Latin America

Wednesday, May 6th 2009 - 04:10 UTC
US Free trade agreement, top priority of Panama’s president-elect

Panama's president-elect Ricardo Martinelli has said finalising a free trade deal with the United States is a priority. Martinelli, a supermarket tycoon, beat the governing centre-left party's candidate by more than 20 points in Sunday's presidential election.
Wednesday, May 6th 2009 - 02:56 UTC
Mexico furious with countries restricting its imports alleging flu

Mexico says it has written to the World Trade Organization (WTO), demanding an explanation from countries which have restricted its imports over A/H1N1 flu.
Wednesday, May 6th 2009 - 02:53 UTC
Magallanes Region stocked for the event of a flu pandemic

Punta Arenas in the extreme south Magallanes Region of Chile has received several lots of seasonal flu vaccines which will be available in clinics and health centres as of tomorrow Wednesday announced local sanitary authorities.
Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 11:08 UTC
Mexico announces reopening of schools, gradually returns to normality

Mexican officials lowered the influenza A (H1N1) virus alert level in the capital on Monday and said they will allow universities, cafes, museums and libraries to reopen this week, even as the number of confirmed cases topped 1,200 worldwide.
Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 10:49 UTC
Panamanian president elect compared to Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi

Panama president-elect and supermarket tycoon Ricardo Martinelli, 57, of Italian origin has been compared to the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi by Panamanian media and political analysts.
Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 08:10 UTC
Head of British Army on three day official visit to Chile

British Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff General Sir Richard Dannatt begun on Monday an official three-day visit to Chile invited by the Chilean Army.
Tuesday, May 5th 2009 - 08:00 UTC
Iranian president postpones visit to South American countries

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cancelled on Monday a trip to Brazil this week without explanation amid criticism in Teheran from the country’s clerical leader and US concern about Iran’s growing influence in Latin America.
Monday, May 4th 2009 - 11:03 UTC
Conservative businessman elected president in Panama

Panamanian opposition leader and supermarket mogul Ricardo Martinelli has won Panama's presidential election, the head of the country's electoral tribunal said Sunday. Martinelli, of the conservative Democratic Change party, edged out former Housing Minister Balbina Herrera of Panama's ruling Democratic Revolutionary Party, said Erasmo Pinilla of the electoral tribunal.
Monday, May 4th 2009 - 08:56 UTC
Flu outbreak becomes excuse for trade and tourism restrictions

Three countries worst hit by the global swine flu outbreak have urged economic partners not to allow it to affect international trade. Agricultural ministers from Canada, Mexico and the US said the outbreak should not be used as a reason for unnecessary trade restrictions.
Monday, May 4th 2009 - 08:33 UTC
Former US president Jimmy Carter honoured in Sao Paulo

Former US president and Nobel Peace Prize Jimmy Carter was honoured Sunday by the governor of Brazil’s powerhouse state Sao Paulo for his contributions to the development of the state.