Latin America
The Union of South American Nations (Unasur) approved on Tuesday the creation of the South American Defense Council and a South American Health Council, said Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Celso Amorim, during a press conference.

Amorim noted that these items were high in the agenda of a meeting that also agreed on the appointment of a new secretary for the organization by April, to the latest, when Chile will leave the pro-tempore presidency.

He commented that a report on political violence in Bolivia, which has been lambasted by the Bolivian opposition, was not challenged by any of the member states. However, he clarified that the issue was not voted.

Amorim highlighted the significance of the Defense Council and noted that four or five months ago it had been said that the subject would be spoiled.

The South American Defense Council is an initiative of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet. Unasur is composed of 12 member states: Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname and Guyana.