Latin America

Polls Close in Venezuela

The National Electoral Council (CNE) of Venezuela announced the end of voting at 6:00 p.m. (22:30 GMT) to choose the substitute of late President Hugo Chavez. The vice president of the CNE, Sandra Oblitas said that henceforth only the centers with voters in line will remain open.

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Venezuelans Voting for Chavez’s Successor

Nearly 19 million eligible Venezuelans began voting Sunday morning in presidential elections to choose a successor to late president Hugo Chavez, who himself was elected in 1999 and held office until his death on March 5, reported dpa news. The elections hold extraordinary importance for Cuba and other Latin American countries.

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Margaret Thatcher and the Face of Evil

Throughout Britain these last few days hundreds of thousands of people are celebrating the death of Margaret Thatcher, in their hearts or on the streets. They were drinking champagne today Saturday in Piccadilly Circus, London and elsewhere in the towns and cities throughout Britain that Thatcher left blighted by her policy reforms and her desire to crush the unions.

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Buena Vista Social Club Returns to Chile

Cuba’s Buena Vista Social Club band led by singer Omara Portuondo returns to Santiago de Chile for a concert on May 3rd.. The photographer brings us these images from an earlier presentation of Buena Vista in Santiago de Chile. (7 photos)

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‘Pearls’ from the Venezuelan Presidential Campaign

The Venezuelan electoral campaign was short but intense. Hours of speeches left dozens of quotes by the leading candidates: Interim president Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Henrique Capriles, who face off tomorrow to determine the successor of Hugo Chavez. Here’s a selection of some of the phrases voiced during the campaign.

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The Mechanics of the Venezuelan Vote

The elections have been marked by atypical events, starting with Chavez’s death and followed by the organization of polling in just over 30 days by the National Electoral Council (CNE), and the realization of “blitz campaigning” over a mere 10-day period.

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Countries Battling Transnationals to Meet in Quito

Foreign ministers of South American countries affected by conflicts with transnational corporations will meet in Quito in late April. The meeting will be a “starting point” for bringing together countries affected by legal actions of tremendously powerful transnational companies.

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“My Vote’s for Maduro”

“I swear to you Chavez, my vote’s for Maduro!” With these words and other songs in support of Chavista candidate Nicolas Maduro, a red tide overflowed seven avenues in Caracas. If anyone still doubted the way the Venezuelan people support their interim president, they couldn’t have after having seen this massive march.

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Uruguay Adopts Same-Sex Marriage Law

Uruguay’s Chamber of Deputies passed a new law on Wednesday night authorizing same-sex marriages. The initiative was considered a priority by the ruling Frente Amplio Party and was supported by 71 votes out of the 92 deputies present. The bill is now awaiting enactment by the nation’s executive office.

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