Stories for August 2012

Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 07:46 UTC
State of emergency in south Peru to protect mining projects from guerrillas

Peru’s government has extended a state of emergency for 60 days in several districts of south-central regions because of the presence of the guerrilla group Shining Path remnants.
Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 07:38 UTC
Venezuela fishing vessels caught in French Guiana waters will be destroyed

Two Venezuelan fishing vessels were caught illegally operating n French Guiana waters by a French Navy patrol and will be destroyed as is normal procedure in the territory, according to Cayenne media.
Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 07:24 UTC
Colombian court ruling favours indigenous people; government to appeal

Colombian Defence minister said on Thursday the Constitutional Court’s decision to order armed forces to leave indigenous territories in south-eastern Colombia will not affect military presence in the volatile south-western Cauca department.
Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 07:18 UTC
Ecuador president limits publicity to “friendly” media and raids magazine office

The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) described as “contrary to the principles of freedom of expression and press freedom” an order by the Government of Ecuador to withdraw official advertising from independent news media.
Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 07:10 UTC
Bolivia seizes silver and indium mine operated by Canadian firm

Confirming the growing trend in several South American countries, Bolivia expropriated a silver and indium mine operated by a local unit of Canadian firm South American Silver, a move criticized by Ottawa and likely to scare off foreign investors.
Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 07:01 UTC
Petrobras and BP discover oil in deep-water at the northeast basin off Ceara

Brazil’s government controlled oil and gas corporation Petrobras and Britain’s BP announced the discovery of oil in a deep-water offshore well in a new area for exploration off Brazil's northeast coast, according to a securities filing on Thursday.
Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 00:11 UTC
Trial of the century takes off in Brazil; at stake Lula da Silva’s legacy

Seven years after a corruption scandal rattled the government of former President Lula da Silva, Brazil's Supreme Court began on Thursday a landmark trial that could mar the wildly popular leader's legacy.
Thursday, August 2nd 2012 - 22:57 UTC
Argentina’s noose on Falklands: Buenos Aires province bans UK flagged vessels

In what is seen as another step of Argentina’s noose-tightening of the Falkland Islands’ economy and development, the Buenos Aires Province Senate passed a law on Thursday banning British flagged vessels from calling at Argentina’s largest province ports.
Thursday, August 2nd 2012 - 07:38 UTC
Paraguay urges OAS to take a position on the country’s situation

Paraguay urged the Organization of American States, OAS, on Wednesday to say whether it will be taking measures or not against the country following the removal of Fernando Lugo from the presidency, a political incident that has reverberated in the whole continent.
Thursday, August 2nd 2012 - 07:31 UTC
YPF after Chinese cooperation for development of Vaca Muerta shale deposits

Federal Planning Minister Julio de Vido announced that several members of the Argentine Government would be flying to China in September in order to close several cooperation agreements between Chinese oil companies and YPF, intended to deepen the bilateral relations.