Latin America

Thursday, June 30th 2011 - 07:17 UTC
UN Economic Commission raises Latam’s growth estimate: 4.5% to 5%

The UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Eclac, raised its 2011 growth estimate for the region to between 4.5% and 5%, said Executive Secretary Alicia Bárcena.
Thursday, June 30th 2011 - 07:11 UTC
Chilean ski slopes prepare for an exceptional invasion of Brazilian tourists

Between 80 and 90% of hotel capacity has already been reserved at Chile’s leading ski resorts for the 2011 season. At Valle Nevado, Portillo, and Termas de Chillán - three of Chile’s leading ski resorts - reservations are up 10 to 20% compared to 2010, according to the Federation of Tourism Businesses (Fedetur).
Thursday, June 30th 2011 - 01:10 UTC
Chavez health mystery increases as major summit and celebrations are suspended

Venezuela has suspended a regional summit scheduled for 5 July, --which also coincides with the 200th anniversary of the country’s independence--, amid continuing speculation over the state of health of President Hugo Chavez.
Thursday, June 30th 2011 - 00:28 UTC
Mercosur wants Bolivia and Ecuador to become full members

Mercosur plans to begin negotiations with associate members Bolivia and Ecuador to make them full members, said Brazilian Foreign Affairs minister Antonio Patriota during Wednesday’s presidential summit in Paraguay.
Tuesday, June 28th 2011 - 06:25 UTC
Growing demands for information on President Chavez health condition

Demands by Venezuela's opposition for information on President Hugo Chavez's health grew louder Monday and bond prices rallied on speculation the populist leader could be seriously ill.
Monday, June 27th 2011 - 16:44 UTC
More than 50.000 people joined Gay Pride Parade in downtown Santiago de Chile

With drag queens stomping in their stilettos and adults, teens and children waving rainbow flags, more than 50,000 people paraded through Santiago de Chile on Saturday in support of gay rights in the annual March for Sexual Diversity.
Monday, June 27th 2011 - 15:34 UTC
FAO elected-chief anticipates high and volatile food prices for several years

The newly elected chief of the United Nations food agency, FAO, anticipated on Monday high and volatile food prices will persist for several years. Brazil's Jose Graziano da Silva was elected on Sunday to replace Senegal's Jacques Diouf.
Monday, June 27th 2011 - 15:21 UTC
Reports of puma attacks on sheep multiplying in Chile

Desperate and decimating. That’s how biologist Agustín Iriarte describes the attitude of livestock farmers and their dwindling number of livestock, as predators take their toll. Chile’s pumas are attacking and killing sheep flocks more than ever.
Monday, June 27th 2011 - 06:30 UTC
Food inflation in Latam and Caribbean averaged 7.4% in May

The inflation for food items in Latin America and the Caribbean reached 7.4% in May, according to FAO. The sharp rise in the regional prices was attributed to an even sharper increase in food prices which on a world wide basis rose 37% in May compared to world food prices in May 2010, the FAO said in a report from its regional headquarters in Chile.
Monday, June 27th 2011 - 06:24 UTC
Parlasur member claims Mercosur summits have become ‘display of empty rhetoric’

Mercosur summits have become a display of empty rhetoric, full of protocol and ‘family photos’ but with no full hearted willingness to achieve a solid, fair integration, claimed the head of the Paraguayan delegation before Parlasur, the Mercosur Parliament.