Latin America

Friday, August 15th 2014 - 02:24 UTC
YPF announces new shale oil find in Neuquen-Mendoza area

Argentine state-controlled energy company YPF on Thursday announced a shale oil find in the southwestern province of Neuquen in Patagonia. The discovery was made at the Agrio formation, according to CEO Miguel Galuccio, who said at a press conference that production operations will be carried from the neighboring province of Mendoza.
Friday, August 15th 2014 - 02:21 UTC
Last minute decision saved Marina Silva from travelling with Campos

Environmental activist and politician Marina Silva could have been on the plane that crashed on Wednesday and killed presidential candidate Eduardo Campos and six other occupants.
Friday, August 15th 2014 - 02:18 UTC
WHO downplays panic: air travel is low-risk for Ebola transmission

The World Health Organization reiterated its position that the risk of transmission of Ebola virus disease during air travel remains low. “Unlike infections such as influenza or tuberculosis, Ebola is not airborne,” says Dr Isabelle Nuttall, Director of WHO Global Capacity Alert and Response. “It can only be transmitted by direct contact with the body fluids of a person who is sick with the disease.”
Friday, August 15th 2014 - 02:15 UTC
Unasur Montevideo summit planned for next week, suspended until October

A planned presidential summit between the heads of state of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) has been suspended due to scheduling conflicts amongst member countries, according to the Uruguayan Foreign Ministry.
Wednesday, August 13th 2014 - 09:30 UTC
Petrobras sells natural gas pipeline operations in Bolivia

Brazil's Petrobras sold its stake in a Bolivian natural gas pipeline operator, continuing a string of asset sales aimed at generating cash for development of offshore oil fields at home. The Brazilian giant said it sold its 44.5% stake in Transierra to Bolivian state-owned YPFB for 106.7 million dollars.
Wednesday, August 13th 2014 - 07:09 UTC
Brazil admits EU/Mercosur deal stalled because of European concerns about agriculture

Brazil's agricultural competitiveness is a concern to countries and trade blocks negotiating agreements with Brazil, according to ambassador Paulo Estivallet de Mesquita, head of the Economics Department of the country's Ministry of Foreign Relations (MRE).
Wednesday, August 13th 2014 - 05:34 UTC
Earthquake strikes Quito kills two and violently shakes buildings

A shallow 5.1-magnitude earthquake has struck the Ecuadorian capital Quito, triggering landslides that killed at least two people and violently shaking buildings and homes. Another eight people were injured and three others trapped in the landslides at quarries on the outskirts of Quito, the country's risk management agency said on Twitter.
Wednesday, August 13th 2014 - 05:28 UTC
Finally Cristina Fernandez is on an official visit to Paraguay

Argentine president Cristina Fernandez arrived Tuesday evening to Paraguay to begin early Wednesday an official visit which has been delayed several times. Besides the usual agenda discussions and accords signing with her peer Horacio Cartes, the visit will also have a strong symbolism since the Argentine president will be formally returning to Paraguay furniture and other belongings from one of the country's most revered leaders, Francisco Solano Lopez.
Wednesday, August 13th 2014 - 01:22 UTC
FARC leader doubts the peace accord can be signed this year

Colombia is unlikely to sign a peace accord with Marxist rebels this year as the remaining items on the negotiating agenda are complex and time consuming, FARC guerrilla leader Rodrigo Londoño said.
Tuesday, August 12th 2014 - 06:05 UTC
Mexico signs energy reform bills: now to wait for interested private companies

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto signed on Monday a package of landmark energy reform bills, ending the 76-year-old state monopoly on oil drilling and reopening the sector to foreign companies.