Latin America

• Monday, July 14th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Madonna December tour to Brazil, Argentina and Chile

  

  Although there's no official confirmation from world pop star Madonna's office about the dates of her South American tour next December, local representatives activities give a clear idea of what her schedule could be.

• Saturday, July 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Cubans must prepare for “realistic” brand of communism

  

  President Raul Castro warned Cubans on Friday to prepare for a “realistic” brand of communism that is economically viable and does away with excessive state subsidies designed to promote equality on the island.

• Saturday, July 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Latam must double investment in infrastructure

  

  In the immediate future, Latinamerica must invest between 150 and 200 billion US dollars a year in infrastructure in order to boost economic growth and reduce poverty, World Bank Vice President, Pamela Cox said in Lima, Peru.

• Friday, July 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez and Uribe “turn the page on a stormy past”

  

  President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and his Colombian counterpart Alvaro Uribe signed several agreements to promote closer ties, after months of political tension.

• Friday, July 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  FARC admits it was betrayed by its own men in military rescue

  

  Colombia guerrilla group FARC said on Friday it was betrayed by its own men in last week's military rescue of the former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages that added to a string of recent setbacks.

• Thursday, July 10th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chilean frigate in the world's main naval exercise

  

  One of Chile's most modern frigates, “Almirante Riveros” left this week for San Diego and Hawaii o join a multinational force that will be taking part in the Rim of the Pacific, RIMPAC 2008 naval exercises, which is considered the largest operation of its kind in the world.

• Thursday, July 10th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Uribe/Chavez “fraternal” summit promises new start

  

  Venezuela and Colombia presidents Hugo Chavez and Alvaro Uribe will be meeting Friday in Paraguaná, 500 kilometers from Caracas for a new start in bilateral relations following months of accusations and recriminations.

• Wednesday, July 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Ecuador seizes two television stations and looses minister

  Ecuadorian Finance Minister Fausto Ortiz resigned on Tuesday after the government of president Rafael Correa seized two television stations, --which is announced it will manage “temporarily”--, and almost 200 other businesses in a dispute over debts stemming from a 1990s banking crisis.

• Tuesday, July 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Betancourt calls for dialogue and end to “hatred” language

  Recently liberated hostage and former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt said President Alvaro Uribe should soften his tone when dealing with the FARC rebel group and urged him to break with the language of “hatred”.

• Monday, July 7th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Officials call on Cubans to work and embrace economics

  

  Cuban vice president Esteban Lazo called on his fellow Cubans to understand that “work is essential” and that “we must accept we lack the need for an extraordinary economic culture”.