Latin America

Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 12:25 UTC
Latinamerican Liberals hold congress in “Bolivarian” Venezuela

Liberal political parties and thinkers from Latinamerica are holding their annual congress this week in the Venezuelan capital Caracas. The event is in the framework of the 25th anniversary of the local branch Cedice-Libertad and will promote debates on liberal policies to address poverty and the current global slowdown.
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 12:05 UTC
Government tells Cubans: austerity or blackouts

The Cuban government reduced from 6 to 2% the projected growth of the economy for 2009. The announcement was made by Cabinet vice president and Economy Minister Marino Murillo during a meeting at which “exceptional measures” were announced starting June first to reduce energy consumption, the official daily Juventud Rebelde said Saturday.
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 05:35 UTC
Chavez, Correa promise to protect their peoples from “unethical” media

Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez and Ecuador’s Rafael Correa announced they intend to create international bodies within the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) to protect both governments and peoples against the unethical behaviour of some news media.
Tuesday, May 26th 2009 - 05:19 UTC
Chile has fastest growing immigrant population in South America

Chile's immigrant population has grown more than any other country in South America since 2000. Chile has fewer total immigrants than Argentina, Venezuela and Brazil, the proportional increase is greater. Immigration into Chile has increased in the past decade, while it has decreased in those other countries.
Monday, May 25th 2009 - 17:39 UTC
Latinamerica’s bicentennial independence festivities begin in Bolivia

Bolivia’s commemoration on Monday May 25th of the 200th anniversary of the first uprising in Latinamerica against the Spanish colonial empire will also mark the beginning of similar independence celebrations along the continent which will peak in 2010.
Monday, May 25th 2009 - 17:34 UTC
Ecuador’s Correa promises radical measures to implement “citizens’ revolution”

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, flanked by his Venezuelan and Bolivian counterparts, Hugo Chávez and Evo Morales, on Sunday commemorated the 187th anniversary of the Battle Pichincha, whereby Ecuador assured its independence, and said that he will take even more radical measures to implement his “citizen’s revolution.” Correa also reiterated his commitment to Latinamerican integration.
Saturday, May 23rd 2009 - 15:37 UTC
Influenza virus “inter mingling” strong warning to Southern Hemisphere

The director-general of the World Health Organization, Margaret Chan, closed Friday the agency's annual conference with a warning that nations, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere with the winter season on, must remain vigilant and be prepared for a possible swine influenza A-H1N1 virus pandemic.
Saturday, May 23rd 2009 - 15:05 UTC
Obama administration invites Cuba to resume migration talks

The United States Department said on Friday it had offered to resume talks with Cuba about Cuban migration to the United States, a fresh sign of US President Barack Obama’s effort to comply, even partially, with the virtually unanimous request from Latinamerica to improve relations with the Castro regime.
Saturday, May 23rd 2009 - 14:59 UTC
Third re-election running “inappropriate” admits Colombia’s Uribe

Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe says it would be “inappropriate” for him to seek a third consecutive term. His statement comes two days after the Senate approved a referendum that would ask voters to permit him to run again. Uribe did not, however, clearly rule out a re-election bid.
Saturday, May 23rd 2009 - 14:51 UTC
Bolivia and US agree to improve bilateral ties

Bolivian President Evo Morales has called for a complete overhaul of his country's strained ties with the US. He urged “mutual respect” between the two nations, saying Washington should not interfere in Bolivia's affairs.