Latin America

Friday, April 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazil is promoting South American Defence Council

Brazil's Minister of Defence Nelson Jobim announced visits to neighboring countries to promote the Brazilian initiative for a South American Defence Council. Addressing the Defence and Foreign Affairs committees of the Brazilian Congress Mr. Jobim said next Monday he would be traveling to Venezuela, Surinam and Guyana the first leg of the regional tour.
Thursday, April 10th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chavez nationalizes steel sector partly owned by Argentina

President Hugo Chavez announced plans to nationalize Venezuela's biggest steel maker, Sidor, which belongs to the Argentine-Italian group Techint, with shares in the New York Stock Exchange. The group has close links with the Kirchners.
Thursday, April 10th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chile considering whale sanctuary along its coastline

Chile appears ever closer to declaring its entire Pacific coastline – one of the longest in the world – a whale “sanctuary.” According to government officials, President Michelle Bachelet is likely to endorse the proposal as early as June, when Chile hosts this year's annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission.
Thursday, April 10th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
IMF forecasts 4.4% growth for 2008 in “resilient” Latam

Economic growth in Latinamerica will slow this year and next because of a “mild recession” in the US and turmoil in global financial markets, according to the International Monetary Fund World Outlook report released Wednesday
Thursday, April 10th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Nuclear super-carrier in the South Atlantic next May

A mighty warrior of the seas, USS George Washington will be visiting Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile next May.
Wednesday, April 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
French hostage mission to leave Colombia

France called off a humanitarian mission Tuesday to treat and possibly free ailing hostage Ingrid Betancourt after Colombian rebels said they wouldn't unilaterally release any more captives.
Wednesday, April 9th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Japanese Girl, 11, to cycle across South America

An 11-year-old girl from Saitama Prefecture is due to set off on a seven-month journey by bicycle across South America with her parents.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Bachelet talks about double standards for females leaders

After meeting with Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Palace late last week, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet spoke firmly about the double standards today's female leaders have to deal with.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Chile has most “rich-poor” segregated education system

The segregation of rich and poor students in Chile may be the worst in the world, according to a recent Universidad de Chile study confirming what many education leaders already suspected.
Tuesday, April 8th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Bolivians consider latest James Bond film stigmatizing

Bolivian Culture Deputy Minister Pablo Groux complained this week that Quantum of Solace, the upcoming film about secret agent James Bond, stigmatizes Bolivia as a centre of drug traffic.