Latin America

Friday, March 8th 2013 - 08:13 UTC
Emotional Cristina Fernandez back in Argentina misses Chavez funeral ceremony

As world leaders were arriving at Caracas late Thursday for Friday’s funeral ceremony of President Hugo Chavez, Argentine president Cristina Fernandez and her delegation were back in Buenos Aires. The Argentine president visited the Military Hospital’s chapel Thursday noon for a final goodbye to the Venezuelan leader and then ordered the flight back to Buenos Aires.
Friday, March 8th 2013 - 07:58 UTC
Uruguay completes investment-grade ‘triple crown’ from the three big credit rating agencies

Uruguay finally managed on Thursday to achieve investment grade debt rating from the three major agencies when Fitch raised the country’s rating to BBB-minus from BB-plus, citing economic resilience as well as the political and social stability of the country, squeezed between Brazil and Argentina.
Friday, March 8th 2013 - 07:50 UTC
IDB approves largest financial operation for Uruguay: 550 million dollars

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a 550 million dollars operation for Uruguay to fund the Program for Strategic International Positioning, which aims to substantially increase investment and exports by strengthening the regulatory and institutional framework, promoting and facilitating trade, and boosting entrepreneurial innovation.
Friday, March 8th 2013 - 07:35 UTC
Chavez to be embalmed ‘for eternity’; Maduro takes the oath as ‘acting’ president

Venezuela's Hugo Chavez will be embalmed and put on display “for eternity” at a military museum after the state funeral and an extended period of lying in state, acting President Nicolas Maduro said on Thursday.
Thursday, March 7th 2013 - 23:52 UTC
Mujica calls for a “sensible attitude” from the US given the political situation in Venezuela

Uruguayan president called for a “sensible attitude” from the United States given the new political situation in Venezuela following the death of leader Hugo Chavez and was also optimistic about the future of the country in the post Chavez era.
Thursday, March 7th 2013 - 23:29 UTC
Back in 1994 when Chavez visited Uruguay, “the current ruling coalition did not take him seriously”

Uruguayan former president Jorge Batlle recalled in his Facebook column that when a still unknown Hugo Chavez visited Uruguay back in 1994, the now left-leaning ruling coalition didn’t take him seriously and the leader of the movement at the time General Liber Seregni did not receive him.
Thursday, March 7th 2013 - 22:48 UTC
Cristina Fernandez the only leader allowed to visit Chavez in hospital, but declined

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez was the only leader given the option of visiting the ailing Hugo Chavez in hospital but declined, according to Venezuelan independent journalist Nelson Bocaranda who was the first to make public the news, 19 months ago, that the charismatic leader was suffering cancer.
Thursday, March 7th 2013 - 22:10 UTC
UK defense budget cuts becomes a major debate even for the ruling coalition

UK Defense budget cuts are rapidly becoming a controversial issue even among members of the current ruling coalition. An article from The Telegraph by Deputy Political Editor James Kirkup points out to reactions from the Commons Defense Committee to further pruning defense which would force Britain to break its promises to the NATO alliance and put the Special Relationship with the US at risk.
Thursday, March 7th 2013 - 22:03 UTC
Chavez last words, “please don’t let me die”, according to the presidential guard chief

President Hugo Chávez died of a massive heart attack after great suffering and inaudibly mouthed his desire to live, the head of Venezuela's presidential guard revealed on Thursday.
Thursday, March 7th 2013 - 11:17 UTC
Brazilian military regime supported financially Chilean dictator Pinochet

Recently uncovered government documents reveal that former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet received 115 million dollars of support from the Brazilian military government during the 1970s.