(27.03) Ahead of a G-20 meeting early next month, Jens Stoltenberg joins Joe Biden, Gordon Brown, José Luis Zapatero and Latin American head of states in seeking solutions to the global financial crisis that would safeguard the poor and the environment. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Norwegian).

(27.03) The Executive Director of United Nations Development Fund for Women congratulates the Parliament for forcing parties to include at least one woman for every two men in their lists. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(26.03) Washington presents a $700m strategy, and Hillary Clinton admits that USA must take part of the blame for drug-related violence in the neighbor country. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(26.03) The program, called "My House, My Life," will be implemented during two years. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Portuguese) and here (in English).

(25.03) The Human Rights Ombudsman presents the first report based on 80 million documents discovered in 2005. Information from the archives reveals the implication of the police in disappearances and killings and might lead to massive arrests of former police officers. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(25.03) Human Rights Ombudsman considers the plan as "foolishness" and the President of Congress says that a poll suggested by president Zelaya would have no legal validity. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(25.03) The Mexican author is recognized as one of the most import writers in Spanish during the last 50 years. Read more here (in Spanish).

(24.03) Organizations say 35 percent of the public officials in the Congress is under investigation for ties to paramilitaries or drug organizations. The head of the Presidential Program for Human Rights, Carlos Frranco, responds that at the present the problem is dealt with effectively and speedily. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(24.03) Despite the financial crisis, a minister meeting in Montevideo agrees to increase the initial capital with 3,000 million USD. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(23.03) The judges confirms the exclusive rights of the Indians to a reservation in the northern border state of Roraima. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Portugese).

(23.03) This new program aims to include 70-80% of the 820,000 who learned to read and write from 2006 to 2008. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(20.03) The Venezuelan government has called for the arrest of a key opposition leader on charges of corruption. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(20.03) The US administration sends its congratulations, and says it "looks forward to working with the new government". The Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), once targeted by the US government as a threat to the world as we knew it gains power. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English).

(19.03) El Salvador broke ties with Cuba in 1959 and Costa Rica two years later. They were the only two Latin American countries left without relations to Havana. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(19.03) In the second strike in two weeks public health personnel demand an 80% increase in salaries. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(18.03) Opposition tries to hinder change of date from October to June for midterm elections for Congress. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(18.03) Biotech giants are ready to invest, while groups opposing the measure fears it will consolidate domination by transnational corporations and jeopardize the rich genetic diversity of native maize. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(17.03) The move is a reaction to the US Congress' decision to not let Mexican trucks cross the border. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish)

(17.03) The Inter American Press Association says Mexico is especially dangerous for journalists, and it criticizes several head of states for adopting the "incendiary rhetoric" of Hugo Chávez. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish)

(16.03) Television journalist Mauricio Funes is elected president representing FMLN, two decades after the end of the civil war. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish)

(16.03) "Today, from here, we are beginning to put an end to the giant landholdings in Bolivia," Morales stated. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish)

(13.03) New foreign minister takes over at key moment with Peru. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish)

(13.03) Mission Miracle has offered eye surgery to patients from 35 countries for free. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish)

(13.03) Figures represent cosmic monsters, gods and snakes known from Mayan holy book. Read more here (in Spanish)

(12.03) At the UN summit on drugs Morales, who also advocated the removal of coca on the UN list of drugs, announced the governments decision on prohibiting unlimited coca cultivation in the Andean country. Read more here (in Spanish)

(12.03)US President Barack Obama has signed into law a government spending bill that will ease some of Washington's economic sanctions on Cuba. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(11.03) Vistis and money transfers from Cuban Americans are made easier. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in English)

(10.03) As a consequence oil import from Venezuelan might be drastically cut. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Portugese)

(10.03) The visit is meant to draw the world's attention to the country's problems of poverty and infrastructure. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in French)

(09.03) The excommunication of the doctors who helped a nine year old girl have an abortion provokes reactions from President Lula, the Vatican and Brazilian women celebrating the International Women's day. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Portugese)

(09.03) FMLN confident in victory, but polls show elections might be close race. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish)

(09.03) Deputies from both countries meet at Antarctica in preparation for important UN session. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish)

(06.03) An article in Science, based on a study made by 40 institutions, shows that the Amazon is surprisingly sensible to drought. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(06.03) Extradition encounters protests from human rights groups. Liberation is seen as part of strategy to stimulate desertions from FARC. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish)

(05.03) Chávez warns the largest national food producer that it might be the next if it does not follow Government regulations. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(05.03) Nicaragua is faced with serious budget problems due to lack of international support and internal plotical conflict. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish)

(04.03) The International Court of Justice in Haag has started the hearings in the case Costa Rica has filed against Nicaragua for hindering the neighbor country access to the border river San Juan. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(04.03) A Vice Minster initiated the search for the secret rooms where he was tortured at the age of 16. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish)

(03.03) Some of Fidel Castro's closest allies ousted as Raúl Castro makes the most profound changes of the Government since the revolution. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(03.03) The number of politicians under investigation is doubled since 2007, the majority for different forms of illicit enrichment. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Portugese).

