Argentina
ArgentinaLula da Silva has the highest approval rating; Cristina K the lowest
Brazil’s President Lula da Silva and Colombia’s Alvaro Uribe with over 70% approval have the best leaders’ performances in Latinamerica while in the other extreme figure Argentina’s Cristina Kirchner and Honduras Manuel Zelaya, below 30%, according to the prestigious Mexican pollster Consulta Mitofsky.
Kirchner denies recession and insists Argentina continues to expand
Two reliable private consultants and advisors confirmed that the Argentine economy has gone through two consecutive negative quarters, thus in recession. However former president Nestor Kirchner denies any recession and insists that the Argentine economy keeps expanding.
Argentina’s 2008/09 soy bean crop 16% below last year
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) downgraded significantly Argentina’s 2008/09 soy bean crop estimates. Only a month ago the volume forecasted was 43 million tons, but the latest was brought down to 39 million tons.
The success of Brazilian farming and Argentina’s disarray
If forecasts are confirmed the 70 million tons of the 2008/09 Argentine harvest would represent 2.9% of the world’s grain production when in previous crops it had reached 4.2%. Brazil in the meantime will have reached 5.5% of world production. Only a few years ago the difference was minimal with Brazil almost 4% and Argentina above 3%.
Argentine industry calls for “non tariff barriers” against world crisis
Argentina should appeal to “non tariff barriers” to protect itself from the global crisis said Hector Mendez, who this week takes over as head of the country’s largest federation of industries, Industrial Union of Argentina, after having elected to the post.
Argentina admits “very serious” dengue epidemics “which has come to stay”
“Dengue is here to stay” in the Southern Cone and although not controllable it can be prevented , admitted Argentina’s Health Minister Graciela Ocaña as the mosquito transmitted disease reached metropolitan Buenos Aires following thousands of cases in the impoverished north which the government tried to downplay.
Argentina looks again towards the IMF, says Buenos Aires press
Argentina could be at a turning point in its relation with the International Monetary Fund, IMF, particularly following the participation of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in the London G20 summit, according to reports in the Buenos Aires press.
Antarctic fuel oil ban to impact on Falklands tourism
FALKLANDS, Argentine, and Chilean cruise ship tourism is likely to be negatively impacted as a result of a ban on the use and carriage of Heavy Gas Oil (HGO) in Antarctic waters by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador sign defence accord
Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Ecuador signed Monday in Asuncion an agreement for cooperation in security matters which not only involves “associating” for the procurement of equipment, but defence of sovereignty and territorial integrity and preannouncement of military exercises.
Alfonsin magic touch could help resurgence of Argentine opposition
A majority of Argentine feels that the recent death of former president Raul Alfonsin which sparked such spontaneous support for the values enshrined by the “father of democracy” could contribute to the resurgence of the country’s main opposition party to which he belonged, according to the latest public opinion poll published in the Buenos Aires press.
