Latin America

Wednesday, December 19th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Colombian rebels announce liberation of three hostages

Colombian rebels announced Tuesday they will release three hostages, including Clara Rojas, kidnapped in 2002 alongside French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, and her son born in captivity, a Cuban news agency said.
Wednesday, December 19th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
France willing to take in Colombian FARC prisoners

France is willing to admit imprisoned Colombian guerrillas as part of a deal to secure the release of hostages held in the South American country, the French prime minister said Wednesday.
Wednesday, December 19th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Mexico and Chile most expensive countries in Latam

Chile is the second most expensive country in Latin America, according to a preliminary report released Monday by the World Bank's International Comparison Program (ICP). Of the 11 Latin American countries included in the study, only Mexico was found to be more expensive than Chile.
Wednesday, December 19th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Chile rated the most credit-worthy emerging market

Standard & Poor's this week raised its credit rating on Chile by one notch to 'A+', classifying the country as the most credit-worthy emerging market and placing it on a par with Italy.
Tuesday, December 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
US press harshly criticizes Chilean presidential hopeful

An influential The Washington Post columnist criticized José Miguel Insulza last Friday, questioning the increasingly clear presidential ambitions of the Chilean secretary general of the Organization of America States (OAS).
Tuesday, December 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Fidel playing Cuban musical chair but admires Niemeyer

With a letter - the contents of which were broadcast on Cuban TV - Fidel Castro, 81, implied that he would be stepping down as leader and would not put obstacles in the path of a younger leader.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Bolivia, Brazil, Chile reach Atlantic-Pacific highway deal

The presidents of Bolivia, Brazil and Chile met here Sunday to clinch a deal for South America's first east-west highway, linking Brazil's Atlantic coast to Chile's Pacific coast via Bolivia.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
“Normal arsenal updating, no arms race” in S. America

The recent surge in military expenditure particularly Chile and Venezuela has led to fears that South America might be involved in an arms race. However most experts feel that in spite of existing regional differences what is going on is a modernization process of the Armed Forces arsenals which are rapidly becoming obsolete.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Wheat price surges above the 10 US$ per bushel benchmark

Global wheat prices surged more than 3% on Monday, with Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures breaking the 10 US dollar a bushel benchmark for the first time, on dwindling world supplies, a lack of sellers and a push from financial investors.
Saturday, December 15th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Venezuela and Brazil pledge closer trade and energy ties

Brazil and Venezuela have pledged closer trade and energy ties, including building a new oil refinery in Brazil.