Mercosur

• Wednesday, July 13th 2016 - 01:31 UTC

  Argentina and Brazil situations take a toll on Uruguay's 2015/16 cruise season

  

  The number of vessel calls dropped 6.4% and passengers landed 4.1%, during the last 2015/2016 cruise season compared to 2041/2015, according to the final report from Uruguay's Tourism ministry. The number of passenger and crew landed in Montevideo and Punta del Este reached 319.000 having spent an estimate 11.1 million dollars.

• Tuesday, July 12th 2016 - 08:03 UTC

  Neighbors Stand Up to Venezuela

  

  By New York Times Editorial Board
  
  This summer, Venezuela was poised to assume the rotating presidency of Mercosur, a trade bloc that includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. But at the urging of Paraguay, Mercosur heads of state are considering blocking Venezuela, at least temporarily, citing the erosion of democracy there.

• Tuesday, July 12th 2016 - 06:36 UTC

  Mercosur ever so divided plans a new meeting to decide on Venezuela´s presidency of the group

  

  Mercosur four founding members meeting in Montevideo have been unable to reach a consensus on whether to transfer, for the next six months, the group's pro tempore presidency to Venezuela and decided on a new round of talks next Thursday. Uruguay insists in complying with the charter and calendar, but Paraguay and Brazil question the current government of Venezuela's credentials for the job, and Argentina has an ambiguous position.

• Monday, July 11th 2016 - 10:20 UTC

  Spontaneous ovation and acknowledgement for Malvinas veterans during Bicentenary celebrations

  

  Malvinas veterans received a huge ovation and applause when they marched in Buenos Aires closing the main parade that concluded two days of festivities and speeches across Argentina to celebrate the bicentennial of the country's declaration of independence on 9 July 1816.

• Monday, July 11th 2016 - 07:44 UTC

  Buenos Aires port planning ambitious new terminal to recover cruise industry business

  

  The port of Buenos Aires is planning a new terminal for the cruise industry with the purpose or recovering lost business estimated at 50% compared to the peak reached in the 2012/2013 season. Likewise for this coming season there will be a drastic reduction in landing and provision costs for cruise companies operating from Buenos Aires.

• Monday, July 11th 2016 - 06:16 UTC

  Pope Francis appeals to “a greater Fatherland” in message to Argentina's independence bicentennial

  

  In anticipation of Argentina's Independence Day bicentenary on Saturday,( 9 July 1816), Pope Francis sent a special message calling for the homeland to fulfill the prophesy of Joel (1st chapter. 4th verse) — only if our grandparents dare to dream and our youths to prophesy great things can our homeland be free.

• Monday, July 11th 2016 - 06:07 UTC

  Brazilian army take to the streets in a display of force in anticipation of the Olympic Games

  

  Brazilian soldiers were on the streets last Saturday, checking out spots around the city that will get intense security when the Rio de Janeiro Olympics open in under four weeks. Armored vehicles and trucks carrying troops were accompanied by soldiers decked out in camouflage gear and matching helmets, with rifles slung over their shoulders. The soldiers covered the city, from Copacabana Beach to the central train station and the renovated port area.

• Monday, July 11th 2016 - 05:08 UTC

  Meirelles budget lower deficit objective prevails in the Temer administration

  

  Brazil set a smaller 2017 primary deficit target than initially envisioned, in an attempt to show greater austerity after an increase in spending raised doubts about the government's fiscal discipline. The central government primary deficit target was set at 139 billion Reais (US$41.32 billion) for 2017, a figure well below the 160 billion Reais it initially considered.

• Monday, July 11th 2016 - 05:04 UTC

  Brazil's six-month inflation remains above same period last year and central bank target

  

  Inflation in Brazil fell in June by 0.35% to an annual rate of 8.84%, but remains almost double the government target, official figures showed. This was an improvement from May, when inflation hit 9.32%, temporarily reversing a three-month falling trend.

• Friday, July 8th 2016 - 09:47 UTC

  Macri extends business tour to Idaho for a techno conference presided by Bill Gates

  

  Following his business promoting visit to France, Belgium and Germany, Argentine president Mauricio Macri is attending the Sun Valley Conference in the city of Idaho, United States, which is presided over by Microsoft creator Bill Gates.