Politics

Friday, November 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

Headlines:
Goodbye Explorer; Two for By-Election; Howatt to bow out in 2008; Drug arrests.
Friday, November 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Colombia “prudently” downplays incident with Venezuela

Colombia hasn't received an official statement from Venezuela on diplomatic relations between the two nations and will act with “prudence and discretion”, Colombian Foreign Minister Fernando Araujo said on Thursday.
Friday, November 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Overseas Territories minister Falklands visit next January

Meg Munn, British Foreign Office Minister for the Overseas Territories, plans to visit the Falkland Islands on 3-5 January 2008. Falklands' Governor Alan Huckle will be drawing up a wide-ranging programme for her in consultation with elected members, according to a release from Government House.
Friday, November 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Prison conditions on UN Commissioner visit to Brazil

United Nations High Commissioner Louise Arbour is expected to address conditions in Brazil's prison system and the Government's efforts to promote and protect human rights during her first visit to the country next week.
Friday, November 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Ecuador begins drafting “citizens' revolution” chart

Ecuador's Constitutional assembly meeting in Montecristi, 500 kilometers from the capital Quito, was officially inaugurated Friday by President Rafael Correa amidst warnings from the opposition that democracy in the country was at risk.
Friday, November 30th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Colombia airs tapes of FARC hostages and Ms Betancourt

Colombian officials have shown videos and photos seized from captured rebels of 16 high-profile hostages, the first sign of life since 2003. The five tapes include French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt and three US nationals.
Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Chavez breaks off relations with Colombia's Uribe

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez broke off relations with Colombia on Wednesday, vowing not to restore ties as long as President Alvaro Uribe is in power after the collapse of mediation talks with leftist rebels.
Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Guyana offers to trade millions rain forest hectares for aid

Guyana has offered to preserve its entire rain forest with control going to a British-led international group in return for economic aid.
Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
A fractured Bolivia heading at full speed to the cliffs

Opposition leaders in Bolivia have promised a fresh wave of protests and “civil disobedience” against a new draft constitution. Their call follows a strike on Wednesday that closed banks, schools and public transport in six of Bolivia's richest provinces.
Thursday, November 29th 2007 - 20:00 UTC
Freeze Venezuela's entry to Mercosur, ask Brazil businessmen

Brazilian businessmen requested Congress on Thursday to freeze plans for Venezuela's incorporation to Mercosur following President Hugo Chavez threats to nationalize those private companies contrary to the constitutional reform of his making which Venezuelans will be voting Sunday in a referendum.