Latin America

• Thursday, March 3rd 2011 - 21:48 UTC

  Venezuela, Mercosur, Unasur top of the agenda for Paraguay’s Congress

  

  The Paraguayan government announced Thursday it will insist with the Congressional approval of Venezuela’s incorporation to Mercosur, which remains stalled at the country’s Legislative branch.

• Thursday, March 3rd 2011 - 06:25 UTC

  Latam must prepare for ‘major prices’ fluctuations warn food organizations

  

  Food price volatility has increased in recent months and will remain high for the time being, according to a joint bulletin launched today by ECLAC, FAO and IICA.

• Thursday, March 3rd 2011 - 05:23 UTC

  Argentine/Chinese corporation buys Exxon downstream assets in Mercosur

  

  Pan American Energy has agreed to buy an oil refinery and more than 700 service stations in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay from Exxon Mobil Corp for which it will be paying an estimated 850 million US dollars.

• Wednesday, March 2nd 2011 - 17:33 UTC

  World’s richest man opens impressive museum (66.000 pieces) in Mexico City

  

  The reputed world's richest man Carlos Slim inaugurated a massive museum in Mexico City on Tuesday to house his eclectic collection of art ranging from pre-Hispanic pieces to sculptures by French masters.

• Wednesday, March 2nd 2011 - 07:20 UTC

  Latin America challenges to be discussed at IDB annual meeting in Canada

  

  Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will hold its Annual meeting in Calgary, Canada, from March 25 to 28, with the participation of top government authorities from the Bank’s 48 member countries, including several finance ministers and central banks chiefs.

• Wednesday, March 2nd 2011 - 07:14 UTC

  Argentine president promises to keep pushing ‘permanently’ for Malvinas

  

  Argentina’s claim of the Malvinas Islands only had a brief specific mention in President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner Tuesday address to Congress where she outlined the achievements of her administration and plans for the remaining nine months of her four year mandate.

• Wednesday, March 2nd 2011 - 07:00 UTC

  Cuban reforms delayed: who and how do you sacks half a million state workers?

  

  Cuba's plans to lay off half a million state workers by the end of March are behind schedule, President Raul Castro has acknowledged. Castro, quoted by state television, said the timetable for the cuts would be altered to soften their impact.

• Wednesday, March 2nd 2011 - 03:47 UTC

  Chile and France sign deal for development of uranium

  

  Chile and France on Saturday signed a deal promoting the exploration and development of uranium. The deal between the state-owned Codelco (copper mining company) formalizes France’s ability to source minerals, including uranium, from Chile’s mining sector.

• Tuesday, March 1st 2011 - 18:43 UTC

  Cell phones sales in Chile soared 21% in 2010 and now total 21 million

  

  In 2010, the number of cell phones in Chile grew to over 21 million, a 21% increase. Cell phone businesses attribute this growth to the number and variety of cheap tariffs available.

• Monday, February 28th 2011 - 20:50 UTC

  “Discouraging” tourist season for Punta Arenas and Torres del Paine

  

  It has been a tough and discouraging tourist season this summer for Punta Arenas and its area of influence according to local operators and the hotel industry.