Mercosur

• Thursday, October 6th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Tightening the noose on Nicaragua's opposition

  A coalition of seven nations, the World Bank and the European Union warned Nicaragua it must preserve the rule of the law to ensure continued financial assistance from the Budget Support Group.

• Thursday, October 6th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Bolivian Armed Forces close ranks in support of legality

  Bolivian Armed Forces closed ranks and warned Wednesday they will not be tempted with coup conspiracies. The strong statement follows insistent rumours of military and social dissatisfaction if general elections scheduled for next December are postponed because Congress can't agree on a redistribution of benches.

• Thursday, October 6th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  September consumer prices in Argentina soar 1,2%

  The Consumer Prices Index soared 1,2% during September in Argentina accumulating 8,9% in nine months according to the latest release from the Argentine Statistics and Census Institute.

• Thursday, October 6th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Mar del Plata fishermen return to sea

  The 71 days fishing industry conflict that paralyzed the Argentine fresh-high seas Mar del Plata based fleet is over after a much debated 180 days truce was agreed following intense negotiations and mediation from provincial legislators.

• Thursday, October 6th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Mercosur energy grid project 90% ready

  Mercosur's energy grid documents are 90% ready and could be signed by the six country's presidents involved next December revealed in Montevideo Chilean Economy and Energy minister Jorge Rodriguez Grossi.

• Wednesday, October 5th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Peruvian Justice after three Chilean businessmen

  The Peruvian Justice issued last week an international warrant for three Chilean businessmen indicted in absentia in Peru for alleged influence trafficking, revealed the Chilean office of Interpol.

• Wednesday, October 5th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Political asylum in Colombia for former president

  The Colombian government granted on Tuesday political asylum to former Ecuadorian President Lucio Gutierrez, easing fears he might have to return to Ecuador and face prosecution.

• Wednesday, October 5th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Shinning Path collaborator sentenced 20 years

  The ballet dancer who hid Peru's notorious guerrilla leader Abimael Guzman above her dance studio in Lima was sentenced to 20 years in prison for terrorism.

• Wednesday, October 5th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Cuban officials boycott German unification reception

  Cuban officials boycotted a cocktail party at the German Embassy in Havana to protest a parallel reception where regime opponents were invited.

• Wednesday, October 5th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  US blasts “corrupt pact” in Nicaragua

  United States Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick said that the “corrupt pact” between former Nicaraguan Presidents Arnoldo Aleman and Daniel Ortega is a relic of the past which is threatening Nicaragua's future.