President Cristina Fernández signs a bill allowing gay men and lesbians to have legally recognised partnerships. Congress had voted 33-27 for the proposal

Convicted armed robbers abscond right under the nose of Wilson, a football with a guard's cap that manned a watchtower

It was, in hindsight, not the shrewdest budget cut. A jail in Argentina manned a watchtower with a dummy ? a football with a guard's cap ? and hoped prisoners would sense constant vigilance.

The synthetic sentinel did not demand a salary, did not grumble about conditions and did not protest its nickname: Wilson, after the volleyball which kept Tom Hanks company in the film Cast Away.

The only flaw in the innovation was that Wilson did not demur when two convicted armed robbers escaped, an oversight owing more to Mr Bean than Prison Break. Walter Pozo, 33, and Cesar Andres, 26, merged into a crowd of departing visitors last Saturday and vanished to freedom in Neuquén, a small city in Argentina's vast Patagonian wilderness.

Rumours of Wilson's existence, and his relaxed approach to guardkeeping, were confirmed today. "For an obvious strategic reason we could not say it before, but now the news is out, I admit that we have a type of mannequin," said Daniel Verges, director of the penitentiary service.

Underfunding meant just two of the jail's 15 towers had guards. Wilson was installed in a third tower on the west wing to boost the sense of scrutiny.

"We've made a dummy out of a football and a prison officer's cap, so that the prisoners see its shadow and think they're being watched," an unnamed prison source told the Río Negro newspaper. "We named him Wilson, like in the film Cast Away, and put him in one of the towers."

An inquiry has been launched amid emergency meetings of security officials. Wilson's penitentiary career is over and he is presumed to have been demoted back to being a football.

Authorities admitted several monitors and surveillance cameras were broken or lacked video cassettes but said cameras in the dummy's sector of the jail were working.

The police chief, Juan Carlos Lepén, said budget cuts meant there was no quick or easy way to fix equipment or properly staff the jail, which is known as Penal Unit 11. "We are trying to resolve this. Our request [for more funds] is with the public administration but we have to wait."

Pozo and Andres were nearing the end of their sentences and kept in a sector with fewer security measures. They reportedly scaled a wire fence and wall, donned overcoats and joined visitors who streamed out of the jail, which is located in an industrial zone, on a wintry Saturday afternoon. The hunt for the fugitives has not gone well so far. A police car crashed into a tree, slightly injuring four officials.

Argentina's legalisation of gay marriage has reawakened the old debate. For some, a civil partnership is simply not good enough

Argentina recently became the first South American country to legalise gay marriage. It is not, however, the first South American country to allow gay people to enter into an officially recognised relationship ? that was Uruguay in 2007.

The UK and several other countries differentiate between marriage and civil partnerships, while others specifically allow gay marriage. The ECHR recently held that such a distinction is not unlawful as the EU Convention "enshrine[s] the traditional concept of marriage as being between a man and a woman", thus countries may, rather than must, interpret this as including same-sex couples.

So if the rights resulting are the same, is it important what a union is called? This debate can focus on definitions: online dictionaries (as well as my own offline Penguin) give as the primary definition a union with someone of the opposite sex, and a secondary definition of a more general "marriage of concepts". A Spanish dictionary (as Spain allows gay marriage) is similar: "Unión de hombre y mujer concertada mediante determinados ritos o formalidades legales"; as is a French dictionary: "Acte solennel par lequel un homme et une femme établissent entre eux une union".

The Latin root matrimonium, includes matri, a clear indication of the intent of such a union. This often leads to discussions of marriage as being primarily for the procreation (rather than parenting) of children, but that arguably does not reflect the modern meaning of the word, more concerned with the desires of the two people entering into it than any subsequent person who might be created from it.

Some gay people are content with the equal legal rights under the Civil Partnership Act and are not concerned with terminology. And then there are other priorities, with gay people in some countries facing state-sanctioned violence, prison sentences ? even execution. There is an argument that pressure should be concentrated there rather than fine-tuning the vocabulary of life in Britain ? there is nothing to stop gay people referring to their engagement, marriage, missus, partner or husband if they wish.

