Stories for December 2012

Sunday, December 9th 2012 - 20:04 UTC
British scientist sentenced in Argentina after falling into drug smuggling by honey trap

Currently confined to a two bedroom flat in a Buenos Aires city neighbourhood, just a few blocks away from the National Congress building, is Professor Paul Frampton, 69, from Kidderminster, who was recently sentenced in Argentina to four years and eight month imprisonment on drugs smuggling charges.
Sunday, December 9th 2012 - 19:55 UTC
Maduro, the most faithful bus driver, but also the most powerful Bolivarian coupe

The heir-designate of President Hugo Chavez is a former bus driver and trade unionist with the Caracas public transport. Nicolás Maduro, 50, has been foreign minister since 2006 and also was named vice president in October. As foreign minister Maduro has been a faithful ambassador of Chávez’ views, including often radical critiques of global affairs from a hard left-wing stance.
Sunday, December 9th 2012 - 19:51 UTC
Chavez to Cuba for further cancer treatment prepares his succession

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was poised to return to Cuba on Sunday for more cancer treatment, having spoken for the first time of giving up power if his condition worsens or he dies.
Sunday, December 9th 2012 - 14:39 UTC
Falkland Islands: “Nothing to Fear”

Falkland Islanders preparing to exercise their right to self-determination in a landmark democratic vote next March were pledged overwhelming support by the Falkland Islands Association at its annual general meeting in London on Saturday presided over by its chairman, Mr Alan Huckle, a former Governor of the Islands.
Saturday, December 8th 2012 - 04:07 UTC
Bolivia signs Mercosur incorporation protocol and becomes sixth member

Bolivian president Evo Morales subscribed on Friday the Mercosur incorporation protocol which makes it the sixth member of the regional group. The event took place in Brasilia during the Mercosur summit hosted by Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff.
Saturday, December 8th 2012 - 04:02 UTC
Supreme Court will decide on Clarin/Argentine government conflict next week

The Argentine Supreme Court delayed on Friday until next week an answer to President Cristina Fernandez administration’s complaint referred to the Media Law when the seven Justices are present. Currently one is overseas on an academic trip and two others were unable to attend the emergency meeting.
Saturday, December 8th 2012 - 03:59 UTC
Paraguay rejects Mercosur decisions involving Bolivia and Uruguay

Paraguay rejected the incorporation of Bolivia to Mercosur which took place on Friday at the summit in Brasilia and criticized the fact Uruguay accepted the group’s chair for the next six months skipping Paraguay, currently suspended from the regional organization.
Saturday, December 8th 2012 - 03:54 UTC
Mercosur summit rejects Falklands’ self-determination referendum

Presidents from Mercosur full and associate members meeting in Brasilia rejected the coming Malvinas Islands self determination referendum and anticipated that whatever the result of the ballot “it will not alter at all the essence of the Malvinas question”.
Saturday, December 8th 2012 - 03:51 UTC
Venezuela has until 2016 to adapt to Mercosur tariffs and rules system

Venezuela will adopt the Mercosur common external tariff in four annual stages which are scheduled to conclude in the first half of 2016, according to what was agreed at the summit held Friday in Brasilia and reported by Brazilian diplomatic sources. This was Venezuela’s first summit as a full member of the South American trade and political block.
Saturday, December 8th 2012 - 03:47 UTC
Bolivian industry warns about the Mercosur ‘straight jacket’ and protectionism

The incorporation of Bolivia to Mercosur must not become a “straight jacket” that leaves the country with no margin to negotiate trade agreements with other regions, said the private business organization, Bolivia Foreign Trade Institution, IBCE