Mercosur

• Sunday, March 19th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Ultra nationalist leads in Peruvian presidential race

  Peruvian former army officer Ollanta Humala, campaigning on an ultra nationalist populist ticket, has retaken the lead against conservative lawyer Lourdes Flores in Peru's presidential race, according to a public opinion poll released Sunday.

• Sunday, March 19th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Support for Brazilian president Lula da Silva stalling

  The latest public opinion poll shows support for Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his bid for a second term stalling, while his Conservative rival Geraldo Alckmin steadily increases.

• Sunday, March 19th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Bolivian government will be “brutally tough” with conspirators

  The Bolivian government promised to be “brutally tough” with those who conspire against warned Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera on the weekend in a speech to the ruling Movement Toward Socialism, MAS party.

• Saturday, March 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Ecuadorian Indians promise bigger blockades

  Protests by Ecuador's indigenous peoples against a proposed free trade deal with United States eased on Friday but leaders warned they will call bigger blockades if the government insists in signing the agreement.

• Saturday, March 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Chilean president Bachelet invited to Bolivia

  Bolivian President Evo Morales invited Chile's President Michelle Bachelet to celebrate the inauguration of his country's Constituent Assembly and Bolivia's National Holiday on August 6.

• Saturday, March 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Gibraltar/UK agree on text of new Constitution

  Following three days of deliberations in London, Gibraltar and the United Kingdom announced Friday they have agreed on the text of a new Constitution for the Overseas Territory.

• Saturday, March 18th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Cut scientific collaboration with Falklands, says Argentina

  The Argentine Foreign Affairs Ministry advised its scientists to abstain from contributing to research linked to the Falkland Islands and surrounding waters.

• Friday, March 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Uruguay reviewing links with Mercosur

  Given the mounting difficulties with Mercosur Uruguay is quietly considering different options for different scenarios including the possibility of abandoning the South American customs union, revealed the Uruguayan press in Montevideo.

• Friday, March 17th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  Kirchner calls a beef boycott to force prices down

  Argentina President Nestor Kirchner administration launched Friday a public relations offensive against the beef industry urging consumers to switch to other foods if prices remain high.

• Thursday, March 16th 2006 - 21:00 UTC

  UN creates new Human Rights Council

  Culminating months of intensive negotiations, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Wednesday on a resolution setting up a new Human Rights Council to replace the much-criticized Human Rights Commission ? prompting Secretary-General Kofi Annan to hail this as an “historic” development which will help improve the lives of millions of people worldwide.