(02.03) President Chávez accuses firms of not respecting regulation of prices and threatens with nationalization. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(02.03) President García says agreement will benefit Chile more than Peru, while both countries await the solution of a border conflict in Haag court. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(27.02) Argentina has summoned the US ambassador to ask for explanations of "unacceptable" comments made by the CIA director. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(27.02) The killing of four guards of a farm during a new wave of invasions has complicated the situation for the Brazilian movement. The leader of MST will meet with the president of the Supreme Federal Court, who has stated that any public support for MST should be considered as illegal. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Portugese)

(26.02) An air force major is now being investigated in relation to an assault on the local premises of an Italian dairy group in Santo Domingo. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(26.02) Uruguay’s Congress voted to declare unconstitutional the amnesty law for militaries and police of the military regime from 1973 to 1985. However, it is up to the Supreme Court that to make a final decision on unconstitutionality. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish)

(25.02) In the first talks for seven months Government and farmers avoid discussing the controversial export taxes. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(25.02) The council will aim to create a combined force to be activated in case of catastrophes or natural disasters. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish)

(24.02) Indigenous leaders from Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru and some Central American countries will participate in the humanitarian "minga" organized in search for the bodies of several assassinated Awá. The Awá have a long history of being victims of military and economic interests in their territory. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(24.02) PRI, which dominated Mexican politics for most of the last century, might soon be back as the largest party in the lower house of Congress. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(23.02) At the head quarter of the Colombian national intelligence agency (DAS) agents have intercepted phone calls and e-mails of politicians from the opposition, magistrates, journalists and other personalities. Colombian state prosecutors have intervened, while the agency director and representatives of the Government deny any involvement. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish)

(20.02) World Bank report call for action to prevent the worse consequences of global warming Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English).

(20.02) Latinos, who are 13% of the U.S. adult population, accounted for 40% of all sentenced federal offenders in 2007— up from 24% in 1991. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(19.02) Hundreds of people in Mexico have blocked key crossings into the US in protests against the deployment of the army fighting drug traffickers. Read more here (in Spansish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish)

(19.02) Ecuador has expelled a second American diplomat in just over a week, accusing both officials of interfering in its internal affairs. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(18.02) Most of it should be kept in the subsoil bacause the technology to extract it still doesn’t exist, reveas Pemex. Read more here (in Spansish) and here (in Spanish)

(18.02) Like David facing Goliat, the Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo made use of his assumption as the acting leader of Mercosur to reclaim the rights of the smallest countries in the commercial block Read more here (in Spanish)

(17.02) Bolivia holds half of the world’s lithium reserves, a key component in electric cars Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish)

(17.02) The capture last Sunday of six presumably narcotraffickers with links to the armed branch of the Mexican Gulf cartel called the Zetas is evidence of how this organisation have gained territory in the northern corridor of the country, after having led killings in Huehuetenango and Zacapa and consolidated their operations in Alta Verapaz. Read more here (in Spanish)

(16.02) Venezuelans have voted to lift limits on terms in office for elected officials, allowing President Hugo Chavez to stand for re-election. With 94% of votes counted, 54% backed an end to term limits, a National Electoral Council official said. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(13.02) FARC is the prime suspect of two massacres of a total of 27 persons from the Awá people in the conflict-ridden Nariño department. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(13.02) A landslide that covered the town of Tartagal finally makes the Government conclude work on law against deforestation. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(12.02) In a report by the Latin American Commission on Drugs and Democracy, the former presidents of Colombia, Cesar Gaviria, of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Mexico Ernesto Zedillo strongly critisize the the U.S.-led drug war, calling it a failure and badly in need of public re-examination. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish) and here (in English).

(12.02) In spite of the protests from the UN and OAS rapporteurs of freedom of expression, the president of Colombia maintains his critique of a journalist who participated in the liberation of hostages. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(11.02) A general is accused of more than 100 crimes against humanity as responsable for centres of detention and torture during the dictatorship in Argentina. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) .

(11.02) Michelle Bachelet is the first Chilean president to go to Cuba since Salvador Allende visited the island in 1972. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) .

(10.02) On 3 February a retired general recently hired as public security adviser in Cancun was shot to death. Yesterday the army took over the police head quarters in the internationally famous holiday resort, and the head of police was brought to Mexico City for questioning. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish) .

(09.02) Speaking to thousand of supporters, the president of Bolivia, Evo Morales, on Saturday enacted the country’s new Constitution, approved in a referendum two weeks earlier. Morales announced the transition from the colonial and neoliberal State to a plurinational State with autonomies. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish) .

(06.02) One year after its launch, the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) is now in conflict with strong interests of the Attorney General’s office and the Judicial Branch. The conflict is linked to the process against a state prosecutor accused of conspiracy and obstruction of justice in the investigation into the assassination of the former advisor to the Government Ministry, Victor Rivera, in April 2008. Read more here (in Spanish) here (in Spanish) and here (in English) .

For more information on the establishment of CICIG, refer to the report from Washington Office on Latin America here (in English) .

(05.02) The candidates for president and vice president of the conservative PCN were yesterday expelled from the party in an extraordinary twist in the election campaign in El Salvador. The consequence might be that the left party FMLN will have to face only one serious opponent from the right in the upcoming presidential elections. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) .

(05.02) The arrest of the supposed head of finance and logistics is a significant blow to a powerful Mexican drug cartel. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish),and here (in Spanish).

(05.02) More than eight thousand Bolivians have so far fallen ill in an increasing dengue fever epidemic - Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish) - while Australian researchers one month ago announced that they have discovered how to combat the mosquito transmitting dengue fever. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(04.02) After seven years as prisoner of the Colombian guerrilla group FARC, former provincial governor Alan Jara was released on Tuesday. In his first statements he accused president Uribe of having done nothing to achieve the freedom of him or other hostages. Another hostage, former provincial legislator Sigifredo Lopez, is supposed to be released on Thursday. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(04.02) Brazilian police is investigating the possibility that an imprisoned leader of the infamous prison gang and criminal organization Primeiro Comando da Capital was behind the violent riots in the crowded Paraisopolis shantytown Monday this week. The riots started as a result of the police killing a suspect. Some 200-300 police agents are now controlling Paraisopolis, after three police agents were shot and injured during the riots. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Portugese).

