Latin America

• Wednesday, April 15th 2009 - 08:40 UTC

  Bolivia opens three indigenous universities

  

  The Bolivian government has opened three indigenous universities for Aymaras, Quechuas and Guaranis, and they will be linked to social movements, Education Minister Roberto Aguilar said

• Wednesday, April 15th 2009 - 08:38 UTC

  Ecuador grew 6.5% in 2008; forecasts 2.5% in 2009

  

  Ecuador President Rafael Correa said that his country’s economic growth in 2008, which according to the latest estimates was 6.5%, was among Latin America’s highest despite the international financial crisis -- and despite defaulting on a portion of the nation's international debt.

• Wednesday, April 15th 2009 - 05:57 UTC

  Political agreement in Bolivia ends Morales hunger-strike

  

  President Evo Morales has ended a five days long hunger strike after Bolivia's congress approved a new electoral law that grants more voting power to his electoral turf and allows him to run for a second term five-year term next December.

• Tuesday, April 14th 2009 - 14:02 UTC

  Lula da Silva says Obama must not be embarrassed on the Cuban issue

  

  Brazilian president Lula da Silva anticipated he will address the Cuban issue in the coming Americas Summit next Friday in Trinidad Tobago, but Brazilian diplomacy is also working to ensure it does not become an irritating discussion, according to Sao Paulo press.

• Tuesday, April 14th 2009 - 11:48 UTC

  Obama’s Cuba policy triggers strong hopes from cruise operators

  

  Shares of Miami-based cruise operator Royal Caribbean jumped on Monday on news that the administration of President Barack Obama was allowing Cuban Americans to travel more freely to the Castro-family ruled island.

• Tuesday, April 14th 2009 - 02:11 UTC

  Obama loosens restriction on travel and remittances to Cuba

  

  President Barack Obama has decided to loosen restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba for Cuban-Americans, senior US administration officials said Monday. A formal announcement was expected later in the day, reports CNN.

• Monday, April 13th 2009 - 14:19 UTC

  Americas summit should not address Cuba issue, argues OAS

  

  The Secretary General of the Organization of America States, OAS, Jose Miguel Insulza said it would be a mistake if the coming Summit of the Americas puts pressure on United States to end the embargo on Cuba.

• Monday, April 13th 2009 - 09:48 UTC

  Colombian Catholic Church openly against third Uribe re-election

  

  The Colombian Government is not amused by the Catholic Church's rejection of a possible re-election of President Álvaro Uribe. Both Archbishop Pedro Rubiano and Bishop Ruben Salazar turned against a possible third term for the current President.

• Monday, April 13th 2009 - 06:48 UTC

  Fasting Bolivian president cancels trips to regional summits

  

  Bolivian President Evo Morales said on Sunday that he had cancelled his trips to the ALBA summit and the Summit of the Americas because of Bolivia’s internal problems caused by the conflict with the opposition over a law regarding the December 6 elections.

• Sunday, April 12th 2009 - 11:20 UTC

  Peru: Rebels kill 13 soldiers in the jungle

  

  Peru's Shining Path rebels have killed 13 soldiers in two ambushes in the south-east of the country, the country's defence minister says.