Mercosur

• Thursday, February 2nd 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  EU-Cuba relations straining

  The European Parliament said Thursday that the European Union's political dialogue with Cuba has not led to greater freedom on the island or improved bilateral relations, and member states should “act accordingly”.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Bush and Morales to try a new beginning

  United States President George W Bush telephoned Bolivia's new president, Evo Morales on Wednesday and expressed hope for a dialogue with the Indian leader who during his campaign called his socialist party a “nightmare” for the United States.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  US Congress votes to scrap cotton subsidies

  The United States Congress approved this week scrapping subsidies to the cotton industry and ending export and import subsidies which should help to normalize world cotton prices.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Chilean meats to US; Mexico open to Uruguayan beef

  Chilean Agriculture minister Jaime Campos received Monday the first shipment of Chilean meat (beef and pork) sent to United States in the framework of the Free Trade treaty between both countries.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Squid fishery kicks off to the south of parallel 44º

  With apprehensive expectations, Argentine shortfin squid (Illex argentinus) fishery is slated to open Wednesday 1 February in Argentine waters located to the south of parallel 44º, the fishery ground's most important area for the national squid fleet.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Chile Gets Its First U.S. F-16 Warplanes

  Chile received two U.S. warplanes on Tuesday out of 10 it had ordered from the United States as part of a major military upgrade that has worried some of its South American neighbors.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentina/Brazil agree on trade Competition Mechanism

  Argentina and Brazil agreed Wednesday the incorporation of a Competition Adaptation Mechanism, MAC, to regulate bilateral trade including provisions for protecting local industries, particularly in the case of Argentina.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Argentine record exports: 40 billion in 2005

  Argentina experienced a trade surplus of 11.322 billion US dollars in 2005, higher than expected, but 6.46% below 2004 reported the Institute of Statistics and Census.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Venezuelan ruling party forecasts landslide victory

  Venezuela's ruling party anticipates a landslide victory in next December's presidential election with over 10 million votes, equivalent to two thirds of the official electoral registry, said the Fifth Republic Movement (MVR) leader, William Lara.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2006 - 20:00 UTC

  Mercosur arms smuggling to Brazil's organized crime

  A Brazilian congressional committee began Wednesday contacts with neighbouring Mercosur members and Suriname to request frontal action against arms trafficking following reports of weapons flowing to Brazilian organized crime.