Latin America

• Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 05:13 UTC

  Brazil’s top Justice suggests trimming the influence of political parties and an end to cupola deals

  

  The president of Brazil’s Supreme Federal Tribunal (Supreme Court) Joaquim Barbosa argued in favour of diminishing the influence of political parties in decisions referred to the Brazilian people’s interest and supports the introduction of what he called “puffs of popular expression” in the current political system.

• Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 05:07 UTC

  Massive protest expected in Belo Horizonte before the Brazil/Uruguay match

  

  Demanding better public services and angered by World Cup costs, about 100.000 people are expected at a protest Wednesday before Brazil plays Uruguay in the Confederations Cup semi-finals.

• Wednesday, June 26th 2013 - 04:58 UTC

  Brazil: understanding with Congress to hold a reforms’ plebiscite on 7 September

  

  The Brazilian executive apparently has reached an understanding with the presidents of the Senate and the Lower House, Renan Calheiros and Henrique Eduardo Alves for a plebiscite with several questions referred to changes in electoral and party legislation, and eventually the Constitution relative to the political organization of South America’s largest country and powerhouse.

• Tuesday, June 25th 2013 - 20:52 UTC

  Mercosur suspension was rather beneficial for Paraguay, reveals President Franco

  

  Mercosur partners’ sanctions on Paraguay rather benefited than hindered the country, said President Federico Franco during a press conference in which he underlined the country had become more reliable and this was supported by a three fold increase in foreign investments.

• Tuesday, June 25th 2013 - 20:25 UTC

  Paraguay claims Mercosur pro-tempore chair and thanks EU for political support

  

  President elect Horacio Cartes revealed in Spain that Paraguay is claiming the pro-tempore chair of Mercosur, argued that Venezuela is an ‘illegitimate’ member of the trade group and said Paraguay is en route to becoming full member of the Pacific Alliance.

• Tuesday, June 25th 2013 - 18:28 UTC

  Piñera opens joint-largest wind-farm in the north of Chile

  

  President Sebastian Piñera inaugurated Chile’s joint-largest wind farm at an official ceremony. The 90MW Talinay East facility is owned by Italy’s Enel Green Power and features 45 Vestas V100 2MW turbines in the country’s central Coquimbo region, 400 kilometres north of Santiago.

• Tuesday, June 25th 2013 - 18:11 UTC

  Chile’s largest energy project left on hold because of electoral debate

  

  A controversial plan to power central Chile by damming Patagonian rivers is doable, the project's head said dismissing criticism from leading presidential candidate Michelle Bachelet that HidroAysen is not viable.

• Tuesday, June 25th 2013 - 17:08 UTC

  Argentine indigenous people ask Francis to intercede before Cristina Fernandez

  

  Leaders of an Argentine indigenous community together with Nobel Peace Prize Adolfo Perez Esquivel met on Monday with Pope Francis and requested he intercedes before Argentine president Cristina Fernandez so that she receives a delegation from the Qom community.

• Tuesday, June 25th 2013 - 17:04 UTC

  Colombia renews IMF two-year 5.8bn dollars flexible credit line

  

  The IMF said on Monday it had approved a new two-year 5.84 billion dollars flexible credit line for Colombia, following a request by the government of President Juan Manuel Santos. The new flexible credit line will replace a previous 6bn two-year program, which recently expired.

• Tuesday, June 25th 2013 - 16:52 UTC

  Colombia establishes closer information security links with NATO

  

  Colombia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization signed an agreement on information security that will allow exploring future cooperation and consultation in areas of common interest. The agreement was signed on Tuesday in Brussels by NATO Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow and the Defense Minister of Colombia, Juan Carlos Pinzón Bueno.