Pressure piled on Karzai over poll Oct 19, 2009
US dollar counterfeiters pushed out of Colombia are setting up in Peru. Latest Blogs. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Brazil spends to transform slums Oct 18, 2009
A cable car system is also being constructed to help take residents up the steep incline to their homes that sprawl over the Rio hillsides - a model that was also used to help to integrate communities from the shanty towns in Medellin in Colombia. The government has set aside huge sums of money to spend on energy, infrastructure and transport projects across Brazil. (BBC News -- Americas)
Laptop for every pupil in Uruguay Oct 17, 2009
Mr Brechner said that Rwanda, Haiti, El Salvador, Paraguay, some provinces in Argentina and Colombia have been in touch although they have not yet decided to contract their services. "We would help them with tenders, planning, evaluation, which software to use, how to spread the word, training, all the "know how" we have developed. We don't have a manual. It?s a culture shock scenario - many countries are simply too scared to put it into practice.". (BBC News -- Americas)
Chile fans to flock stadium to give thanks to Bielsa Oct 13, 2009
Chile, who booked their place at the Finals in South Africa with a game to spare when they won 4-2 away to Colombia on Saturday, face Ecuador who need a win for a chance of reaching a playoff against a team from the Concacaf region. Bielsa, who took charge of Chile in August 2007, has also achieved several firsts: a first competitive victory over Argentina, a first win against Peru in Lima in 24 years and a first victory against Paraguay in Asuncion in 28 years. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Honduran Businessmen Propose End to Coup Sep 30, 2009
He said the peacekeepers could come from conservative-led nations like Colombia, Panama or Canada. He said Tuesday the plan could include U.N. peacekeepers. (CBS News)
Click to read:Poll: Afghanistan Troop Increase Unpopular Sep 25, 2009
Colombia has been fighting drug cartel for more than 40 years. We should train the Afghans to do the same and get out of that hell. (CBS News)
Leading the way Sep 23, 2009
Jose Maria Figueres is a former President of Costa Rica, Juan Mayr is a former Environment Minister of Colombia and Marina Silva is a former Environment Minister of Brazil ... Are middle-income nations such as Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica and South Korea showing the way. (BBC News -- Americas)
A Willowy Weakness Sep 23, 2009
And he allows unratified trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea and Panama to languish. Nevertheless, he says he favors free trade. (Townhall.com)
Nepal beset by chaos and conjecture Sep 23, 2009
The group found that conditions in Nepal are not as bad as Somalia, Afghanistan and Uganda, but more disturbing than in Lebanon, Burkina Faso and Colombia. But Nepal's beleaguered Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal does not like to present himself as the leader of a trouble-torn. (Asia Times Online)
U.S. Anti-Narcotics Base in Ecuador Closes Sep 19, 2009
U.S. plans to transfer the interdiction missions to bases leased in Colombia has sparked controversy across South America and saber-rattling by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an ally of Correa ... Opposition assemblyman Cesar Montufar said the departure of U.S. troops is "worrisome, especially because of our proximity to Colombia and because drug trafficking could grow in our country." ... Ecuador produces little coca the base ingredient in cocaine but is bordered by Colombia and Peru, the... (Fox News)
Presidential Control Freaks Ruin Democracies Sep 18, 2009
The latest victim is Colombias president ... The latest example of presidential excess is in Colombia, which U.S. investors had favored ... In 2004 Uribe successfully persuaded congress to amend the Colombian constitution to allow him to run for a second consecutive term. (Bloomberg -- Columnists)
Barack Obama and free trade: Economic vandalism Sep 18, 2009
Besides these sins of commission sit the sins of omission: the president has done nothing at all to advance the three free-trade packages that are pending in Congress, with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, three solid American allies who deserve much better. And much more serious than that, because it affects the whole world, is his failure to put anything worthwhile on the table to help revive the moribund Doha round of trade talks. (The Economist)
Obama Tariffs on Chinese Tires Echo Bush, Clinton Prelude to Opening Trade Sep 14, 2009
Agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea have been stalled in Congress in part because of Democratic opposition. China strongly opposes Obamas decision to impose tariffs and may refer the case to the World Trade Organization, that countrys Ministry of Commerce said Sept. 12. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Sharpening his aim - and his image Sep 14, 2009
Over his 42 years, McCrea is, has been, or has called himself a chess prodigy; a table-tennis champion; a professional motorcycle racer; a National Merit Scholar; a Framingham Heart Study participant; a high-altitude geophysicist; an affordable-housing developer; a mentor to urban youth; a competitive ice sculptor; a celebrity-by-marriage in Colombia; and an expert witness on motorcycle crashes. This year he added a new line to his unique r. (Boston Globe)
