Brazil: Mysterious fires in São Paulo favelas
A series of fires threatens inhabitants of favelas in São Paulo; Brazilians travel less to Argentina; and the mensalão scandal is impacting on PT election campaigns.
September 2012
Peru: protestor shot
Protestor Death; ‘Human rights watch’ intervention; Child killed in crossfire; 350 Kg of Cocaine seized
Uruguay: extra-tropical cyclone hits the south
Uruguay plunged into chaos by extra-tropical cyclone; New book refutes that Gardel was Uruguayan; Surgeons’ resignations put at risk public health
Venezuela: PDVSA battles second oil refinery fire in less than a month
PDVSA battles another oil refinery fire; Colombia’s most wanted drug lord gets capture, and Venezuelan opposition candidate meets with President Santos
Colombia: Drug kingpin ‘El Loco Barrera’ arrested
Drug kingpin El Loco Barrera arrested in Venezuela; The Farc’s ‘European spokesperson’ imprisoned; Sofía Vergara’s Emmy hopes for ‘Modern Family’.
Chile: Chile hosts Mexico’s president-elect
Piñera and Peña Nieto meet to discuss bilateral relations; Chile braces for budget debate; Agrosuper rejects decision to close pig farm in Atacama; Rumor of Chilean author’s death circulates on…
Paraguay: 5 killed in powerful storm
Five killed and thousands left homeless after storm ravages suburb of Asunción; controversy over repatriation of Stroessner’s remains; EPP has ‘grown considerably’
Cuba: Intellectuals vs. Reggaeton
Cuba’s artists and intellectuals take on reggaeton; dissidents end hunger strike whilst independent journalist is arrested; trial date set for Spaniard charged with death of Payá.
Argentina: IMF warns of censure over official statistics
IMF gives warning over official data; no Subte subsidies planned for 2013; Carlos Gardel’s birth certificate discovered
Peru: Truth questioned re Fujimori
Truth questioned in Fujimori regime; Tragic bus accident; Slowing of dollar growth
Uruguay: Pluna’s aircraft auction fails
Pluna airplanes’ auction fails since companies did not show interest; New changes in the Education sector administration to support polytechnic schools
Venezuela: President Chavez’s followers impede opposition rally
Chavez’s followers impede opposition rally, Capriles oust aide involved in bribery scandal, and Venezuela initiates petition to withdraw from International Court of Human Rights
Brazil: President nominates new Federal Supreme Court Judge
Dilma nominates Toeri Zavascki as Federal Supreme Court Judge; former São Paulo Mayor will be new Minister of Culture; and O Globo uncovers how political dynasties operate through the city…
Mexico: Calderón administration demanded immunity for ex-president
Lawsuit against ex-president would ‘affect bilateral relationship’, ambassador warned; Gulf Cartel capo captured; president-elect looks to OECD for guidance
Ecuador: Journalist Cesar Ricaurte receives Freedom of Expression Award
Journalist Cesar Ricaurte receives Freedom of Expression Award; forest fires in nature reserve near Quito.
Chile: Nation celebrates Fiestas Patrias
Exodus from Santiago for five-day holiday weekend; Death of national police officer sparks controversy; Investigation confirms the suicide of former president Salvador Allende.
Argentina: Massive protest in Plaza de Mayo
Anti-government protests across the country; large increase in child benefit; YPF signs pre-agreement with Chevron
Cuba: Census counts Cubans
Cuba launches its eighteenth census; blackout leaves half the island in the dark; dissidents lead mass hunger strike; MINREX willing to negotiate for Gross.
Sport: Argentine Football Squad attacked in Lima before Brazil 2014 Qualifier
Argentine football squad attacked in Lima before Brazil 2014 qualifier; Marcos Maidana knocks out Jesus Soto Karass; Argentina’s debut rugby championship marred by fraud allegations
Paraguay: EPP attacks leave two dead
EPP attacks leave two dead; Franco sparks controversy with talks over genetically modified seeds; Renate Costa’s ‘Resistente’ is screened in Venice
Uruguay: Beached whale potentially victim of contamination
Beached killer whale found in La Pedrera possibly a consequence of contamination; Mujica rejects project to tax workers and pensioners to fund victims of crime.
Mexico: Peña Nieto certified as president-elect
Leftist candidate vows to continue protests; wounded Americans were CIA, Mexican press reports; Pemex claims important oil discovery
Brazil: good times for automakers
Cars are more expensive in Brazil than elsewhere; the government might change its deficit criteria; and banks are lowering lending cost.
Chile: Senate rejects tax reform
Senate rejects government’s tax reform bill; Peaceful student march ends with clashes and controversy; Chile’s population up 10% since 2002
Argentina: Government announces voting plans for 16 year olds
Government announces voting plans for 16 year olds and some foreigners; Buenos Aires teachers sanctioned over political parody; the President announces an ‘audiovisual district’