Stories for April 2012

Monday, April 16th 2012 - 04:55 UTC
Obama confirms at the summit US neutrality on the Falklands/Malvinas question

The US will remain on the sidelines in the dispute between the UK and Argentina over the Falkland Islands sovereignty, said President Barack Obama on Sunday at the conclusion of the Summit of the Americas in Colombia.
Sunday, April 15th 2012 - 21:56 UTC
YPF dispute in calmer waters: Argentina yields and Repsol CEO calls for dialogue

The CEO from Spain’s main oil corporation Repsol, Antonio Brufau said that there should be no speeches or attempts to impose, but rather more dialogue, in direct reference to the ongoing conflict with the Argentine government over the possible takeover of the YPF branch.
Sunday, April 15th 2012 - 20:57 UTC
Cristina Fernandez abandons summit with no declaration on Falklands/Malvinas

Argentine President Cristina Fernández left the 6th Summit of the Americas held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, before the official closing meeting allegedly in protest against a lack of regional support for Argentina’s claims in the Falklands/Malvinas dispute with the UK.
Sunday, April 15th 2012 - 16:03 UTC
China allows wider flotation margin for the Yuan against the US dollar

China will allow the Yuan to trade in a wider daily range against the US dollar from Monday, taking another major step to further liberalise its exchange rate regime and make its currency more market oriented.
Sunday, April 15th 2012 - 16:01 UTC
Rousseff blasts rich countries “monetary flooding”: marks difference between defending and protecting

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff staunchly defended Latin American integration as she took part of the CEO forum at the 6th Summit of the Americas in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. She blasted rich countries over their so called “monetary flooding” because it attempts against the industrialization of emerging nations.
Sunday, April 15th 2012 - 15:59 UTC
US security personnel prostitution scandal eclipses much of the Summit of the Americas

A prostitution scandal involving US security personnel in Colombia and an unprecedented regional push to end the isolation of Cuba threatened to eclipse President Barack Obama's charm offensive to Latin America.
Sunday, April 15th 2012 - 05:38 UTC
The Economist article triggers strong reaction from the Chilean political system

Widely perceived to be the most developed and financially stable nation in South America, Chile is, for the most part, unaccustomed to critical analyses from the international press.
Sunday, April 15th 2012 - 05:31 UTC
Spain feels conflict with Argentina over YPF “seems to be getting back on course”

In the last 48 hours “things seem to be getting back on course” said on Saturday Spain’s Minister of Industry Jose Manuel Soria in reference to the ongoing conflict with the Argentine government over the possible take over of YPF, the Argentine affiliate of Spain’s Repsol.
Sunday, April 15th 2012 - 04:34 UTC
Obama and CFK leave trade issues aside and want to continue as ‘friends and partners’

President Cristina Fernández and US President Barack Obama agreed to work upon trade differences “which in no way conform the central aspects of the bilateral relationship” during their Saturday afternoon half hour meeting with an “open agenda” at the 6th Summit of the Americas hosted by Colombia.
Sunday, April 15th 2012 - 03:41 UTC
The 1964 “Made in Brazil” coup and US contingency support-plan if the plot stalled

Do friendly countries make contingency plans for landing Marines in the big cities of other friendly countries? Even if it’s only to be done in a worthy cause—like supporting a military takeover of a democratically-elected government? During the recent trip to Washington of Brazilian President Dilma Roussief there was a public effort by both sides to “accent the positive” but perhaps there should have been some hard questions behind closed doors.