America's Insider articles from January 2001

America's Insider archives from January 2001

Bush administration likely to be more involved in Latin America.(Brief Article)
January 4, 2001... WASHINGTON -- Increasing instability and a strong desire for free trade are likely to make George W. Bush's White House more active in Latin America than was the Clinton administration. The leading Latin American expert on Bush's foreign...

Tabasco dispute has implications in looming fight for control of PRI.(Institutional Revolutionary Party; controversy over the election in Mexico's state of Tabasco)(Brief Article)
January 4, 2001... MEXICO CITY--The Dec. 29 decision by Mexico's Federal Electoral Tribunal to annul the Oct. 15 Tabasco elections has thrown the state into chaos and may have significant implications in the looming fight for control of the Mexico's largest...

Appointments solidify Chavez's grip on power.(President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela)
January 4, 2001... CARACAS -- While denouncing politicians as "pigs" is practically a national pastime, the appearance of a real piglet on the National Assembly floor last month caused quite a commotion. The pig, quickly nicknamed Napoleon in honor of the...

Who says there is no creativity in law?(Venezuela Supreme Court justice uses a constitutional loophole to reappoint himself)(Brief Article)
January 4, 2001... CARACAS -- The government's position that until all public officials were selected under the new Constitution, the Constitution itself was not officially in force has led to at least one creative legal ruling. Supreme Tribunal Chief Justice...

Brazil looks to shore up Mercosur, wary of US free trade plans.(Chile has not been persuaded to join the group)(Brief Article)
January 4, 2001... SAO PAULO --The recent Mercosur summit on the island city of Florianopolis in southern Brazil was largely a disappointment. Before Brazil stepped down as the rotating chair of the organization, it had hoped to bring now associate member Chile...

Murder leaves Pastrana exposed, throws peace process off kilter.(President Andres Pastrana of Colombia)(Brief Article)
January 4, 2001... BOGOTA--The murder of the head of the congressional peace commission, his mother and five companions by suspected Marxist rebels has severely damaged the prospects for a progress in already discredited peace talks to end Colombia's long-running...

Ecuador tax reforms face long odds.(plans of Finance Minister Jorge Gallardo)(Brief Article)
January 4, 2001... QUITO -- New Finance Minister Jorge Gallardo may have a hard time delivering on his three main goals for 2001: maintaining good relations with multilateral lenders, pushing tax reform through Congress and modernizing the banking sector. ...

Joy over Argentine bailout obscures problems that remain.(economic reform measures underway)(Brief Article)
January 4, 2001... BUENOS AIRES -- Argentine officials are hailing the $34 billion bailout by the international financial community as the first step toward a sustained recovery of the battered economy. While the rescue package was followed by a number of...

Fox's attempt to settle Zapatista conflict draws accusations of appeasement.(President Vicente Fox , Mexico)(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... MEXICO CITY -- A major shift in policy by President Vicente Fox in trying to end the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) rebellion has boosted the political fortunes of the group and caused some Mexicans to accuse the president of...

Successful inflation effort could set stage for larger economic problems.(Venezuela)(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... CARACAS -- Venezuelan officials say last year's inflation figures - a modest 13.4% - is proof the government's economic policies are bearing fruit. However, the achievement is built on questionable economic practices that could lead to...

Three arrested for attempt to manipulate Chilean share prices.(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... SANTIAGO -- The arrest of an employee of Chile's securities regulatory agency (SVS) has highlighted the emergence of a new problem in Chile: stock price manipulation. The SVS employee, as well as an accountant and stock broker were arrested in...

Colombian peso suffers effects of war but the worst may be over.(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... BOGOTA -- Colombia's peso, normally immune to all but the biggest political shocks, has been buffeted over the last six weeks as investors have grown increasingly concerned about the prospects for peace. Most analysts say there is little...

De la Rua facing hot summer of discontent.(President Fernando de la Rua, Argentina)
January 11, 2001... BUENOS AIRES -- For the third year in a row, the capital's power distributors have been unable to provide reliable service during the summer months. Angry residents report widespread power outages. Perhaps without justification, the problems...

