Latin America

• Sunday, November 25th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Bolivian constitution draft approval sparks deadly rioting

  

  The assembly charged with rewriting Bolivia's constitution and meeting in Sucre produced a new constitutional draft on Saturday amid violent street protests in which at least three persons were killed.

• Sunday, November 25th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Uribe/Chavez conflict escalates and freezes hostage release

  

  Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has said he is ready to continue a “constructive dialogue” with his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez after Bogota stopped the latter in his mediation bid with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) insurgents for release of hostages.

• Saturday, November 24th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Stormy 2008 for Latam anticipates The Economist

  

  Latinamerica is the emerging markets region that will most feel the impact of the slowing of the United States economy and the credit crunch according to a report from the Economist Intelligence Unit, EIU, released this week.

• Friday, November 23rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil, Colombia, Peru in Amazon jungle oil exploration

  

  Government oil corporations from Brazil, Colombia and Peru signed Thursday an agreement in Lima to jointly invest in the exploration and production of hydrocarbons in the Peruvian Amazon.

• Friday, November 23rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Bachelet also asked Chavez, (politely) to shut up

  

  Chilean president Michelle Bachelet revealed on Thursday during a television interview that she requested Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez not to address the sea-outlet for Bolivia issue during his recent visit to participate in the Ibero-American summit.

• Thursday, November 22nd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Costa Rica signs free trade agreement but hurdles remain

  Costa Rica's president on Wednesday signed into law a much debated controversial free trade agreement with its Central American neighbors, the United States and the Dominican Republic.

• Thursday, November 22nd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  France asks Colombia for another “broker” chance for Chavez

  

  France has urged Colombia to reconsider its decision to end the efforts of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to negotiate with the Farc rebel group. President Nicolas Sarkozy said Mr Chavez was still the best person to broker an exchange of 45 of the Farc's hostages for 500 imprisoned guerrillas

• Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Elections and further step for the Cuban regime transition

  

  Cuba announced Tuesday it has set January 20 for national elections that are part of the process of determining whether ailing leader Fidel Castro continues as president. The ruling, signed by interim leader Raul Castro and read on state television, set the date for elections to provincial and national assemblies — voting that is held every five years.

• Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Ecuadorian leader in control of charter reform assembly

  

  Ecuador's populist President Rafael Correa will control more than 60% of an assembly tasked with drafting a new constitution for the politically unstable nation, according to official election results released earlier this week.

• Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Copper prices fall to 8 month low below 3 dollars benchmark

  

  Copper prices fell on Wednesday to an eight-month low, below 3 US dollars per pound, on the London Metal Exchange after rising dramatically last week due to several earthquakes in northern Chile's mining region. However the monthly average for copper remains at 3.21 US dollars.