Stories for December 2011

Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 07:01 UTC
Mujica looses his temper with the media over the ‘Villa Nores’ incident

The Uruguayan president Jose Mujica lost his temper in an incident with a journalist when he was asked what measures the government was planning to avoid a repeat of the situation with a Spanish flagged vessel chased by an Argentine Coast Guard unit and had to take refuge in Uruguayan waters.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 02:58 UTC
Paraguayan Congress warns Lugo on Venezuela’s incorporation to Mercosur

The president of the Paraguayan congress Senator Jorge Oviedo Matto said that Paraguay should withdraw from Mercosur if the block during its Tuesday summit in Montevideo agrees the incorporation of Venezuela “eluding the approval of the Legislative as indicates the Constitution and the Mercosur charter”.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 02:07 UTC
Mercosur drafting resolution barring Falklands’ flagged vessels from all regional ports

Mercosur member countries meeting in Montevideo for their regular six-month summit are drafting a resolution that would bar Falklands’ flagged vessels from all Mercosur members’ ports, following on the traditional Argentine policy and now openly supported by the Uruguayan government.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 02:02 UTC
Timerman thanks Mujica on Falklands: “Uruguay has honoured its word”

Argentine Foreign Affairs minister Hector Timerman publicly thanked and praised on Monday the Uruguayan decision, announced last week, to bar Falklands’ flagged vessels form the port of Montevideo and any other sea or fluvial terminal in the country.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 01:07 UTC
IMF chief tells developing countries to prepare for three possible storms

IMF Managing director Christine Lagarde urged on Monday developing countries to shore up their defences, especially foreign exchange reserves, against a possible European recession next year.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 00:56 UTC
Falklands’ fishing companies regret Uruguay’s ban, and losses for the port of Montevideo

Falkland Islands fishing companies association, FIFCA expressed their “extreme disappointment” with Uruguay’s decision not to allow Falklands’ flagged vessels enter the port of Montevideo, which “will only serve to punish its own people”.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 00:08 UTC
Rajoy announces to Spain deep spending cuts and tax breaks for companies

Spain's incoming Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy took aim at his country's economic woes Monday, promising deep spending cuts at all levels of government while offering tax breaks for companies.
Tuesday, December 20th 2011 - 00:01 UTC
Obama joins the Mercosur controversy over the incorporation of Venezuela

President Barack Obama has accused the government of Venezuela of threatening “basic democratic values” ahead of elections next year. He added that close relations with Iran and Cuba did not serve the interests of the Venezuelan people.
Monday, December 19th 2011 - 07:29 UTC
Mercosur summit to deal with Venezuela inclusion and obstacles to trade

A two day Mercosur summit begins Monday in Montevideo with Foreign Affairs ministers meeting Monday and the presidents on Tuesday when the rotating chair will be passed from Uruguay to Argentina for the next six month.
Monday, December 19th 2011 - 07:26 UTC
President Obama wants to re-float a free trade agreement with South America

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced that the administration of President Barack Obama is intent in reaching a free trade agreement with South America and called for a greater opening of the Brazilian economy.