(03.02) The president of Paraguay, Fernando Lugo, has been strongly criticised by the opposition after mentioning for the first time this weekend the possibility of running for re-election in 2013. The Constitution prohibits re-election, and hence a constitutional reform would be necessary. The Paraguayan opposition points out that Lugo is trying to follow in the foot steps of other Latin American presidents of similar ideological tendency, like Hugo Chávez of Venezuela, Rafael Correa of Ecuador and Evo Morales of Bolivia. However, such reforms are not exclusive of these countries, but rather a general tendency in the region. The immediate re-election has also been admitted in Brazil, Argentina and Colombia. Referring to the opposition, Lugo declared to the press: "It worries them … so let them worry; this will be decided by the people, by the majority who lives in democracy." Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(02.02) Colombia's left-wing Farc (Fuerzas armadas revolucionarias de Colombia) has released three policemen and an a soldier held by the rebels since 2007. The Farc, which holds hundreds of hostages and fights the Colombian government since the 60’s, is said to be weakened by the government forces driving them further into mountain areas and the jungle. It is expected that more people will be freed in the coming days. Meanwile a bomb kills two and injures 38 in Cali. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(02.02) Bolivian president, Evo Morales, announced he will be holding a celebration act in El Alto to launch the new constitution. The act will include a parade with the military and representatives of the 36 original nations in the country. In the next few hours the National Electoral Court (CNE in Spanish) will send to the congress the official results of the referendum showing that the constitution obtained the support of 61,43% voters. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(30.01) Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro demanded on Thursday that President Barack Obama return the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo to Cuba. He also stated that the return of the base should be without conditions. "Not respecting Cuba's will is an arrogant act and an abuse of immense power against a little country," Castro said. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(29.01) Cuban President Raúl Castro arrived in Russia this Wednesday for an official visit. Castro will meet with the Russian President and Prime Minister. The aim of the meeting is to strengthen bilateral relations and sign agreements of bilateral cooperation. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(29.01) The various leftist movements present in the alternative meeting in Belém announce the death of neo-liberalism, as responsible for the world crisis. Tens of thousands of social activists and environmental and political groups have gathered in Brazil for the alternative forum to the World Economic Forum in Davos. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English).

(28.01) At least two people have been killed by a bomb blast in the Colombian capital, Bogotá. Apparently an explosive device was placed in an automatic cash machine inside a Blockbuster video shop. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the explosion, and police have cordoned off the area to investigate. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(27.01) An unusually hot summer in the southern hemisphere and below-normal levels of rainfall has created a nationwide drought. The Argentinean president Christina Kirchner declares agricultural emergency, a move that involves canceling or suspending taxes for one year. The drought will involve big losses for the country Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(27.01) Last Sunday the Bolivian people approved a new constitution in a vote in which more than 60% voted "yes". Among important issues in the new constitution are more rights for indigenous people, which make up the majority of the Bolivian population. The new constitution also increases the autonomy of the country’s regions, enforces state control over important natural resources, puts restrictions on land ownership and allows the president to run for re-election. In the four regions where the opposition holds sway, Pando, Santa Cruz, Tarija and Beni, the majority voted against the implementation of the new constitution. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English).

(23.01) In less than 48 hours over 4 million Bolivians will vote on a referendum on the new constitution designed by President Evo Morales. The central features of the new carta magna are summarized here. The main question mark does not concern whether the constitution will get the support of the majority of the population, which is taken for granted, but what the result will be in the departments ruled by the opposition. Some opposition leaders have already said they will not accept the implementation of the constitution in their region. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(23.01) Relationships between Venezuela and Argentina have revamped through bilateral agreements. In her official visit to Venezuela, Argenitian President, Cristina Fernandez has signed with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez 21 cooperation agreements on industrial, agricultural, energy and educational matters. Among the accords there is one concerning the set up of a joint venture between Petroleos de Venezuela and Argentina's state-operated Enarsa to develop oil fields in Venezuela. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(22.01) In response to a Green Party’s proposal, Mexico's Congress has agreed to hold forums on the possibility of reinstating the death penalty for kidnappers who mutilate their victims. Death penalty was abolished in 2005 but Mexico has not held an execution since 1961. Read more here (in Spanish).

(22.01) Amidst speculations of worsening health, Fidel Castro held a one-hour meeting with Argentinean President, Cristina Fernandez. Fernandez told reporters that Castro was ‘doing well’ and that during their talks they have been sharing their views on President Obama. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(21.01) New US President, Barack Obama, repeatedly promised to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba during his electoral campaign. In his first day in office he has requested the suspension of all ongoing trials until 20th May in order to have time to review the tribunal process. Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(21.01) Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa, signed the new Mining Act yesterday. The Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas de Ecuador (Conaie) organised demonstrations against the Act all over the country as they consider that the new law goes against the rights of indigenous communities. One of the demonstrations resulted in six policemen injured and some farmers detained. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(21.01) Scarcity of coins and inflation has resulted in 80% of Argentineans accepting change in sweets, a Gallup report says. This is not always satisfactory as people need coins to use the public transport, where no other mean of payment is accepted. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(20.01) A referendum will be held in Bolivia on January 25th to decide over the new constitution proposed by president Morales seeking a refoundation of the country. Supporters of the text claim that it will strengthen social inclusion whilst detractors argue that it will divide the population between two clear-cut classes. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(20.01) 21 policemen have been charged with involvement in organised crime in Tijuana (Mexico). They are accused of collaborating with one of the most powerful cartels that control drug trafficking from Tijuana to California in the US. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(20.01) Argentinean president, Cristina Fernandez, is on an official trip to Cuba, the first of an Argentinean leader in 20 years. During her stay, Fernandez will sign many cooperation agreements with Cuban president, Raul Castro, concerning areas such as health, technology and humanitarian aid. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(19.01) Over half of the votes have been counted in El Salvador after yesterday’s municipal and legislative elections. So far, the Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional (FMLN), former Salvadorian guerrilla, is leading the legislative polls. This is seen as a sign that the party is ready to take over the presidency of the Republic in the March presidential elections from the right-wing Alianza Republicana Nacionalista (ARENA) in power since 1989. Read more here (in Spanish) y here (in Spanish).

(19.01) Nicaraguan ex-president, Arnoldo Alemán, sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2003 charged with corruption and money laundering has been now declared free of charges. The dismissal of the case could be consequence of a political agreement between the former president and the current leader Daniel Ortega. Read more here (in Spanish)

(19.01) The roof of the main Evangelical church in Sao Paulo collapsed yesterday after Sunday mass. The church, a former cinema, was completely destroyed. The accident resulted in at least seven people dead and 55 injured. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English).