LAPA opts out of fight with US airline giants.(Private Airlines of Argentina)(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... BUENOS AIRES -- Lineas Aereas Privadas Argentinas (LAPA) has withdrawn a request to fly from Buenos Aires to New York, Miami, Atlanta and Los Angeles after US air carriers Delta and Continental announced they would increase flights from Atlanta...

Ecuador having trouble meeting investor conditions for power investments.(energy sector in disarray)(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... QUITO -- The scheduled privatization of the power sector is mired in opposition to the sales, uncertainty over the state of the companies to be sold and doubts about whether the government can stay the course on price hikes that are needed to...

Committee chairmen to help shape Latin American policy.(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... WASHINGTON -- The 107th Congress, which convened this month, features a new slate of House committee chairmen who will wield influence over US policy in Latin America. The incoming Bush administration has an unusual chance to put its...

Argentine plane lands on Falklands.(first one in years)
January 11, 2001... BUENOS AIRES -- The first Argentine plane in 18 years to land on the Falkland Islands followed a strangely indirect trip. A private pilot and his two daughters flew to the disputed islands after months of negotiating with the islands'...

Oil exploration produces controversy.(Brazil)(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... RIO DE JANEIRO -- Foreign oil companies have made five discoveries in Brazilian waters since the 1997 opening of the industry to competition, including the most recent by Royal/Dutch Shell in the Campos Basin that was announced last week....

Auto industry pulls out of slump.(increased production and sales of Brazil's automobile industry)(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... SAO PAULO -- Brazil's automobile manufacturing industry registered positive growth in sales for the first time since 1997, according to industry officials. Sales of locally assembled cars and trucks rose 21% last year to 1.3 million units,...

US, Chile in missile dispute.(United States government restricts access of Chilean government to missiles in sale of F-16 military aircrafts)(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... SANTIAGO -- US officials say a decision to sell the Chilean Air Force up to 12 F-16 fighters but not advanced missiles is intended to ensure regional stability. The Chilean government recently selected the F-16 over several European fighters,...

Pinochet submits to medical tests.(medical testing of former Dictator of Chile Augusto Pinochet to determine ability to withstand trial)(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... SANTIAGO -- After refusing to show up for scheduled medical and psychological tests intended to gauge his fitness to stand trial on human rights charges, former dictator Augusto Pinochet submitted to two days of exams after a judge threatened...

ELN claims progress made in talks.(negotiations between Army of National Liberation and Colombian government officials to create demilitarized zone)(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... BOGOTA -- Officials of the leftist ELN guerrilla group negotiating with government envoys in Cuba said they have made progress in negotiations to establish a demilitarized zone in northern Colombia as a prelude to peace talks. A bid last...

FARC promises prisoner release.(Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia)(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... BOGOTA -- The FARC, the country's largest guerrilla band, is promising to release 100-150 captured soldiers and police by mid February. The move is billed as a gesture of good faith and an attempt to restart the peace talks that the group...

Telecom sector to be opened.(deregulation of Ecuador's telecommunication industry)(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... QUITO --The government is planning to allow competition in a number of communications sectors but does not plan to sell state-owned telecom assets, according to top regulators. Sources say the government plans to hold tenders this year to award...

Record number register for election.(candidates running in presidential elections in Peru)(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... LIMA -- A record 17 politicians have registered to run in the April 8 presidential elections, including the first woman in Peruvian history to run for the office. Polls show that Alejandro Toledo, who nearly won the presidency in elections last...

Military critic arrested.(professor Pablo Aure is arrested for criticizing Venezuelan armed forces)(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... CARACAS -- In the first test of new laws against defaming the armed forces, a military court ordered a professor who called the armed forces "weak" and "undignified" in an editorial was jailed for up to 20 days in a military prison. The court...

Freeze in power rates demanded.(Nueva Esparta state, Venezuela)(Brief Article)
January 11, 2001... CARACAS -- The National Assembly's Services and Administration Committee, backed by legislators from Nueva Esparta state and municipal authorities on Margarita island, where almost all state residents live, are demanding state power company...

Transformation of FARC into drug cartel could prompt shift in US policy.(Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... BOGOTA -- The arrest of a Colombian doctor in Mexico and mounting evidence of the FARC's evolution into an full-blown drug cartel could prompt a significant shift in US policy toward Colombia. In the cattle-ranching community of San Vicente...

