Politics

• Monday, March 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Strong criticism to “bi-lateralization” of Mercosur block

  

  The “bi-lateralization” of Argentine-Brazilian relations and the incorporation of Venezuela are factors grinding the basic structure of Mercosur, said Uruguay's former president Julio Maria Sanguinetti during a recent visit to Paraguay.

• Monday, March 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez sends troops and tanks to Colombian border

  

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ordered on Sunday the militarization of the border with Colombia and the closing of Venezuela's embassy in Bogotá a day after Colombian troops in an incursion in Ecuadorian territory killed FARC rebel group number 2, an action he described as a “cowardly murder”.

• Monday, March 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  S. American leaders want to mediate in Colombia conflict

  The killing of a Colombian guerrilla leader by Colombian forces in Ecuadorian territory and the alleged discovery of documents linking the rebel group with the governments of Ecuador and Venezuela has pushed South America closer to an armed conflict.

• Monday, March 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Unexpected agenda for Rio Group summit in Santo Domingo

  

  The Rio Group of Latinamerican countries created in the eighties to help pacify and stabilize Central America and which had lately fallen into obscurity, could play a crucial role in the Colombia-Ecuador-Venezuela conflict when it meets this week in Santo Domingo.

• Monday, March 3rd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Uruguayan ruling coalition prepares for electoral 2009

  

  Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez on the third anniversary of his administration completed the reshuffling of the cabinet in preparation for the 2009 electoral year.

• Sunday, March 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Colombia's FARC number 2 killed in Ecuador border clash

  The number 2 commander of Colombian guerrillas Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia has been killed in combat Saturday, the government said, describing the action “as the biggest blow so far” to FARC.

• Sunday, March 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chavez warns Colombia about war following FARC raid

  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has warned Colombia that a strike against the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces, (FARC), rebel group inside Venezuela like that in Ecuador on Saturday could start a war.

• Sunday, March 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Opposition compares Bolivian situation with Yugoslavia

  Opposition leaders in Bolivia warned of a “fractured country” and accused President Evo Morales of leading Bolivia in the footsteps of Yugoslavia while calling for “civil resistance” in those provinces that openly reject the constitutional reforms to be voted next May.

• Sunday, March 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  By air or by sea, Malvinas war next of kin visit confirmed

  

  The Malvinas war next of kin visit to the Falkland Islands for the inauguration of the monument at the Argentine cemetery has been confirmed by the main authorities in Argentina and the Falklands. The discussion now is whether the 600 to 800 visitors will arrive in the Falklands by air of by sea.

• Saturday, March 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC

  Chilean president scheduled to visit Great Britain in April

  

  The busy international agenda for Chilean President Michelle Bachelet and her Foreign Affaire minister Alejandro Foxley includes hosting Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Italian president Giorgio Napolitano in March and visiting Great Britain in April.