(16.01) Latin American leaders are raising their voices to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. After expelling Israeli ambassador and breaking relations with Israel, Venezuela is now denouncing Israel at the UN. Read more here (in Spanish). Ecuadorian President, Rafael Correa, asks for an international condemnation of Israel for crimes against humanity whilst Evo Morales meets Lula da Silva to seek support for an international accusation of Israel. Read more here(in Spanish). Ricardo Lagos, ex-president of Chile, signs with Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland, a letter calling the Palestinian and Israeli leaders to stop violent attacks and to plead their neighboring leader to do the same.
Read more here (in Spanish)

(16.01) Security measures are being put in place as the Salvadorian government fears bouts of violence next Sunday during elections day. The left-wing party, Frente Farabundo Marti para la Liberación Nacional (FMLN), has announced they will deploy 50.000 members of the party to ‘defend the vote’. The conservative government in power expects there will be armed members of illegal groups among the 50.000 'defenders' who might have violent reactions if their party loses. Read more here (in Spanish) .

(15.01) The US magazine on global politics, Foreign Policy, has just published the first ranking of best Think Tanks by typology and geographical location. In Latin America and the Caribbean the five top ranked Think Tanks are: Consejo Argentino para las Relaciones Internacionales (Argentina), Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (Costa Rica), Libertad y Desarrollo (Chile), Centro de Estudios Públicos (Chile), Centro de Implementación de Políticas Públicas para la Equidad y el Crecimiento (Argentina).
Read more here (in English) and here (in Spanish)

(15.01) After expelling the Israeli ambassador in Caracas, the Venezuelan government announces its intention to break diplomatic relations with Israel. This action is made in protest for the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip. Read more here (in Spanish). The National Assembly of Venezuela has just approved the constitutional amendment necessary to allow the president of the republic and other elected public officials to run for elections unlimitedly. This decision will have to be approved in a national referendum which will possible be held next February. Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English).

(14.01) Costa Rica has made a general call for international aid to support reconstruction works and the victims of the earthquake that struck the country last week. The 6.2 degrees earthquake resulted in at least 20 casualties and 100 million dollars losses.
Read more here (in Spanish).

(14.01) Oliver Stone is shooting a documentary on Chavez and other left-wing Presidents in the region. He is advised by Mark Weisbrot, who will be giving a Norlarnet seminar on 10th February, and has already interviewed Hugo Chavez, Rafael Correa and Raul Castro. After his visit to Bolivia, where he conversed with President Morales, he talked to Paraguayan president Fernando Lugo and flew to Argentina for his interview with Cristina Fernandez.
Read more here (in Spanish).

(14.01) The conflict between Brazil and Ecuador regarding the bad functioning of a hydropower plant build by the Brazilian company Odebrecht in Ecuador ended with the two countries breaking up diplomatic relations. After some diplomatic efforts, the Brazilian ambassador in Quito, Porto e Santos, is back in Ecuador.
Read more here (in Spanish), and here.

(13.01) The final draft report of the research commission in charge of studying the corruption charges against Peruvian civil servants regarding the allocation of five oil contracts to the Norwegian company Discover Petroleum was released yesterday. The report indicates that some ex-managers of Perupetro, the Norwegian Jostein Kjestard and the Dominican Fortunato Canaan hold responsibility.
Read more here (in Spanish).

(13.01) On Monday, Barck Obama met Felipe Calderon, the first foreign leader to meet with him after his election in November. The meeting at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington revolved around Obama’s determination to strengthen the environment and labor clauses of NAFTA and take a new approach to drug-related crime and violence.
Read more here (in English) here and here (in Spanish).

(12.01) Last Sunday, Political parties in Panama defined the main points of their electoral campaign and their alliances regarding the presidential elections to be held 3rd May. The Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD in Spanish), currently in power, gave a proof of their internal democracy when they presented as their presidential and vice-presidential candidates the two opponents in the primary elections.
Read more here (in Spanish).

(12.01) The Piura region in Peru, close to the border with Ecuador, will experience a renewed mining expansion after the government’s approval of new concessions. This has been frontally opposed by local activists and politicians who organized a local (non binding) referendum on the mining projects in 2007. A case against them has been reopened accusing them of terrorists offences casting doubts over the commitment with human rights and environment protection of the Peruvian government.
Read more here (PSG Statement in English) here here and here (in Spanish).

(12.01) Increasing dead tolls due to lighting strikes in Brazil are worrying the government. The changing patterns of the La Niña weather phenomenon and pollution in big cities could be among the factors that favour the more than 60 million lightning strikes experienced in Brazil last year which left behind 75 people dead.
Read more here (in English).

(09.01) An earthquake of 6.2 degrees has left at least 14 people killed as confirmed by the latest reports. The centre of the earthquake was about 35 km north-west of the capital San Jose. Some of the affected areas are only reachable by helicopter which has complicated rescue operations.
Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in Spanish).

(09.01) The research commission in charge of studying the alleged bribes to Peruvian civil servants to steer business towards the Norwegian company Discover Petroleum is evaluating today the report on the case. After the commission’s decision is taken, the report, which might set charges against 3 ex-ministers, will be sent to the congress for its evaluation.
Read more here (in Spanish).

