Colombia, Act Inspires Hotel Companies to Invest
•Act 2755 from 2003 will allow hotel companies 30 years without income tax as they will build new hotels and rooms in Colombia until 2017 per elpais.com.co.
•Between 2011 and 2012, the number of rooms is to be increased by 7,110.
•Hotel chains such as Marriott are investing.
•In 2010 alone, $1.7 billion USD was invested in hotel construction.
•Colombia has been experiencing an increase of tourists to the point that there was 60% occupancy by the end of 2010 of hotels according to Cotelco.
•Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena are the main tourist spots. Read Article
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Agriculture
Antartica
- Japanase travel company cancels Antartica tour due to protest by researchers over safety issues
- Norwegian explorer arrested in Chile after making illegal trip to Antarctica
- Brazil to rebuild scientific research base destroyed by fire in Antarctica
- High Winds alert Magallanes and Antartica Chilena, Chile
- 27 Hospitals in Cordoba Argentina continue strike over wages
Archaeology
- Ecuador negotiating return of archaeological pieces from U.S. museum
- Tohono O'odham petroglyphs of interest near Caborca Mexico
- Uzhcurrumi Ecuador, the lost city of archeology
- Honduras, residents of Bay Islands reporting looting of Spanish Galleon by U.S. citizen
- Peru: Ministry of Culture to push major archaeological sites protection program 2012
Argentina
- International Drug-Trafficking Operation Intercepted in Argentina
- Whooping cough cases up 90%, 2012 in Argentina, remerging disease
- Sales of real estate plummet in Cañuelas Argentina, limited access to dollars
- Argentina: Murderer given permission to water plants, escapes from police station
- Buenos Aires: next week subways to have work stoppage three days
Belize
Border Issues
- Maquiladora evacuated after chemical spill Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
- Mexico spends nearly 4 million pesos supporting deported immigrants returning from the U.S.
- Haitians, Cubans returned after intercepts at sea by U.S. Coast Guard
- ACLU asks DHS initiate investigation of alleged abuses at U.S. ports of entries with Mexico
- A New Spanish migration to Latin America? (Opinion)
Brazil
Business
- Sales of real estate plummet in Cañuelas Argentina, limited access to dollars
- Venezuela: Food production facing crisis
- Survey says: What 38 percent of Peruvians want to tell their boss
- Maquiladora evacuated after chemical spill Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
- Unemployment most impact on youth in Latin America
Cacao Global
China
- Mexican navy seized 136 ton shipment of precursor chemicals from China bound for Honduras
- Peru cancels purchase of air defense system from Northrop Grumman Consortium after pressure from China
- Déleg Ecuador: Roadway being financed by Chinese
- Ecuador: Assemblyman alleges breech of contract in purchase of Chinese radars
- Chinese police assist Argentine counterparts in attempt to thwart Chinese Mafia
Ciudad Juárez
- A 13 year old is shot dead Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
- Maquiladora evacuated after chemical spill Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
- Shooting Attack kills a Mother and her Son in the City of Juarez
- Mexico: Authorities arrest husband and wife for possession of drugs, weapons and counterfeit money in Juarez
- Mexico: 10 year old brutally abused by parents
Colombia
- Colombian Air Force Dismantles Clandestine Airstrip
- Clandestine airstrip destroyed by authorities Chocó Colombia
- FARC releases businessman after seven months of captivity
- Colombia Air Force to particpate in exercises with U.S., July, 2012
- Four soldiers injured when FARC set off mine field Puerto Nuevo Colombia
Conflicts
- Narco-Terrorist Attack in Peru Indicates New Drug Trafficking Route
- Army, cabinet shake-up due to Peru hostage crisis
- Mexican journalist becomes victim number 12, in 2012, signs of torture
- Authorities fail to control two week old riot in Caracas prison
- Authorities believe individuals killed in joint Honduran, DEA operation were not involved in trafficking
Corruption
- Mexico: Diconsa a major government social agency rife with theft
- More than 3,000 Mexican military members court martialed in last five years
- Peru: Spanish tourist video tapes police officers trying to elicit bribe for traffic infraction, officers under investigation
- Walmart involved in bribery scandal, Mexico
- Caracas asks Interpol to issue an arrest warrant against former judge
Costa Rica
- Costa Rica: Politician loses bid for presidency of congress due to "cockfighting"
- Government orders homes businesses destroyed, Limón Costa Rica
- Alert: Costa Rica advises caution when visiting volcanoes, recent activity Aprill 2012
- Costa Rica: Gas prices may rise in May 2012
- Costa Rican police officer under investigation, Facebook picture shows picture of officer in Nazi garb, salute
Crime
Cuba
- U.S. grants visas to 60 Cubans, reject 11 for Latin America conference San Francisco
- Haitians, Cubans returned after intercepts at sea by U.S. Coast Guard
- 13 Cuban illegal immigrants detained Colombia
- One of five Cuban agents convicted or espionage permitted to visit Cuba, returns to U.S.
