Latin America

Thursday, September 23rd 2010 - 00:22 UTC
Cuba props foreign investment projects and fires basic industry minister

President Raul Castro sacked his energy and resources minister, the last remaining minister from his brother Fidel cabinet. Minister for basic industry, Yadira Garcia, was fired late Sunday for “shortcomings,” specifically exerting “weak control over resources set aside for investment and production,” an official declaration read on state television said.
Wednesday, September 22nd 2010 - 04:10 UTC
Venezuelan opposition calls on the electorate to vote “without fear” next Sunday

The Venezuelan opposition has called the electorate to vote “without fear” on next Sunday's elections, where some 17.7 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots to renew the 165 seats in the National Assembly.
Tuesday, September 21st 2010 - 05:45 UTC
Chavez calls followers “to battle’ for two thirds control of the Assembly

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez called on his followers to see next Sunday’s legislative election as a “battle” that needs to ensure the government’s majority in the National Assembly.
“We’re soldiers in battle…this is the final offensive”, said the Venezuelan leader.
Monday, September 20th 2010 - 02:15 UTC
Disagreement over terrorist extradition could sour Chile/Argentine relations

After a lack of agreement in Chile over the extradition of ex guerrilla member Sergio Apablaza, Argentina President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner said that the meeting held with President Sebastián Piñera was an “excellent” one, during declarations made to seemingly minimize the situation.
Monday, September 20th 2010 - 02:11 UTC
Vargas Llosa fears manipulation of Venezuela legislative elections

The renowned Peruvian novelist Mario Vargas Llosa fears manipulation of the coming legislative elections in Venezuela, masterminded by President Hugo Chavez, whom together with other Latinamerican leaders he defines as “caudillos”.
Saturday, September 18th 2010 - 09:43 UTC
Venezuela’s Jewish community leaders satisfied after meeting with Chavez

Leaders of Venezuela's Jewish community met with President Hugo Chavez on Thursday to discuss their concerns about possible anti-Semitism in state media and to ask for the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel.
Saturday, September 18th 2010 - 09:35 UTC
Bolivarian governments preach Socialism but have serious democratic deficiencies

Bolivarian governments preach Socialism and work for the dispossessed but also have serious shortcomings since they ignore basic democratic standards in freedom of the press, human rights, and citizenry participation according to Norbert Neuser, member of the European Parliament.
Saturday, September 18th 2010 - 09:27 UTC
Venezuelan government airline grounds all flights for technical review of fleet

The government-owned Venezuelan airline involved in a fatal a plane crash Monday in which 16 people were killed has grounded all flights Friday for 14 days to perform a technical review of its fleet, the Conviasa airline announced.
Saturday, September 18th 2010 - 03:41 UTC
Women “guardians” to look after Chavez and ensure victory on September 26

With less than ten days to crucial legislative elections Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez took the oath to the “Guardians of Chavez” a group of women tasked with the mission of defending the Bolivarian revolution and the permanence of the populist leader in office.
Friday, September 17th 2010 - 06:39 UTC
Successful testing of ninth out of ten oil-wells in extreme south of Chile

Latin American oil and gas firm GeoPark Holdings Ltd said on Thursday it successfully drilled and tested a new well in the Guanaco oil field on the Fell Block in the extreme south of Chile.