Latin America

Friday, May 3rd 2013 - 06:09 UTC
Venezuelan opposition formally challenges Maduro’s victory in April’s snap election

The Venezuelan opposition on Thursday challenged the results of last month's presidential poll won by the late Hugo Chavez's successor, further muddying an already messy transition to life without the divisive leader. The formal challenge was done with the Supreme Court, despite allegations the tribunal is loaded with pro-Chavez judges and certain to reject the challenge.
Friday, May 3rd 2013 - 02:41 UTC
Freedom of the press in the America exposed to violence and intimidation from governments

Violence, intimidation and polarization still obstruct reporting in Americas says the 2013 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index which was released in anticipation of the World Press Freedom Day, May 3 (*). The report states that the ranking of most countries is no longer attributable to dramatic political developments and this year’s index is a better reflection of the attitudes and intentions of governments towards media freedom in the medium or long term.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 08:18 UTC
Obama begins fourth visit to strategic Mexico with a full agenda of critical issues

President Barack Obama leaves on Thursday for Mexico and Costa Rica, on a strategic mission to deepen trade ties and jobs’ creation but also hoping to discuss US immigration reform, security threats and drug wars.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 08:03 UTC
Where is Uruguay’s economy headed?

Fitch Ratings in March joined two other major ratings agencies in giving Uruguay its coveted investment grade, a move that lowers the nation’s borrowing costs and opens up opportunities for new investors.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 07:45 UTC
Brazil leads meeting of Amazon basin Cooperation Treaty in Ecuador

Brazilian Foreign minister Antonio Patriota arrives Thursday in Ecuador for bilateral talks on trade, investment and immigration, and to attend a day later the Amazon group summit of ministers, reports Itamaraty palace.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 07:29 UTC
Brazil’s primary surplus well below target because of ‘government efforts to prop the economy’

Brazil posted a budget primary surplus of 3.5 billion Reais (1.75bn dollars) in March, recovering after a deficit in February, but still the worst performance in the first quarter of the last four years, according to central bank data released this week.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 07:12 UTC
Following the beatings of opposition members, OAS calls for dialogue in Venezuelan congress

The Organization of American States (OAS) expressed concern over the acts of violence that took place on Tuesday in the National Assembly of Venezuela and noted that “this reflects, in a dramatic way, the absence of a political dialogue that could reassure the public and the branches of government, in order to resolve the outstanding issues in this country in a climate of peace between all Venezuelans”.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 07:01 UTC
Morales expels USAID to protest Kerry’ reference of Latam as the ‘US backyard’

President Evo Morales expelled a US development agency from Bolivia, marking the latest confrontation between Washington and a bloc of populist governments in Latin America.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 06:25 UTC
Argentina natural gas imports in March soar 74% compared to a year ago

Argentina's natural gas imports rose 74% to 28.4 million cubic meters/d in March, compared with 16.3 million cu m/d in the year-earlier period, the country’s Energy Secretariat said Monday. Imports were up 16% compared with 24.5 million cu m/d in February, according to a monthly data report.
Thursday, May 2nd 2013 - 06:18 UTC
Petrobras continues divestment program: sells blocks in US Gulf of Mexico

Brazil’s Petrobras is selling its 20% stake in the Gila prospect in the US Gulf of Mexico as part of its ongoing divestment program. The state-owned company said it had signed a sale and purchase agreement for the sale of its equity in exploration blocks KC 49, 50, 92, 93, 94 and 138, which make up the BP-operated asset.