International

Washington, Feb 13 (EFE).- The US government on Monday imposed economic sanctions on Venezuelan Vice President Tareck El Aissami for “for playing a significant role in international narcotics trafficking.” The US Department of the Treasury also sanctioned businessman Samark Jose Lopez Bello for providing “material assistance, financial support, or goods or services in support of …

US sanctions Venezuelan vice president for drug trafficking Read More »

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 11 (EFE).- The Brazilian metropolis of Rio de Janeiro is making final preparations for its annual carnival, an event that attracts 2 million tourists annually and brings in nearly $2 billion in revenue. The city offers a range of alternative for all tastes and budgets during the pre-Lenten festival, from a …

Rio de Janeiro set to welcome millions to 2017 carnival Read More »

Lima, Feb 10 (EFE).- Peruvian authorities on Friday placed a former president on the country’s most-wanted list and offered a 100,000-soles ($30,000) reward for information leading to his whereabouts and capture. The announcement by the interior minister came after a judge on Thursday night issued an international arrest warrant for Alejandro Toledo on charges of …

Peru offers $30,000 reward for info leading to former president Read More »

 Lima, Feb 9 (EFE).- A Peruvian judge on Thursday issued a national and international arrest warrant for former President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006) and his subsequent 18-month preliminary imprisonment for allegedly taking $20 million in bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. Judge Richard Concepcion, head of the First Preparatory Investigation Court of the National Criminal Chamber, …

Judge orders arrest, imprisonment of Peru’s ex-president for bribery Read More »

Quito, Feb 7 (EFE).- The Colombian government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas met Tuesday in this capital to open an historic peace process seeking to put an end to the armed conflict in which the two parties have been mired for more than 52 years. The act launching the Public Dialogue Meetings for …

Colombian government, ELN guerrillas open peace talks in Quito Read More »

Lima, Feb 6 (EFE).- The Peruvian Attorney General’s Office on Monday officially announced the launching of a criminal investigation against former President Alejandro Toledo on charges of influence peddling, money laundering and bribetaking to benefit Brazil’s Odebrecht construction firm. In a message posted on the Public Ministry’s official Twitter account, authorities said that the investigation …

Peruvian AG’s office accuses Toledo of influence peddling in Odebrecht case Read More »

Buenaventura, Colombia, Feb 5 (EFE).- FARC guerrillas armed with assault rifles peacefully “took” the registration area of a hotel in the Colombian city of Buenaventura this weekend, checking into rooms for the night like any other guest as they continue on the path to laying down their arms. The scene, which drew many curious residents …

Colombian guerrillas make journey from jungle to hotel Read More »

Santiago, Feb 4 (EFE).- The president of Chile said Saturday that the emergency of massive wildfires that have laid waste to vast stretches of central and southern Chile “is coming to an end.” President Michelle Bachelet said “the emergency is coming to an end,” a message that won a collective sigh of relief among the …

Chilean president says wildfire emergency about to end Read More »