THE AMERICAS

www.sltrib.com Compiled by ROGER MORTON THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

    * Brazil: A wave of invasions of farms and government offices in recent days has abruptly ended a truce between landless farmworkers and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Since March 1, farmworkers have occupied public and private property in five Brazilian states, loudly resuming their favored tactic to pressure the government to speed up agrarian reform.         * Ecuador: Ecuador and other nations neighboring Colombia should brand the rebels from the largest guerrilla group there as terrorists, the U.S. ambassador to Ecuador said Thursday. Last month's kidnapping of three Americans by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, "demonstrates that they are terrorists," Kristie Kenney told the newspaper El Universo.         * Peru: Nearly a century after a Yale professor became the first foreigner to reach the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, Peru is asking the university to give back artifacts he took with him. Hundreds of the ceramics and human bones dug up by expeditions led by Hiram Bingham between 1911 and 1915 went on display at the university's Peabody Museum in late January. The Peabody Museum's Web site says the artifacts became part of its collection "by agreement with the Peruvian government."         * Argentina: The Supreme Court declared unconstitutional on Wednesday a government decree that converted dollar bank accounts to devalued pesos -- a ruling that could ease the way for thousands of Argentines seeking to restore the value of their savings. Hundreds of people danced and hugged on the steps of the courthouse amid shouts of "Give us our money back!" Despite the celebrations, it remained unclear how far-reaching the impact of the court's decision would be on about $9 billion in bank deposits.         * Chile: Former dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet underwent tests Tuesday to determine whether doctors should replace the pacemaker he has had for seven years, an aide said. No decision was immediately announced on whether the 87-year-old will need a new device to control his heart beat. Nearly 3,200 people were killed during Pinochet's 1973-90 reign.         * Mexico: President Vicente Fox defended his wife's political appearances and social work Thursday, saying he and the first lady are a "presidential couple." Martha Sahagun, the president's former spokeswoman, married him in July 2001. Sahagun resigned after their wedding and took an unpaid post as head of the charitable fund for Mexico's family welfare agency.