ASUNCION, Paraguay – Under a recently signed agreement, the World Bank will provide training and information to help Paraguay’s Attorney General’s Office recover money stolen from the state. The World Bank has recently signed similar agreements with

Until a free trade agreement can be signed, Panamanian business leaders are urging their government to get an extension of the country’s preferential trade agreement with the USA.

BOGOTÁ, Colombia – A year after the official release of the rock band U2’s film of their 2006 Latin America tour, Colombian audiences finally get the chance to see it on the big screen.

SANTIAGO, Chile – Increasing numbers of Haitians are fleeing violence and poverty to seek peace and work in other countries, among them Chile. Once there, though, they find it difficult to integrate.

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – Paraguay’s business sector has again demanded a level playing field for its exports to Mercosur. The head of the Paraguayan Industrial Union complained about unfair competition brought on by decisions taken in Argentina and Brazi

As a result of Venezuela’s refusal to apply effective antiterrorist measures, the US Coast Guard Service has placed restrictions on vessels coming from Venezuelan ports.

CARTAGENA, Colombia - Hugo Chávez and Álvaro Uribe meet to discuss anti-economic crisis measures: The presidents of Venezuela and Colombia met in Cartagena, Colombia on 24 January. Although the agenda was open, their discussions focussed primarily on th

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – 1.5 tonnes of cocaine seized in Utila: At dawn on 28 January, Honduras police became involved in a gun battle with a group of drug smugglers who refused to allow them to search a twin motor plane from Venezuela with false Red Cro

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Major air terminals to be remodelled in 2009: Gregorio Montecer, an adviser to Panama’s Civil Aviation Authority, announced on 12 January that tenders are now being sought for improvements to the Marcos A. Gelabert Airport at Alb

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – Government declares agricultural emergency: Uruguay’s government has been forced to put the National Emergency System into operation. President Tabaré Vazquez announced an emergency plan to tackle a drought that is causing serio

Severe flooding put the authorities and citizens on alert after a river burst its banks in northern Argentina. At least a thousand people had to be evacuated.

Japanese company Sumitomo has contacted Bolivian authorities to extract lithium from the salt flats of Uyuni in the departments of Potosí and Oruru which contain estimated reserves of 40 billion tonnes.

Eighteen new products have been added to the family shopping basket used to measure inflation in Colombia.

The Speaker of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies, Cesar Duarte, called for the creation of a 20 billion peso fund to tackle the economic crisis.

South America Regional News Round-up for February 10th, 2009.

Central America Regional News Roundup for February 10th, 2009.

The Central Bank forecasts that Ecuador’s economy will grow by 3.83 percent, with 5 percent inflation.

With a 3-1 victory over Uruguay, Venezuela’s under-20 football squad qualified for the first time in its history for a FIFA world championship. Reigning champions Argentina were knocked out after being beaten by Colombia.

President Leonel Fernandez welcomed Barrick Gold executives, who announced that the company intends to invest US$3 billion in a mining project expected to create 3,500 construction jobs.

In a report addressed to the G-20, the IMF forecast a reduction in Argentina’s GDP of approximately 6.5 per cent in 2009. Brazil will continue to grow ‎but at a slower rate.

The National Institute of Agrarian Reform (INRA) confirmed on 5 December that ten properties in the Alto Parapetí region, located in the state of Santa Cruz, are to be nationalised for failing to fulfill a socio-economic purpose.

The Community of Andean Nations have started negotiations for a trade agreement with the EU, omitting Bolivia due to a disagreement it had with Peru and Colombia over intellectual property, employment security and state purchases.

The International Monetary Fund questioned the results of investigations carried out by Mexico’s National Public Prosecutor’s Office on money laundering in the country, which has high levels of corruption caused by drug trafficking.

Concern is growing on the Uruguay–Brazil border because of the high incidence of animal-transmitted diseases, such as dengue fever, yellow fever, bovine paralytic rabies and pneumonia.

Michelle Bachelet travelled to Cuba to meet Raúl Castro and visit the Havana Book Fair. The controversial trip has aroused expectations for being the first visit to the island by a Chilean president since former president Salvador Allende’s visit 37 ye

Community of Andean Nations have started negotiations for a trade agreement with the EU, leaving Bolivia out due to a disagreement it had with Peru and Colombia over intellectual property, employment security and state purchases.

