Latin America

• Friday, August 19th 2011 - 10:31 UTC

  In spite of freezing climate, 100.000 Chileans march for education reform

  

  Thousands marched down Santiago’s Alameda thoroughfare on Thursday, calling once more for sweeping reforms to Chile’s public education system. The march began around 10:30 when 4,000 demonstrators gathered at the downtown corner of San Martin and Alameda, then continued westward down Alameda past the Los Héroes subway stop.

• Friday, August 19th 2011 - 10:16 UTC

  US reviews deportation policy involving 300.000 illegal immigrants

  

  US President Obama administration said Thursday it would postpone the deportation of illegal immigrants without criminal records and allow them to apply for work permits as it reviews over 300.000 cases.

• Friday, August 19th 2011 - 09:51 UTC

  Colombia in full sync with Cristina, says visiting Colombian president

  

  Colombia “fully identifies with the government of Cristina (Fernandez de Kirchner)” because it shares democratic values and welfare and development objectives, said President Juan Manuel Santos the first Colombian leader on an official visit to Argentina for over a decade.

• Friday, August 19th 2011 - 09:45 UTC

  Pinochet’s regime official victims’ list increased by 9.800 to 40.018

  

  Chile officially recognized 9,800 more victims of its dictatorship on Thursday, increasing the total number of people killed, tortured or imprisoned for political reasons to 40,018.

• Friday, August 19th 2011 - 09:38 UTC

  Chilean central bank ends hike cycle early and keeps key rate unchanged

  

  The Chilean central bank held its benchmark rate steady at 5.25% on Thursday for a second month running as inflation expectations ease and the global outlook darkens, boosting bets it has ended its rate hike cycle early.

• Friday, August 19th 2011 - 02:05 UTC

  Fears of recession plunge world markets; Latam losses less that in US and EU

  

  Stock markets across Latin America, led by regional heavyweight Brazil, fell sharply Thursday as recession fears sent global markets down. Meanwhile the spot price of gold hit yet another record high of just below 1.829 dollars an ounce.

• Thursday, August 18th 2011 - 23:53 UTC

  Zara accused of accepting Brazilian suppliers with slave-labor work conditions

  

  Spain high-street retailer Zara has been accused of allegedly accepting slave-labor working conditions supplanted by more than 30 of its outsourced plants running in Brazil.

• Thursday, August 18th 2011 - 23:23 UTC

  Korean corporations investing heavily in Latin American markets and resources

  

  Korea’s leading businesses are making their forays into Latin America, which has emerged as a favoured destination among global investors for its growing economy, ample natural resources and robust domestic demand.

• Thursday, August 18th 2011 - 21:24 UTC

  Colombia/Argentina bilateral trade expected to reach 2 billion dollars in 2011

  

  Colombia/Argentina bilateral trade is set to reach 2 billion dollars, eight times its 2003 value, and remains favourable for Argentina, according to Minister of Industry Debora Girogi.

• Thursday, August 18th 2011 - 07:06 UTC

  Colombia/Canada launch FTA promoting agro-trade and mining investment

  

  The Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement which took effect on Monday August 15 is Canada's fourth bilateral trade deal with a Latin American country and eliminates tariffs on a range of goods and services in an effort to facilitate trade and investment.