Brazil: Foreign Doctors Arrive in Brazil to Begin Government Program

Globo reported on August 24, 2013 that the first group of foreign doctors in the More Doctors program arrived in various cities of Brazil on Friday (23). The doctors include 145 foreigners; many from Cuba, and 99 Brazilians who attended school overseas. The doctors will need to participate in a three-week course about law and the health system in Brazil before beginning wok on September 16 for 40 hours per week for three years. Much controversy has circulated around the government’s program in regards to the requirement of the exam application, validity of one’s diploma, and fluency in Portuguese. Read Article

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Rio De Janeiro, Brazil: 300 Protesters Rally After Pope’s Speech

Terra reported on July 26, 2013 that about 300 people participated in a protest in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. The protest was against Governor Sérgio Cabral and government spending on World Youth Day. Among the demonstrators, were pilgrims who came to listen to Pope Francisco speak. Military Police report at least one person was arrested. […]

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Brazil: Survey Reflects 27% Drop in Public Approval of Dilma Administration After Protests

Globo reported on June 29, 2013 that the public approval of the Dilma administration according to the Datafolha research survey stated that approval has dropped to 30%. Prior to the commencement of the protests nationwide, public approval was 57%. This drop is considered the largest since Dilma entered office. The survey also shows that the […]

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Brazil: Approval of Dilma Administration Drops 8% Over Recent Months

redebomdia.com.br reported on June 20, 2013 that the approval of the Dilma administration dropped by 8%; from 63% in March to 55%. In addition, in March, 79% of the public approved how Dilma ran the country, however, the percentage dropped to 71%. Much of the criticism towards the administration is how the government has responded […]

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Guatemala and United States to cooperate in anti-narcotics operation

President of Guatemala Otto Perez Molina announced that the United States and Guatemala will work together the coming July in an operation aimed to combat drug trafficking through Guatemala. Guatemala also plans to coordinate efforts with Mexico due to the 900 kilometer border between the two, Siglo 21 reports. Part of the operation will involve […]

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U.S. accuses former Chief of Security in Colombia of drug conspiracy

Mauricio Santoyo, former chief of security under President Alvaro Uribe from 2002-2006 and retired police general in Colombia, has been accused by the United States of drug conspiracy. La Republic reports that the United States believes Santoyo conspired to bring cocaine into the country with the help of assassins and narco-traffickers from 2000-2008. It is […]

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Improved institutions in Guatemala lead to more drug arrests

Recent captures of drug traffickers in Guatemala have been attributed to institutional improvements in the country, which has included a reformatting of investigative bodies, better systems for gathering and analyzing intelligence, and more coordination within and between institutions. According to Agencia Guatemalteca Noticias, these improvements have allowed officials to disband drug trafficking organizations, which has […]

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Brazil Plans to Replace France as Fifth Largest Economy

The Brazilian government has expressed confidence that in the next four years, Brazil will replace France as the world’s fifth largest economy as revealed by noticias.lainformacion.com. It has already replaced the United Kingdom as the sixth largest world economy, and President Rousseff and Minister of Finance Guido Mantega are confident that Brazil will surpass France […]

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Brazil to Give Elderly and People with Disabilities 3% of New Housing

As part of the regulations of the initiative Minha Casa, Minha Vida*, the Brazilian government is planning to give 3% of the newly constructed living spaces to the elderly and 3% to those with disabilities. The participants will have to register in the national registry of social programs, CadÚnico according to economia.ig.com.br. Read Article ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ […]

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Leader of Los Zetas Denies Terrorist and Revolutionary Activity

Treviño Morales, alias “Z-40,” the leader of Los Zetas has posted messages in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas denying any connection between the group and terrorist activity. According to Morales, the group does not wish to conflict with either the U.S. or Mexican government per eldiariodecoahuila.com.mx. He posted these in response to various messages against the Mexican […]

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Ecuador: Various Government Pages Shutdown, Anonymous Overloads Servers

According to ElComercio.com Anonymous overloaded servers providing service to various government websites, causing them to shutdown or function with large difficulty on Wednesday August 10th. Anonymous has threatened the Ecuadorian government via Twitter and Facebook, of a cyber attack in the future. Authorities say the websites under went a Denial of Service attack (DDOS) which […]

