Latin America

• Wednesday, March 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  FARC and France exchange veiled warning messages

  

  The killing of Raul Reyes, spokesperson and second in command of the Colombian FARC guerrillas, during an incursion by Colombian troops in Ecuador, is a “serious blow to the possibilities of a humanitarian exchange and to a political solution to the conflict” said the rebel group in a message released on Tuesday.

• Wednesday, March 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  OAS: no agreement on Ecuador Colombia conflict

  

  Country members from the Organization of American States, OAS, were unable to reach a statement on the Ecuador/Colombia incident forcing the Permanent Council to suspend the emergency session until mid day Wednesday.

• Wednesday, March 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  OAS resolution eases tension between Colombia and Ecuador

  

  The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) on Wednesday approved a resolution stating Colombia violated Ecuador's sovereignty with a cross-border raid to kill a leftist rebel over the weekend.

• Tuesday, March 4th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  First Week of the Blue Whale on Chiloé Island

  Starting this week Chile's Center for Cetacean Conservation is sponsoring the first celebration of the Week of the Blue Whale in Ancud, on island of Chiloé. The event is part of an international program in which over 400 coastal communities around the world mark the seasonal visits of various whale species.

• Tuesday, March 4th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Colombia to bring genocide charges against Chavez

  

  Colombian President Alvaro Uribe announced Tuesday he will ask the International Criminal Court in Rome to bring genocide charges against President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. He accused Mr Chavez of sponsoring and financing Colombian FARC rebels. Venezuela denies the charge.

• Tuesday, March 4th 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chilean salmon crisis forces sacking of Fisheries head

  

  Ongoing problems affecting Chile's once booming salmon industry have prompted a shake up in the National Fishing Service (SERNAPESCA), the Chilean government body responsible for overseeing all fishing activity in the country.

• Monday, March 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez sends troops and tanks to Colombian border

  

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ordered on Sunday the militarization of the border with Colombia and the closing of Venezuela's embassy in Bogotá a day after Colombian troops in an incursion in Ecuadorian territory killed FARC rebel group number 2, an action he described as a “cowardly murder”.

• Monday, March 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  S. American leaders want to mediate in Colombia conflict

  The killing of a Colombian guerrilla leader by Colombian forces in Ecuadorian territory and the alleged discovery of documents linking the rebel group with the governments of Ecuador and Venezuela has pushed South America closer to an armed conflict.

• Monday, March 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Unexpected agenda for Rio Group summit in Santo Domingo

  

  The Rio Group of Latinamerican countries created in the eighties to help pacify and stabilize Central America and which had lately fallen into obscurity, could play a crucial role in the Colombia-Ecuador-Venezuela conflict when it meets this week in Santo Domingo.

• Monday, March 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Venezuelan team of scientists and officers arrive in Antarctica

  

  Venezuelan scientists and military officers traveling on a Uruguayan naval research ship reached the Antarctic peninsula over the weekend following a 15-day, 3.700 kilometers voyage. This is the first time a Venezuelan team officially takes part in Antarctic navigation and research.