Latin America

• Saturday, November 7th 2009 - 16:30 UTC

  In spite of coup denials Paraguayan president continues with military purge

  

  Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo continued to purge the top ranks of the military Friday, removing the armed forces' commander. Lugo fired the commanders of the country's army, air force and navy on Wednesday.

• Saturday, November 7th 2009 - 16:16 UTC

  Mining and construction backbone of Chile’s economic recovery

  

  Mining and construction industries have led Chile’s economic recovery, according to a recently released economic report.

• Saturday, November 7th 2009 - 14:56 UTC

  Chilean president Bachelet approval soars to record 80% in October

  

  Chilean President Michelle Bachelet's approval rating rose to a record 80% in October, from 76% the previous month, according to an opinion poll published Thursday by polling institute Adimark GfK.

• Saturday, November 7th 2009 - 14:54 UTC

  Five days paid “honeymoon leave” for Chilean newlyweds

  

  A proposed new law will guarantee Chilean employees five paid working days as “honeymoon leave” and will not take away from the legal yearly vacation days workers are given.

• Saturday, November 7th 2009 - 08:39 UTC

  Uribe’s public opinion support falls below 70% for the first time in 7 years

  

  Colombian President Alvaro Uribe popularity rating is at it's lowest in his seven years in government, according to a recent public opinion poll. Uribe’s popularity rating fell from 70% to 63% in the last two months.

• Saturday, November 7th 2009 - 08:38 UTC

  Honduras crisis deal confirms Valenzuela nomination to the State Department

  

  The United States Senate finally approved Thursday evening the nomination of Arturo Valenzuela as Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, putting an end to three months of Republican veto because of the Obama administration policy towards Honduras.

• Saturday, November 7th 2009 - 07:14 UTC

  “Non aggression pact” to end secrecy of military agreements in South America

  

  Brazilian diplomacy is working on a “non aggression” pact which it will propose to Colombia and other regional governments following on the military agreement signed by Bogotá with Washington and which has caused much concern in Brazil according to the Sao Paulo press.

• Friday, November 6th 2009 - 10:38 UTC

  US will recognize Honduras election with or without reinstated Zelaya

  

  United States will recognize the Honduran elections results regardless of whether former President Manuel Zelaya is returned to office and regardless of whether the vote on reinstatement takes place before or after November 29th, according to Republican Senator Jim DeMint who claims he was given guarantees to that effect by the US State Department.

• Friday, November 6th 2009 - 04:19 UTC

  Caracas short or power and water for next six months

  

  Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez warned he will go after all those industries and factories private or government managed, that waste power and/or water.

• Friday, November 6th 2009 - 03:54 UTC

  Zelaya “must be reinstated” before November 29th elections

  

  Brazil is demanding that ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya be reinstated before the scheduled presidential election of November 29th, according to government sources quoted in the Sao Paulo and Brasilia press.