Fox torn between desire for higher oil prices and worries about US relations.(Vicente Fox, President of Mexico)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... MEXICO CITY-- President Vicente Fox is torn between his government's need for higher oil prices in order to avoid unpopular budget cuts and a strong desire for good relations with the incoming US administration. Fox's $141 billion budget...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
January 18, 2001... The December 11 date on the last issue of Americas Insider was incorrect. The correct date was January 11.

Port sale delayed by government dispute with Congress.(privatization of ports in Peru is postponed until new ports legislation is enacted)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... LIMA- Would-be bidders for 20-year concessions to operate ports at Paita, Salverry, Chimbote, San Martin and Ilo are protesting that they have been left in limbo after Congress suspended port privatizations until a new ports law is enacted by...

USTR to be aggressive proponent of opening the doors of free trade.(nomination of Robert Zoellick as Trade Representative and foreseen trade relations with Latin America)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... WASHINGTON -- President-elect George Bush's nomination for US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick will likely take an aggressive stance on prying open trade doors abroad, especially in Latin America. Bush nominated Zoellick to replace...

Banzer's bid for democratic legacy fails due to corruption, poor economy.(public administration in Bolivia during tenure of President Hugo Banzer)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... LA PAZ- The administration of President Hugo Banzer is coming unraveled as economic blight, a loss of momentum in enacting reforms and the worst civil unrest in nearly two decades are proving to be more than the former dictator can handle. ...

Complicated labor laws prompt thousands to quit their jobs.(incentives to early retirement by employers in Venezuela in order to circumvent non cost-effective labour laws)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... CARACAS -- It was a strange site in recession-battered Venezuela: thousands of workers lining up for hours outside the offices of the country's largest phone company Cantv for a chance to give up their jobs. Lured by generous severance...

Entel, Digicel win phone concessions.(wireless telephony providers awarded concessions in Venezuela)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... CARACAS -- Chilean company Entel agreed to pay $1.5 million to operate a wireless local loop phone (WLL) system in Caracas. The auction is part of the ongoing telecoms tender by sector regulator Conatel. Local company Digicel also won a...

Government to come under fire as it struggles to pass tax reforms.(opposition to price increase of fuels and transportation may impede passing of tax reforms in Ecuador)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... QUITO- Unions, teachers and students have decided to join protests announced by indigenous groups on Jan. 21 and 22 to mark the one-year anniversary of the ouster of former president Jamil Mahuad. Mahuad was overthrown after junior military...

Political roadblocks still stand in the way of Argentine recovery.(political interests in management of economic recession in Argentina)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... BUENOS AIRES -- Economy Minister Jose Luis Machinea and other top Argentine financial officials are planning a road show in the United States and Europe to finalize the details of the international bailout and convince investors that their...

Support for tax commission is flagging.(commission of politicians to discuss tax reforms and procedures in Argentina)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... BUENOS AIRES -- Support for forming a commission of leading politicians to make recommendations on reforming the nation's tax code is sagging in the wake of a refusal by former Economy Minister Domingo Cavallo to sign onto the panel. The...

Argentina to issue long-term bond.(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... BUENOS AIRES -- Argentina plans to issue $1 billion in new 30-year bonds. The first offering will be for about $500 million at the end of January. The second $500 million issue will be in February. The interest on the Global 2030 bond will be...

Deadbeats lose phone service.(telephone service providers in Chile cut off service of clients with outstanding bills)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... SANTIAGO -- Last November, Chilean telephone companies began cutting off telephone service to clients who have not paid their bills. The cuts are being carried out by long-distance carriers in conjunction with Telefonica CTC Chile. If...

Chile may charge for frequencies.(possible charges to wireless telephony providers for frequency allocations)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... SANTIAGO -- The government is considering holding a tender to award concessions to operate wireless phone systems. The government in the past gave out parts of the spectrum free but officials say they would like to collect revenue for...

Privatization could bring investment.(continued privatization of state assets in Chile to attract foreign investors)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... SANTIAGO -- Central Bank official Jorge Desormeaux has suggested that the government resume privatizing state assets as a means of attracting foreign investment. He said a slowdown of the US economy may prompt investors to direct their money...

