Latin America

Wednesday, January 9th 2013 - 05:35 UTC
Venezuelan government postpones inauguration because of Chavez health problems

Venezuela will postpone Thursday's presidential inauguration due to President Hugo Chávez' continuing health problems, the government announced on Tuesday. Chavez who has dominated Venezuelan politics almost undisputedly since 1999 has not been heard from or seen in public since his Dec. 11 cancer surgery in Cuba.
Wednesday, January 9th 2013 - 05:32 UTC
US says Chavez succession is an issue for Venezuelans to decide and must include all voices

The United States is concerned for the health of President Hugo Chavez and wishing a speedy recovery, but the succession situation in Venezuela “is an issue for Venezuelans to decide” and it should be done in a manner “that includes all the voices in the discussion”, said State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland on Tuesday.
Tuesday, January 8th 2013 - 07:19 UTC
Chavez “virtual taking office” next Thursday in Caracas with leaders from friendly countries

The Venezuelan government is organizing a massive turnout for Thursday January 10 in support of re-re-elected president Hugo Chavez with the attendance of several Latinamerican leaders in what has been described as a “virtual taking office” ceremony.
Tuesday, January 8th 2013 - 06:58 UTC
Chile government spending rate below the economy’s performance for second year running

Government expenditure in Chile expanded an estimated 5% last year while the economy grew 5.5%, making it the second consecutive year in which the economy outperforms outlays.
Tuesday, January 8th 2013 - 00:49 UTC
Cristina Fernandez flies Jan 10 to Havana in support of Chavez and Maduro

The Argentine government confirmed on Monday that President Cristina Fernandez would be flying on Thursday to Cuba to visit her Venezuelan peer Hugo Chavez, fighting for his life after a fourth cancer surgery with complications, and on the day which he should be taking office after October’s re-re-election.
Tuesday, January 8th 2013 - 00:21 UTC
Venezuelan Catholic Church calls for constitutional respect on inauguration day

Venezuela’s Catholic Church issued a veiled warning to the government on Monday against overriding the constitution by delaying cancer-stricken Hugo Chavez's inauguration for a new term as president.
Monday, January 7th 2013 - 13:03 UTC
Piñera after political consensus to declare state of emergency in Mapuche territory

President Sebastián Piñera is considering declaring the state of emergency in the Araucanía region, in southern Chile, where six arson attacks which cost the lives of two people took place since Friday, Interior Minister Andrés Chadwick said.
Saturday, January 5th 2013 - 05:59 UTC
Lowering the price of power, Uruguay ends 2012 with an inflation of 7.48%

Consumer prices in Uruguay ended the year at 7.48% after recording the lowest December percentage in forty years: a negative 0.73%. However analysts and consultants anticipate that inflation in the first quarter of 2013 will remain above an annualized 8%.
Saturday, January 5th 2013 - 05:41 UTC
Blackouts and agriculture collapse forecasted in drought stricken north-east Brazil

North-east Brazil is suffering its worst drought in decades, threatening hydro-power supplies in an area prone to blackouts and potentially slowing economic growth in one of the country's emerging agricultural frontiers.
Saturday, January 5th 2013 - 05:35 UTC
Maduro practically admits Chavez won’t be in Caracas for the January 10 oath

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez' formal swearing-in for a new six-year term scheduled for January 10 can be postponed if he is unable to attend due to his struggle to recover from cancer surgery, his vice-president said on Friday.