How Many Troops Should Be in Afghanistan? Sep 12, 2009
Colombia has been fighting the FARCS guerrilla for 40 years. The Afghans can fight Taliban for 40 years too. (CBS News)
Country profile: Venezuela Sep 12, 2009
This has been seen, in part, as an effort to counter Washington's influence in the region, and has been a contributory factor in strained relations with US allies such as Colombia. Facts. (BBC News -- Business)
Obama in showdown over Chinese tires Sep 10, 2009
South Korea, Colombia and Panama have all signed free-trade agreements awaiting Obama's decision to submit them to congress. These and other trading partners are looking for signs of how they will be treated by this administration. (Asia Times Online)
'Surprise' visit Sep 8, 2009
"South America has been treated as North America's backyard for too long, and the pendulum has started to swing. Fidel Castro told me in an interview back in 2002 that that would happen, but I never believed it at the time. I believe only Mexico and Colombia could now be described as pro-USA.". He's got discipline. (BBC News -- Americas)
* Former Brazilian president says war on drugs has failed Sep 7, 2009
Cardoso, a sociologist, said Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador had all now taken steps toward drug law liberalization and that change was imminent in Brazil. The way forward worldwide would involve a strategy of reaching out, patiently and persistently, to the users and not the continued waging of a misguided and counterproductive war that makes the users, rather than the drug lords, the primary victims, he said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Chavez visits Syria, calls government of Israel genocidal Sep 6, 2009
Because there the US empire is trying to turn Colombia ... Venezuela and Colombia have been feuding for weeks over negotiations between the Colombian government and Washington that would allow the US military to increase its presence at seven Colombian bases through a 10-year lease agreement ... Colombia says its necessary to more effectively help fight drug traffickers and leftist rebels. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Market Forecaster Sep 5, 2009
Optional origin sales of 7,400 MT for delivery in 09/10 were for Colombia. Exports of 1,045,000 MT were down 18 percent from the previous week and 8 percent from the prior four-week average. (Midwest Bulls Eye, NE)
Why Chavez is wooing autocrats abroad Sep 5, 2009
Chavez began this trip after failing to convince other South American presidents at a regional summit last week to condemn the expanded US military presence planned for neighboring Colombia ... Chavez thought he could capitalize on the that Colombia was planning to allow US troops to have access to seven of its military bases throughout the country ... To dramatize his concern, Chavez threatened to cut off trade with Colombia a major source of food, machinery, and cars for Venezuela as... (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Is Colombia's Uribe pulling a Chvez on term limits? Sep 3, 2009
Is Colombia's Uribe pulling a Chvez on term limits ... Colombia's Interior and Justice Minister, Fabio Valencia (c ... celebrates with lawmakers after voting during a session of the Colombian Chamber of Representatives in Bogota on Tuesday. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Colombian House OKs vote on Uribe third term Sep 3, 2009
Colombian lawmakers OK referendum on Uribe third term - CNN.com ... Colombian lawmakers OK referendum on Uribe third term ... Measure goes to Colombian constitutional court for approval after lawmakers OK it. (CNN -- World)
Colombia: A Snag in Uribe's Re-Election Steamroller Sep 3, 2009
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez attends a military promotion ceremony at Jose Maria Cordova Military School in Bogota ... President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia is a phantom candidate with a long shadow ... On the face of it, the decision by Colombia's lower house should be a clear victory for the popular president. (Time.com)
Colombia's Congress Approves Holding Referendum on Uribe Third Term Bid Sep 2, 2009
Colombias Congress Approves Referendum on Uribe Third Term Bid - Bloomberg ... Colombias Congress Approves Referendum on Uribe Third Term Bid ... Sept. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Colombian President cleared another hurdle toward running for re-election as the approved a national referendum on changing the constitution to allow presidents to serve three straight terms. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Colombia's Lower House OKs Re-Election Bill Sep 2, 2009
Aug. 28: Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe at the UNASUR summit in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. BOGOTA Colombia's lower House approved a bill calling for a referendum on whether to change the constitution to allow President Alvaro Uribe to run for a third consecutive term ... The bill, which has already passed the Senate, now goes to Colombia's Constitution Court, which has 90 days to rule on it. (Fox News)
AP IMPACT: Tainted cocaine kills 3, sickens dozens Sep 1, 2009
