Latin America

Monday, October 1st 2012 - 09:36 UTC
Facing students’ challenge, Piñera presents record spending budget on education

Chilean President Sebastian Piñra unveiled an education-heavy 2013 budget bill on Sunday, as he seeks to improve the conservatives’ credentials before municipal elections in October and next year's presidential election.
Monday, October 1st 2012 - 06:33 UTC
The 34-country Arab League/Unasur political and trade summit takes off in Peru

President Cristina Fernández leaves Monday evening for Peru to participate in the 3rd Summit of South American-Arab Countries (ASPA) leaders, scheduled to take place on October 1st and 2nd in the Ministry of Culture, in the Peruvian capital Lima.
Monday, October 1st 2012 - 06:23 UTC
Cruise season in Chile begins 6 November; Punta Arenas expects 47 calls

As of next 6 November Chile’s port cities will display their best since on that date the official 2012/13 cruise season begins which extends until mid April and the country has great expectations of recovering a leading position in the region.
Monday, October 1st 2012 - 06:08 UTC
Massive rallies of Capriles and Chavez in last leg of what polls show as a very tight presidential race

More than 100.000 people gathered in Caracas in support of Venezuelan opposition presidential candidate Henrique Capriles. He criticised President Hugo Chavez for what he called a long list of unfulfilled promises and demanded justice for three opposition activists killed during a rally in Barinas state on Saturday.
Saturday, September 29th 2012 - 01:06 UTC
Rousseff tells Cameron British interest in Brazil has come at the right time

President Dilma Rousseff said British interest in Brazil had come at the right time after her government announced last month a 66 billion dollars investment in road and railway building as part of a massive plan to upgrade her country's dilapidated infrastructure, which includes modernizing ports and airports.
Friday, September 28th 2012 - 16:43 UTC
Message to Mercosur: “Paraguay will never accept intervention by foreign powers in its internal affairs”

On what he described as the “first and last time” he will address the United Nations General Assembly, the President of Paraguay, Federico Franco, affirmed that his country will not abide by any infringement on its sovereignty.
Friday, September 28th 2012 - 02:47 UTC
UN economic office warns on South America’s export trade vulnerability

Foreign trade in Latin America and the Caribbean will suffer from the economic slowdown that started in the second half of 2011. The value of regional exports will increase by 4% in 2012, whereas imports will grow 3% - according to estimates presented in the new Economic Commission for Latin America study released on Thursday.
Friday, September 28th 2012 - 02:37 UTC
Chile becomes the leading exporter of cherry and dried plums to China

Chilean fruit exports to China have experienced a great increase in recent years having jumped 35% in 2011 (over 2010), with a value of 438 million dollars, according to statistics provided to the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture, which place Chile as one of the main fruit providers from the southern hemisphere.
Friday, September 28th 2012 - 01:42 UTC
Santos ‘cautiously optimistic’ about peace but also ready to fight to ensure victory

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said on Wednesday before the UN General Assembly he is “cautiously optimistic” that his government can reach a peace deal with Marxist rebels. Santos added he wants to return to New York next year and announce that his conflict-battered country has signed a peace agreement.
Thursday, September 27th 2012 - 18:20 UTC
Venezuela to increase oil sales to India on a 15-year supply contract

Venezuela will hike the amount of oil it is sending to India's Reliance Industries and signed a new 15-year supply contract with the company, Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez announced this week.