For others, true equality will not be achieved until the word used to describe unions is the same for all concerned. The difference recalls "separate but equal", a seemingly reasonable idea nonetheless rooted in inequality. Given the difference between the origin of the phrase and the current situation, this may seem hyperbolic. A single word cannot be as detrimental to a person's rights as an entire system of segregation on racial lines. But the distinction remains, which, in this view, displays the idea of fundamental difference.

Yuvraj Joshi recently set out some competing views in the gay community: that for some, inclusion in the institution of marriage is something to be pursued, while for others it is important to retain a sense of difference, to resist "assimilation" and a sense of "moral hierarchy" between state-recognised relationships and those existing outside these norms. Diversity of relationships, as he notes, exists in opposite-sex as well as same-sex relationships. Rather than focusing on difference, which the second approach can imply is solely a gay issue, perhaps "equality of opportunity" to marriage is the key point, thus allowing all people to either buy in or not, as they wish.

I once mistook two French phrases ? séparé (to be separated) and c'est pareil (it's the same thing), which made me wonder if the situations of civil partnership and marriage are so similar in their substance that what they are called is no matter? For me, the distinction is an annoyance, largely based on semantic logic. If marriage is indeed based on religious ideas of union, then any non-religious union should be a civil partnership; alternatively, if there is no necessary link with religion (which is my view), then all state-recognised unions should be marriages.

Some will think "Well, it's just words, let's get on with other stuff"; others, like me, think "It's a piddling little point, let's just change it"; and some have much stronger views one way or the other. Thinking of this as "just words" should also make us think that this can be used as an excuse for the expression of hate, denigration, or dismissal. But if you have to reach for a dictionary to define a loving relationship, you might also be missing the point.

That same-sex marriage is a right is an emerging consensus; but support for a broader diversity will be more difficult to gain

Last month, the European court of human rights ruled that member states are not obliged to allow gay marriage, despite "an emerging consensus towards legal recognition of same-sex couples". Shortly afterwards, a federal judge in Massachusetts ruled unconstitutional the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which forbids the federal government to recognise gay marriages. And then, last week, Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalise gay marriage, granting same-sex couples all the legal rights, responsibilities and protections that marriage brings to heterosexuals.

It is difficult to see how a legal system that claims to take equality before the law seriously can deny marriage equality. Supporters of same-sex marriage regard inclusion into such an important social and legal institution as vital to the citizenship of gay men and lesbians.

But some take issue with this. As they are interested in preserving the diversity of gay relationships, they resist conforming to societal ideals of "normal" relationships. Their concern is that gay culture may perish as gay men and lesbians begin to pursue typical heterosexual norms by getting married and raising children.

The sameness of gay and lesbian relationships to their heterosexual counterparts is often emphasised. In the Canadian case of Halpern v Attorney General of Canada, seven gay and lesbian couples argued that their reasons for wanting to engage in the formal civil union of marriage ? "to celebrate their love and commitment to each other" ? are the same as those of heterosexual couples. But while love and commitment may motivate gay and straight relationships alike, they may be rather different in their approaches to, say, organising households or raising children. And it seems possible to enter into the legal institution of marriage without losing these differences.

Same-sex marriage may actually allow an ancient institution to progress into modern times. One inevitable deviation from heterosexual marriage is the absence of opposite sexes and so the traditional power of men over women. As this power difference is removed from gay marital contexts, the institution of marriage may itself evolve to better encompass gender equality. (Albeit there may, of course, still be power divides within a same-sex relationships and marriage.)

The assimilation of gay men and lesbians into a heterosexual lifestyle, whether that is considered a good or bad thing, is not the crucial issue. The real challenge to gay politics is the creation of moral hierarchies within the gay community. As some gay men and lesbians become included within privileged private monogamous unions protected by law, those who resist this inclusion may become less imaginable as gay citizens.

The debate about same-sex marriage exists in a context where spaces for sexual experimentation are being replaced with more socially "respectable" forms of gay visibility. Take the existence of gay professional networking websites like Jake, which distances itself from the so-called Gaydar approach by denying full membership to users posting partially undressed photographs.

Such a drive towards social respectability is problematic insofar as it produces artificial and moralistic divisions within the gay community. The "good" gay citizens are usually white, male, affluent and discreetly sexual. By virtue of their relative gender, class and race privilege, their views are taken to represent the voice of and define the political agenda for the entire community.

