Latin America

• Thursday, January 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Chile's Defence minister and top brass visit Antarctica

  

  Chile's Minister of Defence Jose Goñi together with the commanders of the three services and Carabineros called in Punta Arenas before flying to Antarctica on Thursday.

• Thursday, January 3rd 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Political upheaval in Chile: Interior minister resigns

  

  In the midst of the popularity slump confronted by Chilean president Michelle Bachelet and unrest inside the ruling coalition, Interior Minister (Home Secretary) Belisario Velasco resigned on Thursday, anticipating a third cabinet renewal since the current administration took office.

• Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Hostage rescue in Colombia collapses

  

  A Venezuelan-led mission to rescue three hostages, including a 3-year old boy, from leftist rebels in Colombia's jungles fell apart Monday as the guerrillas accused Colombia's military of sabotaging the promised handoff.

• Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Venezuela launches new currency to stem inflation

  

  Venezuela launched a new currency with the New Year, lopping off three zeros from denominations in a bid to simplify finances and boost confidence in a money that has been losing value due to high inflation.

• Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Fidel Castro's New Year's message read on TV

  

  Ailing leader Fidel Castro saluted the Cuban people for their “50 years of resistance” against the United States in a written message read on state television shortly before the first minutes of the New Year.

• Wednesday, January 2nd 2008 - 20:00 UTC

  Volcano erupts in Chile, forcing the evacuation of dozens

  

  A volcano in southern Chile erupted on Tuesday, spewing lava and ash, and forcing the evacuation of about 150 people, officials said.

• Monday, December 31st 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Norwegian vessel continues cruise and arrives Ushuaia Jan 2

  

  The captain of the Norwegian cruise vessel Fram which hit an iceberg in Antarctica confirmed Sunday that the cruise would continue as planned. The passengers are due to fly home after a planned arrival in Ushuaia on January 2.

• Sunday, December 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Chilean ruling coalition looses control of the Senate

  Chile's Interior Minister Belisario Velasco admitted that the expulsion from the Christian Democrat (DC) party of Senator Adolfo Zaldívar signals a new scenario for the Chilean Congress since the ruling coalition no longer has a majority in the Senate.

• Sunday, December 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Oliver Stone will film the release of hostages in Colombia

  

  United States filmmaker Oliver Stone will be filming the much expected handover and release of three hostages held by Colombia's guerrillas, an international operation involving representatives from eight countries.

• Sunday, December 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Aztec pyramid found in Mexico City could rewrite history

  

  Archaeologists have discovered the ruins of an 800-year-old Aztec pyramid in the heart of Mexico City that could show the ancient city is at least a century older than previously thought. Mexican archaeologists found the ruins, which are about 11 meters high, in the central Tlatelolco area, once a major religious and political centre for the Aztec elite.