VOA News: Americas http://www.voanews.com/ Up to the minute news from Voice of America Death Toll Revised to 4 in Costa Rican Quake, Hundreds Trapped  Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:27:07 +0200 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:27:07 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-09-voa79.cfm?rss=americas The 6.1-magnitude quake struck Thursday and was centered about 35 kilometers northwest of capital of San Jose D8E3E304-B9A6-C42F-4849660538B03035 US, Mexican Presidents to Meet on Drug Crime Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:04:00 +0200 Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:04:00 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-10-voa19.cfm?rss=americas Leaders also expected to discuss Merida Initiative - joint effort to fight cross-border crimes, such as drug-trafficking and gang violence D8E3E314-F84D-C078-CC04DC178822312D Report: Freedom Around the World Declines for 3rd Consecutive Year Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:09:25 +0200 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:09:25 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-12-voa51.cfm?rss=americas Freedom House says biggest freedom reversals happened in sub-Saharan Africa and former Soviet Union; notes improvement in Pakistan, the Maldives and Bhutan D8E3E323-EF8F-6B7A-15804C4A2E5748B6 Obama, Mexican President Meet for Immigration, Security Talks Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:22:10 +0200 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:22:10 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-12-voa61.cfm?rss=americas Meeting with Felipe Calderon was Mr. Obama's first with a foreign leader since his election in November D8E3E333-FEAE-8278-4255C8B0527260C5 Colombia's Uribe Seeks Vatican Help in Hostages' Release Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:08:29 +0200 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:08:29 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-13-voa19.cfm?rss=americas FARC rebel group said it is willing to hand over 6 hostages it has promised to free - but only in presence of international representative D8E3E342-EDAF-7C1A-38D8A9C8FF62E8BD Bush, Mexican President Hold Final Meeting Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:23:00 +0200 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:23:00 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-13-voa59.cfm?rss=americas Leaders restate their nations' shared commitment to combat illegal drug trafficking and preserve bilateral trade ties D8E3E352-FC5F-DFC7-A0D732FC893E8E3B Bush Launches New Criticism of Cuban Government Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:47:05 +0200 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:47:05 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-13-voa62.cfm?rss=americas US president accuses Cuba's government of responding to US appeals for democratic reform with more repression of its people D8E3E362-EC79-A562-65C5A571836F1F89 Bush Honors Blair, Howard, Uribe Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:33:39 +0200 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:33:39 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-13-voa66.cfm?rss=americas President Bush says each Medal of Freedom recipient 'have shown a firm adherence to the principles of freedom and democratic values' D8E3E371-E1B3-966A-F3F89118DFA6D435 Panama's Noriega Fights US Extradition to France Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:34:23 +0200 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:34:23 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-14-voa57.cfm?rss=americas His lawyers say he should be returned to his home country given his status as a "prisoner of war." D8E3E381-A27A-5A6F-D9D203321EF0A2E5 US Freezes Assets of 3 Alleged FARC Representatives Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:50:05 +0200 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:50:05 +0200 http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-14-voa64.cfm?rss=americas US, EU and Colombia consider Armed Forces of Colombia a terrorist organization  ves D8E3E3A0-0B21-61EC-888899DF0E0E4A1B