(08.01) Mexican president, Felipe Calderon, unveiled a 25-point plan to face the global financial crisis which is already being felt in the country through rising unemployment and economic slowdown. Measures focus on protecting jobs in export industries and creating employment through infrastructure projects.
Read more here

(08.01) Many demonstrations have been organized in different Latin American countries to show people’s rejection of the Israeli bombings in Gaza. In Norway, Radio Latin-Amerika has made a call to all Latin Americans living in the country to join the demonstrations organized today in different Norwegian cities.
Read more here, (in Spanish)and here (in Spanish and Norwegian)

(08.01) Several documents made available in the webpage of the National Security Archive from the University George Washington reveal that the idea of killing civilians who would later be identified as guerrilla members is an old one and that the Colombian army has collaborated with paramilitary groups linked to drug trafficking. This has been known to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) since 1994.
Read more here, (in Spanish) and here (in English)

(07.01) Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, has ordered the expulsion of Israel’s ambassador, Shlomo Cohen, along with other diplomatic staff in protest at Israel's attacks in the Gaza Strip. Chavez manifested his ‘unlimited solidarity with the heroic people of Palestine’ and accused Israel of genocide.
Read more here, (in Spanish) here (in English) and here (in Spanish).

(07.01) The headquarters (HQ) of the TV channel Televisa in Monterrey have been attacked today by alleged drug traffickers. The attackers shot at the HQ and launched a grenade to its building. Nobody was hurt in the attack but the perpetrators left a note threatening the journalists.
Read more here (in Spanish) and here (in English).

(06.01) Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba and Venezuela condemned Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip. The Mercosur countries also showed their deep worry and disapproval of the escalating violence and intimidation occurring in Gaza.
Read more here (in Spanish)

(06.01) A road running from San Cristobal Verapaz to Chicaman, north of the Guatemalan capital, was blocked last Sunday due to a landslide. The area, hit by a rockfall last month, was closed to traffic. However, labourers needing access to nearby coffee plantations might have ignored the warnings and walked the road.
Read more here (in English)

(06.01) One year and three months after the national referendum on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US, Costa Rica is now one of the 14 countries with which the US has a trade agreement of this sort. Many economic measures, such as ending state monopolies, have been necessary for the FTA to become effective.
Read more here (in Spanish)

(22.12) Due to a literacy campaign elaborated in Cuba, around 827.000 Bolivians have learned to read and write during the past 33 months, according to the Bolivian government.
More information here (English), here (Spanish) and here (Norwegian)

(22.12) Hundreds of Guatemalans awaits a Christmas without work or money and with large debts, after being deported this October from the US, where they had been living and working as illegal immigrants.
More information here

(19.12)The US demands the "immediate" release of Cuban dissidents without exchange.
More information here

(19.12) The Argentinian justice liberates Alfredo Astiz y Jorge Acosta, who were accused of severe human rights violation during the military dictatorship - The Mothers at the Plaza Mayo calls it a disgrace
More information here and here.

(18.12) Guatemalan authorities and international observers are alarmed after the spread of the armed wing of the Mexican Gulf Cartel in the north of the country (Zetas). In an attempt to stop the advance of Mexican drug traffickers in a country already swamped by crime, the country’s Armed Forces have intensified their presence in the borders; particularly in the department of Huehuetenango. Read more here and here

(18.12) Amidst criticism to rich countries for being the cause of the international crisis and not assuming its full costs, the Latin America and Caribbean leaders gathered in Brazil advanced towards an agreement on a future Union of Latin America and the Caribbean. This proposal of regional integration leaves out the US and Canada, and focuses on strengthening South-South links. During the summit, the Mexican President declares to be against the possibility of creating a multinational force to fight drug trafficking. More information about the summit in Brazil here, here and here

(17.12) Peaceful demonstrations in the streets of Haiti’s two main cities, Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien, demand the return of the exiled former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The US claims that the return of Aristide, who fled after an armed revolt in 2004, could destabilise the country. Read more here

(17.12) During the Latin America and Caribbean summit being held in Brazil, Cuba has been officially accepted as member number 23 of the Rio Group; a permanent mechanism for consultation and political coordination. Read more here

(17.12) Emilio álvarez Icaza, president of the Mexico DF Human Rights comission, wishes Santa Claus and the Three Wise Men to bring the city better and more efficient judicial system together with less discrimination and insecurity. Read more here

(16.12) The lack of transparency in the past municipal elections is the main reason why the European Commission has decided not to pay out the 43 million dollars that were initially intended to support the country’s budget. Read more here

(16.12) Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa, announces his decision of not repaying foreign debt considered illegitimate after a governmental audit in November. Ecuador foreign debt accounts for 20% of the country’s GDP. Read more here

(16.12) The Latin America and Caribbean summit, that will gather during two days the leaders of 33 countries, kicks off today in Costa du Sauípe, in Salvador de Bahía, in northern Brazil. The meeting will discuss viable alternatives to confront the world economic situation. Cuban president, Raúl Castro, has already arrived to Brazil to participate in the summit and has taken the opportunity to confirm his good disposition to discuss the blockade with Obama. Read more here and here

(15.12) A report by the Colombian NGO Codhes analysed the different sources of data concerning the 44-year civil conflict. They found serious exaggerations about the official figures on the number of guerrillas killed, captured or surrendered. Read more here and access the full report here

(15.12) Since Venezuelan President strengthened his links with Iran, other Latin American countries have signed cooperation agreements with this Islamic republic. Bolivia, Nicaragua and Ecuador have already agreed on bilateral projects. Brazil has recently invited Iranian president Mahmud Ahmadineyad to visit he country in the near future. Read more here

(15.12) Cuban president, Raul Castro has traveled to Venezuela to strengthen bilateral relationships with this country. During his stay in Caracas, he signed three agreements concerning economic, political, social and technological matters. Read more here

(12.12) FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) Director, Robert Mueller, has confirmed in his visit to El Salvador that the Salvadorian Maras (gangs of youngsters from excluded and broken families) have constant contact with the Mexican Gulf and Colombian cartels. Read more here and here

(12.12) The Chilean Fiscalía Nacional Económica (Office of the Public Prosecutor for Economic Crimes) has sued three pharmaceutical companies which account for the 92% of the Chilean market for having colluded to increase the prices of 222 medicaments. Among the medicines experiencing a price rise are those needed to treat chronic illnesses such as diabetes and epilepsy. Read more here

