Latin America
Latin AmericaUruguay ruling coalition warned about budget deficit and loss of labour productivity
Uruguayan economic officials have warned the ruling coalition Broad Front about the regional risk-situation in complex Argentina and stalled Brazil, and its influence on Uruguay which needs to lower its budget deficit and improve labour productivity and competitiveness.
Xi Jinping visits Mexico to try and improve political and trade cooperation
The leaders of Mexico and China will meet for the second time in two months this week, a sign of deepening cooperation, even as the Latin American nation seeks to close a huge trade deficit. Chinese President Xi Jinping will be treated to a lavish two-day state visit in Mexico that begins on Tuesday, with an event at the Campo Marte military field with President Enrique Peña Nieto and a speech to Congress.
Falklands’ ex-governor Lamont chairman of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust
Donald Lamont, a former British ambassador and former governor of the Falkland Islands took over as chairman of the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust. He replaces Philippa Foster Back, who retires from the position having served as trustee since 2000 and chair for the past seven years.
Biden meets Rousseff, underlines the importance of a broader relationship with Brazil
US Vice-President Joe Biden wound up a visit to Brazil on Friday saying it was high time the two largest economies in the Americas became closer partners in trade, investment and energy. He made the statement following a ‘wide-ranging discussion’ with President Dilma Rousseff at the Planalto palace in Brasilia.
Argentina dollar markets waiting for implementation of the ‘whitewashing bill’
The US dollar in Argentina’s parallel or ‘blue market’ finished on Friday the month of May down 6.4% from the 9.40 Pesos at the end of April, including a slight drop in the last day of trading, that took it to 8.75 Pesos and 8.80 Pesos, buying and selling price.
Argentina insists with self-sufficiency in oil production in four years
Argentine President Cristina Fernández administration agreed with oil-producing provinces and unions from the sector to strictly control the levels of exploration, production, the amount of equipment in use and the total number of jobs in each of the oil fields across the country, with the goal of reaching hydrocarbon self-sufficiency within four years.
Chile’s measures to appease Mapuches are failing; more violence expected
Chile’s Araucania Prosecutor this week filed charged against Celestino Córdova Tránsito, an indigenous Mapuche who stands accused of arson leading to the death of an elderly couple of landowners last year. Francisco Ljubetic is also charging Córdova Tránsito with terrorist acts. Córdova Tránsito (26) is currently jailed pending trial.
FAO says ‘environmentally friendly farming’ can help quadruple cassava yields
‘Save and Grow’, an environmentally-friendly farming model promoted by FAO can sustainably increase cassava yields by up to 400% and help turn this staple from a poor people's food into a 21st Century crop, the UN Food and Agriculture organization said.
OAS warns about ‘distinct categories of citizens’ in terms of access and quality to basic services
The Organization of American States (OAS), Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, highlighted the “important progress” made in the region’s democratization in recent decades, but also warned about worrying “risks of deconstruction” which are creating ‘distinct categories of citizens’ particularly in terms of access and quality to basic services such as education, health and security.
“All we want is for things to go well for Venezuela”, Santos replies to Maduro
Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos on Friday dismissed as “preposterous” Venezuelan charges that his government is backing a conspiracy to destabilize the leftist-ruled neighbor.
