Latin America

Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 08:36 UTC
CFK defends Argentina’s economic model and capacity to honour debts

While addressing the nation from the Buenos Aires stock exchange floor, Argentine President Cristina Fernández strongly defended the policy of drastically cutting debts, which guarantees “greater independence”, and of stimulating the economy because only with resources can debts be paid, “the dead don’t pay debts”.
Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 08:20 UTC
Chavez claims Paraguayan senators tried to blackmail him to vote for Venezuela in Mercosur

President Hugo Chavez said that the incorporation of Venezuela to Mercosur was “exemplary” because it never yielded to “blackmail” from the Paraguayan extreme right and revealed that he met with Paraguayan Senator Lino Oviedo, considered the mastermind behind those attempts.
Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 07:52 UTC
Peruvian police seize 2.3m counterfeit US dollar notes; so far this year 17m

Police in Peru have seized 2.3m dollars in counterfeit notes. Prosecution said the notorious Quispe Rodriguez family clan is behind the production of fake currency. Peruvian police chief, Raul Salazar, said the gang was planning to smuggle the counterfeit 50 dollar bills into the United States, hidden inside Peruvian souvenirs.
Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 07:46 UTC
State of emergency in south Peru to protect mining projects from guerrillas

Peru’s government has extended a state of emergency for 60 days in several districts of south-central regions because of the presence of the guerrilla group Shining Path remnants.
Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 07:38 UTC
Venezuela fishing vessels caught in French Guiana waters will be destroyed

Two Venezuelan fishing vessels were caught illegally operating n French Guiana waters by a French Navy patrol and will be destroyed as is normal procedure in the territory, according to Cayenne media.
Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 07:24 UTC
Colombian court ruling favours indigenous people; government to appeal

Colombian Defence minister said on Thursday the Constitutional Court’s decision to order armed forces to leave indigenous territories in south-eastern Colombia will not affect military presence in the volatile south-western Cauca department.
Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 07:18 UTC
Ecuador president limits publicity to “friendly” media and raids magazine office

The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) described as “contrary to the principles of freedom of expression and press freedom” an order by the Government of Ecuador to withdraw official advertising from independent news media.
Friday, August 3rd 2012 - 07:10 UTC
Bolivia seizes silver and indium mine operated by Canadian firm

Confirming the growing trend in several South American countries, Bolivia expropriated a silver and indium mine operated by a local unit of Canadian firm South American Silver, a move criticized by Ottawa and likely to scare off foreign investors.
Thursday, August 2nd 2012 - 07:38 UTC
Paraguay urges OAS to take a position on the country’s situation

Paraguay urged the Organization of American States, OAS, on Wednesday to say whether it will be taking measures or not against the country following the removal of Fernando Lugo from the presidency, a political incident that has reverberated in the whole continent.
Thursday, August 2nd 2012 - 07:08 UTC
Chilean opposition remains divided ahead of October municipal elections

Chilean opposition registered its candidates at the Electoral Service for the coming municipal elections in October but was unable to reach an overall agreement to face the ruling conservative parties.