By Oscar Luttman

The Director of the Colombian police, General Oscar Naranjo, is about to leave his post and denied having any diplomatic or political aspirations, in contrast, he admitted that it is necessary to find alternatives to the fight against drugs, starting with the legal use of marijuana under state control.

The officer said: I am in favor of promoting a debate to explore alternative routes, new procedures, new policies around the prevention and suppression of drugs. I also agree to speak frankly about each drug.

By Natalie Romero

In the past two years inflation in Latin America has stabilized between 6 and 7%, according to statements by the regional office of the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture), which has impacted positively on the stabilization of the food.

In its latest monthly report on prices, FAO said "this is a clear sign of stabilization in the fluctuation of prices in the region." In regional analysis also noted that the February inflation reached 8.6%, which indicates a low positive and beneficial to the food industry.

By Diego Silva

In the midst of a dispute between the oil company Repsol-YPF and the government of Cristina Kirchner, who accused the company of a lack of investment, the Hispano-Argentinean company announced the discovery of conventional oil and shale at the west of the nation, in the province of Mendoza.

The discovery consists of 2 wells of oil shale at the provincial south and central district, and a conventional one was discovered at the central district. Bringing both, more than 750 barrels of oil a day.

By Susana Lima

Germán Vargas Lleras, Colombian Minister of Interior, announced on Wednesday that the Colombian government will not support the initiative that Central American countries are urged to decriminalize drug use and ruled that President Juan Manuel Santos will proposed the topic for discussion at the Americas Summit organized for April in Colombia.

Vargas Lleras said: The president has been very strong: Colombia will not lead, will not promote the individual initiative in this matter and the debate will continue to be academic until the international community decides otherwise.

 

By Luisa Marquez

A little more than seven months before he is due to face a presidential election, Hugo Chávez is to undergo a third operation for the cancer that was diagnosed last June. Following a swirl of rumors over carnival weekend, Venezuela’s President himself confirmed on February 21st that a small lesion had been detected during tests carried out days earlier during a secret trip to Cuba. This was very likely to prove malignant, though Mr Chávez insisted there was no metastasis.

As usual, facts about the President’s health are scarce. Venezuelans have never been told the details of the baseball-sized tumor extracted from his pelvis last year; none of his doctors has spoken to the media. But four rounds of chemotherapy appear not to have eradicated the cancer.

The surgery in Cuba, due to take place within days, should be less complicated this time, Mr Chávez said. But clearly he faces a period of convalescence, possibly followed by radiation therapy.

This would make campaigning difficult. Mr Chávez’s public image is that of a strongman; now he risks looking weak. Faction-fighting within his regime is likely to intensify. The military and civilian wings of the ruling United Socialist Party are held together only by the President’s own personality, and no potential successor appears to command broad support.

Mr Chávez’s medical setback may add to the momentum of Henrique Capriles, the candidate of the opposition Democratic Unity coalition (MUD). On February 12th he easily won a primary election in which almost 3m (out of a total electorate of 18.3m) turned out to vote.

After 13 years in power, amid rampant crime, high inflation and shortages of housing and basic goods, the President is vulnerable. Mr Capriles’s victory prompted Mr Chávez to shower insults on him, in a series of lengthy appearances which all radio and television channels were required to broadcast.

But the President remains popular with millions of poorer Venezuelans. The rising world oil price brought a return to economic growth in Venezuela in 2011 after two years of recession. Armed with extra revenue from oil, Mr Chávez has launched a new non-contributory pension and child benefit, costing a total of $2.3 billion a year. He has also begun crash programs to build houses and create jobs.

However, is Mr Chávez’s continued ill health is not necessarily good for the MUD. News of his cancer last year prompted a sympathy boost in the President’s opinion-poll ratings. That may now be repeated, though on a smaller scale. Opposition politicians know from bitter experience that fighting an election that focuses on the figure of the President is a losing proposition. Mr Capriles may find it harder to center the campaign on the economy and governance.

Were Mr Chávez to die, or be incapacitated, the resulting turmoil might derail the election altogether. The constitution calls for the vice-president to take over, but that post is in the President’s gift. The incumbent, Elías Jaua, has been told he is to be replaced, but no successor has been named. In Venezuela such power vacuums have often been filled by the army.

 

By Luisa Marquez

A British Secretary of State will visit the Falklands, said his office trying to downplay the scale at a time of tension between London and Buenos Aires for the sovereignty of the southern archipelago.

David Willets, Secretary of State for Universities and Science, left the UK yesterday and had to make a stop in the Falklands before traveling on to Antarctica to see how British scientists work. He will also stop at the islands on the way back.

 

By Lara Holmes

Argentina is attentive and vigilant to the British military presence in the Falkland Islands and has the ability to defend against a possible attack on its mainland, said Wednesday the Argentinean defense minister amid growing diplomatic tension between the two countries on the sovereignty of the archipelago.

Defense Minister of Argentina Arturo Puricelli , however, clarified that they have a pro-military or are getting ready any kind of force and reiterated that the Argentinean government continues to claim sovereignty of the Falklands by diplomatic means.