Week in Review: July 31 to August 6

Monday July 31:

*Cuban dictator Fidel Castro temporarily relinquishes power to his brother, Raul, as the Cuban media reports that Fidel underwent intestinal surgery. Cuban exiles take to the streets in Miami to celebrate while pundits examine how the U.S. will react as well as what could be expected under Raul Castro’s regime.

*The Associated Press reports that Bolivia’s government retracted a plan to remove religion classes from schools.

*Newly elected Peruvian president Alan Garcia said that all government salaries will be cut even though his salary would still be the highest for a Latin American head of stae.

*The U.S. Navy awarded Boeing with a contract to build and sell missiles to 5 countries including Chile.

*Fifteen army troops were killed in an ambush as leftist guerillas escalate their attacks in the week heading up to Colombian president Alvaro Uribe's 2^nd inauguration.

Tuesday August 1:

*Leaders from around Latin America reacted in distinct ways to Fidel Castro’s sickness and transfer of power.

*Fidel Castro claims that his health is “stable” according to a statement allegedly written by him and read on Cuban television.

*Microsoft introduced a Spanish-language version of Windows XP for Latin American PC users.

*Senior members of Colombia’s anti-drug police have been touring Afghanistan on an advisory mission.

*Argentina’s highest court ruled in favor of a mentally disabled rape victim who wanted to undergo an abortion.

Wednesday August 2:

*Testimony today from the Government Accountability Office showed undercover agents were able to cross the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada using false documents.

*Hugo Chavez’ tour abroad took him to the African countries of Benin and Mali were he pledged stronger energy cooperation between Venezuela and those two African countries.

*The Latin Alternative Music Conference began today in New York City.

Thursday August 3:

*Fidel Castro’s exiled younger sister claims that Fidel is “very sick, but not dead”.

*Venezuela ordered its diplomatic envoy to Israel to return home.

*Supporters of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador blocked the entrance to Mexico’s stock exchange.

Friday August 4:

*An ex-policeman was sentenced to 25 years in jail in the first verdict handed down for human rights abuses during Argentina’s military dictatorship.

*U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan arrived in the Dominican Republic after spending one day visiting government officials in Haiti.

Saturday August 5:

*The Federal Electoral Tribunal in Mexico ordered a partial recount of last month’s presidential election.

*Brazilian newspaper Folha da Sao Paulo alleged that Fidel Castro has abdominal cancer.

Sunday August 6:

*Bolivia’s constitutional assembly opened on Sunday and has a year to formulate a new constitution for the country.

*Cuba’s vice president says that Fidel Castro may be healthy enough to return to power in a few weeks.

Latin America, week in review