US academics, among them Arturo Escobar, Susanne Jonas and Marc Edelman publish open letter on Salvadorean elections, expressing major concern about the conditions under which the election campaign is taking place. Read the letter here

(11.12) Eight of the 11 judges voted in favor of keeping a reservation of 1,7 million hectares, in the Amazonian state of Roraima, as a single territory. The sentence, which will lead to the eviction of non-indigenous farmers, the majority large sugar farmers, will not be formally concluded until February next year as one judge asked for more time to consider his ruling.
More information here (Portuguese), here (English) and here (Spanish)

(11.12) The peasant organizations say they will begin to invade land if the government does not start the process of a land reform before December 15th
Read more here

(10.12) Mexican drug cartels have recently been sending members to European cities, including Oslo. Several investigations have also proved that Mexican drug-trafficking groups participate in the trafficking of Colombian cocaine to Europe.
More information here and here

(10.12) The UN representative in Bolivia affirms that the UN, in a report that has not yet been presented, will conclude that the human rights were violated in Pando, Bolivia on September 11th this year. The declaration follows the report issued by UNASUR last week, which concluded that a massacre of at least twenty peasants took place in Pando, carried out by armed groups who responded to the regional authorities, opposing the Morales government.
Read more here, here and here

(09.12) Last Sunday, Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa and the president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, signed several cooperation agreements concerning industry, energy, banking and health, among other issues. In the meeting both presidents highlighted the failure of US hegemony and their intention of strengthening bilateral trade and cooperation. Read more here

(09.12) The leaders of 14 Caribbean countries gathered in Santiago de Cuba called on US President-elect to lift the American trade embargo against Cuba. In the meeting, Caribbean head of states discussed the financial crisis and called upon the United Nations to increase their support to small countries. Read more here

(09.12) Argentinean president, Cristina Fernandez, arrives today in Russia heading a commercial mission to promote bilateral trade between the two countries. Read more here

(08.12) After the Ecuadorian president , Rafael Correa, decided to challenge the countries’ debt with de Brazilian Bank BNDES at an international court, Venezuela, Paraguay and Bolivia are rethinking whether to pay or not their debts with Brazil. Read more here

(08.12) The prime ministers of the 14 countries belonging to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will meet today at the III summit of the Community in Santiago de Cuba. The international crisis and its impact on the region together with the diplomatic, economic and politic agreements among member countries will be the themes of the summit. Read more here

(08.12) Peru’s Environment Minister, Antonio Brack, has taken his proposal to reach zero deforestation in 10 years to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan (Poland). Peru, with the fourth largest area of tropical forest in the world, has been accused of designing an unrealistic plan. Read more here

(05.12) Uruguayan President, Tabare Vazquez, announces his resignation from the leadership of the ruling Socialist party as a consequence of criticisms by the opposition and members of his own party over his veto of the abortion bill. His resignation has not been accepted by the Socialist party. Read more here and here.

(05.12) Argentinean president, Cristina Fernández, announced a $13.200 million dollars package to sustain internal demand and production affected by the international crisis. Measures include credits to consumption, production and exports together with tax cuts. Read more here and here.

(04.12) The donation of $197m to fight international drug trafficking was formalized in Mexico yesterday. This aid package is part of the Merida Initiative under which the US government will provide technical and material support during three years to fight the powerful cartels trafficking with drugs in México. Read more here and here.

(04.12) Paraguayan president, Fernando Lugo, favors a reform of the constitution in order to achieve a change in juridical orientation in the country. He claims that the current constitution was agreed in a conjuncture that does not longer apply to the reality of the country. Read more here.

(04.12) 17 year after its privatisation, the international airline Aerolíneas, currently owned by the Spanish group Marsans, might return to state ownership after the expropriation approved by the Argentinean Congress yesterday. Read more here and here.

(03.12) Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, intends to change the constitution in order to facilitate governance. Proposed amendments concern the reduction of power of the Constitutional court and the Congress whilst the government powers are enhanced. These proposals have received harsh criticisms from opposition parties. Read more here and here.

(03.12) Guatemalan president, Alvaro Colom, confirmed that the Gulf Cartel, whose members allegedly murdered 17 people last Sunday, controls the whole department of Huehuetenango by the Mexican border. Read more here and here.

(03.12) Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, announces a referendum in February to amend the constitution in order for him to stand for indefinite re-election. The opposition leader, Manuel Rosales, who is against the referendum, faces corruption charges. Read more here and here.

(02.12) Nicaraguan President, Daniel Ortega, pleads the National Assembly of Nicaragua to approve the loans offered by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the World Bank (BM) to balance the budget deficit of the country. Read more here

(02.12) The new Amazon fund, which Norway has already announced will support with $130m euros, will facilitate a 70% reduction of deforestation rates in the Amazon region over the next 10 years. Read more here

(01.12) After being elected with the support of the Movimiento de los Sin Tierra (MST), Lula’s government has not fulfilled their expectations on land distribution. Most cultivable land is still owned by 1% of colons whilst there is only a 3% available for the 3,1 million rural producers. Read more here

(01.12) Bolivian president, Evo Morales, has sent a communication to the participants in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan (Poland) starting today. He proposes the creation of a World Environment Organisation with enforcement mechanisms and calls rich countries to reduce luxury and extravagant consumption. Read more here

(01.12) Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, has announced he will seek a change in the country’s constitution to allow him to stand for indefinite reelection. Read more here

(28.11) This is the final stop in a tour intended to strengthen Russian influence in the region. The Russian president is expected to sign deals on nickel mining and oil exploration with Cuban President Raul Castro. The presidents also signed a deal on promoting nuclear energy for civilian use. The visit follows that of the Chinese president, Hu Jintao, to the island. Read more here and here.

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(28.11) Floods and landslides have caused 99 deaths, 19 disappearances and more than 80 000 people have been evacuated from their homes in the state of Santa Catarina in the south of Brazil. Read more here (in Portuguese) and here (English).

