Stories for February 2013

Monday, February 25th 2013 - 06:43 UTC
For second time in a decade India/Latam trade in 2012 was down

India's trade with Latin America has gone down in 2012 in comparison to 2011. This is the second time the trade went down in the last decade when it was steadily growing. The earlier decline was in 2009 at the height of global crisis. Trade with the top seven countries of the region declined 15% from 25.274bn dollars in 2011 to 21.302bn in 2012.
Monday, February 25th 2013 - 06:36 UTC
Argentina celebrates Africa’s 54 countries support for Malvinas sovereignty

Africa’s fifty four countries joined South America “in recognizing the legitimate sovereignty rights of Argentina over the Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the adjoining maritime spaces”, announced the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a communiqué in reference to the so called Declaration of Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea.
Monday, February 25th 2013 - 06:27 UTC
Santos denies any cease-fire: if peace talks don’t advance, “we get up from the table”

Colombia's government will not hold back militarily or politically in its offensive against Marxist-oriented drugs-funded rebels, President Juan Manuel Santos said on Sunday, after FARC guerrillas said his hostile attitude was threatening peace negotiations.
Monday, February 25th 2013 - 06:22 UTC
Argentina and ‘holdout hedge funds’ prepare for the final clash this week

The long-awaited showdown in a US appeals court this week pits Argentina against a group of investors who refused to swap their debt after the country's historic 2002 default.
Monday, February 25th 2013 - 06:13 UTC
UK media says Iran/Argentina accord could hide missile project with Falklands’ range

British tabloid The Sunday Times indicated on Sunday that the Iran-Argentina accord on the investigation of the AMIA bombing case could also hide a joint missile development project. Furthermore, the paper assured “Argentina is developing missile technology that could threaten the Falkland Islands.”
Monday, February 25th 2013 - 05:59 UTC
The Argentina/Iran understanding according to The Teheran Times

The Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, between Argentina and Iran to investigate the 1994 bombing in downtown Buenos Aires, will be discussed in Argentina’s Lower House after having received approval in the Senate.
Monday, February 25th 2013 - 05:54 UTC
Brazilian clergy lobby for Sao Paulo archbishop as the next Pope

Catholicism in Latin America is “lively and dynamic,” Brazilian Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis said on Sunday, suggesting that the church look to Latin America for leadership. Damasceno is one of the 117 “cardinal electors” that will participate in the upcoming conclave to elect a new pope, following Benedict XVI announcement he is stepping down at the end of the month.
Monday, February 25th 2013 - 05:48 UTC
Cuba re-elects Raul Castro and unveils his de facto political heir: Diaz-Canel

Raul Castro was re-elected as Cuba's president Sunday, officially to his last five-year term, with a new regime number two, Council of State Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel, official media said.
Saturday, February 23rd 2013 - 06:45 UTC
Massive and emotive ceremony to remember victims of Buenos Aires worst train accident

On the first anniversary of Buenos Aires city worst train accident that left 51 people dead at the downtown Once station, families and friends of the victims held a ceremony to remember those who lost their lives and called for justice as they targeted Government officials from the administration of President Cristina Fernandez.
Saturday, February 23rd 2013 - 06:34 UTC
“Uruguayan government in deep crisis”, admits Mujica with a split cabinet and two economic teams

“The Uruguayan government is in deep crisis” admitted President Jose Mujica following an open clash between ministers that called for an urgent meeting of the cabinet and half way had to be adjourned on fears that recriminations could get out of control. A recess was ordered but the squabbling through the press continued and the exposed deep rift remains more than a challenge.