Stories for October 2013

Saturday, October 26th 2013 - 13:48 UTC
Sunday election, an anticipation for the 2015 post Cristina Fernandez chapter

Sunday's midterm election in Argentina has become crucial for the government of President Cristina Fernandez who must retain control of Congress in the last two years of her mandate ahead of the 2015 presidential election, otherwise she runs the risk of becoming a lame duck accompanied by a most unwished end for the legacy of the Kirchner couple decade-plus rule.
Saturday, October 26th 2013 - 04:59 UTC
Paraguay will lead Mercosur trade negotiations with the EU next December

The Paraguayan foreign affairs ministry will represent Mercosur next December when the exchange of proposals with the European Union for a long pending free trade agreement, announced Uruguayan president Jose Mujica on Friday following private talks with his visiting peer from Paraguay, Horacio Cartes.
Saturday, October 26th 2013 - 00:39 UTC
Cartes pledges motivation and support for those who help create wealth and jobs

President Horacio Cartes said on Friday he wanted “a reliable and serious Paraguay, full of self esteem” taking advantage of the good economic times and pledged motivation and support for all those who help generate wealth and jobs for the country. However he also admitted that Paraguay has serious failings, “but problems are challenges and opportunities”.
Saturday, October 26th 2013 - 00:25 UTC
Paraguayan president ratifies full political support for Mercosur

President Horacio Cartes although admitting he is heart and mind committed to Mercosur, Paraguay's full return to Mercosur is in the hands of diplomacy since as head of state he must abide strictly by the rule of the law.
Friday, October 25th 2013 - 14:29 UTC
Germany and France demand a “no spying” agreement from Washington

German Chancellor Angela Merkel demanded that the United States strike a “no-spying” agreement with Berlin and Paris by the end of the year, saying alleged espionage against two of Washington's closest EU allies had to be stopped.
Friday, October 25th 2013 - 14:21 UTC
Guyana-Venezuela: The consequences of ideology and avarice

By Sir Ronald Sanders - BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The internal politics of Venezuela is playing a big part in the sudden deterioration of that country’s relations with its smaller neighbor Guyana after a period of steady improvement.
Friday, October 25th 2013 - 14:07 UTC
Feeling unhappy, try Orwellian Venezuela: Maduro creates the “Supreme Happiness” office

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the creation of the “Supreme Happiness Under Secretary” to address social debt shortcomings and which was in honor of the late Commandant and president Hugo Chavez and the country's liberator, Simon Bolivar.
Friday, October 25th 2013 - 06:22 UTC
Argentine first time 'young voters' remain distant from Sunday's mid-term election

Argentines aged 16 and 17 will be able to vote for the first time in Sunday's midterm elections but the incidence of their ballot in the final result is considered marginal since many of them did not register. In Argentina voting is mandatory for the 18 to 70 age group, and 600.000 teen agers of 16 and 17 have registered to vote on 27 October when half the Lower House and a third of the Senate seats are renewed.
Friday, October 25th 2013 - 06:16 UTC
Alleged 'secret clause' in YPF/Chevron shale agreement triggers strong controversy in Argentina

A New York Times piece published on Thursday regarding the agreement between Argentine nationalized oil and gas company YPF with California based Chevron has triggered a strong controversy in Argentina because of an alleged “secret clause” in the commercial document.
Friday, October 25th 2013 - 06:13 UTC
Argentina will deploy 91.000 security officers for Sunday's election

Ahead of Argentina's midterm elections of next Sunday, 27 October, which have not been absent of acts of violence against candidates and militants, the Defense Minister has announced that more than 91,000 security officers will be deployed across the country's 24 districts to watch over polling day.