Gates advocated Nicaragua airstrikes
In 1984, Robert Gates, then the No. 2 CIA official, advocated U.S. airstrikes against Nicaragua's pro-Cuban government to reverse what he described as an ineffective U.S. strategy to deal with communist advances in Central America, previously classified documents say.

Salvadorans Want Troops Home from Iraq
In the only Latin American country with troops in Iraq, El Salvador s FMLN party (Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front) rejected on Monday Salvadorian President Antonio Saca s declarations of sending more troops there, and instead demanded urgent return of those still stationed in that country.

Raul Castro: Cuba willing to strengthen military co-op with China
Cuba is willing to strengthen military and other cooperation with China, the First Vice-President of the Council of the State of Cuba and Defense Minister Raul Castro said here on Monday while meeting with a visiting Chinese military delegation.

Former Paraguayan president sentenced to 8 years for corruption
Paraguayan courts on Monday found former president Luis Gonzalez Macchi guilty of corruption, sentencing him to eight years in prison and a 500,000-U.S.-dollar fine, the second ruling against him this year, reports reaching here said.

Chilean court releases Pinochet on bail
The fifth appeals court in the Chilean capital on Monday granted bail for former leader Augusto Pinochet Urugarte in the so-called Caravan of Death case for the murder of opposition figures in the 1970s.