A case in point is the first national debate to pitch for British gay votes hosted by Jake. According to them, their polling base represents affluent, largely male, mainly successful business and professional people: 29% are business owners or senior executives, and a further 35% are in consulting, management, legal and medical professions. Half earn more than £50,000 a year. This seems not so much a cross-section of gay votes as an influential sub-group whose interests may differ from those of less privileged members.

Same-sex marriage may also operate as a vehicle for social respectability, ascribing respect to gay men and lesbians in marital unions. In so doing, it may further marginalise those who do not conform to current scheme of marriage, such as individuals in openly non-monogamous unions.

Diversity is not alien to heterosexual marriage: religious versus secular, gets being granted by husbands in Jewish marriages, Muslim divorces. It is important to think about whether the same-sex marriage could be re-imagined to include gay men and lesbians who do not fit the mould. If so, then we may further enhance the subversive potential of same-sex marriage. If not, then some individuals may remain outside an institution that does not reflect their realities.

None of this is a case against the legalisation of same-sex marriage, which is undeniably a significant right. Rather, it is a reminder that gay marriage is hardly the final frontier for gay politics, and may well prove an easier political victory than garnering support for broader sexual diversity.

Senate extends marriage rights and responsibilities to same-sex couples in teeth of Catholic opposition

Argentina legalised same-sex marriage today, becoming the first country in Latin America to declare that gay and lesbian couples are entitled to all the legal rights, responsibilities and protections that marriage brings to heterosexuals.

Following a marathon debate that ended after 4am, 33 senators voted in favour, 27 against and three abstained. Since Argentina's lower house has already approved the bill and President Cristina Fernández is a strong supporter, it will become law as soon as it is published in the official bulletin, which should happen within days.

The law is expected to bring a wave of marriages in the gay-friendly capital, Buenos Aires, though only citizens and residents can wed in the country.

A campaign against the bill by the Roman Catholic church and evangelical groups had drawn 60,000 people to march on congress, with parents in churches and schools urged to fight the plans.

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio led the campaign, saying "children need to have the right to be raised and educated by a father and a mother".

Nine gay couples had married in Argentina after convincing judges that the constitutional mandate of equality supported their rights, although the validity of the ceremonies was challenged by other judges. Congressional passage now removes that doubt.

As the debate stretched on, large crowds kept rival vigils outside the congress building. When the vote came, there were cheers and hugs among supporters, with police keeping them apartfrom opponents who prayed and held rosaries.

"Marriage between a man and a woman has existed for centuries, and is essential for the perpetuation of the species," said Senator Juan Pérez Alsina, who is a usually loyal supporter of the president but who delivered a passionate speech against gay marriage.

But Senator Norma Morandini compared the discrimination gay people faced to the oppression under Argentina's dictators. "What defines us is our humanity, and what runs against humanity is intolerance," she said.

Gay rights advocates said Argentina's step adds momentum to similar efforts around the world. "Today's historic vote shows how far Catholic Argentina has come, from dictatorship to true democratic values, and how far the freedom to marry movement has come, as 12 countries on four continents now embrace marriage equality," said Evan Wolfson, of the US Freedom to Marry lobby.

Gay activists in neighbouring Chile hope Argentina's milestone will improve chances for a gay marriage law now in committee in their own congress.

"Argentina's political class has provided a lesson to the rest of Latin America," said Rolando Jimenez in Santiago. "We hope our own countries and political parties will learn that the human rights of sexual minorities are undeniable."

Activists in Paraguay plan to propose a similar law to the senate in October, said Martin Viveros of the group Somosgay. And in Uruguay, gay people unsatisfied with the partial rights that come through civil unions are preparing legislation that would replace references to "man and woman" with "spouse" throughout the civil code.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER Hey, at least it's better than World Trade Center . SOUTH OF THE BORDER opens with a clip from Fox News in which a cohort of be-spackled talking heads attempts to wrap their minds around the difference between coca leaves and cocaine.

Thursday, July 29, 2010 One of the fundamental qualities that many travelers, including myself, find most thrilling about their journeys is the ability to truly disconnect from their daily routines.

Argentina and Uruguay have agreed to a joint environmental monitoring program along the shared Uruguay River, ending a seven-year pollution controversy over a Finnish paper mill on the Uruguayan side.

