Central America Trade Would Work Both Ways
California's tech exports to the six nations that signed the Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, total about us$175 million each year. That's little more than a rounding error for the tech industry.  Hewlett Packard alone sells more than that around the world in a single day.

Nicaragua Students Clash with Police Over Oil Costs
Thousands of Nicaraguan students clashed with police on Monday when they protested transportation and food costs, while the nation's mayors challenged the president to solve the problems or resign.

US Congressman Burton Urges Free Trade Accord
Indiana Republican Representative Dan Burton urged Costa Rica to approve a trade agreement.

Passenger Comment Grounds Airliner
A TACA Airlines plane bound for Central America was grounded at San Francisco International Airport early Tuesday when a flight attendant thought she heard a passenger say he had a bomb in his carryon luggage.

Costa Rica Will be Part of NASA's Discovery Return to Space
Returning to space following the Columbia accident in 2003, NASA will be launching the shuttle Discovery and Costa Rica will be there all the way.

Michigan Boys Return to Flamingo
About 150 Michigan sports fishermen return to Playa Flamingo next week, a year after their annual and private fishing tournament became national and international headlines.


LATIN AMERICA

Nicaraguan president puts security forces on alert
Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños on Tuesday told the army and police to be on high alert amid mounting protests against bus fare hikes, which have prompted the opposition to demand his resignation.

Chile prepared to resume diplomatic ties with Bolivia: FM
The Chilean government said on Tuesday that it was prepared to resume diplomatic ties with Bolivia but ruled out any possibility to give Bolivia sea access.

Panama studies asylum petition of Ecuadorian ex-president Bucaram
he Panamanian government confirmed Tuesday the arrival in Panama of ex-president of Ecuador Abdala Bucaram, and said it will study a new political asylum petition filed by Bucaram.

Mexican Congress asks Derbez to withdraw candidacy for OAS head
The Mexican Congress decided on Tuesday to withdraw its support for Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez's bid for the secretary general of the Organization of American states (OAS), asking him to immediately quit the race.

Ecuadorian congress names new speaker, expels 11 lawmakers
Ecuador's congress on Tuesday elected its new president and expelled 11 lawmakers who supported the country's ousted President Lucio Gutierrez.

Fidel Castro: US Domination Experiencing Worst Crisis in History
Cuban leader Fidel Castro stated Tuesday that US imperial domination of Latin America and the Caribbean is experiencing its worst crisis, and a solution to overcome it doesn't seem to be in sight. Bush Knows Posada Carriles´ Whereabouts


SPECIAL REPORTS

FILM-VENEZUELA:
Documentary Revolution
For Venezuelan documentary maker Angel Palacios, truth is not impartial, but it is possible for the media to be independent, as long as they do not try to be ”independent of the world.”