With a focus on human rights, US policy toward Latin America under Jimmy Carter briefly tempered a long tradition of interventionism in a key sphere of American influence, analysts say. Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100, defied the furor of US conservatives to negotiate the handover of the Panama Canal to Panamanian control, suspended aid to multiple authoritarian governments in the region, and even attempted to normalize relations with Cuba. Carter's resolve to chart a course toward democracy and diplomacy, however, was severely tested in Central America and Cuba, where he was forced to balance his human rights priorities with pressure from adversaries to combat the spread of communism amid the Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union. "Latin America was fundamental and his global policy was oriented toward human rights, democratic values and multilateral cooperation," political analyst Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue, a think tank in Washington, told AFP. During his 1977-1981 administration, which was sandwiched between the Republican presidencies of Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, the Democrat sought to take a step back from US alignment with right-wing dictatorships in Latin America. An important symbol of Carter's approach was the signing of two treaties in 1977 to officially turn over the Panama Canal in 1999. "Jimmy Carter understood that if he did not return the canal to Panama, the relationship between the United States and Panama could lead to a new crisis in a country where Washington could not afford the luxury of instability," said Luis Guillermo Solis, a political scientist and former president of Costa Rica. Carter called the decision, which was wildly unpopular back home, "the most difficult political challenge I ever had," as he accepted Panama's highest honor in 2016. He also hailed the move as "a notable achievement of moving toward democracy and freedom." During his term, Carter opted not to support Nicaraguan strongman Anastasio Somoza, who was subsequently overthrown by the leftist Sandinista Front in 1979. But in El Salvador, the American president had to "make a very uncomfortable pact with the government," said Shifter. To prevent communists from taking power, Carter resumed US military assistance for a junta which then became more radical, engaging in civilian massacres and plunging El Salvador into a long civil war. Carter took a critical approach to South American dictatorships in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, suspending arms deliveries and imposing sanctions in some cases. But his efforts "did not achieve any progress in terms of democratization," said Argentine political scientist Rosendo Fraga. The American president also tried to normalize relations with Cuba 15 years after the missile crisis. He relaxed sanctions that had been in force since 1962, supported secret talks and enabled limited diplomatic representation in both countries. "With him, for the first time, the possibility of dialogue rather than confrontation as a framework for political relations opened up," Jesus Arboleya, a former Cuban diplomat, told AFP. But in 1980, a mass exodus of 125,000 Cubans to the United States, with Fidel Castro's blessing, created an unexpected crisis. It "hurt Carter politically with the swarm of unexpected immigrants," said Jennifer McCoy, a professor of political science at Georgia State University. Castro continued to support Soviet-backed African governments and even deployed troops against Washington's wishes, finally putting an end to the normalization process. However, more than 20 years later, Carter made a historic visit to Havana as ex-president, at the time becoming the highest-profile American politician to set foot on Cuban soil since 1959. During the 2002 visit, "he made a bold call for the US to lift its embargo, but he also called on Castro to embrace democratic opening," said McCoy, who was part of the US delegation for the trip, during which Castro encouraged Carter to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Cuban All-Star baseball game. "Castro was sitting in the front row and we were afraid he would rise to give a long rebuttal to Carter's speech. But he didn't. He just said, 'Let's go to the ball game.'" In the years following Carter's presidency, Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) would go on to resume a full-frontal confrontation with Cuba. Decades later, Barack Obama (2009-2017) opened a new phase of measured normalization, which Donald Trump (2017-2021) brought to an end. US President Joe Biden promised to review US policy toward Cuba, but hardened his stance after Havana cracked down on anti-government protests in 2021. "Carter showed that engagement and diplomacy are more fruitful than isolation," McCoy said. bur-lp-rd-jb/lbc/mlr/bfm/sst/bbksuperace farmers market 。

How co-writing a book threatened the Carters’ marriageLeo Alfred Auger, 89, a longtime resident of Keene, passed away on Dec. 3, 2024, at the Alpine Healthcare Center in Keene. He was born in Troy on Jan. 24, 1935, the son of Arthur J. and Rosealba (Harness) Auger. He grew up in Troy and attended Troy schools, graduating in 1954 from Troy High School. Leo served honorably as a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. Following his military duties, he returned home and was employed as a supervisor at the MPB Corporation for more than 40 years. He was a member of the Parish of the Holy Spirit and attended St. Bernard Church in Keene. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 819 of St. Bernard Church. Leo loved traveling, going to many islands with his wife, children and friends. Bermuda was their favorite and they visited there many times. Right after retirement, Leo and Jean drove cross-country, stopping to see many attractions coast to coast. For many years, the couple wintered in Florida. Their first home was in Zephyrhills, and later in Lakeland. They loved visits from family and friends and were blessed by many friendships they made with people from all over the country. Summer vacations were enjoyed by all. These vacations included going to the beaches of New Hampshire and Maine, renting a cottage, taking the children to theme parks and hiking in the White Mountains. They would go to their son’s campsite to relax, taking boat rides, having cookouts and partying. Leo loved being outside during the summer working in the vegetable garden, doing yard work or relaxing by the pool. Above all, he loved being with his family. Football season was a special time of year when their three sons would come over, sometimes bringing friends, to watch the games. They never missed a Patriots game! Leo is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jean S. (Zinn) Auger, of Keene; three sons: Keith Auger and his wife, Diane Richards; Mark Auger and his life partner, Beth Hull; and Glenn Auger and his wife, Dee, all of Keene; four grandchildren: Jennifer Mackay and her husband, Nate; Stephanie Auger; Brooke Place and her husband, Brandon; and Tia Auger and her partner, Anthony Oatley; two great-grandchildren, Addison Mackay and Gavin Mackay; a daughter-in-law, Brigitte Auger; and several nieces, nephews and extended family members. A brother, Louis Auger, and sisters, Gloria Auger, Rita Auger and Aline Braley, predeceased him. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at 11 a.m. in St. Bernard Church, 185 Main St., Keene. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery will be held in the spring. There are no public calling hours. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Auger’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105; or to the Dartmouth Cancer Center at Kingsbury Pavilion, 580 Court St., Keene NH 03431. The Foley Funeral Home of Keene is entrusted with Mr. Auger’s care. To offer online condolences to the family or to share special memories, please visit www.foleyfuneralhome.com .

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With nearly all of the votes counted, left-leaning Mr Milanovic won 49% while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the ruling conservative HDZ party, trailed far behind with 19%. Pre-election polls had predicted that the two would face off in the second round on January 12, as none of the eight presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. Mr Milanovic thanked his supporters but warned that “this was just a first run”. “Let’s not be triumphant, let’s be realistic, firmly on the ground,” he said. “We must fight all over again. It’s not over till it’s over.” Mr Milanovic, the most popular politician in Croatia, has served as prime minister in the past. Populist in style, the 58-year-old has been a fierce critic of current Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and continuous sparring between the two has been a recent hallmark of Croatia’s political scene. Mr Plenkovic has sought to portray the vote as one about Croatia’s future in the EU and Nato. He has labelled Mr Milanovic “pro-Russian” and a threat to Croatia’s international standing. “The difference between him (Mr Primorac) and Milanovic is quite simple: Milanovic is leading us East, Primorac is leading us West,” he said. Though the presidency is largely ceremonial in Croatia, an elected president holds political authority and acts as the supreme commander of the military. Mr Milanovic has criticised the Nato and European Union support for Ukraine and has often insisted that Croatia should not take sides. He has said Croatia should stay away from global disputes, thought it is a member of both Nato and the EU. Mr Milanovic has also blocked Croatia’s participation in a Nato-led training mission for Ukraine, declaring that “no Croatian soldier will take part in somebody else’s war”. His main rival in the election, Mr Primorac, has stated that “Croatia’s place is in the West, not the East”. However, his bid for the presidency has been marred by a high-level corruption case that landed Croatia’s health minister in jail last month and which featured prominently in pre-election debates. Trailing a distant third in the pre-election polls is Marija Selak Raspudic, a conservative independent candidate. She has focused her election campaign on the economic troubles of ordinary citizens, corruption and issues such as population decline in the country of some 3.8 million. Sunday’s presidential election is Croatia’s third vote this year, following a snap parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament balloting in June.Dozens of prominent veterans sign onto letter supporting 'outstanding' Hegseth nomination amid controversies