Latin America

Tuesday, October 16th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Ecuador claims “windfall” earnings from oil industry

Ecuador told foreign oil companies on Monday they had two weeks to pay the government 317 million US dollars in what the government says are unpaid debts from a windfall royalty approved in 2006.
Monday, October 15th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Legislators outraged with Chile's main copper company pollution

Legislators from Chile's environmental caucus reacted angrily last week to reports that state-owned mining company CODELCO is violating legal pollution limits for their waste water – in some cases by more than 700%. Senator Guido Girardo (PPD) and Deputy Alejandro Garcia-Huidobro (UDI) demanded that company executives be personally held responsible for their company's excesses, and denounced current sanctions as insufficient.
Sunday, October 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Correa announced Ecuador returns to OPEC next month

Ecuador is to rejoin the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, next month after a 15-year absence, announced on Saturday President Rafael Correa during his weekly radio program. The move reflects the increased state control over energy being taken by President Correa as promised during his electoral campaign.
Sunday, October 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Cubans listen to Fidel Castro for first time in 15 months

Ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro telephoned into a television show with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Sunday, in his first live media appearance in Cuba since his health crisis nearly 15 months ago.
Friday, October 12th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Seven companies tender for Magallanes oil blocks

Seven corporations from United States, Canada, New Zealand, Egypt and Russia presented tenders for the oil and gas exploration blocks in Magallanes Region, extreme south of Chile.
Friday, October 12th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Colombia gas-links with Venezuela and joins Bank of the South

Colombia formally requested to join the regional multilateral development bank known as the Bank of the South. President Alvaro Uribe made the announcement on Friday during the inauguration of a gas pipeline which links Guajira in northern Colombia with Venezuela's Lake Maracaibo area.
Friday, October 12th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
US dollar in Chilean market keeps sliding and closer to $ 490

With the US dollar operating in the Chilean Money exchange market below the 500 pesos benchmark, and still sliding, the Chilean Central Bank decision to leave the basic rate unchanged came as a relief.
Friday, October 12th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Chavez bans Spanish pop singer from government stadium

A popular Spanish singer has been banned from performing in a Caracas stadium over remarks he made about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Higher Education Minister Luis Acuña accused Alejandro Sanz of criticizing Chavez three years ago while touring Venezuela.
Friday, October 12th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Nine million children in Latinamerica malnourished

FAO called Friday on Latinamerican governments to fight infant malnutrition in the region which affects nine million children in the region which are born condemned to exclusion,
Thursday, October 11th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Chile plans to invest 17 billion US dollars in mining industry

Chile's Mining Minister Karen Poniachik disclosed Monday that Chile is anticipating 17 billion US dollars on new gold and copper mining investment in the next five years. Poniachik said the new cash infusion is needed to replace existing mines whose reserves are running out and to bolster output.