Tainted cocaine kills 3, sickens dozens - Yahoo. Search Type Choose a search type from the items below. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
If Colombia Is Winning Its War, Why Are People Fleeing? Sep 1, 2009
If Colombia Is Winning Its War, Why Are People Fleeing ... If Colombia Is Winning Its War, Why Are People Fleeing ... As he contemplates running for a third term next year, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe must first get over the swine flu, which he was diagnosed with over the weekend. (Time.com)
Kenya: Hague Court Prepares Post-Polls Violence Trials Aug 29, 2009
It has listed Kenya, alongside Afghanistan, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire and Palestine among states it is monitoring on it's calendar for 2009 and 2010. "Key challenges in the coming year will include the requirement to provide live transcripts in both French and English, quality interpretation including in Kiswahili, Lingala and Arabic," states the ICC website. (allAfrica.com)
How Diplomacy Is Like Sex Aug 29, 2009
In rapid succession, the countries of the region, some very well disposed toward Obama at the outset, have been disappointed by the U.S. failure to aggressively promote the restoration of a democratically elected president in Honduras, its not-so-deftly managed announcement of a military basing deal with the Colombians and its too-quiet response to moves to by Colombia's President Uribe to revise his country's constitution so he can seek another term of office ... As for the Colombian bases,... (Slate)
South American Summit Assails U.S.-Colombia Accord as Obama's Appeal Wanes Aug 29, 2009
South America Leaders Seek Obama Meeting on Colombia (Update3) - Bloomberg ... South America Leaders Seek Obama Meeting on Colombia (Update3) ... Aug. 28 (Bloomberg) -- South American leaders agreed to review of a military accord between the U.S. and Colombia today after some presidents said it would threaten the regions sovereignty. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
South America Summit to Assail U.S.-Colombia Pact as Obama's Appeal Wanes Aug 28, 2009
South America Summit to Assail U.S.-Colombia Military Accord - Bloomberg ... South America Summit to Assail U.S.-Colombia Military Accord ... Aug. 28 (Bloomberg) -- South American leaders gather in Argentina today to vent criticism of a planned U.S. military buildup in Colombia, a move threatening to spoil President s bid to repair frayed ties with the region. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Colombia senate bolsters Uribe’s possible bid for third term Aug 21, 2009
Colombia senate bolsters Uribe s possible bid for third term - The Boston Globe ... Colombia senate bolsters Uribe s possible bid for third term ... BOGOT - President lvaro Uribe, whose government has forged a close alliance with the United States to fight Marxist guerrillas and drug traffickers, stepped closer to extending his presidency when Colombia s Senate voted late Wednesday in favor of an effort to allow him to run for reelection. (Boston Globe)
Colombia's Senate Approves Uribe Bill Aug 20, 2009
(BOGOTA) Colombia's Senate voted late Wednesday to pass a bill calling for a referendum on whether to change the constitution to allow President Alvaro Uribe to run for a third term ... The referendum would ask voters if Colombia should modify its constitution to allow presidents to run for two consecutive re-elections ... Colombia's next election is in May 2010, and Uribe has not yet said publicly if he will run for a third term. (Time.com)
Colombia's Senate Clears Way for Referendum on Third Term for Alvaro Uribe Aug 20, 2009
Colombias Senate Clears Way for Referendum on Uribe Third Term - Bloomberg ... Colombias Senate Clears Way for Referendum on Uribe Third Term ... Aug. 20 (Bloomberg) -- Colombias Senate passed a bill that may pave the way for a national referendum on whether to allow President to seek a third consecutive term in next years presidential election. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Obama's shout-out for Mexico's drug war Aug 19, 2009
The US spent $6 billion in Colombia from 2000 to 2006 in an effort to break drug cartels in that smaller Latin American country. In the US, it took decades for the FBI and police to rid many cities of organized crime. (Christian Science Monitor)
Will the Pentagon Fight Global Warming? Aug 17, 2009
He noted that Interpol has warned that a large-scale marketplace for carbon credits likely would establish funding streams for groups like Colombia s Marxist FARC terrorists, the Russian Mafia, or Mexican drug cartels. Those are groups that already threaten America s national security in a variety of ways. (Human Events Online)
Pitt laughs over New Orleans mayor T-shirt push Aug 15, 2009
Singer-actress Hilary Duff brought her Blessings in a Backpack program to Colombia Friday to distribute 3,000 knapsacks of food to poor children in a school district south of the capital city. Combine one part silver fox, one part distinguished actor and one part devoted husband of Barbra Streisand. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
FARC chief denies getting Venezuela arms Aug 14, 2009
