Mercosur

• Monday, September 29th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  National upheaval in Bolivia.

  Thousands of retailers in Bolivia this Monday shut their businesses and marched peacefully along the main streets of the capital La Paz, bringing the city to a full stop.

• Saturday, September 27th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Argentina accumulates 6,9% expansion.

  Economic activity in Argentina last July showed an 8,8% expansion compared to a year ago and 1,8% over June 2003, according to the latest report from the Argentine National Statistics Office.

• Saturday, September 27th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  A “friendly” test match.

  The governor election in the north-eastern Argentine province of Misiones this coming Sunday has turned into a “friendly” test match dispute between president Nestor Kirchner and his mentor former president Eduardo Duhalde, both belonging to the Justicialista ruling party.

• Saturday, September 27th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazil, Cuba Sign $200M in Business Deals.

  The visit to Cuba by Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva not only carries great political significance but also a potential $200 million cash infusion into the debilitated local economy.

• Friday, September 26th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  COLTO is a “Commonwealth organization”

  Uruguayan Director of Aquatic Resources, DINARA Captain Yamandú Flangini described COLTO, the Coalition of Legal Toothfish Operators as an “organization of Commonwealth countries” interested in preserving toothfish for their own fishing interests, “leaving aside developing countries”.

• Thursday, September 25th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Brazilian President to Meet Castro in Cuba.

  President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will walk a diplomatic tightrope when he sees his old friend Fidel Castro later this week, trying not to antagonize Washington while balancing his role as a regional leader.

• Thursday, September 25th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez Believes He's a Terrorist Target.

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez demanded Wednesday that the United States crack down on Cuban and Venezuelan “terrorists” allegedly training in Florida to kill him.

• Thursday, September 25th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Meeting of the OPEC Conference.

  The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries oil cartel on Wednesday slashed 900,000 barrels a day from its production ceiling, signalling a new emphasis on reducing the inventories of the biggest consuming countries to keep prices above $25 a barrel.

• Wednesday, September 24th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Mercosur-China talks in Montevideo.

  Mercosur and China will be holding this Wednesday in Montevideo the fourth round of bilateral talks with the purpose of increasing integration and facilitating trade between the South American block and Asia's largest economy.

• Wednesday, September 24th 2003 - 21:00 UTC

  Cavallo blames the IMF for Argentine crisis.

  Former Argentine Economy Minister Domingo Cavallo said that International Monetary Fund, IMF, policies are to blame for Argentina's 2001 devaluation followed by the massive default of its foreign debt.