Mercosur

• Friday, August 5th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Peru-Brazil to build transcontinental highway

  Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo signed contracts Thursday in Lima for the construction of a highway that will extend more than 2,600 kilometers from Peru's Pacific coast across Bolivia into southwestern Brazil and the Atlantic.

• Friday, August 5th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Chile forecasts record tourism year

  This is going to be a record year for tourism in Chile anticipated Oscar Santelices, Chile's Tourism Secretary who forecasts over two million visitors and 1,5 billion US dollars in income.

• Thursday, August 4th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  EU intent on a broad dialogue with Cuba

  The European Union remains intent on seeking a “broad” dialogue with Havana and with specific sectors from Cuban society, said British ambassador in Cuba according to an interview published Wednesday.

• Thursday, August 4th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  US support for Colombian president Uribe

  United States certified the Colombian military's compliance with human rights standards, freeing up 62 million US dollars in aid to fight drug traffic and leftist guerrillas, said Colombian vice president Francisco Santos.

• Thursday, August 4th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Castro heads Venezuelan military graduation event

  Cuba's Fidel Castro was the graduation patron of 74 officers from Venezuela's elite military academy. Castro acted on request from the Venezuelan officers' promotion that flew to Havana for the celebration.

• Thursday, August 4th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  President Bush loves vacations

  President George W Bush is far ahead in becoming the first US president who has spent most time on holidays in the last 36 years, reports The Washington Post.

• Thursday, August 4th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Mexico City, a kidnappers' paradise

  In spite of not experiencing an armed domestic conflict as is the case with Colombia, Mexico is the country with the largest number of kidnaps, according to the Mexican Citizens Council for Public Safety and Criminal Justice.

• Thursday, August 4th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  Twelve years to recover Torres del Paine

  A twelve year program for the restoration of Chile's most renowned national park, Torres del Paine which suffered a devastating blaze that destroyed several thousands hectares of pristine wildlife was approved this week in Punta Arenas.

• Thursday, August 4th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  July inflation in Uruguay highest in 18 months

  Uruguay consumer prices increased 1,29% last July, the highest surge in 18 months with an accumulated inflation in the seven months of 2005, equivalent to 3,45%.

• Thursday, August 4th 2005 - 21:00 UTC

  “No policy change” after Noriega leaves

  United States ratified there will be no changes in its current policy towards Latinamerica with whoever is named to succeed Assistant Secretary of State for Hemispheric Affairs, Roger Noriega, who's leaving the post next September.