Latin America

Friday, August 2nd 2013 - 04:10 UTC
Paraguay advancing on trade agreement with Mexico, previous to requesting Pacific Alliance membership

Paraguay and Mexico have made significant advances in reaching a trade agreement in the framework of the Latinamerican Integration Association, ALADI, according to Paraguayan diplomatic sources.
Friday, August 2nd 2013 - 03:26 UTC
Brazil's Rousseff announces billions to improve Sao Paulo transport system

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff moved quickly this week to improve bus services in the metropolis of Sao Paulo, where protests over a fare increase in June triggered an outburst of national discontent that battered her popularity and questioned the country’s infrastructure for two major world events in 2014 and 2016.
Friday, August 2nd 2013 - 03:20 UTC
UN narcotics board says Uruguay’s marijuana bill is contrary to international treaties

A United Nations narcotics body on Thursday expressed alarm about a bill passed by Uruguay’s Lower House that would legalize marijuana.
Friday, August 2nd 2013 - 03:09 UTC
Argentine opposition announces the ‘real life’ GDP growth index: 0.5% in the first quarter

Several Argentine opposition groups have started publishing their own GDP index, (as they do with inflation) based on the average of data processed by private consultants which are exposed to the intimidation of President Cristina Fernandez administration officials.
Friday, August 2nd 2013 - 03:01 UTC
Argentina’s energy challenges according to The Economist: Flogging a dead cow

The Economist in its latest printed edition addresses Argentina’s challenges in the energy field including the seizure of a majority stake in YPF from Spain’s Repsol and the latest agreement with US oil company Chevron to exploit shale oil and gas.
Friday, August 2nd 2013 - 02:29 UTC
Uruguay extends another 12 months VAT benefits for foreign tourists

Uruguay extended for another twelve months the VAT bonus for those tourists who pay for purchases, lodging and rents with debit cards. The measure was announced this week by Deputy cabinet chief Diego Canepa following a full ministerial meeting and in anticipation of the coming 2013/14 summer season.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 04:09 UTC
“Not even the Pope could bring Brazil and Paraguay together”, said O’Globo

Influential Latin American newspapers have been extremely critical of Brazilian diplomacy in its unsuccessful attempts to ‘subdue Paraguay’, while at the same praising the landlocked country’s dignity in demanding from Mercosur respect and compliance with the rule of the law.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 04:04 UTC
Cristina Fernandez says unemployment is down to 7.2% but calls for more job creation

Argentina's unemployment rate fell to 7.2% in the second quarter of 2013 compared with 7.9% in the first quarter of the year, President Cristina Fernandez announced during a speech praising her government’s industrialization and added-value policies.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 03:56 UTC
Uruguay passes bill legalizing marijuana split on party lines; Senate discussion next October

Uruguay's lower house passed a marijuana legalization bill on Wednesday which now must be discussed by the Senate, most probably in October. The vote brings Uruguay one step closer to becoming the first country to legally regulate production, distribution and sale of the drug.
Thursday, August 1st 2013 - 03:19 UTC
Obama propose political consultant and elite fund-raiser as next ambassador in Argentina

The White House has confirmed that US president Barack Obama has proposed fellow Democratic Party member Noah Mamet as the new ambassador in Buenos Aires, to replace outgoing incumbent Vilma Martínez.