Group to target paramilitary funds.(governmental efforts to cut off private funding of paramilitary groups in Colombia)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... BOGOTA -- The government has created a "financial brigade" intended to combat the financing of the country's right-wing paramilitaries. Finance Minister Romulo Gonzalez said the group, which includes officials from a number of ministries, will...

Mexico not enforcing telecom laws.(governmental enforcement of regulations to promote competition within telecommunications industry)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... MEXICO CITY -- Agreements reached late last month between Telemex and US firms Alestra and Avantel on questions of interconnection rates, debts, and other related issues represent progress in opening Mexico's telecoms market, according to US...

BMV saw drain of capital in 2000.(foreign investment volume within Mexican Stock Market)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... MEXICO CITY -- The Mexican Stock Market (BMV) closed 2000 with estimated foreign investment of $51.9 billion after peaking last March at $72.6 billion. The amount of foreign capital in the market was about 22% less than at the end of 1999. BMV...

US, Mexico reach accord on Gulf limits.(division of unclaimed territory in Gulf of Mexico)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... MEXICO CITY -- The United States and Mexico have agreed to divide 6,500 square miles of unclaimed area in the Gulf of Mexico which lies beyond both countries' 200-mile territorial limits. Mexico will receive 60% of the area, known as the...

Steel plant could boost Camisea.(planned steel mill in Peru could be beneficial to Camisea natural gas project)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... LIMA -- Peruvian firm Aceros Arequipa is talking with German firm Ferrostaal and Mexico's HYL about a possible joint venture to build a steel mill near Pisco. The facility would take as much as 20% of the natural gas production from the Camisea...

There was a coup plot.(internal politics, Peru)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... LIMA -- The former commander of Peru's armed forces, retired Gen. Jose Villanueva Ruesta said that fugitive spy chief Vladimiro Montesinos tried to convince military leaders to stage a coup against then-President Alberto Fujimori in September,...

Celebration of coup, Chavez reign planned.(president Hugo Chavez, Venezuela)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... CARACAS -- President Hugo Chavez has called 2001 a year of "exaltation" for the Venezuelan people and the armed forces and has announced plans for massive celebration Feb. 2-4 to celebrate his failed coup attempt in 1992 and the second...

Chavez promotes unlikely Caribbean pipeline.(president Hugo Chavez, Venezuela)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... CARACAS -- On a visit to Puerto Rico, President Hugo Chavez promoted the construction of a gas pipeline between Venezuela and the island. However, the proposal has come too late because nearly all of the Puerto Rican market is supplied by...

Tax reform to be ready in March.(Venezuela)(Brief Article)
January 18, 2001... CARACAS -- The government expects to issue a new tax law in March. The law is expected to includes harsh new penalties for tax evasion. It also will create a new agency to monitor tax compliance by large companies. To date, few details of the...

Agreement on draft FTAA treaty goes almost unnoticed.(Free Trade Area of the Americas may be rejected by the Bush administration because of labor and environmental provisions)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... WASHINGTON -- An effort to create the world's largest trading bloc took a major step in mid-January -- and virtually nobody noticed. Lost amid a flurry of 11th-hour activity before the end of the Clinton Administration, US Trade...

Saber rattling intensifies as Colombian peace process falters.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... BOGOTA -- The peace process may be on the verge of collapse after Marxist rebels and government negotiators were unable to agree on terms for resuming peace talks. In a sign of the impending doom, the government sent thousands of troops to...

Mexico refuses to go along with OPEC cuts.(Mexico hopes to continue its close relations with the United States)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... MEXICO CITY -- The Mexican government has opted not to cooperate with OPEC on its latest round of production cuts out of concern doing so could harm relations with the United States. (See AI, 1/18/01, P. 1) In recent weeks, Mexico came...

Jailbreak indicates Mexico is losing fight against drug trade.(drug dealer escapes from a high-security prison in Mexico)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... MEXICO CITY -- The escape of one of Mexico's most notorious drug smugglers from a high-security prison is the latest indication that the government is losing its fight against the country's aggressive drug syndicates. Joaquin Guzman,...

