Leer en Español
You Have a Point, the program hosted by Vanessa Vallejo, co-editor-in-chief of El American, continues to be the talk of the town. This week the debate focused on several topics, including the relationship of the new cabinet of Peruvian President Pedro Castillo with the Cuban dictatorship, which has caused strong criticism in recent days; in addition to the controversy recently generated by the president of Argentina, Alberto Fernandez, after violating the confinement regulations last year.
This is another episode where Daniela Carrasco, Vianca Rodríguez and Mariela Palma put on the table the latest international events in several countries of the region.
This time, the program began by discussing politics in Peru and Pedro Castillo’s latest cabinet moves. Mariela Palma gave her considerations on the speech of the leftist president, who swore in —the day after his inauguration in a polarized climate— Guido Bellido, an engineer with no experience in public office, as chief of cabinet, and former guerrilla Héctor Béjar as head of diplomacy.
“What seems to me the most relevant of all this was the appointment of his Cabinet, and for me the Cabinet says much more than the words I can mention. And it is that as Prime Minister he appointed Bellido who is from the most radical wing of Peru Libre; he is a declared Marxist-Leninist and currently has a lawsuit for defending Sendero Luminoso (PCP-SL) We all know that it is the most violent guerrilla organization that has ever existed in Latin America”, said Mariela.
She also considers that the most worrying thing was the participation of Héctor Béjar, who has not only defended PCP-SL, but also that the ex-guerrilla trained militarily in Cuba in the 60’s and was related to Fidel Castro, which makes him very linked to Havana.
“Not only Pedro Castillo has said things that show him to be super radical, this is not a common left, but one that is quite communist. Also the cabinet is totally linked to Havana, to the guerrilla and to terrorism,” she added.
Béjar, 85 years old, is a lawyer and doctor in sociology, founder in 1962 of the National Liberation Army, a guerrilla group inspired by the Cuban revolution, which operated in the Peruvian jungle until it was militarily defeated a couple of years later. Arrested in 1966 and after almost five years in prison, he was pardoned by the government of General Juan Velasco Alvarado, of whom he became a collaborator.
You Have a Point and the Alberto Fernández controversy
Another of the topics discussed at You Have a Point was the recent controversy generated by the President of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, after a series of visits to the presidential villa in Olivos on the night of Fernández’s birthday, April 2, 2020, were broadcast on the networks, despite the fact that at that time a strict quarantine was in force due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In fact, on the President’s 61st birthday, four people entered the presidential villa late in the day.
“While Alberto Fernandez told thousands of families that they had to confine themselves to their homes, without seeing their relatives, their friends, without being able to attend funerals; while dictating restrictive policies for Argentine citizens, he was receiving visits from models and prostitutes in his house, especially from Sofia Pacchi. It is documented and all of Argentina realized that while they were confined in the house, he (Alberto Fernandez) was basically partying and prostitution”, said Mariela.
On the other hand, Daniela Carrasco commented on the problems faced by Argentina due to the delay in the arrival of second doses of Sputnik V, since they are different from component one.
“Alberto Fernandez has had a lousy administration with respect to the issue of vaccines. We have even seen how Argentines have had to travel to get vaccinated in Miami due to the terrible administration of the Fernández-Fernández duo, who have not been able to solve this situation”, said Daniela.
Daniela applauded that other Latin American governments, such as that of Luis Lacalle Pou, president of Uruguay, are moving away from the progressive hegemony and seeking to make way for the benefit of their citizens.
“We can find some glimmers of hope from some presidents who are trying to move away from this progressive hegemony that we have in the Latin American region, especially in South America, who are precisely seeking to install reforms that in some way benefit the individual,” she said.
To follow the full debate with Daniela Carrasco, Vianca Rodríguez and Mariela Palma be sure to visit our YouTube and Facebook channels. You Have a Point airs every Wednesday at 9:00 p. m. ET.
