Stories for October 1st 2006
US Senate backs fence along Mexican border
The US Senate yesterday overwhelmingly agreed to authorize construction of a fence along the US border with Mexico, sending to President George W. Bush before the November 7 elections a bill that Republicans hope will showcase their efforts to stop illegal immigration.
China/Chile free trade agreement becomes effective
China and Chile's free trade agreement, the first even signed with a Latinamerican country and which is expected to eventually exempt 97% of all trade goods from import tariffs, became effective Sunday October first.
Mexican president elect begins regional tour
Mexico's president elect Felipe Calderón begins Monday a tour of four Central American countries and five in South America with the purpose of establishing close links before he takes office next December first.
Argentina is an “anchor” in the region according to the US
For the United States government and in spite of some “disagreements”, Argentina represents an “anchor” in the region together with Chile and Brazil, helping to prevent “the ship from going to hell”, said Thomas Shannon, US Undersecretary for Hemispheric Affairs.
Brazilian opposition wins two main states
The Brazilian Social Democrat opposition consolidated in Sunday's general election its grip on the country's two main states, Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais.