(28.11) The Southern Common Market (Mercosur) has agreed on financing projects to promote household subsistence agriculture in the countries of the region. This type of agriculture has been successful in Cuba, where it has been of use in difficult situations, such as during the recent hurricane storms. Read more here.

(28.11) Around 30 thousand indigenous people and colonists from the Ecuadorian Amazon take legal action against the US petrol company Texaco (now Chevron). According to public officials from Frente de Defensa de la Amazonía (FDA), the company has caused environmental damage in the area in the 30 years it has been operating in Ecuador. Chevron claimed to dismiss the document, arguing that the estimate was made without sufficient proof, and thus incrementing the numbers to “scandalous proportions". Read more here

(27.11) European Commission’s Development Director General, Stefano Manservisi, signed an agreement with Cuba to support the reparation of smashed homes, damaged power grids and highways in areas affected by this year´s hurricanes. Read more here.

(27.11) Bolivia will lose trade preferences with the US from 15th December. Preferences will remain suspended until the US deems Bolivian cooperation concerning the fight against drug trafficking sufficient. Read more.

(27.11)The 3rd ALBA (Alternativa Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América) summit held in Caracas has consolidated relationships between member countries. Also in Caracas, Russian president, Dimitri Medvedev, has signed a cooperation agreement on nuclear energy with Venezuela. Read more here and here.

(26.11) The four EFTA (European Free Trade agreeement) states (Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Island) signed a free trade agreement with Colombia on Tuesday. The agreement covers, among other industrial and agricultural goods, Colombian exports of cofee and cacao. Read more here and here

(26.11) Ecuador's debt-audit commission suspects illegitimacy of sovereign debt; particularly Global Bonds 2012 due in November this year. The payment of 30,6 million dolars interest has been detained. Read more here  

(26.11) Four russian warships are now in Venezuela to begin manoeuvres with the Venezuelan navy. The aims of the naval exercises are exchange of technology, information and experiencies. Read more here and here.

(26.11) After heavy rain and floods in several countries of Central America, the Panaman authorities announce there is more rain to come. Bridges, roads and entire municipalities have been devastated due to rivers overflow. Read more here and here.

(25.11) The 39th General Assembly of the Organisation of American States (OAS) will gather the 34 member countries in San Pedro Sula (Honduras). The meeting will focus on fighting violence and fostering a culture of peace in the continent. Read more here.

(25.11) The Water Forum Of  The Americas (WFA) is taking place in Foz de Iguazú (Brasil). Representatives of American countries are gathered to discuss the state of water policy and management in the region before the World Water Forum next year. Read more here.

(25.11) Costa Rican Health Minister, Maria Luisa Ávila, has stopped the construction works of a hotel resort part of the Spanish hotel chain Riu Hotels after having confirmed the unsanitary working conditions of construction project's 1,500 workers. Read more here and here.

(24.11) Provisional results indicate that Hugo Chavez allies hold onto 17 of the country's 22 governorships but they loose two of the most populous regions, Zulia and Miranda, and the mayoral elections in Caracas. Read more here and here.

(24.11) Flooding and landslides following heavy rainfall during the last two moths forces over 15,000 people out of their homes in the Santa Catarina state in Brazil. State government receives criticisms for not preventing buildings in high risk areas. Read more here and here.

The two politicians, who belonged to the governing Liberal Party, were killed by unidentified attackers after visiting a school in the northern city of San Pedro Sula. Read more here and here.

(21.11) The two-day visit of Vietnam’s president, Nguyen Minh Triet, to Venezuela has concluded with 15 cooperation agreements on energy and industrial matters. One of the most important deals concerns the creation of a joint company to exploit an oil-rich Orinoco basin. Read more here.

(21.11) The report commissioned by Unasur (Union de Naciones Suramericanas) indicates that the 26 peasants murdered on the 11th September in Pando (Bolivia) were attacked by armed civilians. The report will list the names of the aggressors who are alleged members of the autonomist opposition groups. Read more here and here.

(20.11) After the FTA with Chile, this is the second free trade agreement signed by China with a Latin American country. In Peru, a country where around 40% of the population live in poverty and traditional sectors such as textiles are of key importance, the FTA might present real threats. Read more here and here.

(20.11) The preliminary results of the municipal elections in Nicaragua indicated that the Sandinista National Liberation Front won mayoral races in most municipalities. The opposition alleges fraud and the Sandinista supporters march in the capital to demand the immediate publication of the official results. Read more here.

(19.11) The main Interpol liaison officer in Mexico, Ricardo Gutiérrez Vargas, has been arrested under the Operación Limpieza (Operation clean-up) of the Mexican government. Read more here and here.

(19.11) Ecuatorian president, Rafael Correa, announced a pack of measures to fight against the potential consequences of the international financial crisis. An increase of taxes on capital outflows and import restrictions are some of the proposed measures. Read more here.

(19.11) The Brazilian authorities are planning to use a plane fitted with body-heat sensors to locate indigenous groups in the Amazon jungle. The goal is to protect uncontacted tribes from loggers and farmers. Read more here.

(18.11) Hu Jintao’s Latin-American tour kicked off in Costa Rica where he signed an agreement about the set up for a free-trade area between the two countries. He is currently visiting Cuba where he might discuss the repayment of the Chinese soft loans to Cuba and the furthering of trade relationships. Hu Jintao will travel on from Cuba to Peru to participate in the APEC summit on the 21st and 22nd November. Read more here and here.

(18.11) The Argentinean president, Cristina Fernandez, visited Algeria during her official tour of northern Africa. She signed three cooperation agreements with Algeria, one of which concerned the development and civil utilisation of nuclear energy. Read more here and here.

(17.11) Drug-related executions in Mexico continue growing. So far this year, around 630 people have been murdered in Tijuana and 813 in Chihuahua. Political, academic, religious and social groups demand the authorities to redesign anti-crime policies. Read more here and here.

(17.11) On Saturday 22nd December will kick off the 2008 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima. Preparations for the summit have already started. It is expected that the main topics for discussion will revolve around the ongoing global financial crisis, multilateral trade and the creation of a free trade area in the region. Read more here.

