Politics

• Friday, July 10th 2009 - 12:14 UTC

  Genocide charges await Bolivia’s former “Minister of Cocaine” deported from US

  

  A former Bolivian interior minister accused of human rights violations was handed over to authorities in La Paz Thursday after completing a prison sentence in the United States. Luis Arce Gomez, 71, was deported and handed over to Bolivian authorities in La Paz on Thursday morning, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said.

• Friday, July 10th 2009 - 08:32 UTC

  Peru prepares to fend off 2011 presidential populist contender

  

  Peru's departing prime minister said on Thursday he would run for the presidency in 2011, working to forge a coalition that includes the pro-business ruling party and independents. But it will be some time before campaigning begins.

• Friday, July 10th 2009 - 07:33 UTC

  New constitution for St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

  

  Britain’s Foreign Office Minister Chris Bryant welcomed on Thursday the new St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Constitution Order 2009, which among other things includes a Bill of Rights, better defines the role of the Governor and has separate chapters for each of the three islands.

• Thursday, July 9th 2009 - 12:51 UTC

  Hillary Clinton speaks out for freedom of expression and of the press

  

  US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is in favour of an adequate protection to the media in Venezuela, as well as in other countries. The US top diplomat considered that the freedom of expression and freedom of the press are fundamental values for democracy.

• Thursday, July 9th 2009 - 12:37 UTC

  Colombian Church openly against third period for President Uribe

  

  The Colombian Catholic Church said that two consecutive mandates for President Alvaro Uribe “have been and are too much”, and recommended the leader takes a well earned rest and clear all uncertainties about his possible re-election again in 2010.

• Thursday, July 9th 2009 - 12:19 UTC

  Falklands’ Bishop appointed Bishop to the British Forces

  

  The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams has announced the appointment of the Rt Rev Dr Stephen Venner as Bishop to the British Forces. Dr Venner, Bishop of Dover, succeeds the Rt Rev David Conner, the Dean of Windsor, who has served in this role since 2001.

• Wednesday, July 8th 2009 - 12:02 UTC

  Kirchners change some cabinet names but ratify course

  

  Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner named late Tuesday new cabinet chief and Economy minister in a cabinet shake-up supposedly aimed at helping her rebound from a crushing defeat in mid-term elections. However the opposition called it a “mild lifting” and demanded an immediate round of dialogue.

• Wednesday, July 8th 2009 - 11:56 UTC

  Uruguay’s ruling coalition cobbles presidential ticket

  

  Finally at a brief and cool ceremony the Uruguayan ruling coalition announced on Monday evening the ticket for the coming October presidential election: the winner of the primary and former guerrilla leader Jose Mujica will head the slate with economist Danilo Astori as vice-president candidate.

• Wednesday, July 8th 2009 - 11:50 UTC

  Brazil and France call for a more “democratic world order”

  

  French President Nicolas Sarkozy and visiting Brazilian President Lula da Silva called Tuesday for a more “democratic world order” that would give emerging economies a larger voice in international finance and justice affairs.

• Wednesday, July 8th 2009 - 08:07 UTC

  Mercosur power integration is “absurd” without Paraguay

  

  Mercosur asymmetries in power generation are overwhelming and almost absurd, with Paraguay the main power exporter in South America unable to dispose of its energy surplus, claimed Ricardo Canese, member of the Mercosur Parliament in representation of Paraguay.