Former Argentine president Eduardo Duhalde expressed concern over the results of the coming mid-term elections next October fearing the reaction of President Cristina Fernandez if she loses the congressional majority.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced this week plans to strengthen the fight against cross-border organized crime by equipping state and local governments with high-tech scanners and surveillance equipment.
Uruguay was deemed the friendliest toward gay in Latinamerica and among the top countries in the world, according to the latest Spartacus International Gay Travel Index which ranks 139 countries worldwide.
“The Pope is very pleased for having met with a wise man”, was the official report from the Holy See following the 45 minute private audience of Francis with Uruguayan president Jose Mujica, the longest so far with a head of state. Although Mujica is a declared atheist and did not attend the inauguration of the first Latinamerican pope last March, he did request an interview with Francis, which took place on Saturday.
Uruguay’s trade deficit climbed to over a billion dollars in the first four months of the year compared to 975 million dollars in the same period a year ago. So far this year the fall in exports has been stronger than that of imports, which has led to the 1.045 billion dollars deficit according to the latest stats from the Central bank.
Uruguayan economic officials have warned the ruling coalition Broad Front about the regional risk-situation in complex Argentina and stalled Brazil, and its influence on Uruguay which needs to lower its budget deficit and improve labour productivity and competitiveness.
The leaders of Mexico and China will meet for the second time in two months this week, a sign of deepening cooperation, even as the Latin American nation seeks to close a huge trade deficit. Chinese President Xi Jinping will be treated to a lavish two-day state visit in Mexico that begins on Tuesday, with an event at the Campo Marte military field with President Enrique Peña Nieto and a speech to Congress.
Donald Lamont, a former British ambassador and former governor of the Falkland Islands took over as chairman of the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust. He replaces Philippa Foster Back, who retires from the position having served as trustee since 2000 and chair for the past seven years.
US Vice-President Joe Biden wound up a visit to Brazil on Friday saying it was high time the two largest economies in the Americas became closer partners in trade, investment and energy. He made the statement following a ‘wide-ranging discussion’ with President Dilma Rousseff at the Planalto palace in Brasilia.
The US dollar in Argentina’s parallel or ‘blue market’ finished on Friday the month of May down 6.4% from the 9.40 Pesos at the end of April, including a slight drop in the last day of trading, that took it to 8.75 Pesos and 8.80 Pesos, buying and selling price.