Latin America

• Thursday, March 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez support plummets but opposition still under

  

  Support for Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez government has fallen to its lowest level since 2003, according to a new public opinion poll still reflecting damage from a stinging referendum vote defeat last December.

• Thursday, March 20th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chilean main banker cautions on low US dollar speculation

  

  Chile's Central Bank (BC) president Jose De Gregorio cautioned this week against speculation on the low US dollar, warning that, when the currency begins to regain value, such actions could cause significant financial losses.

• Wednesday, March 19th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile soccer friendly gesture towards Bolivia

  

  Though often at serious political odds, Chile and Bolivia appear to see eye-to-eye on at least one thing – football. In a move that surely put a smile on the face of football-mad Bolivian President Evo Morales, the Chilean Football Federation (ANFP) agreed this week to play its upcoming June 14 World Cup qualifier match against Bolivia in La Paz.

• Tuesday, March 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Venezuela wins asset freeze case against Exxon

  

  Exxon Mobil Corp.'s freeze on $12 billion of assets belonging to Venezuela's state oil company was overturned by a U.K. court in a set-back for the U.S. energy company in its dispute with President Hugo Chavez.

• Tuesday, March 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Ecuador and Colombia express satisfaction with OAS resolution

  Organization of American States (OAS) ministers meeting on Tuesday rejected the incursion by Colombian troops of Ecuadorian territory but also underlined the commitment of all member states to combat threats to security caused by the actions of irregular groups or criminal organizations and non interference in the internal affairs of other states.

• Monday, March 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Peru warns Venezuela against funding leftists

  

  Peru's prime minister accused Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Monday of secretly financing leftist causes in the country to spread his brand of socialism in Latin America.

• Monday, March 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Maradona slams altitude ban after playing in Bolivia

  

  Diego Maradona criticised a ban on international matches at high altitude on Monday after playing a charity game in Bolivia's national stadium at 3,600 metres above sea level.

• Friday, March 14th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Uribe's tough hand on FARC issue balloons his popularity, 82%

  

  In a clear support of his tough handling of the guerrilla issue Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's popularity rose to a record 82%, the highest since he took office in 2002according to a Gallup pole published on Thursday, thanks to his handling of a recent diplomatic spat with Ecuador and Venezuela.

• Friday, March 14th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Ecuador challenges Bush to send US troops or “shut up”

  

  Ecuador's president challenged US President George W. Bush to send troops to the Andean nation's border with Colombia “or shut your mouth” following on further claims that his country is a sanctuary for the cocaine funded Colombian rebel group FARC.

• Thursday, March 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Petrobras diversifies LNG provision; signs accord with Shell

  

  Brazil's government managed oil corporation Petrobras and Shell have signed a liquefied natural gas (LNG) “firm” supply agreement to furnish the Pecém (Ceará) and Baía de Guanabara (Rio de Janeiro) re-gasification terminals.