Politics

• Sunday, November 25th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Bolivian constitution draft approval sparks deadly rioting

  

  The assembly charged with rewriting Bolivia's constitution and meeting in Sucre produced a new constitutional draft on Saturday amid violent street protests in which at least three persons were killed.

• Sunday, November 25th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Uribe/Chavez conflict escalates and freezes hostage release

  

  Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has said he is ready to continue a “constructive dialogue” with his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez after Bogota stopped the latter in his mediation bid with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) insurgents for release of hostages.

• Sunday, November 25th 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  All bridges linking Uruguay-Argentina remain closed

  

  The Uruguayan government decided Sunday to close the bridge that connects the city of Salto with Concordia after making a similar decision on Saturday regarding the bridge linking the cities of Paysandú with Colón in Argentina.

• Friday, November 23rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Brazilian signal for Venezuela's Mercosur membership

  

  The Brazilian Lower House Constitution and Justice Committee passed on Wednesday a motion for the long awaited incorporation of Venezuela to the South American trade block, Mercosur. However Venezuelan membership still faces a full debate in the House and must convince the Brazilian Senate.

• Friday, November 23rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Mercosur Parliament condemned the Armenian Genocide

  

  The Mercosur parliament adopted this week a resolution recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of South America. The issue is particularly sensitive for the Armenian people and Turkey, the alleged perpetrator

• Friday, November 23rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Bachelet also asked Chavez, (politely) to shut up

  

  Chilean president Michelle Bachelet revealed on Thursday during a television interview that she requested Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez not to address the sea-outlet for Bolivia issue during his recent visit to participate in the Ibero-American summit.

• Friday, November 23rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Falklands' landmines clearance feasibility study completed

  

  The United Kingdom and Argentina announced this week in Jordan the completion of a joint feasibility study on the clearance of landmines in the Falkland Islands.

• Friday, November 23rd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Falkland Islanders strong support for Chile link

  

  “FALKLAND Islanders feel strongly about their commercial links with Chile,” said British Ambassador to Chile Howard Drake today, when commenting on his familiarisation visit to the islands.

• Thursday, November 22nd 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  France asks Colombia for another “broker” chance for Chavez

  

  France has urged Colombia to reconsider its decision to end the efforts of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to negotiate with the Farc rebel group. President Nicolas Sarkozy said Mr Chavez was still the best person to broker an exchange of 45 of the Farc's hostages for 500 imprisoned guerrillas

• Wednesday, November 21st 2007 - 20:00 UTC

  Elections and further step for the Cuban regime transition

  

  Cuba announced Tuesday it has set January 20 for national elections that are part of the process of determining whether ailing leader Fidel Castro continues as president. The ruling, signed by interim leader Raul Castro and read on state television, set the date for elections to provincial and national assemblies — voting that is held every five years.