UK BBC television's Newsnight announces 'Inside Latin America' week

by Karen Rosine
BBC television's Newsnight is to broadcast a series of films, interviews and cultural performances in a specially commissioned Inside Latin America week starting April 3.

The week of programming, to be broadcast at 10.30 p.m. on BBC Two, April 3-7, will look at various aspects of life in Latin America in the run up to the first round of the Peruvian elections on April 9.

It will also focus on how America has lost influence in its own backyard, the implications of the leftward swing across Latin America and the rise of indigenism.

* Many of the films and interviews broadcast in the week will also be shown on BBC World, News 24 and BBC Four.

Gavin Esler will present from Lima for Newsnight, BBC World and for the BBC World Service. He will look ahead to the forthcoming Peruvian elections and candidates, including Ollantu Humala, the hardline left-wing president contender. Gavin will look at the countries that have embraced left-wing governments and that are challenging US influence on the continent and will also interview key political figures.

Greg Palast reports from Venezuela on April 3 examining how President Hugo Chavez was able to bankroll the continent's leftist governments and challenge the previously unquestioned influence of the US in the region.

The report will also include a new interview with President Chavez.
...