Latin America

Thursday, February 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Light plane crashes in Santiago killing eleven

A small instruction plane belonging to Chile's Carabineros (uniformed police) crashed Wednesday morning into a recreational complex in the capital Santiago's Peñaloén borough. The accident left at least 11 people dead and a number of others injured.
Thursday, February 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
“Four years of de-mining” operations in Tierra del Fuego

Four years are needed to clear the five minefields planted by the Chilean Army in northern Tierra del Fuego, although one of them will be officially certified as “de-mined” at the end of 2008 according to Chilean Defence ministry sources, reports La Prensa Austral from Punta Arenas.
Thursday, February 28th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
France warns FARC on Betancourt's fragile condition

France warned on Thursday that French-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt may have only weeks to live, after fellow captives released by Colombia's FARC guerrillas said her health was failing rapidly.
Wednesday, February 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Venezuela May Begin FARC Hostage Rescue today

Venezuela has said it is ready to recover four hostages held by Colombian rebels, in the second release deal brokered by the government of Hugo Chavez this year.
Wednesday, February 27th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
New Cuban president meets with top Vatican official

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone met with newly-affirmed Cuban leader Raul Castro just two days after the ageing dictator Fidel Castro relinquished power.
Tuesday, February 26th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Obama and Latam: change with risks of lack of experience

With United States Senator Barack Obama leading in the number of delegates for the nomination of presidential candidate for the Democrats, some Latinamerican experts are looking into his knowledge of the region and trying to guess what awaits this region.
Sunday, February 24th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Cuba to name new leader to succeed Fidel Castro

Cuban lawmakers will meet to name a new head of state for the first time in nearly a half-century on Sunday, just five days after an ailing, 81-year-old Fidel Castro said he would not accept another term as president.
Sunday, February 24th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Regional summit anticipates energy shortage next winter

In spite of the smiles and pictures the Buenos Aires presidential summit of leaders from Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia could not agree on a way out to the energy and distribution situation that threatens the three countries this coming winter and apparently could only be solved in the mid term.
Sunday, February 24th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
President Raul Castro names hard liner to cover his back

Raul Castro was unanimously selected Sunday by Cuba's National Assembly as president succeeding his ailing brother Fidel who stepped down last week after nearly half a century in charge.
Saturday, February 23rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Castro back on stage to call for changeÃ¢€Â¦in the US

Fidel Castro strongly criticized United States calls for change in Cuba, following his resignation earlier this week as president more than 49 years after seizing power. In a column published Friday Castro rejects US President Bush's assertion that the resignation could put Cuba on the path to democracy.