Chile's National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT) aims to make children familiar with technology and innovation.

Venezuelans will once again go to the polls to vote “Yes” or “No” to a constitutional amendment that would allow elected officials to run for successive terms.

Public services, including gas, electricity and transportation have increased by as much as 250 percent during January, representing a one percent increase in the country's rate of inflation.

Feb. 12 News Brief Central America

Feb. 12 News Brief South America

Argentinian director Adrian Biniez's latest film “Gigante” reaps world-wide success and is the 59th Berlin Film Festival's favourite.

Guatemala's National Institute of Statistics has affirmed that the government's free education policy was an important factor in the decrease of prices. Transport and living expenses have also reacted to lowered petroleum prices world-wide.

Brazilian giant oil company Petrobras seeks US$3.5 billlion from the international market to cancel acquired compromises and continue financing important growth achieved in recent years.

13 February News Brief Central America

13 February News Brief South America

Protectionist measures in Argentina put strain on trade relations with Brazil.

Santos Ramírez, former president of Bolivia's national petroleum company YPFB, was taken into custody for alleged involvement in corruption scandal.

Central American governments continue their efforts to check drug trafficking and crime in the region. Central American organized crime has been linked with Mexican drug trafficking.

16 Feb. News Brief Central America

16 Feb. News Brief South America

Brazil's Central Bank announced that their economy's expected growth for 2009 will be slightly less than previously expected, increasing only by 1.5 percent.

There is rising concern over declines in Argentinian automotive sales and production. It is the first time that this market falls back since 2002. Businesses and government are encouraging soft loans to soften the possible effects of the crisis.

Feb. 17 News Brief Central America

Feb. 17 News Brief South America

Uruguayan local airline Pluna has launched a publicity campaign to promote cheaper fares by using unauthorized images of local presidential candidates.

Paraguayan public health authorities fear that rains will bring new dengue outbreak.

The Costa Rican government is adopting measures to soften the effects of the current world economic crisis by promoting growth through cutting costs, getting loans and seeking international cooperation with the European Union.

Government questions Chilean banks’ practices as lending is slashed, while interest rates – even though they have been lowered twelve times since 2001 – remain high.

Three Colombian citizens were lynched in Ecuador, victims of an indigenous practice known as Indigenous Law or Indigenous Execution, where community members take the law into their own hands.

Buffeted by the global economic crisis, Brazil’s stock market dropped 5 percent on February 18. President Lula met private bankers to study ways of countering the damage and keeping Brazil’s economy afloat.

The world-famous music festival held annually in the Chilean city of Viña del Mar prepares for its 50th edition, with the company of international music legends and friends.

After three straight days of higher-than-normal contamination levels in Mexico City, authorities lower environmental pre-contingency phase.

February 21 marks the beginning of 2009’s month-long Carnival celebrations in the Uruguayan state of Rivera. The event is expected to attract close to 10,000 visitors.

Peru once again requested that Ecuador reconsider lowering the import taxes it imposed on 10 January, after Lima registered trade losses worth US$200 million.

February 21 marks the beginning of 2009’s month-long Carnival celebrations in the Uruguayan state of Rivera. The event is expected to attract close to 10,000 visitors.

Peru once again requested that Ecuador reconsider lowering the import taxes it imposed on 10 January, after Lima registered trade losses worth US$200 million.

Feb. 19 news Brief Central America

Feb. 19 News Brief South America

Four Argentinian tennis pros join their fellow countryman David Nalbandian in the quarter finals of ATP's Buenos Aires Tournament, also known as Copa Telmex. Nalbandian eliminated Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver by 7-5 and 6-2.

Prisoners from eleven different detention centres in El Salvador organised protests and demonstrations to protest about unsatisfactory prison conditions, and demand better facilities as well as the removal of prison staff.

Widespread displeasure in Argentina over Berlusconi ‘death flights’ gaffe.

Chile launched a health initiative to prevent a dengue fever epidemic from spreading into its territory from neighbouring Bolivia.

After a meeting with COSEP, Nicaragua’s Private Sector has made recommendations to the government in order to face the world economic crisis, including the recovery of international aid.

Russian Gazprom consolidates its presence in Bolivia through agreements signed by Presidents Evo Morales and Dmitri Medvedev in Moscow to exploit Bolivia's natural gas reserves and guarantee supply to Bolivia's domestic market, as well as exports to Brazi

Severe drought has forced Uruguay’s government to restrict water use in Montevideo and Canelones.

