Mercosur

• Friday, December 9th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Chavez preaches socialism in Uruguay

  Latin America should become ever more socialist and more “radical” to move ahead, develop and so meet the challenges facing its peoples, said Thursday Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez during a visit to a small village in Uruguay.

• Friday, December 9th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Backing for Indian leader in Bolivian election

  The Organization of American States, (OAS), Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza currently visiting Ecuador announced that in the event of Indian leader Evo Morales victory in Bolivia's coming presidential election, he would have the full support of the institution.

• Friday, December 9th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazil confirms another outbreak of FAM

  Brazil's Agriculture Ministry confirmed this week another outbreak of foot and mouth disease, two months alter an initial outbreak led several countries to ban Brazilian beef and pork imports.

• Thursday, December 8th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  “Exploratory” peace talks with Colombian insurgency

  Havana, Cuba will be the location for a “formal exploratory meeting” between Colombia's second largest Marxist oriented insurgency and representatives of the United States backed government leading to a possible |peace process.

• Thursday, December 8th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazilian government confirms slowing down of economy

  Brazil's Institute of Applied Economic Research, IEPA, downgraded Wednesday the country's economic growth forecasts both in 2005 and 2006. The quarterly report forecasts Brazil will expand 2,3% instead of 3,5% as previously announced, and 3,4% in 2006, down from 4%.

• Thursday, December 8th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Fears that Chavez might turn Mercosur “highly political”

  Venezuela's incorporation to Mercosur scheduled for this week's presidential summit in Montevideo, Uruguay, is seen with limited enthusiasm by Brazilian business and experts who feel the customs union might become highly “political”, creating additional difficulties to negotiations with other trade blocks.

• Thursday, December 8th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  “We can't be hostages of a Mercosur full of problems”

  Uruguay's trade links can't be limited to a Mercosur “full of problems”, the country must adopt “a more proactive attitude towards other regions in search of trade and investments”, said Uruguayan Economy minister Danilo Astori.

• Wednesday, December 7th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  Venezuela and Mercosur: a slow integration process

  The recently named president of the Committee of Mercosur Permanent Representatives Carlos Chacho Alvarez underlined this Tuesday the importance of Venezuela's coming incorporation to the regional trade block.

• Wednesday, December 7th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  OAS and EU spotlight Venezuelan electoral process

  Organization of American States, OAS, and European Union observers expressed concern because a significant sector of the Venezuelan electorate was left without congressional representation following the pull out of the opposition from last Sunday's legislative election.

• Wednesday, December 7th 2005 - 20:00 UTC

  November shatters Argentina's 2005 inflation target

  Argentina's consumer prices index surged 1,2% in November reaching 11,1% pushed mainly by increases in food, clothing and health services. Inflation in the last twelve months stands at 12%.