Portugal has become the latest country to introduce austerity measures, after both Greece and Spain took similar steps to stabilize public finances in the face of massive debt.
The Argentine government said it will refinance 89% of the debt that most of the country’s provinces hold with the federal government, announced President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and Economy Minister Amado Boudou.
While the Argentine government remained silent, European Union country ambassadors showed up at the Argentine Congress Thursday in order to protest against food import restrictions. The ambassadors, however, saved their criticisms and instead spoke in a conciliatory tone before the Lower House Foreign Affairs Committee, although they did not hide their “growing worry.”
Uruguayan president José Mujica will be missing the coming Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union Summit scheduled for next week in Spain on medical grounds, it was reported officially and confirmed by the president.
Eight Chilean students and a lady teacher from Punta Areas public school system will be travelling on Saturday to the Falkland Islands for a three week English practice course.
The Inter American Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression said that increasing violence against journalists and the impunity associated with these crimes are one of the main challenges of the Latin America and Caribbean region.
The Paraguayan organization “Somosgay” (We Are Gay) has announced for Monday May 17 a “kissing marathon” in front of the National Congress beginning 09:00 in the morning in coincidence with the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia
The Falkland Islands Government has congratulated the new British Prime Minister David Cameron, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Defence Secretary Liam Fox on their appointments.
The European Union and Mercosur will officially re-launch negotiations for a trade and cooperation agreement they have been discussing since 1999 in the coming Madrid summit, in spite of fears about their farm sectors from several European countries, said the EU representative for Paraguay and Uruguay.
Ten European countries, fearing the impact on agriculture, are openly challenging the EU decision to resume trade talks with Mercosur which is to be officially announced next Monday when the opening of the Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union Summit in Spain.