Latin America

Monday, August 17th 2015 - 06:52 UTC
Suriname leader Bouterse takes office for another five-year term

Suriname former military ruler Desi Bouterse officially began a second consecutive five-year term in office after being sworn in, promising to diversify the country’s economy and make the country less dependent on bauxite, gold and oil exports.
Saturday, August 15th 2015 - 08:50 UTC
Uruguay says Brazil rejects idea of leaving Mercosur, but agrees that deep changes are urgent

Uruguay's foreign minister said on Friday that “nobody” supports the proposal from the Brazilian Senate president Renan Calheiros to put an end to the Mercosur customs union. However he did point out that he proposal exposed that the block effectively is 'not working' and needs to have its foundations reviewed.
Saturday, August 15th 2015 - 08:33 UTC
Kerry calls for a new era in relations with Cuba, but also urged political change

US Secretary of State John Kerry declared a new era in relations as he celebrated restored diplomatic ties in Havana on Friday, but he also urged political change in Cuba, telling Cubans they should be free to choose their own leaders.
Friday, August 14th 2015 - 09:23 UTC
Political ally who can save Rousseff from impeachment wants Brazil out of Mercosur

Renan Calheiros, president of the Brazilian Senate, and the man who could help President Dilma Rousseff avoid impeachment in Congress, has proposed a package of measures to rescue Brazil from its current stagflation, but among his demands is “an end to the customs union of Mercosur”.
Friday, August 14th 2015 - 08:32 UTC
UK to protest to Ecuador for harboring Assange; policing the embassy has cost 18.8m dollars

The UK is to make a formal protest to the government of Ecuador over the country's decision to “harbor” Julian Assange, the Foreign Office has said. The Wikileaks co-founder sought asylum at London's Ecuadorean embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden.
Wednesday, August 12th 2015 - 09:10 UTC
CARICOM tells Venezuela it supports Guyana's integrity in territorial dispute

Venezuela’s vice-president Jorge Arreaza recently heard directly from CARICOM chairman, Barbados’ Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, that the regional grouping is backing Guyana in the territorial dispute between the two South American neighbors. Stuart met last Friday with Arreaza who was visiting the island as part of a regional tour to discuss Venezuela’s territorial and maritime claims in the region.
Wednesday, August 12th 2015 - 08:39 UTC
“A step forward for Haitian democracy”, OAS describes Sunday's vote

Despite incidents of violence at some polling stations, the first round of legislative elections in Haiti which took place on Sunday, has been described as “a step forward for Haitian democracy” by the Organization of American States (OAS).
Wednesday, August 12th 2015 - 08:25 UTC
Sargassum bloom are ruining Caribbean beaches and tourism season

The picture-perfect beaches and turquoise waters that people expect on their visits to the Caribbean are increasingly being fouled by mats of decaying seaweed that attract biting sand fleas and smell like rotten eggs.
Friday, August 7th 2015 - 06:19 UTC
Falklands' claim and sea access for Bolivia in the same package for Evo Morales

The Argentine government should support with 'determination' Bolivia's sea outlet claim to Chile, because if successful it will be so much easier for Argentina to recover the Falklands/Malvinas Islands, said Bolivian president Evo Morales in an interview.
Wednesday, August 5th 2015 - 08:13 UTC
Galapagos penguin numbers recovering with shifts in trade winds and ocean currents

Shifts in trade winds and ocean currents powered a resurgence of endangered Galapagos Penguins over the past 30 years, according to a new study led by researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). These changes enlarged a cold pool of water the penguins rely on for food and breeding-an expansion that could continue as the climate changes over the coming decades, according to the study.