Foreign Digest Updates: Russia, Nicaragua and Brazil

Russia

            There have been large protests across Russia against the unpopular plans by the authoritarian and kleptocratic regime of Vladimir Putin to raise the pension age.  The unusual public reaction has forced the tyrant to moderate his proposal slightly, but the protests are continuing.  These protests have been in addition to those of the democratic opposition against authoritarianism and corruption.

Nicaragua

           The Marxist authoritarian Sandinista government expelled the United Nations High Commission after the Commission authored a report of human rights abuses by the regime.  A protest yesterday against the expulsion was stopped violently from reaching its particular destination in Managua by pro-government thugs.  The freedom of peaceful assembly has been violated frequently by lethal violence by the regime.

Brazil

            Brazil’s highest court today has barred former liberal President from standing for election for president, after his conviction for corruption.  His liberal successor was impeached and removed from office for corruption.