Latin America

• Thursday, October 4th 2012 - 07:18 UTC

  Fearing a collapse of their economy, Cubans overwhelmingly would vote for Chavez

  

  Many Cubans are anxious about the results of Venezuela’ presidential election next Sunday and are praying for an Hugo Chavez victory since they are fearful of another collapse of the island’s economy if the winner is opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.

• Wednesday, October 3rd 2012 - 01:42 UTC

  Chile a country with a growing disappointed middle class, says Financial Times

  

  The influential business newspaper Financial Times dedicated a special edition to the Chilean economic and social situation and concludes that given the massive demonstrations against energy projects and in favour of education reform, “doing business” in the country has become difficult plus there is growing disappointment in the middle class.

• Wednesday, October 3rd 2012 - 01:29 UTC

  Chile revokes lithium concession; triggers major scandal on “strategic minerals”

  

  Chile revoked the concession awarded to Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile to exploit substantial reserves of lithium in the Andes region, acknowledging problems with the tender process.

• Tuesday, October 2nd 2012 - 22:18 UTC

  Big storm reaching Latam/Caribbean: growth estimate down to 3.2% from 3.7%

  

  A weak global economy, mainly due to the difficulties faced by Europe, United States and China has affected growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2012 the original growth estimate will fall from 3.7% to 3.2%, according to the latest estimate from the UN Economic Commission for Latinamerica and the Caribbean.

• Tuesday, October 2nd 2012 - 06:39 UTC

  Capriles pledges support for peace talks in Colombia and distance from Iran

  

  Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles pledged to help Colombia in its peace talks with rebels and distance himself from Iran should he defeat President Hugo Chávez in an increasingly tight race ahead of Sunday's election.

• Tuesday, October 2nd 2012 - 06:31 UTC

  Cristina Fernandez denies any dollar clamp: in nine months paid out 80bn dollars

  

  Argentine President Cristina Fernández again denied the existence of money exchange restrictions over the purchase of dollars by explaining that “Argentina has already paid 79.8 billion dollars so far this year”.

• Tuesday, October 2nd 2012 - 06:24 UTC

  HMS Dauntless called in Colombia and joined major UNITAS naval exercise

  

  After a major naval exercise in the Caribbean with the participation of 13 warships from several countries of the Americas and following some anti-drugs patrolling in the Caribbean HMS Dauntless is expected back in Portsmouth at the end of October.

• Monday, October 1st 2012 - 21:16 UTC

  Uruguay’s interest rates hike “will aggravate stubbornly high inflation”, anticipates CE

  

  The latest Uruguayan central bank decision to further hike interest rates is “unlikely to do much to tackle stubbornly high inflation” and contrary to this could end acting as a magnet for foreign capital inflow, “aggravating the very problem it seeks to address”, says Michael Henderson from Capital Economics.

• Monday, October 1st 2012 - 09:36 UTC

  Facing students’ challenge, Piñera presents record spending budget on education

  

  Chilean President Sebastian Piñra unveiled an education-heavy 2013 budget bill on Sunday, as he seeks to improve the conservatives’ credentials before municipal elections in October and next year's presidential election.

• Monday, October 1st 2012 - 06:33 UTC

  The 34-country Arab League/Unasur political and trade summit takes off in Peru

  

  President Cristina Fernández leaves Monday evening for Peru to participate in the 3rd Summit of South American-Arab Countries (ASPA) leaders, scheduled to take place on October 1st and 2nd in the Ministry of Culture, in the Peruvian capital Lima.