Paraguay’s Nacional Asuncion lost their second Libertadores Cup match 0-3 to Uruguay’s Nacional Montevideo. The convincing victory took the Montevideo team’s points total to six while its Paraguayan rival has yet to win a point.

20 Feb. News Brief South America

20 Feb. News Brief Central America

On 19 February, Argentina's government gave British-born Bishop Richard Williamson ten days to leave the country after he publicly denied the existence of Holocaust gas chambers.

Brazilian scientists and researchers look to agricultural biotechnology to cope with imminent climate change. The trick is to create plants that withstand heat and drought.

Panama's Flex leads the Latin Billboard nominations in 13 categories, including Top Latin Album for a male singer.

Colombia defends itself after the annual report by the UN’s International Narcotics Control Board stated that Colombia continues to be the world’s number one coca producer, with a 27 percent increase in illegal cultivation of the crop.

Share prices on the Chilean Stock Exchange rose 0.64 percent on 19 February, as the NYSE index fell.

Ecuadorian authorities announced audits of two of the three firms tied to Stanford Group in Ecuador, following growing fear and caution by investors in response to investigations and fraud allegations against Texas billionaire Robert Allen Stanford.

23 February News Brief Central America/Caribbean

Feb. 23 News Brief South America

Spaniard Tommy Robredo beat Argentinian Juan Mónaco 7-5, 2-6 and 7-6 (7/5) to take home the 2009 Telmex Cup at the Buenos Aires Tennis Open. It is his second consecutive title and career ninth.

Brazilian and Bolivian police signed a cooperation agreement on February 18 to fight drug and arms trafficking and money laundering on their borders.

Government launches campaign to double fruit and vegetable intake in Costa Rica after WHO warns that current figures are below recommended levels.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has ruled out cutting back on his widely popular social programs despite warning that petroleum prices are too low.

US non-profit corporation Bless the Children has coordinated efforts with Honduran non-profit organisation Proniño to bring medical aid to impoverished children in Honduras.

Following the 2006 nationalization of oil company YPFB, Bolivia’s government has electricity companies in its sights.

Feb. 24 News Brief South America

Feb. 24 News Brief Central America

Mexican President Felipe Calderón proposed four independent board members to manage state-owned petroleum company Pemex, in accordance with his new energy reform bill.

‘Most favoured nation’ banana producers continue negotiating to end long-running tariff dispute with EU.

Thirty-four-year-old Colombian patient John Freddy García was the first in Colombia to get a brain tumour removed using the Gamma Knife technique, which avoids cutting into the brain altogether.

Aiming to relieve the effects of the world economic crisis, Chile's Ministry of Economic Affairs asked the Central Bank to sell more than US$3 billion to finance an economic stimulus plan for Chile.

Bolivian indigenous leaders denounced the government of fellow indigenous president Evo Morales, of marginalising them in favour of opportunistic politicians currently in power.

Paraguay’s carnival celebrations came to a dazzling end as floats and dancers paraded through the streets of Encarnacion, Villarrica and Caacupé.

Costa Rican health authorities issue a health alert after finding salmonella in energy bar “Nut Roll Bars”.

25 Feb. News Brief South America

25 Feb. News Brief Central America and the Caribbean

To prevent fraud and irregularities in the upcoming presidential elections, El Salvador's Supreme Electoral Tribunal is appealing to the conscience of citizens and authorities to increase voting system transparency.

During his visit to Tokyo, Peruvian Foreign Minister José Antonio García Belaúnde met with his Japanese counterpart to discuss a possible free trade agreement between Peru and Japan.

The Dominican Republic’s association of home builders has called for a 14 percent interest rate reduction to stimulate the economy and revitalise the construction industry.

Following a plunge in international prices, a severe drought and run-ins with the government over export taxes, agriculture and livestock producers sat down with officials on 24 February to alleviate tension and reach an agreement.

Uruguay’s Defensor Sporting drew 0-0 against Colombia’s Independiente Medellin in their second Santander Libertadores Cup group stage match and stand top of their group with four points. Independiente Medellin are in second place with two points.

26 Feb. News Brief Central America and the Caribbean

26 Feb. News Brief South America