Mercosur
MercosurChavez in Caracas military hospital; presidential oath ceremony expected
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is resting in Caracas military hospital after his Monday early dawn return from Cuba where he spent ten weeks recuperating from cancer surgery. However contrary to other occasions no video or pictures were shown and officials confirmed he has a tracheal tube which limits speech.
Cruise industry warns South America: itinerary costs are three times higher than in the Mediterranean
Representatives from the cruise industry have cautioned Uruguay that port operational costs in South America could have a negative impact on what has been a steady increase of business in the last few seasons and this impact could be felt as soon as next year despite the fact that the 2012/2013 season on the Atlantic is proving to be quite successful despite an uncertain start. “Itineraries’ costs in South America are three times those of the Mediterranean”.
Brazilian business community demands the country signs trade accords with third countries
Brazilian businesspeople and diplomats expressed their disappointment with Mercosur and said it was crucial for Brazil to sign free trade agreements on its own with third countries, which under current rules of the South American trade block are not allowed.
Argentina’s January inflation, 2.58%, highest in 22 months according to private estimates
Argentina’s inflation last January was the highest in twenty two months, 2.58%, according to the average of private estimates which are banned from making public their findings, but which are released by the Congressional Freedom of Expression Committee.
Malvinas cause in another dead alley
By Vicente Palermo (*)
The international resolutions which Argentina appeals to support its claim over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands are not definitive on the sovereignty issue, and do not ignore the rights of the Falkland Islanders, argues an Argentine scientific researcher and member of the Argentine Political Club who published an opinion article in Buenos Aires daily Clarin.
We are a People and We do exist
Opinion by Robin Goodwin -
As a Falkland Islander, I do wonder where Alicia Castro the Argentine Ambassador to the United Kingdom was educated. To not recognize that Falkland Islanders exist is plain ignorance on the part of the Argentine Government. Particularly that she is based in England.
Peruvian lawmaker supports Falkland Islanders’ referendum
Peruvian lawmaker Lourdes Alcorta openly dissented with President Ollanta Humala latest statements on ‘unconditional support for Argentina and the Malvinas issue”, and called to respect the Falkland Islands referendum next month.
Argentina labels Uruguayan lawmaker as ‘traitor’ for observing Falklands’ referendum
Argentina’s president of the Lower House and Malvinas veteran Julián Domínguez described as “treason to Latinamerica” the fact that Uruguayan lawmakers will be travelling to the Falklands to observe the coming referendum on the Islands political status and future.
Argentina says three-side dialogue on Falklands/Malvinas issue is unthinkable
Argentine ambassador in the UK, Alicia Castro described the coming Falkland Islands referendum on March 10/11 as a ‘media ruse’ and insisted that a three-side dialogue on Malvinas sovereignty is ‘unthinkable’ because the issue is bilateral: UK/Argentina.
Punta Arenas cruise business picking up; 62.000 visitors expected this season
The cruise business has been picking up for the last three seasons and so far including January an estimated 31.000 visitors landed in Punta Arenas, extreme south of Chile, which represents a 7% increase over the previous season and 10% for international cruises, said the head of the Austral Port Authority, Ignacio Covacevich.
