Free Republic

Cuban President Raul Castro and US Vice-president Joe Biden are among the guests expected at the inauguration of President Tabare Vazquez this coming Sunday in Montevideo. According to HavaTimes, The encounter will come two days after the second round of negotiations between the US and Cuba set for Friday February 27 in Washington. The two countries are trying to pave the way to a reopening of embassies in their respective capitals. Also expected in Montevideo for the beginning of a new term of Vazquez (following Jose Mujica, the current leader) are the presidents of Brasil, Dilma Rousseff, Chile, Michelle Bachelet,...

When Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, said that the assassination of Boris Nemtsov on February 27 was a “provocation,” it was natural to think he was implying that Putin’s own enemies were responsible. Such a proposition would fit with the Kremlin line that its critics aim to fracture society and overthrow Russia’s elected rulers. And the provocation formula might handily be extended to other enemies of the regime, at home and abroad. Sceptics, including many in the West, are understandably inclined to see a smokescreen, and to consider Putin directly or indirectly responsible for Nemtsov’s death. Either way, the killing may...