Stories for February 2014

Monday, February 17th 2014 - 09:21 UTC
Hague underlines close links with Colombia; meets President Santos Monday

UK Foreign Secretary William Hague was received on Sunday in Cartagena by Colombian Foreign minister María Angeles Holguín and on Monday is scheduled to meet with Juan Manuel Santos at the Palacio Nariño, seat of the Executive in Bogotá. Mr. Hague on Monday evening will be flying to Brazil.
Monday, February 17th 2014 - 09:09 UTC
Uruguay's budget surplus reached 2.3% of GDP in 2013

Despite a decade of sustained growth Uruguay's fiscal deficit reached 2.3% of GDP last year, which is an improvement over 2012, when it reached 2.8%, but above the government's target of 2.1%. In money terms this means the budget red was equivalent to 1.154bn dollars, including 350 million dollar losses from government owned companies.
Monday, February 17th 2014 - 09:03 UTC
Argentina vs hedge funds: second chapter of appeal before the US Supreme Court

The Argentine government will appeal on Monday before the US Supreme Court for the second time against the hedge funds claim. The Supreme Court is the last judiciary step in the dispute.
Monday, February 17th 2014 - 07:49 UTC
Argentina/Brazil diplomatic incident almost triggers another Mercosur stall

In what was described as a “shameful incident”, Brazil had to retract from statements made by one of its diplomats, a condition demanded by Argentina to continue negotiations for a Mercosur common tariffs reduction proposal which was taking place in Caracas. The incident occurred last week but only came to light over the weekend.
Saturday, February 15th 2014 - 10:24 UTC
Brazil, the most dangerous country for Latam journalists, according to RSF

More than 20 years after the fall of the dictatorships and civil wars that dominated Latin America, the region continues to be marked by a strong retaliation against the press, according to Reporters Without Borders, RSF, most recent annual index on the state of press freedom, which was published on Feb. 12.
Saturday, February 15th 2014 - 10:21 UTC
Economic activity down for a second straight month in Brazil

Brazilian economic activity fell for the second straight month in December, declining 1.35% relative to November, the Central Bank said in a report Friday. The Economic Activity Index, IBC-Br, considered a reliable predictor of GDP performance, was up 2.57% for all of 2013.
Saturday, February 15th 2014 - 08:03 UTC
Obama administration makes it easier for banks to deal with licensed marihuana companies

The Obama administration made it easier for banks to do business with licensed marijuana companies with less fear of prosecution, further encouraging US states that are experimenting with legalization of the drug. The Justice and Treasury departments were in the process of outlining the policy in writing to federal prosecutors and financial institutions.
Saturday, February 15th 2014 - 07:58 UTC
Thousands of landless peasants clash with police in Brasilia

Brazilian police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at about 16,000 landless farmers marching for land reform in clashes that left 42 people hurt. The march on Brasilia on Wednesday was the latest in a series of protests rocking the nation, raising security concerns just four months before Brazil hosts football's World Cup.
Saturday, February 15th 2014 - 07:41 UTC
Lula da Silva tries to convince top US corporations and banks to invest in Brazil

Former president Lula da Silva lobbied strongly on Thursday in New York trying to convince US investors to make business in Brazil during a conference to members of the American Society and Council of Americas, which organized the event.
Saturday, February 15th 2014 - 06:08 UTC
Chilean president-elect Bachelet blasts Venezuelan repression and Maduro

Following the bloody events of last Wednesday, while countries such as Argentina, Cuba, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua expressed their full support for the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro, others were more cautious such as Washington and the Europe Union calling for restraint and dialogue, but Chilean president-elect Michelle Bachelet openly twitted her rejection to repression, to President Maduro and called for a plebiscite.