BOGOT - The top guerrilla leader in Colombia denied in comments published yesterday that his organization received antitank weapons from Venezuela or funded the electoral ambitions of Ecuador s president. Alfonso Cano, commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, accused President lvaro Uribe of media terrorism for insinuating that Venezuela s government provided rocket launchers we captured a long time ago in a military battle on the border ... FARC, Latin America s last major rebel... (Boston Globe)
Letters to the Editor: On economics Aug 13, 2009
On economics, gambling, Ecuador and Colombia, American politics ... SIR Regarding your article on Colombia s FARC guerrillas, the government of Ecuador is confident that President Rafael Correa s election campaign received no funds from the rebels ( , July 25th) ... Beyond that, we have no new information about the outrageous allegations stemming from a video leaked to reporters by the Colombian government, in which the FARC claims they made contributions. (The Economist)
The war on drugs needs a timeout Aug 12, 2009
Bogot, Colombia; and Buenos Aires - On Monday, President Obama restated his support for Mexican President Felipe Caldern's aggressive tactics in the fight against drug trafficking ... But that simply shifted production to Colombia and then to the US, while allowing heroin production and cocaine trafficking to rise ... Colombia has been the most high-profile, high-stakes test case of the hemisphere's struggle against drugs. (Christian Science Monitor)
* World News Quick Take Aug 11, 2009
We suppose they were brought from Colombia to the island of San Andres and were then transferred to Bluefields, from which they had hoped to continue their journey to the United States to pursue the American dream, Deputy Commissioner Rolando Coulson told reporters. UNITED STATES. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Chvez stirs anxiety over US military deal in Colombia Aug 11, 2009
Chvez stirs anxiety over US military deal in Colombia ... Bogot, Colombia - Controversy over Colombia's decision to host an expanded US military presence loomed over a summit Monday of South American leaders, which President lvaro Uribe refused to attend for fear of a diplomatic ambush ... Venezuela's President Hugo Chvez, who says the increased US presence in neighboring Colombia is aimed at overthrowing his leftist government, had sought a region-wide censure of the pending military... (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
O'Farrell's bedroom magic Aug 11, 2009
Sean Nicholls and Erik Jensen. Still struggling to erase mental images of the former Opposition leader Peter Debnam in Speedos during the 2007 election campaign, a handful of lucky NSW voters have now been exposed to the virility of the premier-in-waiting Barry O'Farrell. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Gen Jones: More Troops Not "Off the Table" Aug 10, 2009
WASHINGTON, August 9, 2009. Obama National Security Adviser Says Troop Surge in Afghanistan Not Ruled Out. (CBS News)
Iran's Opposition Wants Investigation Into Rape Aug 10, 2009
Venezuelan Leader says Plan to Boost U.S. Troop Presence in Neighboring Colombia is a Growing "Threat". News in Pictures Scroll Left Scroll Right. (CBS News -- World)
AP: Sanford Took Personal Trips on Plane Aug 10, 2009
COLUMBIA, S.C., Aug. 9, 2009. State-Funded Plane Used for Transportation to Hair, Dentist Appointments, Donor's Birthday Party, Records Show. (CBS News)
Chavez berates Colombia 'incursion' Aug 10, 2009
Chavez slams Colombia 'incursion. Mr Chavez wants Colombia to scrap plans to increase US troop numbers ... Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has accused Colombia of carrying out a military incursion into Venezuela. (BBC News)
The week ahead Aug 9, 2009
Alvaro Uribe, Colombia s president, has said that he will not attend after a wave of criticism over his decision to allow American troops to use military bases in his country to pursue the battle against drug trafficking. He got a mixed response from his counterparts on a recent whirlwind tour of South America. (The Economist)
Newsweek: Latin America tilting right, not left Aug 8, 2009
Nowhere more than in Venezuela, where Hugo Chvez, channeling Fidel Castro circa 1960, is silencing foes and the media (he just shut down 34 radio stations) and spreading blessings and aid (Russian Kalashnikovs, Swedish missiles) to Colombia's FARC guerrillas ... In a PODER/Zogby poll commissioned earlier this year by NEWSWEEK, 63 percent of Latin Americans ages 18 to 29 said they believe that free trade is not only good but "benefits all people." The same number saw Colombia's FARC guerrillas... (MSNBC -- International)
Chavez fumes at Colombia Aug 7, 2009
Chavez fumes at neighbour Colombia ... Mr Chavez insists Venezuela has played no part in arming Colombian rebels ... As he addressed journalists on Wednesday, he said the props were necessary to show that Colombia was lying when it suggested Venezuela had been arming Colombian rebels. (BBC News -- Americas)
Brazil in nod to Colombian leader Aug 7, 2009
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has received tacit support from Brazil for his plans to allow US troops to use Colombian military bases. Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim said it considered the agreement to be a sovereign Colombian matter ... Peru also expressed support, while Chile and Paraguay said the accord was a matter for Colombia. (BBC News -- Americas)
