Politics

Monday, May 31st 2010 - 04:04 UTC
Experts warn Europe’s ‘austerity zeal’ could dampen anaemic recovery

Experts are warning that European governments rush to cut budget deficits with draconian austerity measures could mean a blow for Europe's tentative economic recovery.
Monday, May 31st 2010 - 03:57 UTC
Colombian incumbent presidential candidate wins but can’t avoid run-off

Colombia’s former Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos won more than double the votes of his closest rival in Sunday’s presidential election though failed to secure a majority of ballots needed to avoid a runoff in three weeks.
Monday, May 31st 2010 - 01:14 UTC
Brazilian businessmen not convinced by Mrs. Kirchner’s promises

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner promises that ‘there weren't, nor ever will be, barriers’ blocking Brazilian imports’ was received with disbelief by the Brazilian business community.
Monday, May 31st 2010 - 01:12 UTC
Turkish PM cancels visit to Argentina on strong lobbying from Armenian groups

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan cancelled his visit to Argentina after city officials in Buenos Aires called off the inauguration of a bust of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk as a result of Armenian efforts, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Sunday.
Saturday, May 29th 2010 - 07:17 UTC
Chile: The new president appears to be doing pretty well

By David Gallagher
(Ed. Note: Gallagher, a columnist for the conservative daily El Mercurio, is a man of many parts. He's British and Chilean, former Oxford professor of Spanish and Russian, author of the classic Modern Latin American Literature (1973), economist, investment banker, international business consultant, and father to children living on three continents.
(In this column he remarks that the “previous government”—that is Michelle Bachelet’s — “privileged imagery over reality.” One example: to celebrate a significant date, Bachelet cut the ribbon on a new hospital empty of equipment but filled with patients who were actually actors and who pretended to be ill for the press.)
Saturday, May 29th 2010 - 07:04 UTC
Celso Amorim remembers Argentina that “Brazil is a huge market”

Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim was the latest high ranking official to complain about the limitations applied to bilateral trade with Argentina and said it was imperative for the country to understand that “Brazil is a huge market.”
Saturday, May 29th 2010 - 05:31 UTC
Argentina announces Malvinas sovereignty presence with patrol vessels

Argentine Defence minister Nilda Garré said that four navy patrol vessels will be sent to the “Mar Argentino” (South Atlantic) to show presence and the willingness of Argentina to exercise sovereignty over the (Argentine) Falklands/Malvinas Islands.
Saturday, May 29th 2010 - 05:26 UTC
Mrs. Kirchner promises there will never be barriers to Brazilian imports

Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner assured that “there weren't, nor ever will be, barriers blocking Brazilian imports,” after holding a meeting in Rio de Janeiro with her Brazilian counterpart Lula da Silva, a gathering she classified as “more than good.”
Saturday, May 29th 2010 - 05:18 UTC
Colombians faithful to Uribe but seem ready for a “green” change

Colombia goes to the polls Sunday in unusual circumstances for its recent history, with a technical tie between the top two presidential candidates who lead the pack of six contestants.
Saturday, May 29th 2010 - 03:03 UTC
Spain’s debt downgraded; Madrid lowers growth estimates 2010/2012

Risk rating agency Fitch downgraded Spain’s sovereign debt on Friday one notch from AAA to AA+ with an outlook of stable, saying that the country’s economic recovery is likely to be difficult and prolonged.