Latin America

Sunday, October 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Correa announced Ecuador returns to OPEC next month

Ecuador is to rejoin the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, next month after a 15-year absence, announced on Saturday President Rafael Correa during his weekly radio program. The move reflects the increased state control over energy being taken by President Correa as promised during his electoral campaign.
Sunday, October 14th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Cubans listen to Fidel Castro for first time in 15 months

Ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro telephoned into a television show with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Sunday, in his first live media appearance in Cuba since his health crisis nearly 15 months ago.
Friday, October 12th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Seven companies tender for Magallanes oil blocks

Seven corporations from United States, Canada, New Zealand, Egypt and Russia presented tenders for the oil and gas exploration blocks in Magallanes Region, extreme south of Chile.
Friday, October 12th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Colombia gas-links with Venezuela and joins Bank of the South

Colombia formally requested to join the regional multilateral development bank known as the Bank of the South. President Alvaro Uribe made the announcement on Friday during the inauguration of a gas pipeline which links Guajira in northern Colombia with Venezuela's Lake Maracaibo area.
Friday, October 12th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
US dollar in Chilean market keeps sliding and closer to $ 490

With the US dollar operating in the Chilean Money exchange market below the 500 pesos benchmark, and still sliding, the Chilean Central Bank decision to leave the basic rate unchanged came as a relief.
Friday, October 12th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Chavez bans Spanish pop singer from government stadium

A popular Spanish singer has been banned from performing in a Caracas stadium over remarks he made about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Higher Education Minister Luis Acuña accused Alejandro Sanz of criticizing Chavez three years ago while touring Venezuela.
Friday, October 12th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Nine million children in Latinamerica malnourished

FAO called Friday on Latinamerican governments to fight infant malnutrition in the region which affects nine million children in the region which are born condemned to exclusion,
Thursday, October 11th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Chile plans to invest 17 billion US dollars in mining industry

Chile's Mining Minister Karen Poniachik disclosed Monday that Chile is anticipating 17 billion US dollars on new gold and copper mining investment in the next five years. Poniachik said the new cash infusion is needed to replace existing mines whose reserves are running out and to bolster output.
Thursday, October 11th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
Venezuelans to pay price of president's moral crusade

President Hugo Chávez has announced sharp tax increases on tobacco and alcoholic beverages, amid a raft of other measures aimed at curbing luxury imports and instilling the new morality of his ''21st Century Socialism.''
Wednesday, October 10th 2007 - 21:00 UTC
600,000 Skiers on Chile's slopes this season

This past winter's unusually cold weather in Chile's central valley had at least one benefit – the mountains were covered in snow, attracting some 600,000 skiers and snowboarders. This figure represents an 11 percent increase compared to the previous season when 522,000 visitors hit the slopes.