Thousands of anti-government demonstrators again took to streets in several Brazilian cities today after the president broke a long silence to promise reforms, but the early protests were smaller than those of recent days and with only scattered reports of violence.

Venezuela’s president Hugo Chavez has a respiratory infection after undergoing cancer surgery in Cuba and must have “complete rest” for the next few days, the government said today.

Dilma Rousseff was sworn in as Brazil’s first female president today, capping a rapid political trajectory for the career technocrat and former Marxist rebel who was imprisoned and tortured during the nation’s long military dictatorship.

A former Marxist guerrilla who was tortured and imprisoned during Brazil’s long dictatorship was elected president of Latin America’s biggest nation.

Brazilians are going to the polls today in national elections that could see front-running candidate Dilma Rousseff become the country’s first female president, succeeding her popular ally and mentor.