Politics

Tuesday, December 19th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Bolivia ready to formalize Mercosur full membership request

President Evo Morales will officially formalize this week the request for Bolivia to become a full member of Mercosur, announced Monday in Brasilia Bolivian Foreign Affairs minister David Choquehuanca.
Tuesday, December 19th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Chile adds two new regions to the existing 13

Chile will add two more Regions to the existing thirteen beginning mid 2007 following the approval in Congress of the initiative. The new regions are XIV Valdivia, divided into the provinces of De Los Rios and Ranco and the XV, Arica and Parinacota.
Monday, December 18th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguay pleased to end military custody of disputed pulp mill

Uruguay confirmed Monday it would willingly withdraw military personnel stationed in the perimeter of the Botnia-Orion pulp mill under construction, following a request from the Finnish company.
Monday, December 18th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Chile/UK permanent high level political dialogue

Chile and the Great Britain agreed Monday to set up permanent high level political dialogue and increase bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Collaboration will focus on energy, environmental and social issues.
Sunday, December 17th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Astori: “there's no way Mercosur can advance”

Uruguay accused Argentina of violating Mercosur regulations and Brazil of passive complicity by not reacting, and under these circumstances “there's no way Mercosur can advance”, claimed Uruguayan Minister of Economy Danilo Astori.
Saturday, December 16th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Protests spark clashes in Bolivia

At least 50 people were injured on Friday in a clash between supporters and opponents of Bolivian President Evo Morales' government, according local press reports.
Saturday, December 16th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Chavez denies Castro cancer claim

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has dismissed suggestions that Cuban leader and ally Fidel Castro has cancer, but said he was fighting a serious illness.
Saturday, December 16th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Pulp mill conflict widens Mercosur rift

Escalating mutual recriminations and complaints between Argentina and Uruguay signaled the first day of deliberations at the Mercosur ministerial meeting in Brasilia in the same week that the group officially inaugurated its Parliament.
Friday, December 15th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
US/Venezuela address after-election “new reality”

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro met U.S. ambassador William Brownfield, seeking to ease years of diplomatic tension as President Hugo Chavez prepares to begin a second, six-year term.
Thursday, December 14th 2006 - 20:00 UTC
Uruguay committed to Mercosur, but disputes persist

Uruguay's Foreign Affairs minister Reinaldo Gargano said Uruguayan farmers are interested in remaining in Mercosur in spite of the growing difficulties to solve the asymmetries between big and small country members and bilateral disputes.