- Royal Caribbean Cruise ship rescues 23 cubans
Culture
- GLBT community celebrate Quito center day against homophobia
- Argentina: Bones skulls found, apparently used for witchcraft
- Teen pregnancy hindering development in Latin America
- Costa Rica: Politician loses bid for presidency of congress due to "cockfighting"
- Colombia: Indigenous newborn girl dies after genital mutilation
Dominican Republic
- Dominican Republic: INTERPOL detains wanted fraud suspect, deported to Russia
- Canadian Tourist arrested Dominican Republic drug charges
- Sabatoge of power lines Dominican Republic serious security issue
- 20 kilos cocaine seized Dominican Republic bound for Philadelphia
- U.S. to assist Dominican Republic in fighting crimes against the environment and fauna
Drug Activity
- Colombian Air Force Dismantles Clandestine Airstrip
- International Drug-Trafficking Operation Intercepted in Argentina
- Narco-Terrorist Attack in Peru Indicates New Drug Trafficking Route
- 400 Kilos of Drugs Seized in Peru; Possible New Drug Trafficking Route Discovered
- Mexican Army seizes 300 kilos of methamphetamine Sinaloa
Earthquake
Easter Island
Economy
- Sales of real estate plummet in Cañuelas Argentina, limited access to dollars
- Venezuela: Food production facing crisis
- Unemployment most impact on youth in Latin America
- 11,000 Ecuadorians reported as having returned from Europe since 2010, due to lost jobs
- Argentina tightens restrictions on purchases of dollars
Ecuador
- Crime victims Cuenca ask city to integrate security camera system to monitor historic center
- Ecuador hit by outbreak of dengue
- GLBT community celebrate Quito center day against homophobia
- Ecuador: Cocaine lab discovered near crash site of plane crash with 1.3 million dollars
- 1.34 million dollars found on downed Mexican aircraft in Ecuador
El Salvador
- Central America: One out of fifty young people will die due to violence according to U.N.
- El Salvador Gang Truce Raises Troubling Questions for Region
- Guatemalan auto thieves arrested San Salvador, El Salvador
- Editor of online newspaper flees El Salvador due to threats from criminal elements
- Members of new guerilla group named FARP captured in El Salvador
Enviromental Issues
- Mexico: Fire in Zacatecas takes over paint storage and distribution center
- Meteorite lands in Puebla, Mexico
- Workers block plant José León Suárez , threatens trash pickup in Buenos Aires
- Maquiladora evacuated after chemical spill Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
- Three earthquakes recorded different regions of Peru Monday May 14, 2012
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
- History: Reagan On The Falkland/Malvinas: "Give[] Maggie enough to carry on..."
- British Petroleum tells Argentina it has no plans to explore for oil in Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
- Argentina: Violent protests outside British embassy
- Argentina: Quebracho group holds protest at British embassy, burn flag
- British Defense secretary states Argentina not military threat, lacks capacity to go to war
FARC
- FARC releases businessman after seven months of captivity
- Four soldiers injured when FARC set off mine field Puerto Nuevo Colombia
- Number of FARC factions being driven out of drug business
- FARC: Proposal for delivery of French journalist Romeo Langlois
- FARC offers to deliver kidnapped French Journalist to Red Cross
Galapagos Islands
- Arthur Frommer's post on development in the Galapagos
- 32 Ecuadorians kicked out of the Galapagos Islands
- Galapagos Islands: Airfares increase, shortage of supplies due to decrease in number of cargo ships operating
- U.S. Bombs from WWII destroyed on the Galapagos Islands
- Galapagos Islands: Fishing Boat Detained Inside Reserve Area
Guatemala
- UK Guatemala Travel Advisory
- Central America: One out of fifty young people will die due to violence according to U.N.
