Latin America

Tuesday, June 23rd 2009 - 11:45 UTC
Andes Aymaras celebrate arrival of winter solstice and New Year 5517

With hands extended towards the blue sky and at six Celsius below zero, thousands gathered on June 21st to receive the first sun rays from Tata Inti (Sun God) in Tiwanaku, Bolivia, in coincidence with the celebration of the winter solstice in the Southern hemisphere which signals the beginning of New Year Aymara 5517.
Monday, June 22nd 2009 - 12:16 UTC
Ecuador joins ALBA this week, announced President Chavez

Ecuador together with the Caribbean islands of Saint Vincent and Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda will be joining the Venezuelan sponsored Bolivarian Alternative of the Americas, ALBA, during a summit this week in Venezuela, announced President Hugo Chavez.
Monday, June 22nd 2009 - 12:03 UTC
Support for Peruvian president plummets to an 18 month low

Peruvian President Alan Garcia's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level in 18 months, hurt by the deadly Amazonia clashes between security forces and indigenous protesters that killed at least 33 people, officially, and over 50 according to Indian sources.
Monday, June 22nd 2009 - 07:59 UTC
Test for “new US policy”: Chile’s Bachelet meets President Obama

Chilean president Michelle Bachelet begins on Tuesday an official two-day visit to the United States where she will be meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House, members of Congress and the Organization of American States Secretary General.
Sunday, June 21st 2009 - 11:10 UTC
UN envoy calls for investigation of deadly clashes in Peruvian Amazonia

A United Nations envoy on indigenous rights called for an impartial and internationally supported committee to investigate the deadly clashes between Peruvian police and Amazonian indigenous protesters that killed, officially, at least 33 people but which could be more than 50.
Saturday, June 20th 2009 - 16:38 UTC
Billionaire Piñera and ex president Frei lead Chilean polls

Chilean billionaire and conservative presidential candidate Sebastian Piñera’s lead narrowed Thursday in the widely respected poll CEP, while underdog Marco Enriquez-Ominami jumped to 13%.
Saturday, June 20th 2009 - 16:29 UTC
Bolivia’s Morales returns compliments: “I’m no president’s nightmare”

Bolivian president Evo Morales said he was “no president’s nightmare” and congratulated his Peruvian peer Alan Garcia because “mistakes are being corrected” in direct reference to recent events in neighbouring Peru.
Saturday, June 20th 2009 - 08:33 UTC
Aftermath of deadly incidents: Peruvian cabinet submits resignation

Peruvian Cabinet chief Yehude Simon announced Friday he had submitted his resignation and that of the whole ministerial cabinet to President Alan Garcia, following the political consequences of clashes in the Amazonia province which left at least fifty dead including 24 policemen.
Friday, June 19th 2009 - 08:10 UTC
Peruvian Congress overturns land decrees that led to deadly protests

Peru's Congress overturned on Thursday two controversial decrees that had sparked deadly protests by Amazon Indians opposed to development on their lands, a vote hailed as a victory for indigenous groups At least fifty people, including 24 policemen were killed in last week’s clashes some of them speared
Thursday, June 18th 2009 - 14:44 UTC
Peru moves to reconcile with protesting indigenous peoples

Peru's government is moving toward reconciliation with the indigenous peoples after two months of rioting and protest that left over fifty people dead. The government of President Alan García wants to delay the implementation of two plans to open parts of the Peruvian Amazon to foreign investment.