Latin America

• 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.

• Wednesday, September 16th 2009 - 06:59 UTC

  Britain, Spain and the sleeping giant Latin America

  

  UK Foreign Office Minister, Chris Bryant, addressed the Latin American Forum at Casa de America in Madrid on 14 September.

• Tuesday, September 15th 2009 - 12:02 UTC

  Bolivia invites Spanish companies to invest “as partners not as bosses”

  

  Bolivian President Evo Morales said companies that respect the law and don’t “conspire” against the government are welcome in his country. Bolivia needs investors and partners rather than “bosses,” Morales told a conference of business leaders and politicians in Madrid.