Colombian guilty of pyramid scam Aug 7, 2009
A Colombian businessman has been found guilty of running a pyramid scheme that collapsed last year with thousands of people losing their life savings ... Murcia Guzman was extradited from Panama to Colombia last November to face accusations that his business was a pyramid scheme that amassed millions of dollars and duped at least 200,000 Colombians out of their life savings ... Murcia Guzman is still to be sentenced and faces 10 to 15 years in jail, Colombian media report. (BBC News -- Americas)
Chvez rages at US plan to boost antidrug ops in Colombia Aug 7, 2009
Chvez rages at US plan to boost antidrug ops in Colombia. Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has agreed to host the Pentagon's narcotics-interdiction flight operations, which were recently kicked out of Ecuador ... Washington - South America's left-right ideological tensions are flaring once again, this time over a US military plan to beef up its presence in Colombia. (Christian Science Monitor -- USA)
Colombia's Uribe On Trip To Defend US Bases Pact Aug 5, 2009
Colombian President Uribe On Whirlwind Trip Through Region To Defend US Bases Pact ... (AP) President Alvaro Uribe headed off on a whirlwind South American tour Tuesday to defend his plans to expand the U.S. military's presence in Colombia, a prospect that worries even friendly nations in the region ... Silva said last week that "I don't like the idea of an American military base in Colombia.". (CBS News -- World)
Chavez Condemns Attack On Opposition TV Station Aug 5, 2009
3) Chavez has provided money and weapons to the FARC, a terrorist group that makes its money by kidnapping Colombian people, and by sending tons of cocaine and heroine to the United States ... 5) Chavez has bought this year several billion dollars in weapons from Russia, and he has repeatedly insulted the United States and threatened the countries of Colombia and Honduras. (CBS News -- World)
7 Countries That Are Furious with Obama Aug 1, 2009
The Obama administration has done nothing to pass the Colombian Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The Colombians have been very explicit about how important the agreement is to them economically ... The Obama administration has done nothing to pass the Colombian Free Trade Agreement (FTA). (Slate)
U.S.-Panama trade deal may test Obama goals Jul 31, 2009
Along with treaties with Colombia and South Korea, the Panama deal is opposed by those arguing that trade accords dating to the 1994 have cost the U.S. jobs. Proposed legislation requiring the renegotiation of and other deals has drawn 115 co-sponsors, including Rep. (USA Today -- Money)
Possible US-Colombia military deal raises regional tensions Jul 30, 2009
Trucks loaded with Colombian merchandise wait at customs for permission to enter Venezuela near the border city of La Raya, Venezuela, on Wednesday. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavesz 'froze' relations with Colombia because of a pending agreement that would give the US military broad access to several Colombian bases ... President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela declared the agreement between the US and Colombia an affront to his country, adding that the deal was "opening the doors to people who... (Christian Science Monitor)
Pelosi The Mistrusted Jul 29, 2009
She's halted a job-creating free trade treaty with our ally Colombia. Now she's nationalizing U.S. health care. (Investors Business Daily)
Macau chief Ho goes out with a whimper Jul 29, 2009
"Edmund Ho put Macau on the world map, but so have Colombian drug barons put Colombia on the world map - for all the wrong reasons," one resident who asked not be identified, fearing the professional consequences of criticizing the government, countered. "This was a man with really one idea only - to generate money at all costs, to the neglect of almost all the other areas of a societys development.". (Asia Times Online)
Colombia's Central Bank Keeps Rate at 4.5% After Seven Consecutive Cuts Jul 25, 2009
Colombia Bank Keeps Rate at 4 ... Colombia Bank Keeps Rate at 4 ... July 24 (Bloomberg) -- Colombias kept its unchanged today after seven straight cuts as inflation slows and the economy shows signs of recovery. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Journalist deaths rise in media 'bloodbath'... Jul 24, 2009
It said there were six in Pakistan, five each in Iraq, the Philippines, Russia and Somalia, four in Gaza and Honduras, three in Colombia, two each in Afghanistan, Guatemala, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Venezuela and one in India, Indonesia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, and Madagascar. The PEC called on all UN states, international organizations and non-government organisations to take action "to stop this bloodbath against journalists". (The Drudge Report)
Colombia's Bank May Keep Lending Rate at 4.5% After Seven Straight Cuts Jul 24, 2009
Colombia Bank May Keep Rate at 4 ... Colombia Bank May Keep Rate at 4 ... July 24 (Bloomberg) -- Colombias will probably keep its unchanged today after seven straight reductions as inflation slows and the economy shows signs of a recovery. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
