
An expanded Executive Committee and reorganized Secretariat, new rules of procedure for compliance and dispute resolution issues, and a Marine Committee Safety Advisory were just some of the actions and decisions adopted by Members at the 23rd Annual Meeting of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), held in Providence, Rhode Island earlier this month.

Argentina is planning to propose its fellow Mercosur members to increase the common external tariff, CET from the current 22% to 35%, when they meet at the next summit in Mendoza. Argentina currently holds the pro tempore chair of the group and at the coming summit the helm will be transferred to Brazil.

Canada’s Mc Cain has suspended production of frozen chip potatoes in Argentina because of the trade barriers which impede exports to Brazil in the framework of a bilateral dispute that is limiting the flow of goods both ways.

Brazil lowered taxes on consumer borrowing and created incentives for banks to boost vehicle lending as policy makers struggle to revive economic growth in the Latin America’s largest market.

Taiwan will continue to cooperate with Latin America as long as the relation is fair, legal and effective, said re-elected president Ma Ying Jeou who also described that links with Beijing will continue to be: “no unification, no independence and no arms”.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez broke his weeklong silence to say that “unfortunately” he will not continue being that “runaway” horse that never slept, and said he now works only eight hours a day and sometimes less.

Peruvian President Ollanta Humala's approval rating fell to 5% in May due to public outrage over deadly clashes between security forces and Shining Path rebels, an Ipsos Apoyo poll showed on Sunday.

The Peruvian Air Force revealed the upgrading of its Mirage 2000 and MIG-29 combat aircraft demanding an investment of 266 million dollars, reported the Sunday edition of Diario Correo.

US President Barack Obama has warned of hard days ahead at a Nato summit in Chicago dominated by the issue of withdrawal from Afghanistan. France's new President Francois Hollande has again said he will pull French troops out by the end of 2012, nearly two years ahead of schedule.

The seizure of YPF by Argentina can be expected to have a positive repercussion for Uruguay since the country has an enviable legal system and keeps to the rules of the game, said the new Spanish ambassador in Montevideo, Roberto Varela.