Politics

• Wednesday, November 13th 2013 - 06:27 UTC

  Foreign Office analyzes OAS initiative on drugs policy: fears some Latam countries may dump coercive policies

  

  The OAS’s June 2013 paper on the drugs problem in the Americas responded to a growing debate in Latin America and has been seen as groundbreaking. Its underlying message is that current approaches to drugs are not working and that change is needed. But there is no common view in the region on the way forward, according to a paper from the Foreign Office.

• Wednesday, November 13th 2013 - 06:24 UTC

  Guyana terms “illegal” and “spurious” Venezuela's claim over the Esequibo

  

  Guyana's Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett termed “illegal” and “spurious” Venezuela's claim over Essequibo, which is equivalent to a third of the former British colony territory.

• Wednesday, November 13th 2013 - 00:16 UTC

  Uruguay sends bill to parliament banning ownership of land by foreign companies or governments

  

  The Uruguayan government sent a draft law to parliament Tuesday that would ban the ownership of land by companies if they are in any way linked to foreign countries. The measure states it “aims to avoid the risk of foreign states breaching the sovereignty of the Uruguayan state in the absence of appropriate regulations and occupying a significant position in agricultural activity.”

• Tuesday, November 12th 2013 - 23:54 UTC

  Brazil and Peru seal strong integration and cooperation alliance

  

  Peruvian President Ollanta Humala and Brazil's Dilma Rousseff agreed on Monday to promote regional integration and trade as they marked the 10th anniversary of the bilateral strategic alliance. Rousseff arrived Monday in Lima on her fourth visit to Peru since Humala took power.

• Tuesday, November 12th 2013 - 12:06 UTC

  Falkland Islands' legislators elect three MLAs to the Executive Council

  

  The first formal meeting of the newly elected Legislative Assembly was held on Monday morning in Stanley and it was confirmed that last Friday, following the election result the newly elected members of the Legislative Assembly met to discuss and distribute portfolio responsibilities.

• Tuesday, November 12th 2013 - 08:14 UTC

  Maduro promises more price controls while bargain hunters empty appliance stores

  

  Venezuelans stood in lines outside appliance stores for a fourth day on Monday after President Nicolas Maduro deployed the army to force retailers to slash prices. After taking control of several appliance stores last week, Maduro vowed late Sunday to step up inspections of businesses selling shoes, clothes, automobiles and other goods to make sure they aren’t gouging consumers.

• Tuesday, November 12th 2013 - 00:21 UTC

  Cristina Fernandez returns to office next Monday 18, but tests will continue

  

  Argentine president Cristina Fernandez will resume official functions as of next Monday 18 November, after completing a month of convalescence, presidential spokesman Alfredo Scoccimarro announced on Monday. However further tests are programmed to check when the president can again travel by air.

• Monday, November 11th 2013 - 23:46 UTC

  Falklands oil companies bombarded with warning-letters from Argentina

  

  Argentina has begun a determined campaign to deter companies from drilling for oil in disputed waters around the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic. On the eve of a visit by UK parliamentarians to Buenos Aires this week, the Argentine embassy in London warned that legal action was being ramped up against drillers and their suppliers, reports Terry Macalister in The Guardian.

• Monday, November 11th 2013 - 23:43 UTC

  Gay-friendly Madrid chosen to host World Pride International celebrations in 2017

  

  In Madrid, it seems like summer only really sets in on International Gay Pride Day, which is followed by the Gay Pride celebrations. In 2014, they will take place from July 2-6. The streets in Chueca are lined with flags and garlands, and the neighborhood fills up with open-air bars, while the main squares host live music performances

• Monday, November 11th 2013 - 19:17 UTC

  Falkland Islands newly-elected members' portfolio responsibilities

  

  Falkland Islands newly‐elected Members of Legislative Assembly have assigned their portfolio responsibilities for the term of office. There are eight portfolios in total, each one being assigned an MLA as main portfolio‐holder, and a second MLA who will act as deputy portfolio‐holder. The portfolios and their respective holders are as follows: