Latin America

• Friday, March 28th 2014 - 08:21 UTC

  Latam divided on UN Crimea vote; Mercosur, except for Venezuela abstains

  

  The UN resolution condemning the annexation of Crimea by Russia which was voted on Thursday at the general assembly showed Latin America (and Mercosur) divided on the issue. The non binding resolution sponsored by Costa Rica and the western powers received 100 votes, with 11 against and 58 abstentions.

• Friday, March 28th 2014 - 08:01 UTC

  Cuba ready to implement an ambitious foreign investment with generous tax breaks

  

  Cuba's government has released further information on a proposed foreign investment law that will cut the profits tax in half and exempt investors from paying it for eight years in an attempt to attract capital into the communist economy.

• Thursday, March 27th 2014 - 08:46 UTC

  Strike paralyzes Paraguay in demand for pay rises and against privatizations

  

  Public life in Paraguay was largely paralyzed on Wednesday by a nationwide strike in demand of higher salaries and against the privatization plans of President Horacio Cartes. Peasants also joined the stoppage and marched on the capital Asunción protesting against the soy-agri-business which is leaving them landless.

• Thursday, March 27th 2014 - 08:19 UTC

  Peruvians encouraged by the squid potential in the area recovered from Chile

  

  The 50,000 square kilometers of maritime space Peru gained from the favorable ruling by the International Court of Justice in The Hague, on the border dispute with Chile, have a potential fishing activity that includes 200,000 tons of Peruvian squid, according to the country's Sea Institute, (Imarpe).

• Thursday, March 27th 2014 - 08:07 UTC

  Brazil lower house approves internet legislation to ensure privacy and neutrality

  

  The lower house of Brazil’s Congress has approved legislation meant to ensure the privacy of Internet users and to guarantee what is called “Internet neutrality”, that all content be treated equally by carriers. But it dropped a demand that all data on Brazilians be saved within the country.

• Wednesday, March 26th 2014 - 05:41 UTC

  UK universities delegates visit Chile for closer education and scientific research links

  

  High level delegates from twelve British universities visited Chile the week of 17 March to deepen their partnerships with the country, becoming the first large international education delegation to visit under the new Chilean government of President Michelle Bachelet.

• Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 09:06 UTC

  Argentina ready to sign for the Israeli Kfir Block 60 fighter aircraft

  

  Argentina is advancing in negotiations with Israel for the purchase of the multi-purpose combat aircraft Kfir Block 60, which is supposed to replace the aging Mirage III, on service for over four decades.

• Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 08:59 UTC

  Brazil militarizes favelas in Rio do Janeiro to guarantee 'law and order'

  

  The Brazilian government announced on Monday, 80 days before the start of the 2014 World Cup, that the military will help occupy several “favelas,” or shantytowns, in Rio de Janeiro to guarantee security in an area currently controlled by violent drug trafficking outfits where some 100,000 people live.

• Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 08:51 UTC

  S&P downgrades Brazil’s sovereign debt rating to BBB minus

  

  Standard & Poor's cut Brazil's sovereign debt rating closer to speculative territory in a blow to President Dilma Rousseff administration. Brazil had its long-term debt rating downgraded to BBB minus, the agency's lowest investment-grade rating. S&P changed its outlook to stable from negative, meaning further downgrades are unlikely for now, which will come as a relief for both politicians in Brasilia and financial markets.The move was widely expected but the timing surprised some investors.

• Monday, March 24th 2014 - 07:03 UTC

  Chilean police cuts short mass protest that turned violent

  

  A mass protest was cut short in Santiago, Chile, after police dispersed activists with tear gas and water cannon. According to protest organizers over 150,000 people had gathered in the city center to urge newly-elected President Michelle Bachelet to push ahead with her reform program.