Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is calling a meeting of eight Amazon countries next week to forge a common stand ahead of next month's key climate talks, officials said Friday.

Venezuela's Chavez builds alliances with Africa at 'South-South' summit. Hugo Chavez made diplomatic inroads in Africa on Sunday at a summit of South American and African leaders where he offered Venezuela's help in oil projects, mining and financial assistance.

Bolivian president joins in ceremony commemorating guerrilla leader Ernesto `Che' Guevara. Bolivia's president participated in a tribute Thursday to the guerrilla leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara, who was captured and killed by Bolivian soldiers 42 years ago while trying to foment revolution in this Andean nation.

LA PAZ (Reuters) - Bolivia plans to buy six Chinese light military aircraft worth nearly $58 million to fight drug traffickers in the world's No. 3 cocaine producer, leftist President Evo Morales said on Saturday.

Peruvian media on Sunday ganged up on referee Bolivian Rene Ortube after Saturday's World Cup qualifying loss in Argentina, alleging he "robbed" them of a result.

The leftist Latin American ALBA trade bloc is scheduled Friday to approve measures that would replace US dollars with a new virtual currency for regional commerce, an official said here.

Leftist Latin American leaders agreed here on the creation of a regional currency, the Sucre, aimed at scaling back the use of the US dollar.

Leftist Latin American leaders have agreed on the creation of a regional currency to scale back on the use of the US dollar as well as economic sanctions against Honduran coup leaders.

Bolivia allows candidate for vice president to campaign from jail while killings investigated. Bolivian election officials say a jailed opposition politician can campaign for vice president from behind bars.

Bolivia signed a memorandum of understanding Friday with Chinese officials for the construction and launch of a communications satellite.

Bolivia the standard-bearer as Latin American natives fight to protect lands, culture. In Ecuador, the Shuar are blocking highways to defend their hunting grounds. In Chile, the Mapuche are occupying ranches to pressure for land, schools and clinics. In Bolivia, a new constitution gives the country's 36 indigenous peoples the right to self-rule.

In Latin America, voters granting leaders more time in office to effect real change. Horrified by the excesses of dictatorship, Latin Americans discarded the strongman model at the end of the 20th century and limited politicians' time in power.

Bolivia the standard-bearer as Latin American natives fight to protect lands, culture. In Ecuador, the Shuar are blocking highways to defend their hunting grounds. In Chile, the Mapuche are occupying ranches to pressure for land, schools and clinics. In Bolivia, a new constitution gives the country's 36 indigenous peoples the right to self-rule.

Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa announced Saturday he is seeking to definitively shut down a private television station that he accused of "espionage" on his office.

QUITO (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his allies sought to censure Colombia on Monday over a plan to host U.S. troops that has stoked diplomatic tensions but divided leaders at a regional summit.

President Barack Obama on Monday reaffirmed US support for ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and accused critics of his policy on the political crisis of hypocrisy.

South American leaders express concern over expanded US military presence in Colombia. South American presidents expressed deep concerns Monday over the United States' plan to increase its military presence in Colombia.

In Bolivian capital, explosives-laden envelopes wound 7 people in 2 bombings. Bolivian police are investigating exploding envelopes that wounding seven people, three of them severely, in La Paz.

Honduras's Supreme Court has rejected a Costa Rica-brokered deal that would have restored ousted President Manuel Zelaya to power and sternly warned that he faces arrest if he returns.

BARILOCHE, Argentina (Reuters) - South American leaders failed Friday to ease diplomatic tensions set off by a Colombian plan giving U.S. troops more access to its military bases for joint operations against cocaine traffickers and leftist rebels.