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A reported blog on happenings around Latin America.

February 14, 2012 17:39
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Pro-Chávez forces attack Henrique Capriles Radonski

The country's new opposition leader has faced vitriolic attacks from pro-government forces.
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Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles Radonski celebrates after winning the primary elections in Caracas on Feb. 12, 2012. (JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images)
Just two days after Henrique Capriles Radonski won Venezuela's first ever opposition primary with 64% of the vote, the country's pro-government forces have begun attacking his Jewish roots, his sexuality and the legitimacy of Sunday's election.
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February 8, 2012 15:07
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Argentina to complain to UN on British Falklands action

Tension is rising between the two nations, thirty years after they fought over the islands.
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Argentine war veteran Victor Villagra shows his tattoo of the Islas Malvinas (Falkands Islands) during a demonstration near the British embassy in Buenos Aires on April 2, 2010 on the 28th anniversary of the 1982 conflict. JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images (JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)
Argentina is to formally complain to the UN about Britain's decision to send a warship to the Falklands, further chilling relations between the two nations 30 years after they fought over the islands.
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February 7, 2012 18:01
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Major Colombian paramilitary chief captured in Venezuela

One of Colombia's most-wanted paramilitary commanders has been caught. Is this the "end of paramilitarism"?
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The urns with the remains of people that were missing, are seen during a ceremony on July 09, 2010, in Cucuta, Norte de Santander department, Colombia. Relatives of 18 victims assassinated by the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) between 2001 and 2003 received the remains of their loved ones in the framework of the country's peace process. AFP PHOTO/Manuel Hernandez (Photo credit should read MANUEL HERNANDEZ/AFP/Getty Images) (AFP/AFP/Getty Images)
One of Colombia's most important paramilitary commanders has been captured by Venezuelan authorities, putting an end, say analysts, to paramilitarism in Colombia.
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February 6, 2012 13:10
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Josefina Vázquez Mota picked for Mexico presidential candidate

The PAN has chosen a woman candidate to contest the July elections.
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Mexican presidential candidate Josefina Vazquez Mota (C) celebrates her victory with her counterparts Santiago Creel (L) and Ernesto Cordero (R) from National Action Party (PAN in Spanish) during a press conference in Mexico City on February 5, 2012. Mota is the official presidential candidate of the National Action Party. (ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/Getty Images)
Mexico's ruling National Action Party (PAN) has chosen female candidate Josefina Vázquez Mota as its candidate for July's election, ready to take on current frontrunner, the Institutional Revolutionary Party's (PRI) Enrique Peña Nieto.
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February 3, 2012 11:40
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Yet another minister resigns from Brazil government

Mario Negromonte is the seventh minister to resign under allegations of corruption under Rousseff
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Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff attends a ceremony at a base for Brazilian UN Peacekeepers in Port-au-Prince on Febuary 1, 2012. Rousseff arrived in Haiti Wednesday for talks on economic ties and immigration. AFP PHOTO/Thony BELIZAIRE (Photo credit should read THONY BELIZAIRE/AFP/Getty Images) (THONY BELIZAIRE/AFP/Getty Images)
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A seventh minister has resigned from the government of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff amid charges of corruption.
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February 2, 2012 14:18
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Colombia capital bans firearms

Capital city is banning weapons in an attempt to bring down the murder rate.
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A police officer checks the inside of a van for firearms at a checkpoint in Ciudad Bolivar, a shantytown with one of the highest rates of urban violence in Bogota, Colombia, on February 01, 2012. GUILLERMO LEGARIA/AFP/Getty Images (GUILLERMO LEGARIA/AFP/Getty Images)
A gun ban in Colombia's capital Bogotá came into force yesterday, as the city's mayor hopes to pull down the murder rate and end the city's violent reputation abroad, a hangover from the days of drug lord Pablo Escobar.
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January 30, 2012 14:32
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Mexican Ambassador in Venezuela's "express kidnap"

The diplomat was kidnapped overnight before being released in one of Caracas' slums this morning.
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The cast of the 2005 film Secuestro Express (Express Kidnap) which highlighted the problems of security in Venezuela. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
The quick kidnap and release of Mexico's Ambassador to Venezuela last night highlights the country's issues with security. Caracas is often listed amongst the most dangerous cities in the world, ranked alongside warzones.
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January 30, 2012 10:52
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Armed children for Chavez in Venezuela?

Photos depict children armed with assault rifles. The opposition says they're being trained for Chavez.
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Children with weapons in one of Caracas' slums (La Piedrita/Facebook)

CARACAS, Venezuela — Photographs of young children brandishing assault rifles in front of a mural of an armed Jesus Christ taken in a Caracas barrio have caused outrage in Venezuela.

The pictures appear to have been taken in the 23 de enero barrio, a Chávez stronghold in the west of the capital city. With their faces covered in revolutionary scarves, three children all aged under ten sit with the weapons, while a woman looks on.

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January 26, 2012 10:55
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Hugo Chávez's daughter poses with US dollars

Picture focuses attention on president's currency controls that have led to a scarcity of greenbacks in Venezuela.
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Rosinés Chávez poses with US dollars, much sought after in Venezuela thanks to her father's currency controls (Instagram) (Instagram/Screengrab)
A picture of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez's teenage daughter fanning out US dollar bills has appeared on the Instagram website, focusing attention on her father's controversial economic policies which have led to a shortage of greenbacks back home.
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January 25, 2012 15:20
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Leopoldo Lopez, Venezuelan opposition candidate, steps aside

López has declared full support for the man most likely to fight Hugo Chávez in October's election.
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The candidates for the primary elections of Venezuelan opposition Democratic Unity coalition Leopoldo Lopez (L) and Henrique Capriles Radonski wave during a ceremony in Caracas January 24, 2012. Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez resigned on Tuesday to his presidential aspirations in favor of Governor Henrique Capriles Radonski, favorite candidate to win the February 12 primaries. JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images (JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images)
Leopoldo López, one of the best-known politicians in Venezuela's opposition, has stunned the country by pulling out of next month's primaries and declaring full support for the frontrunner, Henrique Capriles Radonski.
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