Latin America

Friday, August 28th 2015 - 06:50 UTC
US Treasury sanctions Farc members operating from Switzerland

The US has announced sanctions against four alleged members of Colombia's Farc rebel group, accusing them of drug trafficking and money laundering. The four men used a shop in Switzerland as a front for their activities, the US treasury department said. It says the Farc still use drugs to fund their “ruthless operation”.
Thursday, August 27th 2015 - 02:36 UTC
Guatemala Supreme Court approves impeachment of president Otto Perez

The Guatemalan Supreme Court approved a request by the country’s attorney general to impeach President Otto Perez over his suspected involvement in a racket to siphon customs revenue from the government, and passed the matter to Congress for approval.
Tuesday, August 25th 2015 - 15:01 UTC
Over 700 Cuban doctors working in Venezuela have fled across to Colombia

Deteriorating conditions in Venezuela are causing increasing numbers of Cuban medical personnel working there to immigrate to the United States under a special US program launched in 2006 that expedites their applications.
Tuesday, August 25th 2015 - 14:41 UTC
China dependent Latin American markets and currencies plunge on Monday

Stock markets around Latin America posted heavy losses Monday as plunging Chinese shares unleashed fresh turmoil on global markets. In Brazil, home to the region's largest stock exchange, the IBOVESPA index in Sao Paulo closed down 3.03%, after plunging 6.49% in opening trade.
Monday, August 24th 2015 - 10:56 UTC
Guatemala president will not quit and rejects corruption allegations

Guatemalan President Otto Perez said he will not resign and rejected allegations that he was one of the ringleaders of a corruption scandal shaking the country.
Monday, August 24th 2015 - 10:35 UTC
Franco-Brazilian journalist beaten-up in Ecuador leaves the country but promises to return

Detained, beaten-up and threatened with deportation: Franco-Brazilian journalist Manuela Picq experienced the rough edges of Ecuador's political system after attending an anti-government rally this month backed by union bosses and indigenous leaders.
Saturday, August 22nd 2015 - 07:56 UTC
Prosecution requests impeachment of Guatemala president Otto Perez

Guatemala’s prosecutor’s office said Friday that it has requested the Supreme Court's permission to start an impeachment process for President Otto Perez Molina over a sprawling corruption case that has held the country in the grip of political turmoil for months. The move came hours after the former vice president was placed under arrest for her own alleged role in the scandal.
Wednesday, August 19th 2015 - 07:22 UTC
FARC have requested to meet Francis and want the Church to join the peace process in Havana

Representatives of Colombia's largest guerrilla movement have asked to meet Pope Francis in Cuba in September and have requested the Catholic Church name a permanent delegate to their peace negotiations with the government.
Wednesday, August 19th 2015 - 07:02 UTC
American Airlines charters to Cuba from Los Angeles next December

American Airlines which has operated charter flights to Cuba since 1991, said on Tuesday that it plans to begin charter services between Los Angeles and Havana on Dec. 12. But by that time, the U.S. and Cuban governments may be ready to allow scheduled airline flights between the two countries, a practice not allowed for more than a half-century.
Wednesday, August 19th 2015 - 06:51 UTC
Sargassum seaweed, 'greatest single threat to the Caribbean tourism industry'

It would take at least US$120 million and more than 100,000 people to clean up the Sargassum seaweed that has created “an international crisis” and “the greatest single threat” to the Caribbean, according to Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Sir Hilary Beckles.