Latin America

Monday, March 19th 2012 - 06:57 UTC
Moody’s confirms Uruguay closer to investment grade rating based on debt management

Uruguay is likely to be the next Latin American country to win an investment grade rating from Moody's Investors Service, with a review likely late this year, a senior officer from the ratings agency said on Sunday.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 06:51 UTC
Uruguay strongly advocates for “free and fluid trade” in Unasur meeting

Uruguay’s Economy minister Fernando Lorenzo called on other members of Unasur, Union of South American Nations, to ensure free trade in the region as a safeguard and guarantee for the sustained growth of country-members in time.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 06:37 UTC
Funds from Santiago to put Punta Arenas back on its feet, and loans to small businesses

Chilean Minister of Economy Pablo Longueira announced on Sunday that Punta Arenas in the extreme south of the country which recently suffered a barrage of flash floods will be declared “catastrophe zone”.
Monday, March 19th 2012 - 06:34 UTC
Bocaranda, the gossip columnist who keeps Venezuela informed on Hugo Chavez

Some Venezuelans cannot get enough of Nelson Bocaranda, a mild-mannered radio reporter and gossip columnist who has been dishing up inside information on President Hugo Chavez’s cancer.
Sunday, March 18th 2012 - 19:55 UTC
“The Argentine government doesn’t understand what is going on” says former official

Former Argentine Cabinet Chief Alberto Fernández assured on Sunday today that “the Government has difficulties understanding what is going on, and gives fallacious speeches that are far from reality,” and blasted the cutback of subsidies on public services and the bill that seeks to reform the Central Bank's charter
Sunday, March 18th 2012 - 19:53 UTC
Top executives from Chevron barred from leaving Brazil because of oil spills case

A Brazilian court barred 17 executives from Chevron and Transocean from leaving Brazil, pending criminal charges related to a high-profile oil spill last November. A second oil spill detected last week further complicated the situation.
Sunday, March 18th 2012 - 19:48 UTC
Unasur supports Argentine Malvinas and call on UK to resume negotiations

Foreign ministers from the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) reaffirmed their support for Argentina over the Malvinas Islands sovereignty dispute at the annual meeting held in Asunción, Paraguay.
Saturday, March 17th 2012 - 07:18 UTC
Brazilian judge dismisses first dictatorship era case involving an Army officer

Brazilian judge dismissed the first charges ever brought against an army officer over crimes committed during the country's 1964-1985 military dictatorship, dealing a blow to rights groups and victims' families.
Saturday, March 17th 2012 - 06:10 UTC
US confirms ‘neutral position’ in Falklands’ dispute; hopes for cooperation on practical issues

United States stated that it maintains its “neutral position” over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands dispute between Argentina and UKand hopes for an agreed solution, an official source of the US government assured after the three day visit of British Prime Minister David Cameron which included several meetings at the White House
Saturday, March 17th 2012 - 06:07 UTC
Argentina/Israel honour victims of 1992 terrorist attack and accuse Iran

Argentina and Israel gathered on Friday to honour the 29 victims of the 1992 terrorist car bombing at the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, the first of two deadly attacks against Jewish interests in Argentina. The second in July 1994 against the Jewish community organization AMIA claimed 85 lives.