Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed to help Venezuela start a nuclear energy program on Wednesday as President Hugo Chavez hailed Moscow's deepening ties in Latin America as a reflection of declining U.S. influence.
The White House said President George Bush has suspended special trade benefits with Bolivia because of its failure to cooperate in drug-fighting efforts.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced international air traffic for October showing a second consecutive month of global decline. Latinamerica experienced 4.5% growth in passengers and a record drop in cargo, 11.4%.
Russian warships have sailed into a Venezuelan port in the first deployment of its kind in the Caribbean since the end of the Cold War.
Russia is seeking to revive privileged ties with Latin America, which had been neglected after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said Monday on leaving Peru.
A listeriosis scare broke out in Santiago del Chile when food sanitary officials ordered the withdrawal of a certain type and brand of cheese and the manufacturer sent a release to the different supermarket chains claiming that the decision was only preventive.
Venezuela's opposition has made gains in regional polls, but President Hugo Chavez's allies have held onto at least 17 of the country's 22 governorships.
A joint parade of Argentine and Chilean naval schools graduates took place Sunday in Punta Arenas Main Square followed by a march along the city's streets, the first time ever of such an event.
Russian oil companies could soon begin searching for oil in deep Gulf of Mexico waters off Cuba, a top diplomat said just days before Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visits the island.
Venezuela's opposition cut deep into President Hugo Chávez's majority and standing during last Sunday's local elections when it won five of the country's most populous states as well as the crucial mayor's office of the capital Caracas.