Parliament</span>

The Latin American Parliament (Parlatino) is a regional, permanent organization composed by the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is a consultative assembly similar to the early European Parliament. Currently the institution is being considered to become the legislative organ of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catholic Church in Chile</span> Roman Catholicism in Chile

The Catholic Church in Chile is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope, the curia in Rome, and the Episcopal Conference of Chile.

<i>NACLA Report on the Americas</i> Academic journal

NACLA Report on the Americas is a political magazine produced by the North American Congress on Latin America.

Latin Media House, LLC acquired the assets of Casiano Communications Inc. (CCI) effective November 2, 2015 from Chapter 11 at the US Bankruptcy Court. The original company was founded in 1973, by Manuel A. Casiano, who died on May 19, 2017, at the age of 86. Casiano Communications started out publishing a business and financial newsletter on Puerto Rico which evolved over 45 years into the largest English speaking weekly paper Caribbean Business. Latin Media House continues to publish and expand the existing publications like Caribbean Business, Imagen, Buena Vida or Book of Lists. The group is lead since its inception by chief executive officer and Editor in Chief Heiko Faass and employs approximately 200 persons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patricio Manns</span> Chilean recording artist; musician (1937–2021)

Iván Patricio Eugenio Manns de Folliot was a Chilean singer, composer, author, poet, novelist, essayist, play writer and journalist. He is known for his 1965 song "Arriba en la Cordillera".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allende family</span> Chilean family of Spanish descent

The Allende family is a Chilean family of Spanish descent. They became well known during the 19th century and are based in Santiago. They have played a very significant role in Chilean politics.

The Cuban packages (1972) was a Chilean smuggling scandal, involving President Salvador Allende, his Minister of the Interior, Hernán del Canto and the Director of the Civil Police Eduardo Paredes. It was cited by the authors of the Chamber of Deputies' Declaration of the Breakdown of Chile’s Democracy as one of the instances of government officials' illegality.

Events in the year 1973 in Chile.

The following lists events that happened during 1970 in Chile.

The following lists events that happened during 1971 in Chile.

Ercilla was a biweekly news magazine published in Santiago, Chile. The magazine was in circulation between 1936 and April 2015. Its title is a reference to Alonso de Ercilla who wrote the first epic poem in Spanish in Chile.

The Chile Solidarity Movement supported the election of Salvador Allende, president of Chile from 1970-1973. When a military coup ousted Allende from power in 1973, the Movement sought to end the dictatorship.

References

  1. ↑ "Journal Information".
  2. ↑ "Publications | NACLA".
  3. ↑ "NACLA Report on the Americas". www.tandfonline.com. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Peace, Roger (2012). A call to conscience : the anti/Contra War campaign. Amherst, Mass.: University of Massachusetts Press. p. 59. ISBN   978-1558499324.
  5. 1 2 3 Frawley, Joan (October 11, 1984). "The Left's Latin American Lobby". The Heritage Foundation . Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Interview With Noam Chomsky on the Crisis in Central America and Mexico". The Nation. October 31, 2014. ISSN   0027-8378 . Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  7. ↑ Bagdikian, David Armstrong ; foreword by Ben H. (1981). A trumpet to arms : alternative media in America (1st ed.). Boston, Mass.: South End Press. p. 322. ISBN   978-0896081932.
  8. 1 2 3 "History | NACLA". nacla.org. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  9. ↑ "About Us | NACLA". nacla.org. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  10. ↑ Hart, Joseph (September 4, 2007). "NACLA Wins Utne Independent Press Award for Best International Coverage". NACLA. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  11. ↑ Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, New York University.
  12. ↑ "Aims and scope, NACLA Report on the Americas, Taylor & Francis Online.
  13. ↑ Editorial board, NACLA Report on the Americas, Taylor & Francis Online.
  14. ↑ "Magazine | North American Congress on Latin America". nacla.org. Archived from the original on May 2, 2008.
  15. ↑ "Dear reader". NACLA Report on the Americas. 47 (4): 1. 2014. ISSN   1071-4839.
  16. ↑ Velasco, Alejandro (April 6, 2016). "NACLA Returns to print!". NACLA.
  17. ↑ "About venezuelanalysis.com". Venezuelanalysis.com . Archived from the original on October 4, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  18. ↑ Nelson, Brian. "Response to the Venezuelan Government's Attacks on The Silence and the Scorpion". brianandrewnelson.com. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.