Latin America

• Friday, July 10th 2009 - 12:14 UTC

  Genocide charges await Bolivia’s former “Minister of Cocaine” deported from US

  

  A former Bolivian interior minister accused of human rights violations was handed over to authorities in La Paz Thursday after completing a prison sentence in the United States. Luis Arce Gomez, 71, was deported and handed over to Bolivian authorities in La Paz on Thursday morning, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.

• Friday, July 10th 2009 - 08:32 UTC

  Peru prepares to fend off 2011 presidential populist contender

  

  Peru's departing prime minister said on Thursday he would run for the presidency in 2011, working to forge a coalition that includes the pro-business ruling party and independents. But it will be some time before campaigning begins.

• Thursday, July 9th 2009 - 13:01 UTC

  “Special powers” in Chile to drive down cases of A/H1N1 virus influenza

  

  In the face of increasing numbers of hospitalizations and consultations relating to breathing problems related to flu, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet issued a decree this week giving the Health Ministry additional powers to address Chile’s current problems relating to the AH1N1 virus.

• Thursday, July 9th 2009 - 12:51 UTC

  Hillary Clinton speaks out for freedom of expression and of the press

  

  US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in favour of an adequate protection to the media in Venezuela, as well as in other countries. The US top diplomat considered that the freedom of expression and freedom of the press are fundamental values for democracy.

• Thursday, July 9th 2009 - 12:37 UTC

  Colombian Church openly against third period for President Uribe

  

  The Colombian Catholic Church said that two consecutive mandates for President Alvaro Uribe “have been and are too much”, and recommended the leader takes a well earned rest and clear all uncertainties about his possible re-election again in 2010.

• Thursday, July 9th 2009 - 12:34 UTC

  IMF forecasts 2.6% contraction for Latam economy

  

  The Latinamerican economy is forecasted to contract 2.6% this year according to the latest estimates from the International Monetary Fund, with Mexico showing the worst performance plummeting 7.3% in 2009.

• Wednesday, July 8th 2009 - 07:17 UTC

  Costa Rican president to lead mediation in Honduras political crisis

  

  Costa Rican President Oscar Arias is to lead mediation to resolve the political crisis in Honduras. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the announcement in Washington after meeting ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya.

• Tuesday, July 7th 2009 - 11:22 UTC

  Mrs. Clinton bridges dialogue between Honduras “ousted and interim” leaders

  

  Ousted Honduran leader Manuel Zelaya was scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Tuesday, as the country's political crisis talks moved to Washington.

• Tuesday, July 7th 2009 - 10:29 UTC

  Bolivia considering closing border with Argentina because of the flu

  

  Bolivia is considering temporarily closing part of its extended border with Argentina, (773 kilometres long), because of the outbreak and quick spread of the A/H1N1 virus flu in that country, anticipated Health minister Ramiro Tapia over the weekend.

• Tuesday, July 7th 2009 - 07:08 UTC

  Magellanic Penguins in southern Chile threatened species

  

  The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (UICN) last week identified a “Red List” of nearly 17,000 plant and animal species in danger of disappearance, and 800 species already extinct.