Latin America

Saturday, October 24th 2009 - 18:09 UTC
Chilean independent hopeful wrecks bipartisan presidential race

Two of Chile’s leading polls show independent presidential candidate Marco Enríquez-Ominami closing in on his rival Senator Eduardo Frei, and faring better in a run-off vote against conservative candidate Sebastián Piñera. However, the polls have widely differing predictions of each candidate’s performance in the first round.
Saturday, October 24th 2009 - 07:33 UTC
Argentina, Paraguay pledge to save what is left of the Atlantic Forest

Argentina and Paraguay have made a historic pledge to save one of the world’s most threatened forests. During a special ceremony at the XIIIth World Forestry Congress, the two governments agreed to work towards zero net deforestation in the Atlantic Forest, and to implement a package of measures that include national legislation to enforce those commitments.
Saturday, October 24th 2009 - 05:38 UTC
Latam countries have to adapt to a more sluggish global economy, says IMF

Latin American and Caribbean countries are recovering from the global crisis, but at different rates, and growth is expected to return to the region as a whole in 2010, the IMF said in its Regional Economic Outlook released Friday in Sao Paulo.
Friday, October 23rd 2009 - 12:05 UTC
Valparaiso expecting fewer cruise ship tourists this summer

With the official tourist season starting on October 31, Chile’s main port Valparaíso tourism leaders say they are expecting 85.000 tourists cruise ship tourists this coming summer season. This figure is a considerable drop from previous years and could result in lower prices for tourism related services.
Friday, October 23rd 2009 - 11:58 UTC
Zelaya’s return “Impossible”: no support from Congress, Justice or the military

Former Secretary General from the Organization of American States, (OAS), Cesar Gaviria said it was “impossible” for ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya to be reinstated since he lacks the support from the Supreme Court, Congress and the military
Thursday, October 22nd 2009 - 10:51 UTC
Uruguay’s presidential election next Sunday too tight to call

Uruguay’s coming Sunday presidential election is proving to be more nerve-racking and difficult to forecast than anticipated, with the ruling coalition just a few inches away from repeating in spite of the falling performance of the main opposition candidate.
Thursday, October 22nd 2009 - 08:10 UTC
Developed countries recovery “rests on growth in Asia and Latinamerica”

The economic recovery of developed countries, including the United States, rests largely on the growth of developing Asian and Latin American countries, the chief economist of Spanish banking group BBVA said this week.
Wednesday, October 21st 2009 - 10:27 UTC
Colombia demands reciprocity on formal non intervention guarantees

The same way some countries want non intervention assurances from Colombia, Bogotá is also asking for certainties that its neighbours will not grant bases or refuge to guerrillas or the drugs trade, said Defence minister Gabriel Silva in an interview with the Brazilian media.
Wednesday, October 21st 2009 - 06:15 UTC
Nicaraguan Supreme Court opens the way for re-election of President Ortega

The Nicaraguan Supreme Court has lifted a constitutional ban on re-election, clearing the way for President Daniel Ortega to run again in 2011 elections. The court's decision followed an appeal by Mr Ortega and a group of mayors.
In July, Mr Ortega said publicly he favoured allowing people the right to seek consecutive terms.
Wednesday, October 21st 2009 - 02:48 UTC
South America: An Analysis of Arms Races and Regional Geopolitics

In mid-September, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton critiqued Venezuela’s leader Hugo Chavez for his ongoing purchases of mostly Russian military equipment, arguing that this could trigger an arms race in South America. The statement has added fuel to the ongoing discussions about what form South America’s rearmament is taking and what this could come to mean for the security of the region.