Latin America

• Wednesday, July 27th 2011 - 01:13 UTC

  UNASUR leaders to meet in Lima following Humala’s taking office ceremony

  

  The twelve leaders of UNASUR (Union of South American Nations) will be meeting in Lima, Thursday following on the taking office ceremony of Peruvian president Ollanta Humala. All twelve presidents have confirmed attendance with the exception of Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez undergoing cancer treatment.

• Tuesday, July 26th 2011 - 08:25 UTC

  S&P upgrades Uruguay’s rating to BB+, just one notch below investment grade

  

  The credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s upgraded on Monday Uruguay’s rating by one notch to BB-plus, only one notch below investment grade, praising years of “prudent and consistent” economic policies in the country.

• Tuesday, July 26th 2011 - 08:09 UTC

  First commercial bio-fuel flight in Latam between Mexico City and Chiapas

  

  The Mexican airline Interjet has successfully conducted the first commercial bio-fuel flight in Latin America, using a jatropha-based fuel that reduces air pollution by 80%, according to company officials.

• Tuesday, July 26th 2011 - 08:06 UTC

  Mexico Pemex buys Repsol shares, becomes third largest stock holder

  

  Mexico's state oil monopoly Pemex said on Monday it recently bought 825,150 shares in Repsol YPF, increasing its stake in the Spanish company to 5%. The stock purchase took place on July 13, Pemex's finance department said, without giving details of the cost of the deal.

• Monday, July 25th 2011 - 22:10 UTC

  Chile’s Comptroller clears Piñera of conflict of interest in Patagonian coal mine

  

  Opposition to the Isla Riesco coal-mining project in the extreme south of Chilean Patagonia suffered a setback Thursday when Chile’s Comptroller General rejected accusations of a conflict of interest at the highest level of government.

• Monday, July 25th 2011 - 22:02 UTC

  Chavez confirms he will run for a third six-year term in 2012

  

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has pledged to run for re-election next year, dismissing speculation that cancer treatment would force him out of the political arena.

• Monday, July 25th 2011 - 21:44 UTC

  UAE global port operators take control of two terminals in Suriname

  

  Global Marine terminal operator DP World Limited announced that it has expanded its portfolio to former Dutch colony Suriname on the northeast coast of South America, acquiring a controlling interest in both Integra Port Services (‘IPS’) and in Suriname Port Services (‘SPS’).

• Monday, July 25th 2011 - 11:58 UTC

  Chilean Energy minister sets record: resigns after three days on the job

  

  Only three days after being appointed Minister of Energy, Fernando Echeverría handed in his letter of resignation to Chilean President Sebastián Piñera. He was replaced by former Treasury Undersecretary Rodrigo Álvarez, a lawyer and member of the UDI party.

• Monday, July 25th 2011 - 11:54 UTC

  Chilean Navy officers cleared of presumed death of British priest in 1973

  

  A Valparaiso court of appeals confirmed Friday that a stay of proceedings had been declared against 19 former Chilean Navy and police officers linked to the disappearance and presumed death of Chilean-British priest Michael Woodward in September 1973.

• Monday, July 25th 2011 - 06:05 UTC

  Uruguay celebrates well into early Monday its record winning 15th Copa America

  

  In Buenos Aires Monumental stadium the match was 2-0 with a few minutes left and Uruguay ready for a Sunday record crowning 15th Copa America when Diego Forlan scored for the second time.