Latin America

Tuesday, August 10th 2010 - 01:05 UTC
Chavez rejects newly nominated US ambassador: “he broke rules of diplomacy”

Newly nominated United States Ambassador Larry Palmer will not be allowed to take up his post in Caracas after criticizing Venezuela's government and policies, President Hugo Chávez said.
Monday, August 9th 2010 - 07:18 UTC
Chavez to meet with Colombia's new president tomorrow

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his new Colombian counterpart, Juan Manuel Santos, will meet this week as the first step toward restoring diplomatic relations between the South American neighbours, officials said Sunday.
Sunday, August 8th 2010 - 07:34 UTC
Fidel surprises everybody and only speaks to the Assembly for 10 minutes

Fidel Castro, the former Cuban leader delivered Saturday his first speech to the national assembly since resigning over ill health four years ago. The chamber erupted into applause at the sight of Mr Castro, dressed in his familiar olive-green fatigues but without his comandante's insignia.
Sunday, August 8th 2010 - 07:29 UTC
Chavez promises new start and willing to meet President Santos

President Hugo Chávez offered to meet with Colombia's new President Juan Manuel Santos to restore diplomatic relations broken over allegations that Venezuela was tolerating the presence of guerrillas in its territory.
Sunday, August 8th 2010 - 07:23 UTC
Punta Arenas anticipates drastic 33% fall in cruise visitors this season

Less than a month for the beginning of the official cruise season 2010/11, prospects for Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile are not at all encouraging with an anticipated activity contraction of 33% over last year, according to the Empresa Portuaria Austral, EPA, which manages local port activities.
Saturday, August 7th 2010 - 23:11 UTC
Santos called for understanding in spite of ideological differences

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos took office Saturday with a pledge to create jobs, end rebel violence and foster economic growth while seeking to mend ties with neighbouring countries in spite of “ideological differences”.
Saturday, August 7th 2010 - 06:09 UTC
UNASUR suggests Venezuelan chancellor meets Colombian president Santos

Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) Secretary-General Néstor Kirchner and Brazilian president Lula da Silva recommended that Venezuelan Foreign Affairs minister Nicolas Maduro should travel to Colombia on Saturday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of president elect Juan Manuel Santos.
Saturday, August 7th 2010 - 06:06 UTC
Uribe files complaint against Chavez before International Criminal Court

Out-going Colombian President Álvaro Uribe filed a complaint before the International Criminal Court in Rome against Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez for crimes against humanity that derive from the alleged harbouring of Colombian guerrilla fighters in Venezuelan soil, Uribe's lawyer, Jaime Granados, informed.
Saturday, August 7th 2010 - 05:59 UTC
BP sells Colombian operation to local and Canadian companies

Colombian state oil company Ecopetrol S.A. and Canadian firm Talisman have reached an agreement to buy the Colombia operation of BP Plc for 1.75 billion US dollars.
Saturday, August 7th 2010 - 05:44 UTC
UN/Ecuador agree on trust fund to protect bio-diversity from oil industry

The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, and Ecuador have reached agreement to set up a trust fund to protect an ecological site in an oil-rich area of the South American country’s Amazon region.