Latin America

- 6 Grammys include Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year
- EMI Televisa and EMI Music Latin America International artists including Pepe Aguilar, Aterciopelados and Deniela Mercury win a total of 10 awards
- Broadcast highlights include extraordinary performances from other EMI artists including Aleks Syntek, Shaila Dúrcal, Intocable and Orishas

November 8, 2007 -- “I thank the U.S. House of Representatives for today’s action to implement the United States-Peru Free Trade Agreement.

Florida stands as the “Gateway to the Americas,” as evidenced by approximately one fifth of all U.S. trade with Peru passing through our state.

Expanded trade opportunities benefit our ports and transportation sectors, while the increased export of Florida goods and services to Peru will support the creation of additional jobs and investment in our state.    » read more »

07 November 2007 -- Venezuelan officials say at least four people were wounded after unidentified gunmen opened fire on university students returning from a protest against constitutional changes.

Authorities said late Wednesday that no one was killed in the violence. A government official had initially told local television that one person had died. The exact circumstances of the shooting remain unclear.    » read more »

Brazilian business executives meet with Team Florida delegates to explore trade opportunities

November 6, 2007 -- SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today officially opened the Florida-Brazil Business Matchmaker Expo. The trade expo features more than 60 Florida businesses interested in potential business arrangements with Brazilian companies. Companies exhibiting in the expo represent industries in Florida ranging from environmental technologies to construction and real estate, aviation and logistics to economic development organizations and tourism services.    » read more »

05 November 2007 -- Around a million people have now fled their homes in the flooded state of Tabasco in southern Mexico and more rain is expected in the already saturated area. Eight people have died in the disaster and authorities are struggling to assist victims in shelters as well as those who remain stranded. Meanwhile, Mexican authorities say a landslide triggered by flooding in the southern state of Chiapas has buried dozens of homes in San Juan Grijalva. At least 15 people are feared missing.    » read more »

05 November 2007 -- Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has accused anti-government demonstrators of using violence to oppose his efforts to change the constitution. Opponents say the president is using the reforms to further his hold on power.

President Chavez led pro-government marches through Caracas on Sunday to rally support for the planned constitutional changes that include ending term limits on the presidency. Chavez told supporters that the changes will give more power to the people, and help expand what he calls his 21st century socialist revolution.    » read more »

November 5, 2007 -- SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today welcomed more than 200 Florida business, state and local leaders to São Paulo, Brazil, for a five-day trade and economic development mission. During the mission, the Governor will meet with Brazil’s top business leaders and senior government officials. Today, Governor Crist signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Governor José Serra of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, to enhance business and cultural exchange between the two states.    » read more »

Pro Mujer offers loans, teaches business skills, provides health care

31 October 2007 -- Washington -- Latin America’s poorest women once had few options for bettering their circumstances, but an organization called Pro Mujer has opened up a new world of opportunity by providing small loans and other services.    » read more »

31 October 2007 -- A congressional committee has unanimously approved legislation to implement a free trade agreement with Peru, paving the way for consideration by the full House of Representatives next week. Eventual approval by Congress of the Peru accord, along with other pacts with Panama, Colombia and South Korea, has been one of President Bush's priorities in advancing his trade agenda.    » read more »

25 October 2007 -- At least 18 Mexican oil workers are now dead after an accident at an offshore oil drilling facility Tuesday in the Gulf of Mexico.

The accident occurred when an oil drilling rig slammed into a platform during a heavy storm that caused 130 kilometer an hour winds and eight-meter high waves.

Mexico's state-owned energy company Pemex says 86 workers abandoned their drilling platforms and escaped into emergency life rafts. At least 61 people were rescued. Seven other people are missing.    » read more »

(Washington, DC, October 24, 2007) – The US Congress should oppose counternarcotics assistance to Mexico unless it includes strong conditions aimed at ending abuses by Mexican security forces, Human Rights Watch said today.

The Bush administration asked Congress on Monday to approve a US$500 million aid package to help Mexico improve its counternarcotics efforts and improve public security. Yet the Mexican military and law enforcement agencies responsible for counternarcotics operations have very poor human rights records.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC, October 22, 2007—Mexico today took an important step closer to full membership in the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), a member of the World Bank Group.    » read more »

Richardson calls for new, proactive Cuba policy; criticizes Clinton, Obama, and Biden for voting for border wall

10/24/2007 -- LOS ANGELES, CA-- New Mexico Governor and Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Richardson today unveiled his Latin America policy in a major address entitled "A New Partnership with Latin America" on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles, California. At the event, hosted by the progressive think tank and advocacy organization NDN, Richardson called for a comprehensive reform of current immigration policy.    » read more »

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- "Los Premios MTV Latin America 2007" returned to Mexico City bigger and better than ever at El Palacio de Los Deportes on Thursday, October 18. Hosted by acclaimed Mexican actor Diego Luna, the sixth annual awards show was jam-packed with more music and more celebrities than ever before. In a spectacular night celebrating the best of music, Mana, Camila, Belinda, and Avril Lavigne topped the award winners list with two "Tongue" awards each.    » read more »

Oct. 15, 2007 -- WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard transferred the former cutter Gentian to the Colombian Navy today in a ceremony at Coast Guard headquarters.    » read more »