Latin America

• Wednesday, April 28th 2010 - 18:04 UTC

  Colombian Surprise: Green Party Candidate Leads Presidential Race

  

  Colombia’s Green party presidential candidate Antanas Mockus arrives for Wednesday’s night television debate as favourite following on his spectacular rise in public opinion polls.

• Wednesday, April 28th 2010 - 06:39 UTC

  Lula da Silva to Remain in Politics, Promises Caricom Trade and Political Links

  

  Brazilian president Lula da Silva discarded any sort of retirement once he steps down from the Executive next December 31 and underlined he will continue to act in politics.

• Wednesday, April 28th 2010 - 06:22 UTC

  Bolivian President Apologizes to Spanish Gay and Lesbian Organizations

  

  Bolivian president Evo Morales sent a letter to gay and lesbian organizations in Spain expressing respect for sexual diversity, according to the Executive’s press office and spokesperson Iván Canelas.

• Wednesday, April 28th 2010 - 05:58 UTC

  Obama Speaks for the First Time with Honduran President Lobo

  

  United States President Barack Obama spoke this week for the first time with Honduran President Lobo to discuss the situation in Honduras, said the White House.

• Tuesday, April 27th 2010 - 21:57 UTC

  IMF Warns Latam “Cheap and Abundant Credit” Rises Risk of Boom-Bust Cycle

  

  Latin American economies as a whole are recovering nicely from the global economic downturn but “cheap and abundant external finances raise the risk of a boom-bust cycle”, said Nicolas Eyzaguirre, IMF Western Hemisphere Department Director.

• Tuesday, April 27th 2010 - 02:53 UTC

  Mr. Kirchner to Be Named Chairman of UNASUR When Leaders Meet in Argentina

  

  Leaders from the Union of South American Nations, UNASUR are scheduled to meet May 3 and 4 in Buenos Aires with President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner acting as host and Ecuador’s Rafael Correa as temporary chairman.

• Tuesday, April 27th 2010 - 02:47 UTC

  US Extradites Former Panamanian Leader Noriega and CIA Recruit to France

  

  The former Panamanian leader, Manuel Noriega, has been extradited to France by the United States after spending more than 20 years in a prison there.

• Monday, April 26th 2010 - 05:30 UTC

  Cuba Municipal Election: Chavez Calls for Respect; Fariñas: They Are “a Farce”

  

  Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez called for respect for the political and electoral system of Cuba that this Sunday was holding municipal elections among candidates from an only party.

• Saturday, April 24th 2010 - 08:20 UTC

  Chile/Argentina Agree on Military Cooperation and a Joint Force for UN Peace Tasks

  

  Chile and Argentina agreed Friday an ample cooperation in military issues including the design and manufacturing of a joint aircraft for their respective air forces and the training of a rapid deployment force in support of United Nations peace missions.

• Saturday, April 24th 2010 - 07:42 UTC

  Colombian Green Party Presidential Candidate Closing in on Incumbent Hopeful

  

  A newly released poll shows former Bogotá Mayor Antanas Mockus winning the Colombian presidency if the contest comes down to a runoff. The first round of the election will take place May 30 and is a runoff is needed on June 20.