Mercosur

• Wednesday, January 22nd 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Salomonic Lula.

  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva clearly identified with the anti globalization ideas of the Porto Alegre Social Forum, this week end will be the guest star at the Davos World Economic Forum, where he will try to convince leading businessmen and industry captains to trust Brazil and keep investing in the country.

• Monday, January 20th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Koehler cautions Argentina

  Even when Mr. Horst Köhler, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), confirmed he is recommending to the IMF's 24-member Executive Board approval of transitional financial support for Argentina, Mr. Koehler also pointed out the “exceptional risks” involved in the transitional program 2003 and which relate to “the fragility of the macroeconomic policy framework and the political challenges to implementation”.

• Sunday, January 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Oviedo supporters and minor parties to hold primaries in Paraguay

  Paraguay's smaller political parties, including the one founded by convicted coup leader Lino Oviedo, are set to hold primaries Sunday leading up to the April 27 general election

• Sunday, January 19th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Chavez voices confidence in “Friends of Venezuela”

  Visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said here Saturday that he would give a vote of confidence to the “Friends of Venezuela” group being formed to mediate the crisis between his government and the opposition.

• Friday, January 17th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  IMF-Argentina agreement

  The International Monetary Fund, IMF, confirmed this Thursday in Washington that an agreement had been reached with Argentina, which will be considered by the multilateral financial organization board in the coming days.

• Thursday, January 16th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentina “suspends” payment

  The Interamerican Development Bank announced this Wednesday the suspension of credit disbursements to Argentina after this country failed to make a crucial 681 million US dollars re payment.

• Thursday, January 16th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Ecuador's New President Takes Office

  Lucio Gutiérrez became president of Ecuador on Wednesday, three years after leading a short-lived coup that toppled the presidency of Jamil Mahuad at the height of an economic crisis.

• Wednesday, January 15th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Lula and Duhalde committed to Mercosur

  Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his Argentine counterpart Eduardo Duhalde during their meeting held in Brasilia agreed on “several initiatives” with the purpose of strengthening Mercosur.

• Tuesday, January 14th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil's Lula wants to expand Mercosur membership

  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wants to expand membership in Mercosur, the world's third-largest trade bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

• Tuesday, January 14th 2003 - 20:00 UTC

  Venezuelan Gov't: Oil Strike Costs $4B

  A strike that has almost paralyzed Venezuela's crucial oil industry is an act of “terrorism” that has cost the country $4 billion, the energy and mines minister said.