(17.11) A Brazilian cattle raiser company has seen its environmental license suspended when the devastation of its activities in the forests where the Ayoreo-totobiegosode live has been proven. The Ayoreo-totobiegosode are a tribe who live in the region of Chaco (Alto Paraguay). Read more here.

(14.11) Rio Group Foreign Affair ministers agree in Zacatecas (México) that Cuba joins the Group as a member with full rights. In the meeting, representatives of the 22 Rio Group members discussed measures to reduce the impact of the financial crisis in the region. Read more here.

(14.11) Leon is accused of bribing civil servants to steer business towards the Norwegian company Discover Petroleum. Read more here and here.

(13.11) Thousand million dollars have been ripped off to Colombian citizens by illegal companies offering investments in disreputable financial schemes. The police is sent to restore order whilst president Uribe demands the immediate intervention of the bogus companies. Read more here and here.

(13.11) Physicists from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) have discovered a method to produce synthetic diamonds from tequila. Diamonds will be produced for industrial purposes only. Read more here and here.

(13.11) Civil servants in Chile are now waiting for the reaction of the government after 48 hours of national strike, in which they were demanding wage increases to compensate for the high inflation rate in the country. Read more

(12.11) Clashes between government supporters and opponents result in two people killed and six injured. Voting irregularities alleged by the opposition and religious leaders. More information here and here

(12.11) After the two parliament chambers passed the Law on Sexual Health and Reproduction (Ley de Salud Sexual y Reproductiva) that legalizes abortions during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, it is expected that President Tabaré Vazquez will use his right to veto. More information.

(12.11) Central American countries are coordinating their interests in the negotiations of an Association Agreement with the EU. More information.

(11.11) The greatest reserves of lithium in the world is found in the Bolivian highlands. This mineral is used by the automobile companies who seek to increase the power of their electric cars. More information here

(11.11) 16 Nicaraguan traders and one Dutch tourist die after the bus they were driving in was attacked and burned out in Guatemala. More information.

(11.11) Chávez threatens to imprison the governor of Sucre (Venezuela), for supposedly planning an electorial fraud. More information.

(10.11) On Sunday Nicaraguan citizens voted in the municipal elections. The ruling party Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional (FSLN) expects to spread its influence over more than 100 municipalities amidst claims by the opposition of lack of transparency during the voting process. Read more here and here.

(10.11) The maintenance of oil self-sufficiency has become a goal for the Colombian government who expects to keep this situation at least until 2020. Read more.

(10.11) The use of inferior materials to build the school seems one of the main reasons for the collapse of the three-storey building last Friday. Read more.

(07.11) The CNE (Corte Nacional Electoral) warns the Bolivian goverment against keeping the state of emergency in el Pando if the constitutional referendum is to be held on the 25th of January. Read more.

(07.11) Hurricane Paloma, the fifth to hit Cuba this season, is expected to reach the sourthern coast of Cuba on Sunday. Read more.

(06.11) Brasilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, congratulates Obama and sees the beginning of a new phase regarding bilateral relations. Read more. Hugo Chavez expresses his interest to reach an understanding with the US and is open to start a dialogue with Obama. Read more.

(06.11) Thousands of people supporting the opposition groups have protested outside the Argentinian Congress against the future law that contemplates the nationalisation of private pensions. Read more.

(06.11) Protests against the new law changing the way revenue from mining is distributed among provinces result in several casualties despite the state of emergency declared by the Peruvian government. Read more.

(05.11) 78% of hispanics in the United States voted for Obama. They represent now 15% of the publication, and 9% of the electorate, which is historically high. Read more.

(05.11)Mexican Interior Minister Juan Camilo Mourino and seven other interior ministry officials were killed when their plane crashed in central Mexico City. Read more.

(04.11) The BBC Mundo correspondent in Washington interviews assessors of the two US presidential contenders on their prospective policies towards Latin America. Read more. Meanwhile Latin Americans asks the new president to treat Latin America with more respect Read more.

(03.11) IMF foresees slower growth in Latin America due to financial turmoil and lower commodity prices. Dollarized economies without currency flexibility hardest hit. Read more.

(03.11) The UN warns of possible intervention in Colombia if the military killings are not stopped. Read more.

(03.11) Increasing violence against police and judges from drugtraffickers in Mexico and Guatemala. Read more here and here.

(31.10) The heads of state and prime ministers participating in the XVIII Ibero-American summit in El Salvador, with the absence of Hugo Chavez, condemn capitalism and propose to work towards an alternative model that accounts for social cohesion and solidarity. Read more. During the summit Uribe openly questions the work of the Colombian military forces. Read more. Jacques Diouf, Head of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), who is also attending the summit, warns about the imminent risk of food scarcity in Latin America. Read more.

(31.10) A report from the Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), launched this Thursday in Mexico City, confirms that Latin American exports will continue to grow at a rate of 23% approx. during 2008 despite the international crisis. Read more.

(30.10) The XVIII Ibero-American summit started this Wednesday in San Salvador. The main goals of the summit are to discuss measures to fight against the international financial crisis and to achieve an agreement on youth and development. Read more.

(30.10) The Venezuelan communications satellite "Simon Bolivar" has lifted off this Wednesday from Xichang, in the southwest of China. Read more.

(29.10) Heavy rainfall in Central America during recent weeks has affected Honduras and Guatemala the most. In Honduras where vulnerability has increased since the hurricane Mitch due to a raise in deforestation and poverty, there are already over 270.000 people stricken by the floods. Read more. In Guatemala half million people are already affected. The government has calculated that the lost of crops will reach US$10 million. Read more

(29.10) The opposition in Chile has achieved over 40% of councilors for the first time and will govern most of the principal municipalities. Read more. Concertacion, the ruling coallition, is considering postponing their presidential convention planned for 23rd November until the implications of the election results have been properly analyzed. Read more