Latin America

Tuesday, December 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
US press harshly criticizes Chilean presidential hopeful

An influential The Washington Post columnist criticized José Miguel Insulza last Friday, questioning the increasingly clear presidential ambitions of the Chilean secretary general of the Organization of America States (OAS).
Tuesday, December 18th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Fidel playing Cuban musical chair but admires Niemeyer

With a letter - the contents of which were broadcast on Cuban TV - Fidel Castro, 81, implied that he would be stepping down as leader and would not put obstacles in the path of a younger leader.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Bolivia, Brazil, Chile reach Atlantic-Pacific highway deal

The presidents of Bolivia, Brazil and Chile met here Sunday to clinch a deal for South America's first east-west highway, linking Brazil's Atlantic coast to Chile's Pacific coast via Bolivia.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
“Normal arsenal updating, no arms race” in S. America

The recent surge in military expenditure particularly Chile and Venezuela has led to fears that South America might be involved in an arms race. However most experts feel that in spite of existing regional differences what is going on is a modernization process of the Armed Forces arsenals which are rapidly becoming obsolete.
Monday, December 17th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Wheat price surges above the 10 US$ per bushel benchmark

Global wheat prices surged more than 3% on Monday, with Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures breaking the 10 US dollar a bushel benchmark for the first time, on dwindling world supplies, a lack of sellers and a push from financial investors.
Saturday, December 15th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Venezuela and Brazil pledge closer trade and energy ties

Brazil and Venezuela have pledged closer trade and energy ties, including building a new oil refinery in Brazil.
Saturday, December 15th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Venezuelan cash full suitcase strains Argentina/US link

The Argentine government yesterday said that the report presented by US prosecutors, linking the suitcase full of cash that came from Venezuela with Cristina Fernández's presidential campaign, is part of an “operation” against Argentina, while US officials said the case should not affect the bilateral relationship.
Friday, December 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
A divided Bolivia seems prepared to clash on Saturday

Bolivia put its armed forces on alert Thursday ahead of a threatened move towards autonomy by half the country's provinces, Defence Minister Walker San Miguel said, according to the daily La Prensa.
Friday, December 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
International Court rules on Caribbean insular dispute

The International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, ruled Thursday that three Caribbean Sea islands disputed by Nicaragua and Colombia belong to the latter country because a 1928 treaty between the two nations settled the issue.
Friday, December 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Antarctica Ice Marathon & 100K ready to take off

Twenty athletes from all over the world are waiting in Punta Arenas, extreme south of Chile, to fly to Antarctica for this year's edition of the “Antarctic Ice Marathon & 100k”, a charity competition.