Latin America

• Tuesday, June 4th 2013 - 05:27 UTC

  Strong reaction from Bolivarian countries to Colombia’s cooperation with NATO

  

  President Juan Manuel Santos announcement over the weekend that Colombia will look for a cooperation understanding with NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) on their invitation, has irked the so called Latinamerican group of ‘anti-imperialist countries’, at a moment when relations between neighbouring Colombia and Venezuela have hit a new low.

• Tuesday, June 4th 2013 - 05:07 UTC

  Uruguayan forestry company buys turbines for a 90 MW wind farm

  

  Denmark’s Vestas Wind Systems wind-turbine maker received a 90-megawatt turbine order from Compañia Forestal Uruguaya SA for the Pintado power plant in south centre Uruguay. The 30 3-megawatt turbines project will be serviced by the company for 15 years and the farm is expected to be operational by the second quarter of next year.

• Tuesday, June 4th 2013 - 05:01 UTC

  How will Cristina Fernandez react the day after, next October, faced with defeat?

  

  Former Argentine president Eduardo Duhalde expressed concern over the results of the coming mid-term elections next October fearing the reaction of President Cristina Fernandez if she loses the congressional majority.

• Tuesday, June 4th 2013 - 04:56 UTC

  Brazil shields borders with state of the art scanners and drones, ahead of major global events

  

  Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced this week plans to strengthen the fight against cross-border organized crime by equipping state and local governments with high-tech scanners and surveillance equipment.

• Monday, June 3rd 2013 - 17:47 UTC

  Uruguay is Latinamerica’s most gay-friendly country and ranks tenth worldwide

  

  Uruguay was deemed the friendliest toward gay in Latinamerica and among the top countries in the world, according to the latest Spartacus International Gay Travel Index which ranks 139 countries worldwide.

• Monday, June 3rd 2013 - 07:15 UTC

  Francis and Mujica full of praise for each other share 45 minutes in the Vatican

  

  “The Pope is very pleased for having met with a wise man”, was the official report from the Holy See following the 45 minute private audience of Francis with Uruguayan president Jose Mujica, the longest so far with a head of state. Although Mujica is a declared atheist and did not attend the inauguration of the first Latinamerican pope last March, he did request an interview with Francis, which took place on Saturday.

• Monday, June 3rd 2013 - 05:30 UTC

  In four months Uruguay exports fell faster than imports: billion dollar deficit

  

  Uruguay’s trade deficit climbed to over a billion dollars in the first four months of the year compared to 975 million dollars in the same period a year ago. So far this year the fall in exports has been stronger than that of imports, which has led to the 1.045 billion dollars deficit according to the latest stats from the Central bank.

• Monday, June 3rd 2013 - 05:17 UTC

  Uruguay ruling coalition warned about budget deficit and loss of labour productivity

  

  Uruguayan economic officials have warned the ruling coalition Broad Front about the regional risk-situation in complex Argentina and stalled Brazil, and its influence on Uruguay which needs to lower its budget deficit and improve labour productivity and competitiveness.

• Monday, June 3rd 2013 - 05:13 UTC

  Xi Jinping visits Mexico to try and improve political and trade cooperation

  

  The leaders of Mexico and China will meet for the second time in two months this week, a sign of deepening cooperation, even as the Latin American nation seeks to close a huge trade deficit. Chinese President Xi Jinping will be treated to a lavish two-day state visit in Mexico that begins on Tuesday, with an event at the Campo Marte military field with President Enrique Peña Nieto and a speech to Congress.

• Monday, June 3rd 2013 - 05:02 UTC

  Falklands’ ex-governor Lamont chairman of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust

  

  Donald Lamont, a former British ambassador and former governor of the Falkland Islands took over as chairman of the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust. He replaces Philippa Foster Back, who retires from the position having served as trustee since 2000 and chair for the past seven years.