Long gone are the immensely funny days of Vicente Fox asking Fidel Castro to eat and then leave (“Comes y te vas”) during the 2004 Summit of Monterrey. Those leaders’ respective successors are now like BFF, and were spotted giggling and hugging each other pretty much all the time at this week’s Latin America and Caribbean Development Summit in Brazil.

Looks like time has come for “Comes y te quedas”.

(Blogger’s note: Where are the journalists’ shoes when you need them?)

George W. Bush proved to be unusually alert -and agile- when dodging a shoe attack this week during a press conference in Iraq. Thus, Spanish blogger Polonio 210, is now proposing a new game, the Wii Zapatilla, challenging players to finally get W with a buen zapatazo.

(UPDATE: Spain’s Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, kindly asks you to spare him the jokes.)

It’s all George W. Bush’s fault.

According to trusted news reports (which came out while we were stuffing ourselves with turkey and other non-vegetarian delicacies) Felipe E. Sixto (right), a former Bush aide, has been charged with theft from a government-funded center that promotes democracy in Cuba.

The single count of theft of $5,000 or more from a federally aided program was filed in U.S. District Court here last Thursday against Felipe E. Sixto, who resigned on March 28 from his job as special assistant to President George W. Bush for intergovernmental affairs.

So there you have it. The next time you point the finger at you-know-who for the lack of democracy in the island, you will be well advised to think twice.

Don’t believe everything you hear about Mexicans. Sure, we come here to steal your money, your job and your chics, but also –at least in the border towns– we are here to help. According to the Wall Street Journal, Mexicans generate up to $8 billion in sales annually in Texas and California. :

“[…] as the American economy tanks, retailers and civic leaders in Southwestern cities such as Laredo are courting Mexicans more heavily than ever, hoping that they will save the holiday shopping season.”

And what exactly are they buying? Jeans, hats and cowboy boots, of course!

“If you’re going to buy a little birthday present, you will do it here in Mexico. But if you are going to buy a wardrobe, you are going to Texas,” said Silvia Garza, a vice president of a McAllen Chamber of Commerce branch in Mexico’s Monterrey.

Photo: via Flickr

Don’t you just love it when useless politicians turn cute and dress up in “ethnic” garb that not even “ethnic people” really wear? Here’s Mr. Bush and other world leaders at this week’s APEC Summit in Lima.

Well, at least he didn’t look as ridiculous as the previous time he wore a Poncho (or did he?)

As if having a rubber-made version of the Infanta Leonor weren’t enough, Spaniards now have a yet more interesting way to amuse themselves.

The Queen Up Close, the best-selling book by Spaniard writer Pilar Urbano, has given them a very close look at the queen’s views on everything from gay rights and abortion to black presidents and Fidel Castro. Among my personal favorites:

“I respect other people’s different sexual orientations but I don’t understand why they should feel proud to be gay.”

“That they [the gay people] get up on floats and parade in the streets? If all of us who are not gay were to parade in the streets, we’d halt the traffic in every city.”

“I am so happy for Obama. It’s always good to see that a black guy can make it that far.”

In all honesty, I wouldn’t mind the traffic… I’d love to see her and her Royal familia atop a float on non-Gay Parade showcasing their heterosexual pride.

God bless la madre patria!

Photo: via the NYT

Hispanics would do just about anything to get our people close to the circles of power. And that is exactly why Peru is offering to donate a very special puppy to the Obama family.

The creature being offered for donation is the national dog of Peru, a hairless breed, which despite its freaky look is hypoallergenic, which the Obamas said is a must for the next First Puppy.

Claudia Galvez, president of the Association of Friends of Hairless Peruvian Dogs in Lima reported that tomorrow she will send a letter to the Peruvian Embassy in Washington, D.C., to inquire if the new president is ready to give shelter to a symbol of Peru.

I really hope the new president will accept such kind offer. When you think of it, the gesture might very well signal his willingness to embrace Hispanics and make us a part of the new administration.

Too bad it’s not a xoloescuintle, but you know what they say: beggars can’t be choosers.

¡Sí se puede! ¡Sí se puede! Even in non-existing places like Vertmont, “that one” is winning! yupi! (updated on Nov. 4 at 8:33 pm ET)