Latin America

• Friday, September 18th 2009 - 03:41 UTC

  November elections, rapidly becoming the silent option for Honduras crisis

  

  Four of Honduras six presidential candidates have coincided that the coming November 29 elections are the best solution to the serious political crisis faced by the country since the constitutional president Manuel Zelaya was ousted in a midnight military and civilian coup at the end of June.

• Thursday, September 17th 2009 - 13:35 UTC

  “Isolated” Colombia seriously considering abandoning Unasur

  

  Colombia could consider quitting the South American Nations Union, Unasur, if the block does not agree to debate issues related to drug trafficking, terrorism and arms purchases. There is a lack of “sensitivity” from other members to consider these issues.

• Thursday, September 17th 2009 - 13:32 UTC

  Chilean dairy farmers call for protection from Argentine imports

  

  Chilean dairy farmers requested President Michelle Bachelet to speed the implementation of the provisional safeguard clause to help contain the import of Argentine powder milk and cheese. The safeguard clause means imposing a 31% tariff on dairy imports.

• Thursday, September 17th 2009 - 13:26 UTC

  China to invest 16 billion USD to develop new oilfields in Venezuela

  

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced Wednesday that China will invest 16 billion US dollars to boost oil production in the country particularly along the Orinoco River, as part of a strategy to reduce dependence on the US market.

• Wednesday, September 16th 2009 - 20:34 UTC

  Uruguay farm-land sales down but prices pick up again

  

  Farm land sales in Uruguay during the first half of 2009 dropped, but the average price for the hectare actually increased 25% compared to the same period a year ago, according to the latest release from the Ministry of Agriculture Statistics Office (DIEA).

• Wednesday, September 16th 2009 - 12:36 UTC

  Uruguay and US express concern over possible arms race in South America

  

  Uruguay and the United States expressed concern Tuesday that recent weapons purchases could lead to an arms race in South America. In a joint appearance, Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton also pledged co-operation on trade, scientific research and other fields.

• Wednesday, September 16th 2009 - 12:30 UTC

  Unasur could not reach consensus on regional military affairs

  

  The Union of South American Nations, UNASUR, ministerial meeting in Ecuador ended Tuesday with no consensus on regional military issues reported Colombia’s Foreign Affairs minister Jaime Bermúdez.

• Wednesday, September 16th 2009 - 08:52 UTC

  Buenos Aires optimistic about the coming cruise season

  

  In spite of the global slowdown, the cruise industry in South America seems to be steaming ahead according to the latest estimates from Buenos Aires Port, which for the coming 2009/2010 season is expecting 143 calls.

• Wednesday, September 16th 2009 - 08:43 UTC

  Extension of US trade embargo on Cuba, “disappoints” Brazil and Latinamerica

  

  President Barack Obama decision to extend for another twelve months the 47-year-long US trade embargo on Cuba has “disappointed” Brazil and Latinamerica” said President Lula da Silva’s main foreign policy advisors.

• Wednesday, September 16th 2009 - 08:19 UTC

  Chavez regime holds at least 40 political prisoners claim human rights groups

  

  Venezuelan human rights organizations estimate the regime of President Hugo Chavez is holding at least 40 political prisoners and over 2.000 people have been sentenced for participating in rallies organized by the opposition to protest “Bolivarian revolution” legislation and initiatives.