Rate cuts, strong economy boost Brazilian debt markets.(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... SAO PAULO- Lower interest rates and strong economic performance have prompted the government and private companies to enter international debt markets with a surge of new issues. Leading the charge is the Central Bank (BC), which recently...

Education reform proposals prompt fiercest criticism of Chavez's tenure.(large demonstration in Venzuela against the education policies of President Hugo Chavez)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... CARACAS -- A government proposal to reform Venezuela's underperforming education system may galvanize opposition to the regime of President Hugo Chavez in a way many of his other controversial changes have failed to do. In the biggest...

2000 trade figures are worse than expected.(trade deficit: Mexico)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... MEXICO CITY -- Preliminary figures show Mexico's trade deficit rose 43.7% from $5.8 billion in 1999 to $8 billion last year. In December alone the deficit was $1.5 billion. The figures are disappointing because it comes despite decade-high oil...

Pinochet case highlights shifts underway in Chilean society.(former dictator Augusto Pinochet has been questioned, but the public's attention is shifting to economic matters)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... SANTIAGO -- The interrogation by a Chilean judge of former dictator Augusto Pinochet about whether he ordered a military death squad to execute political prisoners without trial demonstrates the profound changes underway in the country's...

US may drop certification process.(controversial anti-drug trafficking certification measures)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... WASHINGTON -- The annual ritual of 'certifying' foreign governments as worthy partners in the fight against drug trafficking may be halted -- at least temporarily. Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT) said recently that he plans to introduce a...

Merger to create mobile phone giant.(Portugal Telecom and Telefonica to join in forming a new mobile telephone company in Brazil)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... BRASILIA -- Spain's Telefonica and Portugal Telecom (PT) plan to combine their operations in Brazil in order to form South America's largest mobile phone company. The new firm, which would be owned 50-50 by Telefonica and PT, would have 60% of...

Court blocks cellular tender.(injunction stops auction of cellular licenses in Brazil)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... SAO PAULO -- A court has issued an injunction delaying the planned auction of nine cellular licenses worth up to $3 billion. The court order could push back the auction dates, currently scheduled for Jan. 30, Feb. 20, and March 13. Anatel, the...

Ports privatization to resume.(in Chile)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... SANTIAGO -- The Port Authority of Valparaiso plans to sell the Baron pier and the dock, a year after the rest of the port was privatized. Officials estimate the facilities will require between $22 million and $27 million for repairs and...

Airlines consider merger.(in Colombia)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... BOGOTA -- Three of the largest Colombian airlines -- Avianca, Sam, and Aces -- signed a memorandum of understanding that could allow the three firms to function as a single company while maintaining their separate names. Together, the three...

Czech officials could be freed.(by Cuban government)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... HAVANA -- The Cuban government has proposed what it calls an "honorable solution" to the case of two Czech legislators arrested Jan. 12 for alleged contacts with Cuban dissidents. The Foreign Ministry proposed in an official statement: "If they...

Railroad investments to rise.(in Mexico)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... MEXICO CITY -- US and Mexican firms plan to invest $1.3 billion in the Mexican rail system over the next six years. The owners of Mexico's seven railroad concessions, which include Union Pacific and Kansas City Southern Industries, will invest...

Tapes incriminate legislator, judge.(political corruption investigation in Peru)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... LIMA -- 700 tapes found in the apartment of fugitive spy chief Vladimiro Montesinos are proving to be devastating evidence against some of the country's top officials. One tape shows Supreme Court Judge Alipio Montes being offered a bribe as he...

Bush picks Latin advisor.(Pres Bush names John Maisto his adviser for Latin America)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bust has named John Maisto, the former ambassador to Venezuela, as his top advisor for Latin America. Maisto, who currently advises the US Southern Command in Miami on Colombia, has extensive experience dealing...

Chavez ignores anniversary.(Hugo Chavez; anniversary of democracy)(Brief Article)
January 25, 2001... CARACAS -- For the second year in a row, President Hugo Chavez has ignored the anniversary of what most Venezuelans consider to be the founding of the country's democracy. A civilian and military revolt on Jan. 23, 1958 ousted the country's...