Suchergebnisse

Can international peacemaking efforts succeed in an intractable conflict such as the one in Venezuela? In this paper we put forward a conceptualization of peacemaking processes that underlines their ability to creatively change the terms of a conflict. Then we look at the four dialogue and negotiation processes that have occurred during the government of Nicolás Maduro. Our review shows that while it is clear that the Maduro government uses dialogue processes as a delay tactic through which it can divide and demobilize the opposition, clear progress has been made in the mediators' ability to generate concrete articulation and discussion of the conflicting parties' demands. However, international allies on each side of the conflict are affecting the calculations of the two sides, working against an agreement. Resumen: Paz internacional en el conflicto intratable de Venezuela¿Pueden los esfuerzos internacionales de establecimiento de la paz tener éxito en un conflicto intratable como el de Venezuela? En este artículo presentamos una conceptualización de los procesos de establecimiento de la paz que subraya su capacidad para cambiar creativamente los términos de un conflicto. Luego observamos los cuatro procesos de diálogo y negociación que ocurrieron durante el gobierno de Nicolás Maduro. Nuestra revisión muestra que, si bien está claro que el gobierno de Maduro usa los procesos de diálogo como una táctica de demora a través de la cual puede dividir y desmovilizar a la oposición, se ha logrado un claro progreso en la capacidad de los mediadores para generar una articulación y discusión concretas de las partes en conflicto ' demandas. Sin embargo, los aliados internacionales en cada lado del conflicto están afectando los cálculos de las dos partes, trabajando en contra de un acuerdo.

Uruguay, the first country to enact legislation to legalize and regulate every level of the market for cannabis, will be an important example globally for jurisdictions contemplating whether and how to liberalize drug policies. A combination of political leadership by former President José "Pepe" Mujica and public unease over rising criminality led Uruguay to pursue reforms to place the cannabis market under legal authority of the state, rather than in the hands of illegal groups. The new law, approved in December 2013, encompasses medical as well as adult use, or "recreational cannabis" for which it creates three distinct sources of legal access: home growing, social clubs, and commercial sales through pharmacies. While most Uruguayans remain skeptical of the new cannabis law, the "Broad Front" coalition responsible for passing the law in 2013 renewed its congressional majorities and retained the presidency in the country's 2014 elections. The current government of President Tabaré Vazquez has stated its commitment to fully implementing the law, but is moving ahead cautiously, mindful of ongoing domestic and international criticisms. While the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has castigated Uruguay for violating its international drug treaty obligations, Uruguay has argued that the country's human rights obligations under international law take priority over drug control treaty requirements. Given the unprecedented nature of Uruguay's new cannabis regime, successful implementation will require rigorous monitoring and evaluation and the flexibility to make revisions as problems emerge. Rigorous evaluation of Uruguay's pioneering reforms can also provide important insights and knowledge for other jurisdictions that may wish to consider comparable regulatory approaches.