Brazil celebrates independence day in defense of democracy, sovereignty and union, and a grand parade in the capital, attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva// Colombian ambassador to Venezuela, Milton Rengifo, announced that the opening of Colombian consulates in the country will be formalized in the next few days// A Unicef report stated that a record number of children from Latin America and the Caribbean are leaving their homes in search of a better life, risking disease, injury and abuse. teleSUR