Latin America

Friday, August 8th 2014 - 07:18 UTC
Santos pledges peace on inauguration ceremony but also warns FARC

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos was sworn in to a second term on Thursday promising to bring peace and equality to the nation, but warned Narco-Marxist rebels that talks to end five decades of war could rupture if hostilities against civilians continue. “Members of the FARC: you have been warned!” he said.
Thursday, August 7th 2014 - 08:10 UTC
Rousseff claims EU has yet to agree on a proposal to exchange with Mercosur

President Dilma Rousseff claimed before the Brazil's farmers lobby that the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union is stalled and is not fulfilled because of the 'resistance' from several European countries, and specifically named France, Hungary and Ireland.
Thursday, August 7th 2014 - 07:41 UTC
Putin retaliates US/EU sanctions: plans to redirect food purchases from Latam

Russia will ban all imports of US food products as well as fruit and vegetables from the European Union after President Vladimir Putin ordered retaliation for Western sanctions against Moscow, a state news agency reported today.
Thursday, August 7th 2014 - 07:34 UTC
Carnival Cruise Lines to build a 70m tourism port at La Tortue, in Haiti

Haiti announced it has signed a multi-million dollar agreement with the US-based Carnival Cruise Lines to build a tourism port on the island of Latortue, north of the island. Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe said the 70 million dollars project will help improve the lives of the estimated 36,000 people residing in the area.
Thursday, August 7th 2014 - 06:32 UTC
Mercosur trade deal is a priority for the EU under Italian presidency

Foreign minister Federica Mogherini pledged that under the current Italian presidency of the European Union, top priority will be given to signing the pending trade agreements, among which that with Mercosur still under discussion.
Wednesday, August 6th 2014 - 21:21 UTC
Latam food prices at slow growth rate for third month running, says FAO

FAO’s Monthly Food Price Report notes that food prices in Latin America and the Caribbean reduced their growth rate for the third consecutive month. Regional food inflation increased only 0.5% in June, down from 1% in May and 1.2% in April, which is particularly relevant for the poorest, who spend a larger proportion of their income on food.
Wednesday, August 6th 2014 - 08:47 UTC
Caribbean Chikungunya cases over half a million, says PA health organization

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says the number of new cases of the Chikungunya in the Caribbean increased by nearly 38,000 last week with the Dominican Republic having the most cases.
Wednesday, August 6th 2014 - 00:12 UTC
Paraguay sells 1 billion dollars in 30-year sovereign bonds

Paraguay sold 1bn (one billion) dollars in 30-year bonds on Monday in New York, its second international debt issue in less than two years. President Horacio Cartes said in a statement that the issue's 6.1% yield is unprecedented for the country, and that the proceeds will be used for highway, building and energy infrastructure, as well as agricultural production.
Tuesday, August 5th 2014 - 06:42 UTC
Food loss and waste in Latam could feed the region's 47 million hungry

In Latin America and the Caribbean more food is lost and wasted than is needed to meet the nutritional needs of the 47 million people who still suffer from hunger in the region, according to FAO. The report Losses and waste of food in Latin America and the Caribbean of the FAO Regional Office says that 6% of global food losses occur in the region.
Thursday, July 31st 2014 - 07:39 UTC
Mercosur divided on the Gaza Strip statement; Paraguay dissented

Paraguay strongly objected a draft Mercosur declaration on Gaza which wanted to openly support Palestine and unilaterally condemn Israel's bombings and incursions, according to sources at the group's summit which took place Tuesday in Caracas.