Latin America

Sunday, February 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Peru intent on austerity, to auction a “frivolity symbol”

The Peruvian government has decided to auction the presidential aircraft as part of its austerity policy announced cabinet chief Jorge del Castillo. Earlier in the week President Alan García described the aircraft as a “frivolity symbol”.
Sunday, February 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
“Good” but no so good season for Punta Arenas hotels

The number of hotel bookings and passengers this season in Punta Arenas has not been homogeneous according to a survey among the main hotels and published in the local La Prensa Austral.
Sunday, February 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
ENAP drills for natural gas in continental Magallanes

Chile's oil corporation ENAP began drilling for natural gas last February 15 in continental Magallanes Region in an area identified as Dorado-Riquelme to the north east of Punta Arenas.
Sunday, February 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Eight thousand bus drivers threaten to paralyze Santiago

The possible strike comes only a week after the new transit system was inaugurated and caused widespread confusion and public outrage after getting off to a slow start. Fenattrans president Sergio Cifuentes said the union was protesting the government for not responding to seven requests that the union sent to the government on January 8.
Sunday, February 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
US/Colombia free trade agreement seems ever more distant

The free trade agreement which the George Bush administration signed with Colombia is stalled in the US Congress and could face further delays because of the alleged links of the Colombian President Alvaro Uribe administration with para military forces.
Saturday, February 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Chavez promises less inflation and new currency

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced Friday plans to reduce the value-added tax and reform the currency, in an effort to curb inflation and product scarcity.
Saturday, February 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Latinamerican voters dissatisfied with their economies

Latin America's current drift to the political left suggests voters are uncertain, and in some cases dissatisfied, with their economies, said on Friday the head of the International Monetary Fund Rodrigo de Rato addressing a business conference in New York.
Friday, February 16th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Oil threat ups security

Venezuela will reinforce security measures after a branch of al Qaeda called for attacks on suppliers of oil to the United States, the defence minister said on yesterday.
Friday, February 16th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Mexican economy surprises and expands 4.8% in 2006

Mexico's economy, Latinamerica's largest expanded 4.8% in 2006 compared to 2005 and the highest in six years reported the Finance Secretary in an official release.
Thursday, February 15th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
EU Parliament votes against diverting farm subsidies

A European Commission proposal that would have allowed Member States to divert some Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) direct farm payments to rural development spending was almost unanimously rejected by the European Parliament with 89 votes in favour, 584 votes against and 19 abstentions. The Commission must now decide if it will withdrawal the proposal.