Latin America

• Wednesday, September 5th 2012 - 00:14 UTC

  EC regrets stances of “protectionism” and “populism” in some Mercosur members

  

  The president of the European Commission Jose Durao Barroso said on Tuesday that the EU 27 members still want to reach a free trade agreement with Mercosur, but warned that the “protectionist stances” from some of its members makes it difficult.

• Wednesday, September 5th 2012 - 00:05 UTC

  Argentina files third trade complaint challenging US laws that block fresh lemons

  

  Argentina has filed its third trade complaint in two weeks, the World Trade Organization said on Monday, challenging US laws that it says have blocked imports of fresh lemons from north-west Argentina.

• Tuesday, September 4th 2012 - 23:42 UTC

  Russia’s Gazprom ready to help YPF develop gas and non-conventional resources

  

  Argentine nationalized oil company YPF moved forward in the signing of an agreement with Russian state oil company Gazprom to develop conventional and non-conventional gas in Argentina and the eventual supply of liquefied gas.

• Tuesday, September 4th 2012 - 23:35 UTC

  Santos announces talks to end conflict with FARC begin next month in Oslo

  

  Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas to end the long standing conflict would start in Oslo in the first half of October before moving to Havana.

• Tuesday, September 4th 2012 - 06:26 UTC

  Mercosur faces “great problems and internal divisions” making talks with EU “difficult”

  

  French Foreign Trade minister Nicole Bricq said that there are “great problems” in the current negotiations between the EU and Mercosur to reach an association agreement which also includes a free trade chapter.

• Tuesday, September 4th 2012 - 06:18 UTC

  Hague says Assange rights protected by Sweden, UK, EU and international law

  

  UK Foreign Secretary William Hague said that any suggestion of a risk of breach for Julian Assange’s human rights on extradition to Sweden is completely unfounded and recalled that international, EU and UK law fully address the concerns raised by Assange and by the Government of Ecuador.

• Tuesday, September 4th 2012 - 05:53 UTC

  Colombia’s FARC pledge to join peace talks “without hatred or arrogance”

  

  Colombia's FARC rebel leader said the group would join peace talks with the government “without hatred or arrogance” in its first response to President Juan Manuel Santos' announcement of imminent negotiations.

• Tuesday, September 4th 2012 - 00:12 UTC

  Colombia confirms economic policy as it prepares for peace process

  

  Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos named close ally Federico Renjifo as energy and mining minister in part of a Cabinet shuffle as the leader begins pursuing a peace process with FARC rebels.

• Monday, September 3rd 2012 - 23:56 UTC

  Venezuelan presidential candidate admits his “weakness” are women

  

  Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Henrique Carriles admitted that his “weakness” are the ladies and said he was convinced that they would ensure his victory next 7 October when he faces Hugo Chávez at the polls.

• Monday, September 3rd 2012 - 23:49 UTC

  Former president Vazquez by far the most favoured politician in Uruguay

  

  Former president Tabare Vazquez is the most popular politician in Uruguay with 65% support followed by the current head of state Jose Mujica with 50% and Vice-president Danilo Astori, 48%, according to an opinion poll from Equipos Mori and published over the weekend in the Montevideo media.