Two bodies dug up in Argentina have been identified as a French activist and his Mexican girlfriend who disappeared during the country's 1976-1983 military dictatorship, President Cristina Fernandez said on Wednesday.

Two bodies dug up in Argentina have been identified as a French activist and his Mexican girlfriend who disappeared during the country's 1976-1983 military dictatorship, President Cristina Fernandez said on Wednesday.

A mother broke down in tears as she was reunited with her baby girl six months after the earthquake that devastated Haiti.

Canadian archeologists have found a ship abandoned more than 150 years ago in the quest for the fabled Northwest Passage and which was lost in the search for the doomed expedition of Sir John Franklin, the head of the team said Wednesday.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe criticizes Brazil's position on the recent crisis in relations between Colombia and Venezuela.

Rodrigo Rivera and German Vargas Lleras speak to the media for the first time following their appointments as defense and interior minister respectively, in the incoming administration of Colombian President-elect Juan Manuel Santos.

The homicide rate in Colombia's north-west department Cordoba continues to increase, with 307 murders reported between January and June this year.

Joydeep Mukherji, head analyst for Colombia at the ratings agency Standard and Poor's, explains how Juan Manuel Santos' incoming administration can attain an investment-grade foreign currency rating.

The presidents of Brazil and Nicaragua call for "calm," as feuding neighbors Colombia and Venezuela head to a Union of South American nations summit, where the diplomatic crisis between the two nations will be addressed.

Be a smart customer of tele-communication services. How? Here are some tips.

If you have a computer and a decent bandwidth (minimum 33.6 Kbps), use free software like Skype to make calls.

All you need is a microphone and speakers that already are included in most modern computers. You need a decent bandwidth, if you do not use video, you don't need much. A telephone dial up connection will not work.

Guatemala. It is a very long and difficult fight and it will need the support and cooperation of all political parties, the private sector and civil society sectors.

The first steps the Government has taken on the 19th of August 2008, was to institute The Vice- Ministry of Transparency in the Ministry of Public Finance. The second step is the creation of the Commission for Transparency.

The Commission for Transparency is headed by Vice-President Rafael Espada and represents government and civil society sectors. This Commission will be conformed by Álvaro Mayorga and Armando Boesch, representatives of the Private -Industrial Sector, (CACIF), Comité Coordinador de Asociaciones Agrícolas, Comerciales, Industriales y Financieras.

2008 Olympic Games, Beijing. Guatemala?s Jose Amado García managed to obtain a very good 35th position out of 98 runners that participated in the marathon. Alfredo Arevalo obtained position 63. Both athletes did improve their performance from the previous Olympic Games in Athen, in time and positions.

Women of Virtue is an award presented to ten outstanding women from South Florida every year by LATINBIZ. Among the 2008 honorees is Ms. Ruby Ortiz, Guatemalan. She has been serving the South Florida business community for more than 10 years in management development, business consulting and Coaching. More than 1,000 managers from Florida and Latin America have benefitted from her professional consulting and training.
Ruby Ortiz is a member of the advisory board and professor at Florida International University -MTI-, she is Director of the new Florida Institute of Management and she is also Senior Consultant of RO International Inc.

CIRMA, The Center for Mesoamerican Research (CIRMA) and The University of Arizona is designed for university students who want a fresh approach to understanding Central America - its society and politics, its history and culture. This program enables students to work directly with professors from Central America to examine the region's problems and riches from the perspective of how these issues are seen from the ground.

AFP - Mexico braced for mass deportations as a new Arizona immigration law was due to take effect, though a US federal judge on Wednesday blocked the most controversial parts of the legislation.

AFP - Three men and a woman were gunned down late Wednesday at a pizzeria in Mexico City, according to authorities who said the shootings bore the hallmarks of an organized crime hit.

Reuters - Suspected drug hitmen have kidnapped four Mexican journalists who were reporting on organized crime in northern Mexico, the latest attempt by cartels to silence the media, a Mexican media group said on Wednesday.

AP - A suspected drug cartel lieutenant with a quarter-million-dollar reward on his head was captured in the border state of Chihuahua, where rival gangs are waging a bloody turf war, police said Wednesday.

AFP - Argentina and Uruguay have agreed to a joint environmental monitoring program along the shared Uruguay River, ending a seven-year pollution controversy over a Finnish paper mill on the Uruguayan side.