Latin America

Tuesday, October 9th 2012 - 02:48 UTC
IMF cuts Latam growth forecast to 3.2% and 2.9% in 2013; Brazil 1.5% and 4%

The IMF cut its growth forecasts on Monday for Latin America and its largest economy Brazil, against a backdrop of deteriorating global growth and contagion risks if the Euro zone crisis deepens and China's growth slows more than expected.
Tuesday, October 9th 2012 - 01:38 UTC
Paraguay Senate plans to reject instruments used by Mercosur to sanction the country

The Paraguayan Senate will be addressing on Thursday the Ushuaia II Protocol and the Unasur Additional Protocol on democratic commitment, both instruments used by Mercosur and Unasur last June to have Paraguay suspended from the two organizations.
Monday, October 8th 2012 - 23:36 UTC
Americas’ defense ministers’ summit rejects addressing Falklands’ issue

Argentina’s intention of having the Falklands/Malvinas sovereignty issue included in the agenda of the Americas Defense ministers’ conference currently taking place in Uruguay was rejected, mainly because of the positions from the US, Canada and several Caribbean states.
Monday, October 8th 2012 - 20:17 UTC
Unasur praise for the reliability and transparency of Venezuelan electoral system

The head of the Unasur delegation sent to Venezuela to follow Sunday’s electoral process, Carlos Alvarez said that the country had given the world a lesson of democracy because of its extraordinary electoral system and the attitude of the opposition, among other positive elements.
Monday, October 8th 2012 - 06:34 UTC
Paraguay expects to be back in Mercosur “sooner than later”: before April 2013

President Federio Franco said he trusted Paraguay would be fully re-incorporated to Mercosur before the general election scheduled for 21 April 2013. Paraguay is currently suspended from the trade block following the removal of Fernando Lugo as president, a decision voted almost unanimously by the country’s Senate but condemned by Mercosur and Unasur.
Monday, October 8th 2012 - 05:44 UTC
Chavez wins another six years; massive 81% turnout of registered voters

President Hugo Chavez won re-election on Sunday, defeating challenger Henrique Capriles, Venezuela's electoral council said. With most votes counted, Chavez had more than 54% of the vote, and Capriles had 45%, National Electoral Council President Tibisay Lucena said. Turnout was 81% of the nearly 19 million registered voters.
Saturday, October 6th 2012 - 15:16 UTC
IMF cuts global growth estimates; calls for clear political leadership to restore confidence

The IMF has cut its global growth forecasts for this year and 2013 and called on politicians in the Euro-zone and the US to take “decisive” steps to restore confidence, a German newspaper said Friday.
Saturday, October 6th 2012 - 15:09 UTC
Borders and Coast Guards in conflict won’t yield; government looks for scapegoats

Argentina’s Security Ministry decided the intervention of the Border Guards’ Department of Judicial Affairs due to “severe deficiencies” found in the application of the officers' “wage demands”, which led to the current situation that on Friday night was beginning its fifth consecutive day of conflict.
Saturday, October 6th 2012 - 15:06 UTC
Brazil wants Paraguay back in Mercosur following “democracy compliance” test

Brazilian Foreign minister Antonio Patriota said on Friday that Paraguay could resume membership of Mercosur and Unasur without the need to wait for presidential elections next April 2013 as long as “full compliance with democracy” can be verified.
Saturday, October 6th 2012 - 14:58 UTC
Cuban dissident freed; court asks seven years for Spanish youth activist

Cuban authorities released prominent dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez late on Friday after detaining her on the eve of a Spanish activist's high-profile manslaughter trial in the eastern city of Bayamo.