Politics

Tuesday, May 12th 2015 - 06:18 UTC
Hollande in Havana ratifies support for Cuba and an end to the US embargo

French President Francois Hollande has urged an end to the US trade embargo of Cuba and envisioned a larger French role in Cuba's engagement with the West during the first visit by a French head of state to Cuba. Havana is in foreign policy talks with both the European Union and the United States amid intense world interest in Cuba following detente with Washington in December.
Tuesday, May 12th 2015 - 06:12 UTC
Chile's renews 'explicit' support for Argentina's Falklands/Malvinas claim

The Chilean government has renewed its 'explicit' support for Argentina's sovereignty claims over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands, according to Daniel Filmus, the Argentine official head of the special department for affairs relative to the Malvinas Islands, who is currently in a political tour in Santiago.
Tuesday, May 12th 2015 - 06:05 UTC
Argentine presidential election next 25 October and run-off 22 November

The Argentina government formally announced on Monday the primary and national elections calendar, which for the first time includes direct vote for representatives to the Mercosur parliament. Simultaneous primaries will be held on 9 August while the presidential election on 25 October.
Monday, May 11th 2015 - 10:21 UTC
Castro praises Francis and promises “to turn to the Church again if the pope continues on this vein”

Cuban President Raul Castro has praised Pope Francis for brokering the restoration of relations between Cuba and the US, announced in December. At the end of a Sunday audience at the Vatican, Castro said he had thanked the Pope for his contribution for the historic rapprochement.
Monday, May 11th 2015 - 10:16 UTC
Vazquez and Rousseff meeting will address Mercosur/EU trade negotiations

Uruguay and Brazil presidents, scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting next 21 May in Brasilia will be addressing Mercosur issues, and advancing in the proposal that will allow the group's members to sign bilateral agreements with third parties not belonging to the region, thus avoiding the 'consensus' clause clamp.
Monday, May 11th 2015 - 09:34 UTC
Argentine congress will try to evaluate 'psychophysical condition” of Justic Fayt

Argentina's Lower Houe Impeachment Committee has a busy week ahead, with the agenda including a request to evaluate Supreme Court Justice Carlos Fayt’s 'psychophysical condition'. The committee will also treat impeachment requests against Prosecutor General Alejandra Gils Carbó, foreign minister Hector Timerman and vice-president Amado Boudou.
Monday, May 11th 2015 - 09:15 UTC
A bashed Bachelet expects to announce reshuffled cabinet this Monday

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet plans to announce a reshuffling of her Cabinet this Monday in a bid to restore her public image, which has been badly tarnished by corruption scandals, including one involving her son.
Monday, May 11th 2015 - 09:05 UTC
Under pressure from Brazil, Venezuela announces legislative elections for end of the year

Venezuela will hold parliamentary elections in the last quarter of this year and the exact date will be announced soon, the head of the National Electoral Council (CNE) said on Sunday. The elected lawmakers will be inaugurated for five years on 2016.
Monday, May 11th 2015 - 08:47 UTC
Uruguay's local elections: no major number surprises but interesting changes in the political map

Uruguay Sunday's department and municipal elections resulted mostly as forecasted with no major surprises, and as advanced by MP 9 May, in the capital Montevideo, with half the country's electorate, the two promising candidates have effectively been the elected mayor, Daniel Martinez and Edgardo Novick, a successful businessman and non political figure, who now becomes head of the opposition.
Saturday, May 9th 2015 - 10:21 UTC
On Sunday 2.6 million Uruguayans vote for their local authorities

On Sunday May 10, Uruguay is holding county and municipal elections with 2.6 million eligible voters (out of a population of 3.3m) in an event which will be more centered on local issues and thus will not necessarily replicate the absolute majority vote of the ruling coalition in last October/November presidential and legislative election.