Latin America

• Friday, December 4th 2009 - 04:54 UTC

  Chilean government defends arms’ purchases: 6 billion USD since 1990

  

  Chile does not want to start an arms race, nor does it have aggressive intentions toward its neighbours.

• Thursday, December 3rd 2009 - 13:27 UTC

  Honduras overwhelmingly votes against reinstatement of Zelaya

  

  Honduras’ Congress overwhelmingly voted Wednesday against the reinstatement of ousted President Manuel Zelaya, a move that closes the door on his return to power after he was toppled in a June coup.

• Thursday, December 3rd 2009 - 08:29 UTC

  All ready for the Argentina-Chile bicentennial (Dakar) rally

  

  Dakar rally director Etienne Lavigne celebrated Wednesday in Buenos Aires that the coming 2010 edition of the world event will coincide with Argentina and Chile commemoration of their second bicentennial as nations.

• Thursday, December 3rd 2009 - 08:27 UTC

  Venezuela shuts down banks belonging to former Chavez crony

  

  The Venezuelan government has shut down four private banks, accusing them of financial irregularities. The closures come 10 days after the authorities took over the banks on suspicion of violating regulations.

• Thursday, December 3rd 2009 - 00:55 UTC

  Brazil to reconsider the latest events in Honduras

  

  Brasilia runs the risk of “isolation” if it does not recognize Honduras presidential elections according to Brazilian member of Congress Raul Jungmann, the only representative from his country to be part of an observers’ international committee on Sunday’s ballot.

• Thursday, December 3rd 2009 - 00:51 UTC

  Zelaya calls on Latinamerican leaders to reject Honduras Sunday elections

  

  Ousted Honduras President Manuel Zelaya sent a letter to Latinamerican leaders asking them to reject elections held under the de facto regime that decided his arrest and forced exile to Costa Rica June 28.

• Wednesday, December 2nd 2009 - 12:58 UTC

  Spanish Judge Demands US$77 Million From Pinochet’s Wife And Advisers

  

  Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon on Monday demanded that the widow and advisors of former Chilean Dictator Augusto Pinochet pay US$77 million to a Spanish charity for his regime’s victims within the next 10 days.

• Wednesday, December 2nd 2009 - 12:31 UTC

  Magallanes region unemployment remains steady above 8%

  

  Magallanes Region in the extreme south of Chile has dropped from fourth to sixth place in the ranking of regions with the least unemployment, according to the latest release which shows the rate jumped to 8.2% in the August-October quarter. This represents a 6.5 percentage point increase over the same period a year ago and half a point compared to the previous July-September quarter.

• Wednesday, December 2nd 2009 - 05:36 UTC

  Chile promotes domestic travel to help depressed tourism industry

  

  In an attempt to survive the economic crisis and the depreciating US dollar, Chile’s tourism industry has amplified national travel promotions targeting local and foreign vacationers.

• Tuesday, December 1st 2009 - 11:05 UTC

  Ibero-American summit divided over the Honduras political situation

  

  Portugal's Foreign Affairs Minister Luis Amado said on Monday that Portugal is working as a mediator among Ibero-American countries to achieve a consensus on the Honduras political situation that is threatening the 19th summit’s final declaration.