Latin America
Latin America feedPolls show 7 points lead for Uruguayan incumbent presidential candidate
Uruguay’s ruling coalition presidential ticket,—Jose Mujica and Danilo Astori—, has a seven percentage points advantage over the opposition, Luis Alberto Lacalle and Jorge Larrañaga, for the run off the last Sunday of November, according to the latest opinion polls released in Montevideo
Petrobras testing discovery of “huge” natural gas reserves in Peru’s Amazon
Brazil’s Petrobras said on Friday it is still studying drilling results from lot 58 in Peru’s Amazon and has yet to estimate natural gas deposits there, a day after Peruvian President Alan Garcia said the company struck a large find.
In spite of coup denials Paraguayan president continues with military purge
Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo continued to purge the top ranks of the military Friday, removing the armed forces’ commander. Lugo fired the commanders of the country’s army, air force and navy on Wednesday.
Mining and construction backbone of Chile’s economic recovery
Mining and construction industries have led Chile’s economic recovery, according to a recently released economic report.
Chilean president Bachelet approval soars to record 80% in October
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet’s approval rating rose to a record 80% in October, from 76% the previous month, according to an opinion poll published Thursday by polling institute Adimark GfK.
Five days paid “honeymoon leave” for Chilean newlyweds
A proposed new law will guarantee Chilean employees five paid working days as “honeymoon leave” and will not take away from the legal yearly vacation days workers are given.
Uribe’s public opinion support falls below 70% for the first time in 7 years
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe popularity rating is at it’s lowest in his seven years in government, according to a recent public opinion poll. Uribe’s popularity rating fell from 70% to 63% in the last two months.
Honduras crisis deal confirms Valenzuela nomination to the State Department
The United States Senate finally approved Thursday evening the nomination of Arturo Valenzuela as Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, putting an end to three months of Republican veto because of the Obama administration policy towards Honduras.
“Non aggression pact” to end secrecy of military agreements in South America
Brazilian diplomacy is working on a “non aggression” pact which it will propose to Colombia and other regional governments following on the military agreement signed by Bogotá with Washington and which has caused much concern in Brazil according to the Sao Paulo press.
US will recognize Honduras election with or without reinstated Zelaya
United States will recognize the Honduran elections results regardless of whether former President Manuel Zelaya is returned to office and regardless of whether the vote on reinstatement takes place before or after November 29th, according to Republican Senator Jim DeMint who claims he was given guarantees to that effect by the US State Department.



