Venezuela signs arms deal with Spain

Despite loud opposition from the US, Venezuela has signed a $2 billion arms deal with Spain, providing Venezuela with 8 navy patrol boats and 12 military transport planes. (BBC)

Zelaya victorious in Honduras

Logging magnate Manuel Zelaya of the Liberal Party has emerged victorious from yesterday's presidential elections in Honduras. The president-elect has vowed to crack down on local gangs, though he has said he will not bring back the death penalty for gang-related murders. (Reuters)

Lavagna leaves Argentine presidential cabinet

Renowned economist Roberto Lavagna, often credited with leading Argentina out a recession a few years back, has resigned, reportedly on the urging of President Nestor Kirchner. (SeattlePi)

Republicans split on amnesty for undocumented workers

US President George W. Bush addressed a split in the Republican Party over whether to allow undocumented workers already here in the US to stay. He is proposing to allow up to 11 million currently undocumented workers here in the US a chance to register and work in jobs that have not been filled by domestic labor. (Reuters)

OAS leader emphasizes importance of Haitian elections

Secretary General of the Organization of American States Jose Miguel Insulza sent out a press release yesterday underlining the necessity of 'good elections' with a 'good turnout' in Haiti to 'contribute to transparent, inclusive, and credible elections.' He expressed cautious optimism that an official date has been set, January 8th of next year, though the date has already been changed more than once. (Harold Doan)

UN: Latin America experiences drop in poverty level

A report released last week by the United Nations shows that the number of people below the poverty line in Latin America dropped by more than 13 million people between 2003-5. Though the numbers are significant, the report maintains that the poverty rate remains intolerably high. (Washington File)

Brazilian growth forecast lowered to 3%

Brazilian economists announced yesterday that they have dampened expectations of the nation's economy, lowering forecasts of annual GDP growth to 3% from 3.09%. (Bloomberg)

U.S. may nix Venezuela-Spain arms deal

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. The U.S. may block an arms deal worth over 1 billion Euros from Spain to Venezuela. "We're worried that the sale could be a destabilizing factor in the region,” declared the U.S. Ambassador to Spain. (MG)

Pinochet charged with tax fraud in Chile

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. After being stripped of his immunity over a month ago, former dictator Augusto Pinochet was charged with tax fraud earlier this week. Prosecutors accused Pinochet of hiding money in foreign bank accounts to avoid paying taxes. (Telegraph)

Caribbean leaders held “successful” meeting with Tony Blair

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. Heads of State representing the Caribbean Community met with British PM Tony Blair on Thursday and discussed issues related to trade. (Antigua Sun)

Mexican internet users more than doubled since 2001

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. A poll conducted in June by the Mexican government has shown that the number of internet users in Mexico has mushroomed from 7 million four years ago to 16.5 million this year. The poll also showed how over two-thirds of users accessed the Internet away from home since few users have a connection at home. (Daily Journal)

Tropical storm and heavy rains have killed over a hundred in three countries

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. Tropical Storm Gamma killed thirty-seven in Honduras and Belize last week and affected more than 100,000 in Honduras. Meanwhile, over two months of heavy downpours have left greater than eighty dead in northwestern Colombia. (Pravda)

Chavez and Uribe held energy negotiations on Thursday

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. The Venezuelan and Colombian heads of state met and were able to broker a deal to build a pipeline on Colombia’s Atlantic coast for the exporting of Venezuelan natural gas. (BBC)

U.S. government will end “catch-and-release” policy against immigrants

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. The “catch-and-release” policy on immigrants crossing the Mexican border will be stopped, though no set deadline has been given. It is expected that this change in immigration policy will please the pro-business sectors, but not conservatives who advocate for very strict anti-immigration measures. In the meantime, an Arizona legislator proposed the making of a road along the border exclusively for Border Patrol agents. (KOLD)

Latin-American trade expected to reach $74 billion this year

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. In addition, the report released by a regional trade group showed that exports out of the region have grown in most countries while imports have remained even in comparison to last year. (MercoPress)

Lula’s predecessor says Brazilian economy will be fine

-Contributed by Erwin Cifuentes. “There is no major risk that the political crisis affects the economy” said former president Fernando Henrique Cardozo in an interview. Lula’s administration has been embroiled in many problems including rumors of corruption, growing dissent within the ruling party, and an all-time low in the president’s popularity. (Science Daily)