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Video: Anonymous Hacks Colombian Government Homepages

•According to ntn24.com, the group Anonymous hacked various government homepages including that of President Santos, the Ministry of the Interior and Justice, and the Department of Security. •This is part of Anonymous’ Operación Defensa (Operation Defense) which means to protest against censorship and the closing of social network pages associated with Anonymous. Read Article

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Students Decide to March Tomorrow Despite Chilean Government’s Disapproval

•The Chilean government officially gave its disapproval for tomorrow’s march in the Plaza Italia in which students planned to march through La Alameda. •Latercera.com reports that the protestors intend to march despite the fact that the government did not give permission. •Camilo Ballesteros, President of the Students of the University of Santiago, stressed that the […]

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Ecuador: Pan-American Highway Transit Resumed Between Ibarra and Tulcan

According to ElComercio.com transit was blocked on the Pan-American Highway between the towns of Ibarra and Tulcan, a sector called Chota Valley, at 7 a.m. this morning, Monday August 1st. El Comercio reports that resident of the Afro-Ecuadorian community of Tumbatu blocked the highway with tree branches that contained thorns to protest the governments unfulfilled […]

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Ecuador: New Electricity Rates Begin in August 2011

According to ElNorte.ec the government will begin charging the new electricity rates, without subsidies for those who exceed more than 500 kW/h per month. The director of marketing at Emelnorte says the new system of electricity prices will provide more efficiency to the residential sector. Emerlnorte officials say only 375 subscribers use more than 500 […]

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Ecuador: Papers Leave Opinion Section Blank in Protest of Presidential Censorship

According to America.Infobae.com the Ecuadorian newspapers El Comercio and Hoy altered their papers to protest a ruling that incarcerates three directors of the news organization, El Universo for three years and payment of a fee totaling $42 million. The ruling came after a journalist for El Universo wrote an opinion piece about Rafael Correa’s governmental […]

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Bolivia: Between 2008 and 2010 At Least 1,299 Minors Disappear

According to BolPress.com the defender for the Ombudsman Rolando Villena says at least 1,299 Bolivian minors were reported missing between 2008 and 2010, detailed in the report by the Special Force to Fight Crime (FELCC). The Network of Attention to Human Trade and Trafficking (RATT) of Person of MERCOSUR and other government and private institutions […]

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U.S. Renews Travel Alert to U.S. Citizens in Colombia

•EFE reports that the U.S. department of state has renewed the warning made in November 2010 to U.S. citizens traveling to Colombia. •The dangers of narcotics traffickers in the large cities and rural areas are reasons given for the warning. •The American Embassy in Bogotá has not reported any specific threats to U.S. citizens in […]

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Puno, Peru: Businesses Ask for Economic State of Emergency, Wake of Mining Protests

ElComercio.pe reports that Puno business people have asked the Peruvian Ministry of Finance to declare an economic emergency in their region. Officials say this is due to the recent protests concerning mining concessions in Puno. The economic losses due to the protests stand at $200 million report CPN. Authorities from the Juliaca Chamber of Commerce […]

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Ecuador: Human Trafficking by Russian Mafia

According to ElComercio.com human trafficking rings in Ecuador have links to the Russian mafia, which is confirmed by an undercover agent of the Ecuadorian Police. Officials add the Chinese mafia is also involved. A court-case is underway involving the company, Single Register of Taxpayers (RUC) that in 2009 offered a Russian citizen false identification papers […]

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Peru Will Experience Energy Deficit 2012, May Turn To Ecuador

According to ElComercio.com Peru faces a temporary energy deficit in 2012 and could ask Ecuador for help in importing electricity in the northern regions of Peru. The Minister of Energy and Mining, Pedro Sanchez made this announcement on Tuesday, July 19th. Officials say energy cuts are due to problems of drought and lack of rain. […]

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Machu Picchu: Tourists Upset With New Restriction 2,500 Visitors Per Day

According to Peru21.pe tourists are upset about the possible closure and new limitation of 2,500 visitors per day for the Incan site of Machu Picchu. The Regional Directorate of Culture in Cusco announced the number of visitors allowed into Machu Picchu is restricted to 2,500 per day. Officials say more than 300 tourists expressed anger […]

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Ecuador: Police Protection in Soccer Stadiums Extended 90 Days

According to ElComercio.com, the National Police will continue to provide protection around the outside and inside of Ecuador’s soccer stadiums. Interior Minister, Jose Serrano announced the extension in Guayaquil this afternoon, Tuesday July 19th. After the Minister approved an accord that says military officials cannot be located within sporting venues or locations of public performance […]

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Ecuador: Correa, Media’s Offer of Conciliation ‘Way to Late’

According to ElComercio.com the media organization, El Universo presented a proposal to rectify an opinion article entitled, ‘No a las mentiras,’ or ‘No to lying,’ today Tuesday July 19th. However, El Universo’s proposal was ‘very late’ according to Correa and was not accepted says the President attorney, Alembert Vera. Correa is asking for $80 million […]

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Ecuador: The Federation of Public Workers Opting for Strike

According to ElComercio.com the Federation of Public Workers in Ecuador has signaled, through their union representative, they are leaning toward going on strike. The union representative, Miguel Garcia says the decision comes after the government’s Executive Decree 813 that establishes obligatory or bought resignations for state workers. As of now, Garcia says the union has […]

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Ecuador: Wine Company Closed in Tungurahua Due to Methanol Contamination

According to ElComercio.com the Police Commissioner of Tungurahua, Ivan Rios, confirmed that a wine company was closed after primary analysis confirmed that the alcohol contained methanol. The closure comes after the wife of a contaminated alcohol victim confirmed that her husband had fallen ill after consuming wine from this establishment. In a Twitter message, the […]

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PetroEcuador Buys Crude Oil From Perenco, French-British Oil Company

ElUniverso.com reports that PetroEcuador, the state owned oil company in Ecuador, has bought 636,041 barrels of crude oil from Perenco. The purchase is valued at $68.01 million. Officials say the purchase served as a way to cancel the debt Perenco had with the Ecuadorian government for not paying the surplus on the increase in oil […]

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Peru: Controversy Around Illegal Interception of Phone Calls, Affect Journalism

According to ElUniverso.com a debate between the Peruvian Supreme Court and the media is ensuing surrounding a new law that would increase the penalties for journalists who publish information from illegal communication eavesdropping. The bill that the Supreme Court proposed to Congress, includes banning the media for spreading private information or email messages illegally obtained, […]

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Peruvian Government Compensates Shining Path Victims

According to ElComercio.pe the Peruvian government began to compensate victims of the Shining Path movement, during the years of 1980 and 2000, on Saturday July 16th. Government officials say that a total of 20 million soles will be handed out in individual increments of 10,000 soles. The president of the Ministry Cabinet Rosario Fernandez says […]

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ALERT: Ecuadorian Health Ministry Bans Consumption of Alcohol, 72 Hours

According to ElComercio.com the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health issued a Dry Law, no alcohol consumption, for 72 hours via Twitter. The Ministry issued the decree at 6 p.m. on Sunday July 17th, effective for the entire country. The Ministry says the time-period allows for investigators to inspect alcohol for suspected contamination. Authorities say 21 people […]

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5,000 Vehicles Stolen in Peru, Brazil, Chile Found in Bolivia

ElComercio.pe reports that the governments of Peru, Brazil and Chile have found 5,000 stolen vehicles belonging to the three countries in Bolivia. An amnesty decree, signed by Bolivian President Evo Morales, concerning about 130,000 undocumented automobiles helped the three governments locate the stolen property. Officials say that joint operations by all four countries also helped […]

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Ecuadorian Government Has Eliminated 4,000 Public Service Positions

According to ElComercio.com the Ecuadorian government’s Executive Decree 813, that gives officials the right to “buying” resignations of public servants, became affective on July 12th. Therefore, representatives from state institutions met this past Wednesday, July 13th to establish a position to the modification of the Public Service Law. Authorities at the meeting say representatives will […]

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Peru Receives $7.5 Billion From CAF for Infrastructure

ElComercio.pe reports that the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) has made $7.5 billion available to Peru for infrastructure projects and services, after its president, Enrique Garcia meet with Peruvian President-Elect Ollanta Humala in Caracas, Venezuela today, July 15th. Garcia says the amount will be made available over a five-year period and that CAF will provide specific […]

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Colombian Government’s Plan to Reduce Poverty in Rural Areas

•The Colombian Government is to ratify an initiative to reduce the poverty rate in rural areas by 30%. •As revealed by El Espectador, 62% of the rural population is below the poverty line. •The Law of Rural Development will involve 25 areas and will incorporate 11 large components such as incentives to improve use of […]

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Ecuador: Slow, Stalled Process of Legalizing Executive Taxis

According to ElUniverso.com the Ecuadorian government has not followed through with its promise to legalize the executive taxi business. In 2008, President Rafael Correa ratified the Transit Law to give executive taxi drivers the right to work. However, since then there has been no follow up on legal licenses for these taxi drivers. El Universo […]

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Peru: Ex-Shining Path Group Reject Accusations Made by Government

According to Prensa-Latina.cu members of the National Movement for Amnesty and Fundamental Rights (Movadef), established by ex-rebels of the Shining Path movement, have denounced the Peruvian government for blaming the deaths of six protesters on Shining Path members. Movadef says that the government used the Puno protest over mining pollution to persecute the Shining Path […]

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Ecuadorian Police “Polish” The Country’s New ‘Most Wanted’ List

According to RadioSucre.com.ec government authorities say that an addition of a monetary reward system for the location of criminals on the ‘Most Wanted’ list, is just one of the new strategies for the capture of the violent criminals in Ecuador. The undersecretary of Internal Security of the Interior Ministry, Javier Cordova says that rewards will […]

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Ambato, Ecuador: Rains, River Flooding Cause Suspension of Water Services

According to ElUniverso.com torrential rains are causing problems for certain sectors of Ambato. Officials say that in some areas drinking water began to turn brown from mud run-off and in other sectors water service had to be suspended. In the sectors of Ingahurco, La Merced, part of Fico and barrios located on high-land had their […]

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Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador: Health Officials Declare Emergency, Dengue Outbreak

ElComercio.com reports that an urgent meeting was held last night, Monday July 11th that included the government of the Esmeraldas province, representatives of the Pan-American Organization of Health (OPS), Ministry of Health, and National Service of Malaria Eradication (SNME), over the outbreak of dengue in the capital of the Esmeraldas province. Authorities have declared a […]

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Ecuador: Sanctions for Banana Exporters, Still Do Not Pay Official Price

According to ElComercio.com the lack of regulations in Ecuador’s Banana Law is causing conflicts between banana producers and exporters. Officials say that many banana exporters do not comply with the official price of a box of bananas, $5.50 per box. However, the law prevents authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MAGAP) from […]

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Colombia, Mayor of Bogotá Asks for Police Force Increase

•The current Mayor of Bogotá, Clara López Obregón, asked for an increase of 4,000 police officers for the Colombian city. •According to El Espectador, in 2009, López Obregón, who was then secretary of Government, stated that the city needed 6,000 more officers in order to secure the safety of the 7 million citizens. •Currently there […]

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Galapagos Islands, Ecuador: Sea Cucumber Fishing Season Delayed

According to GalapagosPark.org the Union of Fishing Cooperatives of the Galapagos (UCOOPEPGAL) asked for a delay in the start of the 2011 season of sea cucumber fishing. Fishermen are dealing with a scarcity of fuel in the Galapagos, which is necessary for small vessels where the sea cucumber processing happens. These vessels are prohibited from […]

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Mendoza, Argentina: Government Will Not Release Information on Flu Cases

According to LaVoz.com.ar the government of Mendoza will not report on the number of flu cases in their province. The Secretary of Health in Mendoza, Enrique Quesada confirmed the government’s decision on July 1st. Quesada says people should be more concerned with prevention and sanitary care than numbers of people who have fallen ill. Quesada […]

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March for Ecuadorian Kidnapped in Colombia

ElComercio.com reports that hundreds of people, including relatives and friends, marched in the streets of Tulcan, Carchi today July 7th, demanding the release of Orlando Ibarra. The marchers planned to follow the route from Tulcan, Ecuador to Ipiales, Colombia. The Ecuadorian businessman was kidnapped in Ipiales, Colombia on August 2, 2010. Officials say that his […]

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Ecuador: Correa Warns Galapagos Islands In Jeopardy, Illegal Migration

According to Cre.com.ec the administration of Rafael Correa is carefully watching the situation of illegal migration to the Galapagos Islands. On Friday June 3rd, President Rafael Correa announced that the environment of the Galapagos Islands would collapse if more illegal migration occurred. Officials announced the start of an investigation of residents in the Galapagos to […]

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Colombia, Reform for Higher Budgets for Universities

•The Colombian government is planning to include an increase in budgets for Universities and institutions of higher learning in the reforms to the educational system as revealed by Caracol Radio. •The budgets would be between 230 billion pesos and 440 billion pesos. •The government is also planning to create more private institutions to share the […]

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Quito, Ecuador: Municipality Signs Agreement to Eliminate Aboveground Electric Wires

According to ElTelegrafo.com.ec the Electric Company of Quito and the Municipality government have signed an agreement for the development of the Program of Unemployment and Restructuring of Electricity Wires in public spaces. Officials say the project will provide more reliability and security to Ecuadorian citizens through the change of electricity distribution from aboveground wires to […]

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Ecuador Reveals First Satellite

According to ElComercio.com Ecuador presented its first satellite, NEE-01 Pegaso, on the first day of the Fourth International Congress of Telecommunications, Information Technology and Communications at the hotel Hilton Colon in Quito. The Ecuadorian Civil Space Agency presented the new satellite with the help of astronaut Ronnie Nader. Reportedly the official launch occurred on the […]

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Peru: Brother of President-Elect Ollanta Humala Talking Gas Projects With Russia

According to Peru21.pe the younger brother of President-elect Ollanta Humala, Alexis Humala has been negotiating gas projects with Russian government officials on behalf of the Humala government in the last few days. The article says that Alexis Humala has been talking to the Russian company Gazprom and it’s vice-president about possible cooperation and strategic alliances […]

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Ambato, Ecuador: Areas Without Water For 4 Days, Ends Friday

According to ElComercio.com thousands of residents in eight parishes and villages located in the northwest of Ambato have been without drinking water since the night of Tuesday July 5th. The Private Municipal Enterprise for Water and Sewage in Ambato (EP EMAPA) has suspended operation while technicians waterproof reservoir tanks located in Atahualpa and Unamuncho. The […]

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Ecuador’s Petroecuador Delays Negotiation of Oil Fields

ElComercio.com reports on July 6th, that Petroecuador has postponed the negotiations of “mature” oil fields in order to enhance the natural recovery time in the area. This report was broken by Andes news organization, last night. The story says the areas of recovery include the oil fields of Auca, Shushufindi, Cuyabeno, and Libertador that are […]

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Guayaquil, Ecuador: Protests Erupt in the Center

According to ElComercio.com today, at mid-day, Wednesday July 6th, about 50 protesters marched through different sections of Guayaquil’s center. A protest that began at the Palace of Justice consisted of several former employees of Ecuador’s National Beer Company. The former employees were asking authorities to expedite a judicial case involving the company so that they […]

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Ecuador’s Household Consumption Boom

According to ElComercio.com Ecuadorian household consumption is higher than last year at 7.55% for the first quarter. The Central Bank chairman, Diego Borja says that three factors have influenced the consumption increase, the volume of credit extended by the Ecuadorian financial system, remittances from family abroad, and rising real wages. Officials point to other economic […]

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IRS Closed Marriott Hotel in Quito, Ecuador

ElComercio.com reports that the Ecuadorian IRS has closed the Marriot Hotel in Quito since hotel officials did not provide information required by the IRS. Officials say that closure signs will be present for seven days. However, since the incident involves a hotel the IRS will respect the guests that are residing in the building. Officials […]

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Lima, Peru: Planned Electric Train Costs Additional 86 Million Soles

According to Peru21.pe the 25-year project to establish an electric train in Lima will need an 86 million sole subsidy from the government. Officials say that the project headed by President Alan Garcia is scheduled to be operational on July 11th. The government contract states that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MTC) must subsidize […]

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Ayacucho, Peru: Students Take Over University

According to Peru21.pe, on Friday July 1st thousands of students from the San Cristobal University in Huamanga clashed with police in the Plaza de Huamanga as they tried to take over the university by force. Officials say that police used tear gas while trying to quell the demonstrators. Students responded by throwing different kinds of […]

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Lima, Peru: Budget Approved Poor Area Projects

According to Peru21.pe the Lima city council approved a budget of 10.5 million soles for 22 projects in poorer zones of the capital on the 1st of July. Officials say that the projects will consist of 12 new staircases, 10 new outdoor recreation areas and a smaller budget of about 5.92 million soles for improvements […]

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Ecuadorians Retiring in Spain

According to ElComercio.com the governments of Spain and Ecuador have signed an agreement that will allow Spanish and Ecuadorian emigrants to choose between which of the two countries to retire. The announcement was made by the president of the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute (IESS), Ramiro Gonzalez in coordination with the Spanish Ministry of Social Security. […]

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Quito, Ecuador: Shortage of Antiretroviral Drugs

ElComercio.com reports that there is a shortage of HIV-AID drugs in Ecuador. Health officials report that prescriptions of antiretroviral drugs such as Lamivudine, Abacavir and Kaletra are not being filled at special pharmacies that are supposed to carry these expensive drugs. Non-governmental organizations report that 10% of the 1,000 members of the organization Caminos de […]

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China and Ecuador Close Deal for Finance of Hydroelectric Plant

ElComercio.com reports that Ecuador’s Minister of Finance has completed final negotiations with the Eximbank of China for the credit of $571 million to finance the Sopladora hydroelectric project. Reportedly, the loan has an interest rate of 6.35% for a 15-year term with four years grace period. Chinese funding will be 85% of the entire project, […]

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H1N1 flu in Mendoza, Argentina

The government of Mendoza, Argentina, where there have been 54 confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu virus, has announced that they will no longer release data on the amount of cases, according to the Secretary of Health, per lavoz.com.ar. Officials hope to shift the focus from the number of cases to prevention and care. The […]

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More Than 100,000 March in Chile for Free, Improved Public Education

According to ElComercio.com today, Thursday June 30th in Santiago, Chile more than 100,000 people marched through the streets demanding improvement of the public education system, including lowering costs in Chile. The peaceful marchers made their way to the Ministry of Education and the Presidential Palace. This is one of the largest protests in the last […]

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Puno, Peru: Residents Strike Demanding Officials Comply with Mining Royalties

According to RPP.com.pe people from the Lampa province in the Puno region, blocked the main road that leads to the city of Juliaca today Thursday June 30th. Protesters say this is the first day of a 48-hour strike to demand that government officials comply with an increase in mining royalties. Officials say that residents are […]

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Low Voter Turnout in Colombia

Voting for the elections for the candidates for the October elections closed today Sunday, May 30th at 4 p.m. in Colombia. At 7 p.m., the results will be submitted. According to caracol.com.co, Officials lament the low participation of the Colombian people despite the government employees on duty and the facilities utilized. Read Article

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Colombian Government’s Four-Year Plan Against the BACRIM

•The strengthening of intelligence through technology and training is part of the plan according to elpais.com.co. •The Política Integral de Seguridad y Defensa para la Prosperidad also plans to protect the people and respect rights. •A security expert from the Fundación Arco Iris, Ariel Ávila, emphasizes the need to get rid of any infiltration of […]

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1,000 Colombians Protest Cellphone Regulation

1000 people are marching to la Plaza de Bolívar to protest the Colombian government’s new policies that they say will end small cellphone vendors as revealed by eltiempo.com. Authorities recommended that commuters take alternate roads to avoid the crowds. Read Article

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