Stories for July 2012
Chavez praises defence cooperation with Argentina, making Mercosur a military power block
President Hugo Chavez underlined the significance of the defence cooperation memorandum signed between Venezuela and Argentina which is part of “the necessary strategic integration of the armed forces in the framework of Mercosur and turning the block into a military power”.
Uruguayan Central bank poll shows economy is expected to grow at slower pace
The Uruguayan economy is set to grow 3.57% in 2012 which is below the government’s forecast according to the latest analysts and businesspeople poll published last Friday by the central bank.
Cuba says cholera outbreak in under control: 3 dead, 158 confirmed cases
The cholera outbreak in eastern Cuba is diminishing and has not spread to other parts of the country, said the government on Sunday.
Paraguay optimistic about the OAS report and its repercussions
Paraguay is optimistic about an Organization of American States resolution regarding recent events and the current situation in the country, despite strong criticism from other regional organizations such as Mercosur and Unasur.
European Parliament begins fact-finding mission in Paraguay
A delegation from the European parliament begins this Monday an in-situ data collecting mission in Paraguay following the situation triggered a month ago when then President Fernando Lugo was impeached and removed from office, but which has caused the new regime a certain freezing of international links.
Mining projects knock down Peruvian president approval ratings to new lows
Peruvian President Ollanta Humala's approval rating fell to a fresh low in July, a year since he took office as concern grows over his handling of increasingly violent social conflicts, an opinion poll showed.
Royal Navy largest ship, HMS Ocean begins her Olympic deployment
One hundred and fifty sailors and aircrew recreated the Olympic Rings on the flight deck of the Royal Navy's largest ship to mark the start of her Olympic deployment for the 2012 London Games.
Merkel confident Bundestag will support aid package for Spanish banks
Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was confident that a majority of German lawmakers would back aid for Spain's ailing banking sector at a special sitting of the lower house Bundestag set for Thursday.
Mujica back steps: cannabis legal only “if 60% of public opinion supports idea”
Uruguayan president Jose Mujica has back stepped on his initiative to legalize marihuana conditioning it to an “ample support from public opinion”, at least 60%. The initiative was announced a few weeks ago during the Rio+20 summit and sent shockwaves in the region and worldwide.
Mercosur reduced to a group “of bear-hugging and kissing compañeros”
The influential British business and politics magazine The Economist anticipates that following the latest decisions by Mercosur, the South American group has little if any future. The Economist argues that the mounting protectionism and the rule-breaking admission of Venezuela have fatally undermined a once-promising trade block.
