Latin America

Wednesday, September 9th 2015 - 13:10 UTC
A forest area equivalent to South Africa has been lost since 1990, says FAO

The world's forests continue to shrink as populations increase and forest land is converted to agriculture and other uses, but over the past 25 years the rate of net global deforestation has slowed down by more than 50%, FAO said in a report published on Tuesday.
Wednesday, September 9th 2015 - 08:10 UTC
No end to Brazil's bad news: two consecutive years of recession ahead

Analysts expect Brazil's economy to contract by 2.44% this year, marking the worst performance since 1990, and inflation will hit 9.29%, the Central Bank said Tuesday. The latest figures represent a downward revision from last week, when analysts expected Latin America's largest economy to contract by 2.26% and inflation to come in at 9.28%.
Wednesday, September 9th 2015 - 07:18 UTC
Guatemala former president to face prosecution for a customs fraud scandal

Former Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina will face prosecution for his alleged role in a customs fraud scandal that has rocked the country for months, a federal judge announced on Tuesday. The decision comes just days after Perez Molina resigned from office amid growing national outrage over corruption in the government.
Tuesday, September 8th 2015 - 06:24 UTC
Maduro pledges a comprehensive PetroCaribe plan spanning 2015/2025

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has pledged to build a comprehensive plan for PetroCaribe, in the next ten years, spanning 2015-2025.
Tuesday, September 8th 2015 - 05:39 UTC
Guatemala: Cowboy “Neto” leads on promises to clean the town of corruption

A comedian who played a simpleton cowboy who almost became president emerged Monday as the man to beat in Guatemala's presidential race amid disgust over a corruption scandal that felled the outgoing incumbent.
Monday, September 7th 2015 - 09:38 UTC
Argentina and Brazil scheduled to meet Maduro over the border situation with Colombia

In the margins of the Petrocaribe Summit currently taking place in Jamaica, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will be meeting the foreign ministers of Argentina and Brazil to discuss the border crisis with Colombia.
Monday, September 7th 2015 - 09:25 UTC
Guatemala first results indicate a presidential run-off next October 25

A former television comic, a wealthy businessman and a former first lady were ahead in early returns in voting for Guatemala's next leader, days after the Central American nation's president resigned over a corruption scandal. With about 51% percent of polling stations reporting early Monday, TV comedian Jimmy Morales, who has never held elective office, was leading with 26.5% of the vote.
Saturday, September 5th 2015 - 06:55 UTC
Unpredictable Sunday: outraged Guatemala goes to the polls and is furious with its political system

Protesters railed on Friday against Guatemala's disgraced ex-president Otto Perez outside his court hearing on corruption allegations Friday, two days before elections that have been upended by his resignation and jailing.
Friday, September 4th 2015 - 10:30 UTC
Colombia says its electrical system is ready for the El Niño phenomena

As neighbors Chile and Peru along the Pacific coast of South America, Colombia announced its electrical system is prepared for the El Niño weather phenomena, which may lead to drought and low reserves at hydro-electric facilities, mines and energy minister Tomas Gonzalez said on Wednesday.
Friday, September 4th 2015 - 09:09 UTC
President’s resignation a step forward for democracy and rule of law in Guatemala says ITUC

The resignation of Guatemala’s President Otto Pérez Molina following the issuing of an arrest warrant against him for corruption is a positive step towards strengthening democracy and rule of law there, said the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC.