Latin America

• Friday, September 7th 2012 - 03:20 UTC

  Falklands and Latin America affairs responsibility of Minister of State Hugo Swire

  

  After UK government cabinet reshuffle which confirmed Foreign Secretary William Hague and Secretary of Defence, Philip Hammond, the Falkland Islands and Latin America become the responsibility of Minister of State Hugo Swire MP until now Minister of State for the Northern Ireland Office. The new ministerial teams and their portfolios are as follows.

• Thursday, September 6th 2012 - 06:35 UTC

  Patriota defends Mercosur decisions on Paraguay before the Brazilian congress

  

  Brazilian Foreign minister Antonio Patriota strongly defended the decision to suspend Paraguay from Mercosur following the removal of Fernando Lugo from the presidency, as well as the incorporation of Venezuela as full member of the trade group.

• Thursday, September 6th 2012 - 05:46 UTC

  Despite Chavez denial, Yanomami indigenous tribe claim there was a massacre

  

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Wednesday became the latest senior official to insist there is no evidence of an alleged massacre of some 80 Yanomami indigenous people.

• Thursday, September 6th 2012 - 04:22 UTC

  Latam governance and economic performance receives positive balance from OAS

  

  The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza offered a positive balance of governance in Latinamerica and the performance of the region’s economy, in general, during the last twelve months.

• Thursday, September 6th 2012 - 03:59 UTC

  ‘Copper insulated’ Chilean economy outperforming and Peso becoming too strong

  

  The Chilean central bank raised its forecast for economic growth this year to between 4.75% and 5.25% (from 4% to 5%), adding that it expects GDP to expand 4% to 5% in 2013.

• Thursday, September 6th 2012 - 03:05 UTC

  Santos unveils negotiating team for talks to end 50 year conflict

  

  Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos unveiled on Wednesday a six-man team to negotiate with FARC rebels in the hope of ending almost 50 years of internal war.

• Wednesday, September 5th 2012 - 19:25 UTC

  Falklands’ delegates at the Parlamericas assembly in Panama as invited observers

  

  Politicians and opinion formers are genuinely interested to hear about the Falkland Islands and plans for the coming referendum said lawmakers from the Islands who recently participated at the Parlamericas, (Parliamentarians for the Americas) conference in Panama City (*).

• Wednesday, September 5th 2012 - 19:19 UTC

  Falklands’ lawmakers underline significance of the referendum to Latam countries

  

  “Who else but us can decide on our future” said Falkland Islands representatives currently visiting several Latin American countries, who anticipated that next year’s referendum on the Islands political status will send the world a clear forceful message on “our right to self determination”.

• Wednesday, September 5th 2012 - 06:20 UTC

  Relief for Piñera: congress approves tax reform to provide funds for education

  

  Chile's Congress approved on Tuesday major changes in tax laws aimed to provide funds for an overhaul of the nation's protest-hit schools, handing unpopular President Sebastian Piñera a welcome victory a month from municipal elections.

• Wednesday, September 5th 2012 - 05:40 UTC

  Brazil applies 25% tariff increase on 100 imported goods; another 100 list in the making

  

  The Brazilian government approved a 25% tariff increase on an additional list of 100 goods from outside Mercosur and at the same time announced the implementation of a monitoring scheme for those items’ prices in the domestic market to avoid unduly increases.