Latin America

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 20:43 UTC

  Controversy in Nicaragua over contribution for ALBA development bank

  

  Nicaragua’s Central Bank President Antenor Rosales quit following a disagreement with President Daniel Ortega over the use of foreign currency reserves to fund a regional bank for the Venezuelan-led bloc of eight nations known as Alba, (Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas).

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 07:16 UTC

  Brazil wants open selection process when Zoellick leaves World Bank presidency

  

  Brazil urged the World Bank on Wednesday to give proper consideration to developing country candidates to replace outgoing president Robert Zoellick and not just go with an American.

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 04:39 UTC

  Ban Ki-moon praises Latinamerica on 45th anniversary of nuclear weapon-free zone pact

  

  On the 45th anniversary of the treaty that created a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Latin America and the Caribbean, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed the pact as an example of how regional initiatives can advance global norms on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful use of atomic energy.

• Wednesday, February 15th 2012 - 05:50 UTC

  Brazil and Germany committed to achieve the EU/Mercosur trade agreement

  

  Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota and his visiting German counterpart Guido Westerwelle on Monday called for signing a free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur.

• Wednesday, February 15th 2012 - 05:42 UTC

  Cameron rings Chilean president to discuss Falklands and self determination

  

  Chilean president Sebastián Piñera received a surprise phone call at his summer residence on Tuesday afternoon from PM David Cameron who referred to the current Falklands dispute.

• Wednesday, February 15th 2012 - 05:24 UTC

  Dominica disassociates from barring Falklands’ flagged vessels from its ports

  

  The Caribbean island nation of Dominica has joined Antigua and Barbuda in seeking to clear the air on an ALBA statement supporting Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands, in Buenos Aires dispute with Britain over the South Atlantic Islands.

• Wednesday, February 15th 2012 - 00:37 UTC

  Uruguay signs first hydrocarbons on-shore exploration contract with US company

  

  Uruguay’s hydrocarbons refining company Ancap signed on Tuesday an agreement with US company Schuepbach Energy to begin exploration for oil and gas in the north and centre of the country.

• Tuesday, February 14th 2012 - 21:10 UTC

  Cuba must be member of OAS to attend the Americas Summit, says Washington

  

  The US State Department said on Monday that if Cuba wants to participate in the coming Summit of the Americas to be hosted by Colombia, it must first fully integrate to the Organization of American States and guarantee the basic liberties of its citizens.

• Monday, February 13th 2012 - 21:05 UTC

  Chilean community in Falklands plan to write a letter to President Piñera

  

  After a successful turnout and demonstration last week, the Chilean community in the Falkland Islands will be deciding this week on addressing letters to President Sebastian Piñera and President of the Senate, Guillermo Guiralde to tell them that in the Islands there is also a piece of Chile.

• Monday, February 13th 2012 - 19:53 UTC

  EU/Mercosur hope to resume talks following French presidential election

  

  European and Latin American personalities underlined the peril of falling prey to short term results and forget the long term relation between the two regions which is expected to be re-launched following the French presidential election next April.