Latin America

• Wednesday, April 15th 2009 - 09:05 UTC

  Bolivia expects 17% oil tax and royalties revenue drop in 2009

  

  Bolivia is forecasting a 17% fall in its hydrocarbons tax and royalties revenues because of the fall in the international price of gas and oil sold to Argentina and Brazil according to official reports.

• Wednesday, April 15th 2009 - 09:02 UTC

  Colombia to explore for oil offshore Brazil

  

  Colombian state-owned oil company Ecopetrol S.A. said Tuesday it signed an agreement with US-based Anadarko Petroleum Coporation to explore for crude oil off the coast of Brazil. Ecopetrol's subsidiary in Brazil will hold a 50% stake in block BMC-29, the company said in a statement.

• Wednesday, April 15th 2009 - 08:53 UTC

  Peruvian government firm on its anti insurgency policy

  

  The Peruvian government defended its offensive against the remnants of the once-powerful insurgency “Shinning Path” as armed forces searched for a soldier reported missing following rebel ambushes that killed more than a dozen people last week.

• Wednesday, April 15th 2009 - 08:48 UTC

  Obama leaves for Mexico and prepares for regional summit test

  

  United States President Barack Obama heads to Mexico Thursday and then continues on to Trinidad and Tobago for the fifth Summit of the Americas. Security concerns along the US-Mexico border are expected to top Mr. Obama's discussions with Mexican President Felipe Calderon, while the summit provides an opportunity to reinvigorate the US hemispheric ties and forge a regional response to the global economic downturn, according to a Voice of America report.

• Wednesday, April 15th 2009 - 08:40 UTC

  Bolivia opens three indigenous universities

  

  The Bolivian government has opened three indigenous universities for Aymaras, Quechuas and Guaranis, and they will be linked to social movements, Education Minister Roberto Aguilar said

• Wednesday, April 15th 2009 - 08:38 UTC

  Ecuador grew 6.5% in 2008; forecasts 2.5% in 2009

  

  Ecuador President Rafael Correa said that his country’s economic growth in 2008, which according to the latest estimates was 6.5%, was among Latin America’s highest despite the international financial crisis -- and despite defaulting on a portion of the nation's international debt.

• Wednesday, April 15th 2009 - 05:57 UTC

  Political agreement in Bolivia ends Morales hunger-strike

  

  President Evo Morales has ended a five days long hunger strike after Bolivia's congress approved a new electoral law that grants more voting power to his electoral turf and allows him to run for a second term five-year term next December.

• Tuesday, April 14th 2009 - 14:02 UTC

  Lula da Silva says Obama must not be embarrassed on the Cuban issue

  

  Brazilian president Lula da Silva anticipated he will address the Cuban issue in the coming Americas Summit next Friday in Trinidad Tobago, but Brazilian diplomacy is also working to ensure it does not become an irritating discussion, according to Sao Paulo press.

• Tuesday, April 14th 2009 - 11:48 UTC

  Obama’s Cuba policy triggers strong hopes from cruise operators

  

  Shares of Miami-based cruise operator Royal Caribbean jumped on Monday on news that the administration of President Barack Obama was allowing Cuban Americans to travel more freely to the Castro-family ruled island.

• Tuesday, April 14th 2009 - 02:11 UTC

  Obama loosens restriction on travel and remittances to Cuba

  

  President Barack Obama has decided to loosen restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba for Cuban-Americans, senior US administration officials said Monday. A formal announcement was expected later in the day, reports CNN.