Politics

• Monday, October 28th 2013 - 06:17 UTC

  Brazil's current account deficit in 12 months to September stands at 3.6% of GDP

  

  Brazil's current account deficit narrowed in September from the previous month as the foreign trade surplus strengthened, but the improvement was more modest than economists expected. The country posted a current account deficit of 2.629 billion dollars in September, central bank data showed.

• Monday, October 28th 2013 - 06:01 UTC

  Former Colombian president Uribe challenges Santos peace talks with FARC

  

  Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's political movement chose economist Oscar Ivan Zuluaga on Saturday as its candidate for presidential elections in May, a vote which represents Uribe's tough stance against leftist guerrillas.

• Monday, October 28th 2013 - 05:37 UTC

  Argentine government retains congress; Massa and Macri confirm 2015 presidential ambition

  

  Argentine President Cristina Fernandez's governing bloc held onto control of Congress in Sunday's mid-term elections, but the results also confirmed the emergence of a new group of powerful leaders who with different messages (and non-messages) anticipated on that same night that their target it the presidential chair in 2015.

• Monday, October 28th 2013 - 05:33 UTC

  Rousseff and Mantega dispute IMF report on Brazil as 'incoherent'

  

  Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff responded to the International Monetary Fund concern over the country's fiscal situation, saying Brazil was fulfilling its responsibilities. IMF claimed that Brazil's competitiveness had eroded in recent months and downgraded the country's growth forecast from 4.25% to 3.5%.

• Monday, October 28th 2013 - 05:23 UTC

  Candidate Bachelet announces constitutional reform, tax on the rich and more power to unions

  

  Chilean former president and opposition coalition New Majority candidate Michelle Bachelet presented her government's program which is based on a review of the constitution, education and tax reforms, legalizing same sex marriage, government managed pension funds and strengthening unions' bargaining power, among other issues.

• Saturday, October 26th 2013 - 15:54 UTC

  Argentina appeals New York Judge Griesa's order regarding banks' disclosures

  

  The Argentine government yesterday appealed an order by US Judge Thomas Griesa who asked some private banks to turn over information about Argentina’s assets abroad. The case had been started by hedge fund Elliott Management Corp’s NML Capital Ltd which is demanding in court full 100% payment of Argentine sovereign bonds face value.

• Saturday, October 26th 2013 - 15:45 UTC

  Brazil's main city again rocked by riots and vandalism over transport facilities and costs

  

  Brazilian police fired tear gas and have arrested scores of protesters in the country's main city Sao Paulo when a march demanding free public transportation for students turned violent. The protest on Friday evening blocked key city streets and disrupted the public transportation system in the city of 11 million. Police reported the arrest of at least 78 people.

• Saturday, October 26th 2013 - 13:48 UTC

  Sunday election, an anticipation for the 2015 post Cristina Fernandez chapter

  

  Sunday's midterm election in Argentina has become crucial for the government of President Cristina Fernandez who must retain control of Congress in the last two years of her mandate ahead of the 2015 presidential election, otherwise she runs the risk of becoming a lame duck accompanied by a most unwished end for the legacy of the Kirchner couple decade-plus rule.

• Saturday, October 26th 2013 - 00:39 UTC

  Cartes pledges motivation and support for those who help create wealth and jobs

  

  President Horacio Cartes said on Friday he wanted “a reliable and serious Paraguay, full of self esteem” taking advantage of the good economic times and pledged motivation and support for all those who help generate wealth and jobs for the country. However he also admitted that Paraguay has serious failings, “but problems are challenges and opportunities”.

• Saturday, October 26th 2013 - 00:25 UTC

  Paraguayan president ratifies full political support for Mercosur

  

  President Horacio Cartes although admitting he is heart and mind committed to Mercosur, Paraguay's full return to Mercosur is in the hands of diplomacy since as head of state he must abide strictly by the rule of the law.