- Guatemala to engage 300 elite troops in fight against "Narcos"
- Guatemala's president moves into slum for the weekend
- Authorities cracking down on trafficking in humans via operations in Guatemala City
Guyana
- Venezuela deploys 15,000 troops to borders with Colombia, Brazil, Guyana
- Venezuela ratifies dialogue in defense of their interests in state bordering Guyana
- Argentina: Highest alcohol consuming nation in South America
- Latin American Countries to Study Amazon Deforestation and Water Resources
- Labor dispute erupts Guyana, one dead, injuries
Haiti
Health
- Ecuador: Carnival weekend 2012 leaves 85 dead, 551 injured, 20 missing
- Young girls working as prostitutes in Haiti for lack of water and food
- Emergency declared in 29 municipalities of Coahuila Mexico due to drought
- Near Banos Ecuador, cow killed by bovine rabies
- Cuba registers vaccine in Peru for lung cancer
Honduras
- Honduras: One killed, eleven wounded in San Pedro Sula prison
- Authorities believe individuals killed in joint Honduran, DEA operation were not involved in trafficking
- Central America: One out of fifty young people will die due to violence according to U.N.
- Mexican navy seized 136 ton shipment of precursor chemicals from China bound for Honduras
- Honduras: Radio journalist Alfredo Rivera Villatoro, kidnapped
Human Rights Latin America
- Central America: One out of fifty young people will die due to violence according to U.N.
- Mexico: Communication from the Commission of Mediation (EAT)
- FARC offers to deliver kidnapped French Journalist to Red Cross
- ACLU asks DHS initiate investigation of alleged abuses at U.S. ports of entries with Mexico
- 80 Bolivians rescued from sweatshop in Buenos Aires Argentina
Human Smuggling
- Central America: One out of fifty young people will die due to violence according to U.N.
- Child prostitution ring broken up operaing in the Plaza de Armas Santiago, Chile
- Haitians, Cubans returned after intercepts at sea by U.S. Coast Guard
- ACLU asks DHS initiate investigation of alleged abuses at U.S. ports of entries with Mexico
- 80 Bolivians rescued from sweatshop in Buenos Aires Argentina
Intelligence
- One of five Cuban agents convicted or espionage permitted to visit Cuba, returns to U.S.
- Chavez orders intelligence units to monitor police in states governed by opposition
- Chevron Using Espionage Against Lawyers in $18 Billion dollar verdictdict In Ecuador
- Ecuador: President of CONAIE states Chevron using violence, intimidation, espionage in recent days in oil case
- Latinamericacurrentevents.com offering new open source intelligence media monitoring program
Internet
Jamaica
Labor Issues
- Buenos Aires: next week subways to have work stoppage three days
- Workers block plant José León Suárez , threatens trash pickup in Buenos Aires
- Survey says: What 38 percent of Peruvians want to tell their boss
- Subway strike Buenos Aires impacts one million passengers
- Unemployment most impact on youth in Latin America
Latin America Aviation
- Colombian Air Force Dismantles Clandestine Airstrip
- Clandestine airstrip destroyed by authorities Chocó Colombia
- 1.34 million dollars found on downed Mexican aircraft in Ecuador
- Colombia Air Force to particpate in exercises with U.S., July, 2012
- Argentina, Ecuador to cooperate in bilateral relations regarding aviation technology
Latin America Book Review - Recorded Interviews with Authors
- TAME airlines begins new route Guayaquil-Latacunga, Latacunga-Coca-Guayaquil
- Oil Injustice, Resisting and Conceding a Pipeline in Ecuador: Recorded Interview With Author Dr. Patricia Widener
- Guide to Documentary Sources for Andean Studies, 1530–1900, recorded interview with editor Dr. Joanne Pillsbury
- Murder and Politics in Mexico, Author Interview with Dr. Sara Schatz
- Policing Democracy: Overcoming Obstacles to Citizen Security in Latin America
Latin America Health
Latin America Indigenous Issues
- Colombia: Indigenous newborn girl dies after genital mutilation
- Colombia: 10 year old girl from Wayuu tribe gives birth to baby
- Ecuador: President of CONAIE states Chevron using violence, intimidation, espionage in recent days in oil case
- Ecuador: Indigenous groups demonstrate ability to mobilize
- CONAIE protest march arrives Quito Ecuador
Latin America Mining
- Former Peru President "Toledo" failed to give speech, rejected by students at University of Cajamarca
- Foreign investment up in Ecuador, mostly in mining sector
- Illegal mining continues to be serious issue for Peru
- Two die in mine explosion El Progreso Ecuador
- Clandestine gold mine collapses, Colombia, three missing
Latin America News
Latin America Travel
Latin America Wikileaks
- U.S. ambassador explains corruption in cable released by WIKILEAKS concerning Brazil
- Ecuador, Wikileaks cable discusses long term impact of melting glaciers
- Jamaican Prime Minister states U.S. officials misrepresented him in diplomatic cables
- Wikileaks shows U.S. and Brazil to partner against drug trafficking
- Wikileaks, Brazil pays off Paraguay to “keep them happy”
Latin America Womens Issues
- 34 women murdered to date in 2012, Culiacán Mexico
- Four to Five cases of sexual assault reported daily, Arequipa Peru
- Violence and Sexual Abuse on the Rise for Girls in Mexico
- Venezuela: three pregnancy vitamins only available via prescription
- Authorities cracking down on trafficking in humans via operations in Guatemala City
Mexico
Nicaragua
- Nicaragua: Gay community crowns Miss Gay Nicaragua
- Costa Rica: 224 kilos of cocaine seized in cargo of candy
- 4.5 Earthquake Near Coast of Nicaragua
- Human Rights systematically violated of sex workers in Mexico City
- Granada Nicaragua: Three hotels raided suspected of trafficking, sexual exploitation of children
Oil
- Ecuador ratifies dismissal of two judges for violations, previously both assigned to Chevron case
- Argentina not to respond to Spain's decision to limit imports of biodiesel fuel
- Costa Rica: Gas prices may rise in May 2012
- Tension heightens between Argentina, Spain over bill to expropriate 51% shares of REPSOL
- Argentina: Repsol considers "unlawful" expropriation of YPF and will take legal action
Organized Crime
- Narco-Terrorist Attack in Peru Indicates New Drug Trafficking Route
- 400 Kilos of Drugs Seized in Peru; Possible New Drug Trafficking Route Discovered
- Mexican Army seizes 300 kilos of methamphetamine Sinaloa
- Authorities believe individuals killed in joint Honduran, DEA operation were not involved in trafficking
- Central America: One out of fifty young people will die due to violence according to U.N.
Paraguay
Peru
- Narco-Terrorist Attack in Peru Indicates New Drug Trafficking Route
- 400 Kilos of Drugs Seized in Peru; Possible New Drug Trafficking Route Discovered
- Army, cabinet shake-up due to Peru hostage crisis
- Four to Five cases of sexual assault reported daily, Arequipa Peru
- Survey says: What 38 percent of Peruvians want to tell their boss
Police/Military Activity
- Colombian Air Force Dismantles Clandestine Airstrip
- International Drug-Trafficking Operation Intercepted in Argentina
- Narco-Terrorist Attack in Peru Indicates New Drug Trafficking Route
- 400 Kilos of Drugs Seized in Peru; Possible New Drug Trafficking Route Discovered
- Mexico:15 year-old receives a fourteen year Jail sentence
Politics
- Army, cabinet shake-up due to Peru hostage crisis
- U.S. grants visas to 60 Cubans, reject 11 for Latin America conference San Francisco
- Central America: One out of fifty young people will die due to violence according to U.N.
- Former Peru President "Toledo" failed to give speech, rejected by students at University of Cajamarca
- Mexico spends nearly 4 million pesos supporting deported immigrants returning from the U.S.
