Latin America

• Monday, November 26th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Venezuelan and Spanish officials play down Chavez words

  Venezuela's ambassador to Madrid on Monday tried to downplay President Hugo Chavez's statement that he was “freezing” bilateral relations until King Juan Carlos of Spain apologized for telling him to shut up at the recent Ibero-American summit in Chile.

• Sunday, November 25th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Venezuela could still vote against Chavez reforms package

  

  A day after Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez admitted he could loose next Sunday's referendum to reform the constitution, a public opinion poll confirmed that those voting NO are well ahead of those who support the package or reforms.

• Sunday, November 25th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  All “Explorer” pxs and crew safe and sound in Chile

  

  The last of the passengers and crew rescued from the Antarctic waters stranded and later sank cruise vessel “Explorer” arrived on Sunday just after midday in Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile.

• Sunday, November 25th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Engagement ring in the midst of the Antarctic drama

  

  They feared they were going to an icy grave - but the survivors of the Antarctic cruise ship sinking were yesterday all glad to be alive.

• Sunday, November 25th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Bolivian constitution draft approval sparks deadly rioting

  

  The assembly charged with rewriting Bolivia's constitution and meeting in Sucre produced a new constitutional draft on Saturday amid violent street protests in which at least three persons were killed.

• Sunday, November 25th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Uribe/Chavez conflict escalates and freezes hostage release

  

  Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has said he is ready to continue a “constructive dialogue” with his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez after Bogota stopped the latter in his mediation bid with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) insurgents for release of hostages.

• Saturday, November 24th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Stormy 2008 for Latam anticipates The Economist

  

  Latinamerica is the emerging markets region that will most feel the impact of the slowing of the United States economy and the credit crunch according to a report from the Economist Intelligence Unit, EIU, released this week.

• Friday, November 23rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil, Colombia, Peru in Amazon jungle oil exploration

  

  Government oil corporations from Brazil, Colombia and Peru signed Thursday an agreement in Lima to jointly invest in the exploration and production of hydrocarbons in the Peruvian Amazon.

• Friday, November 23rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Bachelet also asked Chavez, (politely) to shut up

  

  Chilean president Michelle Bachelet revealed on Thursday during a television interview that she requested Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez not to address the sea-outlet for Bolivia issue during his recent visit to participate in the Ibero-American summit.

• Thursday, November 22nd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Costa Rica signs free trade agreement but hurdles remain

  Costa Rica's president on Wednesday signed into law a much debated controversial free trade agreement with its Central American neighbors, the United States and the Dominican Republic.