In a recent article for COHA (Council on Hemispheric Affairs), FoLA's Richard Kohn (professor of Animal Science at the University of Maryland) refutes claims that Nicaragua is destroying its rain forests and allowing beef ranchers to convert them to pastures in the country’s vast nature reserves. Based on his personal and professional experience, Kohn demonstrates that, contrary to this misleading narrative, the nature reserves in Nicaragua are not being deforested, and the Nicaraguan government has been promoting more sustainable beef production and reforestation. Economic sanctions could jeopardize these efforts.
July 25th, in DC: Voices across the U.S. will demand END the U.S. Blockade of CUBA
On June 25th (Sunday) join FoLA and several other organizations and individuals to demand an end to the US blockade against Cuba! We will rally in front of the White House (2pm-4pm) to welcome Cuban American 'Miami to DC' Walkers (2pm-4pm), followed by an evening event at Busboys and Poets.
When writing to our senators gets no response, perhaps we need new senators
For several years, Rick Kohn (University of Maryland professor and FoLA member) has been writing senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen about ending sanctions against Nicaragua, but never received a response. Recently, he also wrote Greenbelt's Mayor Colin Byrd, who's planning to run against Van Hollen in 2022. Byrd not only engaged in conversation, demonstrating familiarity with the issues at hand, but also publicly expressed his opposition to the RENACER Act, a bill (sponsored by Cardin) aimed at further destabilizing Nicaragua.
What’s wrong with the Paris accord? “It’s neocolonialism pure and simple,” says Paul Oquist
Paul Oquist, Nicaragua's delegate to the International Climate talks (who died on Tuesday, April 13th), explains what is wrong with the Paris agreement. He starts with a brief historical lesson on imperialism, to put into context the absurd proposition that the poor countries should bear the burden of solving the climate crisis.
Friends of Latin America 