Welcome to the Carnival of Latin America and the Caribbean. The week’s big story: More Russian oil and weapons deals with Venezuela,
Russia pays Venezuela $600 mln bonus for role in oil project
Russia’s National Oil Consortium on Friday paid Venezuela a bonus of $600 million for participation in the development of the Junin-6 deposit, the head of a company making part of the consortium said.
Vladimir Bogdanov, the head of Surgutneftegaz, added that Friday is to see constituent documents signed and a joint venture registered in which 60% belongs to Venezuela’s state oil and gas corporation Petroleos de Venezuela (PdVSA), and 40% to the Russian consortium.
The National Oil Consortium (NNK) of Russian companies working in Venezuela includes Russian energy giant Gazprom, state-run crude producer Rosneft, Russian-British joint oil venture TNK-BP, Surgutneftegaz and LUKoil.
Total investment into the Junin-6 block development – a project designed to last 25 years – is estimated to reach $20 billion. The agreement on the joint venture between Russia and Venezuela was signed a month ago in Moscow. The Junin-6 oil field could produce up to 450,000 barrels daily by 2017.
Putin Visits Venezuela to Discuss Oil and Arms
ARGENTINA

BRAZIL
Maybe We Can Get The Nation’s Cruise To Stop There?
The Baron sent this article, No bishops involved in cases of sex abuse in Brazil, Vatican spokesman clarifies, while Sex abuse in Brazil: abuser priest provides checklist for selecting victims.
Drugs Fade in Colombian Economy
Audio slideshow: Cowgirls in Colombia
CUBA
Cuba’s true martyrs
Spain extends citizenship application span until December 2011, citing huge demand
Possession of Spanish citizenship and a Spanish passport presumably makes it easier for Cubans to travel outside the island.
It also gives you access to better healthcare, too. Speaking of which, Commie love week in Brunswick, ME
Mindful travel tourism to Cuba.
ECUADOR
Somewhere near Salinas
Ecuador and financial crime
The Andean laundry
Worries that organised crime is tightening its grip
GUATEMALA
Guatemala and organised crime
Reaching the untouchables
Attempts to stop drugs money corrupting public life in Guatemala are making some progress. In Jamaica (see article) the worries are growing
HAITI
Haiti relief efforts a mess
HONDURAS
US interventionism in Honduras continues
Suspect: Sheriff’s officer was killed in retaliation for alleged mistreatment
NICARAGUA
Ortega ha realizado cambios en su gabinete sin aprobación del Congreso
PERU
Raw: Peru Traffic Cam Captures Auto Crash:
Peru’s Machu Picchu reopens to tourists
PUERTO RICO
Shell refineries agree to install $6M of equipment
The settlement also affects a refinery in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, which was closed for business reasons in July 2008. Shell Chemical Yabucoa’s existing terminal operation in Puerto Rico will upgrade its operations, the Justice Department said.
VENEZUELA
Russia, Venezuela Strengthen Ties
Hugo plays at being rich, while beggars and strangers bearing gifts visit Venezuela
Increasing Numbers of Venezuelans Trying to Get to Europe:
Thanks for the link, Fausta!
Stop the US selling arms to the Uribe “Government” of Colombia and the funnelling of weapons from Colombia’s military to the Cocaine warlords, remove the US bases on Venezuela’s border and the US 4th fleet from the Dutch Antilles, and the Venezuelan government will stop buying weapons and invest the mondy on better rail, roads ports, and mwedical facilities.