Puerto Rico
Religion
- Mexico: Easter services cancelled Cathedral of Chilpancingo, earthquake damage
- Mexico: Group responsible for deaths in Santa Muerte ritual, committing sacrifices since 2009
- Mexico: Bodies located of child, teenager, woman killed by Satanic Sect worshipers (Santa Muerte), Agua Prieta and Nacozari Mexico
- Amnesty International reports harassment of human rights activists during Pope's visit Cuba
- Sick visit the "psychic surgeon" in Brazil
Shining Path
- Former Peruvian President supports Humala's battle against Shining Path
- Using children in armed activities by terrorists in Peru is condemned
- Small group in Chile, protests demanding release of Abimael Guzman, former leader of Shining Pathof
- Shining Path killed three members of Peru's forces
- Shining Path releases hostages, Peru
Social Issues
- Mexican journalist becomes victim number 12, in 2012, signs of torture
- GLBT community celebrate Quito center day against homophobia
- Study reveals 50% of high school students consume alcohol
- Four to Five cases of sexual assault reported daily, Arequipa Peru
- Authorities believe individuals killed in joint Honduran, DEA operation were not involved in trafficking
South America
- Guide to Documentary Sources for Andean Studies, 1530–1900, recorded interview with editor Dr. Joanne Pillsbury
- Ten Most Dangerous Cities in Mexico
- Domestic violence increases substantially in Huila, Colombia
- Growing presence of Hezballah in Latin America worries U.S. officials
- Former Peruvian military leader warns of growing Iranian presence in Latin America
Spanish School Directory
Suriname
- Brazil assisting Suriname in fight against transnational crime, opens up lines of credit
- Suriname, increase in number of leishmaniasis
- Latin American Countries to Study Amazon Deforestation and Water Resources
- With Aid and Migrants, China Expands Its Presence in Suriname
- Suriname for stronger ties with India
Terrorism
- Neo_Nazis in Minnesota planned attack on Mexican Consulate
- Bus explosion in banking area of Bogota Colombia, 5 dead 21 wounded
- Explosive attack Itaú Bank branch in Concepción, Chile
- Sabatoge of power lines Dominican Republic serious security issue
- Helicopter shot down in Peru terrorist attack belongs to DEA not Peruvian National Police
TRAVEL
- Whooping cough cases up 90%, 2012 in Argentina, remerging disease
- Crime victims Cuenca ask city to integrate security camera system to monitor historic center
- Number of Americans killed in Mexico continues to rise
- UK Guatemala Travel Advisory
- Mexican authorities destroy 65 thousand liters of adulterated drinks
United States
- Number of Americans killed in Mexico continues to rise
- Neo_Nazis in Minnesota planned attack on Mexican Consulate
- U.S. citizen kidnapped while walking his dogs Jalisco Mexico
- U.S. grants visas to 60 Cubans, reject 11 for Latin America conference San Francisco
- Authorities believe individuals killed in joint Honduran, DEA operation were not involved in trafficking
Uruguay
- Uruguayan president makes surprise visit with his counterpart in Argentina
- Uruguay and Brazil's presidents meeting to discuss trade expansion
- Uruguay: One out of three murder victims had criminal record
- Uruguay: Three nurses accused of murdering 16 patients
- Uruguay: Human remains discovered in military area
Venezuela
- Venezuela: Food production facing crisis
- Authorities fail to control two week old riot in Caracas prison
- Venezuela: crossword puzzle writer accused of encrypted message calling for murder of Chavez's brother
- Venezuela highest rate of teenage pregnancies South America
- Venezuelan prisons have alarming levels of violence according to IACHR
Weather/Climate
- Three earthquakes recorded different regions of Peru Monday May 14, 2012
- Tungurahua Ecuador volcano seismic activity increases
- Mexico's IMSS urges precautions due to hot weather, rains to combat spread of malaria
- Mexico: If Popocatépetl volcano alert goes red, voting locations could be changed
- Popocatépetl Volcano Mexico continues activity
Z1test
- Guatemala will be declared in "nutritional risk" next week
- Guayaquil, Husband allegedly kills x-wife with machete in front of their children
- Colombia, 15 human traffickers detained, bringing undocumented across Ecuador border
- Montevideo Uruguay, 1,600 people living on the streets
- TRANSLATINA, trailer from documentary about transvestites (graphic)
Zetas
- Mexico: Leader of hitman unit of Zetas arrested
- Mexico: The Zetas, respond to the Message left by El Chapo
- Two U.S. soldiers arrested, offered assassination services to Zetas Mexican Cartel
- Mexican Army captures leader of Los Zetas in Nuevo Laredo
- Guatemala: Cartels appear to be posting narcobanners (Video)
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