Latin America Archives - Page 396 of 482

Maduro Denies Being Homophobic

The interim president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, denied today that he is homophobic or having made insinuations about the sexual orientation of his rival in the elections of April 14, Henrique Capriles.

Doubts Emerge on Embalming Chavez

The interim president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, said today that there are difficulties with embalming the body of the late president Hugo Chavez, and that the initial plan to putting him on display at a museum may be abandoned, reported dpa news.

Over 100 Gitmo Prisoners on Hunger Strike

News of the hunger strike at the US military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba first emerged last week, but appears to involve far more prisoners than thought. In a letter to his attorney, one detainee wrote: “We are in danger.

Capriles Rejects Maduro’s Homophobia

Venezuelan opposition candidate Henrique Capriles on Tuesday rejected as “homophobic” a statement made by interim President Nicolas Maduro, who suggested his opponent was homosexual. Capriles said Maduro assertions are expressions of “fascism and the extreme right.”

Pronouncement from Nicaraguan Feminists Issued on International Women’s Day

For over 40 years, the women’s movement in Nicaragua has preserved from anonymity the women’s rebellions of the past, has contributed to forging a new consciousness of rights, has denounced the violations of our rights and has demanded changes that favor a true equality between women and men.

Fukushima Meltdown’s 2nd Anniversary Brings Protests Against Japan’s Reliance on Nuclear Power

Japan stands at a crossroads over its reliance on nuclear power as the country marks the second anniversary of one of the world’s worst atomic disasters. On March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami that struck Japan’s northeast coast, killing more than 20,000 and leaving at least 150,000 homeless.

Chavez’s Son-in-law New Venezuelan VP

Jorge Arreaza, son-in-law of Hugo Chavez, has been named the interim vice president of Venezuela by the interim president, Nicolas Maduro. The 39-year-old husband of Chavez’s eldest daughter Rosa Virginia, he has worked in the communications field since 2001, and by 2011 rose to become the minister of Science and Technology under Chavez.

Fidel Laments Cuba’s Loss of Best Friend

Former Cuban president, Fidel Castro, the current senior advisor to his brother, President Raul Castro, commented today on the loss last Tuesday of Hugo Chavez, 58, who he considered Cuba’s top ally.

Venezuela Goes Back to the Polls April 14

Venezuelans will have new presidentiial elections on April 14 to replace Hugo Chavez who died on Tuesday. The date chosen by the electoral council is the same date that Chavez returned triumphant to Caracas after the short-lived US supported coup against him in 2002. The candidates will be interim president Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Henrique Capriles.

Maduro Sworn in as Interim President

Nicolas Maduro was sworn in yesterday as interim president of Venezuela before the National Assembly, the same day as the funeral of President Hugo Chavez, who died after a nearly two-year fight against cancer. Maduro then asked the board of elections to call a new presidential election, which they did on Saturday, setting the date for April 14, 2013.