Latin America

Friday, August 2nd 2013 - 03:09 UTC
Argentine opposition announces the ‘real life’ GDP growth index: 0.5% in the first quarter

Several Argentine opposition groups have started publishing their own GDP index, (as they do with inflation) based on the average of data processed by private consultants which are exposed to the intimidation of President Cristina Fernandez administration officials.
Friday, August 2nd 2013 - 03:01 UTC
Argentina’s energy challenges according to The Economist: Flogging a dead cow

The Economist in its latest printed edition addresses Argentina’s challenges in the energy field including the seizure of a majority stake in YPF from Spain’s Repsol and the latest agreement with US oil company Chevron to exploit shale oil and gas.
Friday, August 2nd 2013 - 02:29 UTC
Uruguay extends another 12 months VAT benefits for foreign tourists

Uruguay extended for another twelve months the VAT bonus for those tourists who pay for purchases, lodging and rents with debit cards. The measure was announced this week by Deputy cabinet chief Diego Canepa following a full ministerial meeting and in anticipation of the coming 2013/14 summer season.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 04:09 UTC
“Not even the Pope could bring Brazil and Paraguay together”, said O’Globo

Influential Latin American newspapers have been extremely critical of Brazilian diplomacy in its unsuccessful attempts to ‘subdue Paraguay’, while at the same praising the landlocked country’s dignity in demanding from Mercosur respect and compliance with the rule of the law.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 04:04 UTC
Cristina Fernandez says unemployment is down to 7.2% but calls for more job creation

Argentina's unemployment rate fell to 7.2% in the second quarter of 2013 compared with 7.9% in the first quarter of the year, President Cristina Fernandez announced during a speech praising her government’s industrialization and added-value policies.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 03:56 UTC
Uruguay passes bill legalizing marijuana split on party lines; Senate discussion next October

Uruguay's lower house passed a marijuana legalization bill on Wednesday which now must be discussed by the Senate, most probably in October. The vote brings Uruguay one step closer to becoming the first country to legally regulate production, distribution and sale of the drug.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 03:19 UTC
Obama propose political consultant and elite fund-raiser as next ambassador in Argentina

The White House has confirmed that US president Barack Obama has proposed fellow Democratic Party member Noah Mamet as the new ambassador in Buenos Aires, to replace outgoing incumbent Vilma Martínez.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 02:59 UTC
Brazil criticizes IMF for latest aid to Greece: worst fears could be confirmed

A group of Latin American countries refused to back an IMF move this week to keep bankrolling Greece, citing risks of non-repayment, and the Fund itself said Athens might need faster debt relief from Europe.
Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 06:31 UTC
Paraguay downplays Mujica’s warning calling for a ‘pragmatic’ return to Mercosur

Paraguay’s incoming government foreign policy advisor Eladio Loizaga downplayed Mercosur veiled warning calling for a quick return of the country to the block because ‘Paraguay is landlocked and needs the Parana River and the River Plate to reach the sea’.
Wednesday, July 31st 2013 - 06:14 UTC
UN calls on Chile to stop using anti-terrorism law against indigenous Mapuches

A United Nations investigator on Tuesday urged Chile’s government to stop using an anti-terrorism law against Mapuche Indians who are fighting to recover their ancestral land.