LATIN AMERICA Between Milei and Lula, Paraguay finance chief eyes austere path 07-01-2025 12:32 Paraguay Finance Minister Carlos Fernández argues sustainable fiscal policy matters in a region exposed to international crisis.
TRAGEDY IN BRAZIL At least one dead and 16 missing after bridge collapse in Brazil 23-12-2024 21:13 One person has died and 16 are missing following the collapse of a bridge between Maranhão and Tocantins. President Lula promises federal support for rescue operations and an investigation.
BRAZILIAN POLITICS Brazil's 2026 elections, without Lula or Bolsonaro? 21-12-2024 04:46 Brazil's 2026 presidential election may offer a field of candidates featuring neither incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva nor far-right rival Jair Bolsonaro – a novel scenario for Argentina's giant neighbour.
TURBULENCE IN BRAZIL Brazil market rout risks a crisis as Lula resists austerity push 19-12-2024 08:25 As the currency craters in Brazil, thrusting the country’s markets into the international spotlight for the first time in years, a grim reality is setting in for top economic aides to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. They are, they fear, powerless to do much to stop the panic.
BRAZILIAN POLITICS Geraldo Alckmin, Lula’s rival-turned-vice-president, finds himself in unwanted limelight 19-12-2024 08:17 For decades, he was President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s political rival. Now his boss’s health issues have put Geraldo Alckmin at the centre of questions about Brazil’s future.
BRAZIL IN FOCUS Lula’s age and health leave Brazil on edge about what comes next 14-12-2024 08:36 Brazil is pondering the future as Lula’s age and health become major parts of the political discussion and attention turns toward the next presidential election in 2026.
BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT Brazil's Lula 'in perfect neurological condition' post-op, says medical staff 13-12-2024 13:49 Update comes two days after Brazil president underwent emergency surgery, with doctors drilling through his skull to relieve pressure built up in protective intracranial membranes.
PRESIDENT HOSPITALISED Brazil President Lula 'stable' after emergency surgery 10-12-2024 17:15 Brazil's 79-year-old President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is recovering from emergency surgery after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage.
EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL EU reaches long-sought Mercosur deal despite French objections 06-12-2024 12:47 European Union and Mercosur bloc clinch trade deal despite objections of France, which will try to block process; Signing and ratification process could take as long as 18 months.
future of mercosur Milei: Mercosur has ‘ended up becoming a prison’ for members 06-12-2024 12:28 Argentina’s President slams Mercosur protectionism at summit and calls for "new formula" for regional bloc, stating it has been a “stumbling block to the progress of Argentines.”
EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL EU-Mercosur deal ‘in sight,’ says top European official 05-12-2024 20:49 Chances of a sealed deal seemed slim at press time as leaders in France, Italy renew criticism.
Mercosur Trade Deal EU chief lands in South America to close contentious Mercosur deal 05-12-2024 13:21 EU chief Ursula von der Leyen lands in Montevideo at the LXV Mercosur Summit, where the goal is to hopefully close the Mercosur Trade Deal. With France's President Macron expressing his distaste, and Brazil's President Lula in support, there is much to discuss this week.
Lula sparks market rout Lula ignores aides and sparks market rout that threatens economy 02-12-2024 12:32 Brazil's president Lula da Silva ignored his economic aides warning to not ignite any economic plans that will spark a selloff, and markets plunged immediately. The plan calls for limiting hikes to the minimum wage, earnings for the highest-paid civil servants and salary bonuses to low-income workers.
EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL Lula: Brussels, not Paris, will decide EU-Mercosur trade deal 27-11-2024 23:29 Blockbuster deal between the 27-country European Union and Mercosur countries – Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay – will not be decided only by France, declares Lula.
MERCOSUR SUMMIT President Milei to attend first Mercosur Summit in Montevideo 26-11-2024 10:41 After his absence in Asunción, President Javier Milei is set to attend his first Mercosur summit in Montevideo next week; talks will focus on the long-stalled EU free trade deal, though Argentina's leader is expected to criticise the bloc's functioning.
URUGUAY ELECTIONS 2024 Frente Amplio returns to power in Uruguay as Orsi wins run-off 25-11-2024 10:44 Frente Amplio's Yamandú Orsi is elected president of Uruguay after Sunday's run-off; Leftist leader calls for national dialogue in a speech to supporters after results.
ANALYSING ARGENTINA Milei and his Doppelganger 23-11-2024 06:00 There may be two Javier Mileis. One lives on Planet Earth and engages with people he said he loathed, and another fights fantasy battles in a parallel reality on social media. Which one will prevail? by Marcelo J. García
OPINION & ANALYSIS Long live pragmatism, carajo! 21-11-2024 18:04 President Javier Milei is adjusting his rhetoric to the challenges of power – from his frosty exchanges with Lula and his rapprochement with Xi Jinping, to his contradictions with Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni. by Javier Calvo
FRENCH LEADER IN LATIN AMERICA Macron praises EU-Chile trade agreement on Latin America tour 20-11-2024 20:53 French President Emmanuel Macron visits Chilean counterpart Gabriel Boric in Santiago on the last leg of a Latin America tour.
SINO-LATIN AMERICAN RELATIONS Xi, Lula meet in Brasília to 'enhance' diplomatic ties 20-11-2024 10:52 Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit Brazil to strengthen ties with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, focusing on enhancing trade relations, aligning development strategies, and marking 50 years of diplomatic relations. by Ramon Sahmkow, AFP
WORLD G20 summit ends with Ukraine blame game 19-11-2024 20:56 As the G20 summit wraps up, here are some of the main takeaways from the summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Remnants of a coup - Brazil Brazil arrests four soldiers over alleged 2022 Lula assassination plot 19-11-2024 14:29 Brazilian police arrest four soldiers and a police officer working at G20 summit, for allegedly plotting a coup in 2022 to prevent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office.
G20 SUMMIT IN BRAZIL Where was Biden? G20 photo shows him out of the picture 18-11-2024 20:11 Biden, Trudeau and Meloni miss ‘family photo’ at G20 summit; US said photo was taken early, organisers said Biden was late.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Milei voices dissent as Argentina rejects parts of G20 draft final declaration 18-11-2024 18:35 President Javier Milei issues a statement voicing harsh criticism of G20 and dissent with parts of G20 summit’s final communiqué.
G20 SUMMIT IN BRAZIL ‘Gesture of goodwill’ – Milei gives way to Lula on anti-hunger alliance 18-11-2024 17:36 Argentina’s government finally signs up to Lula’s global anti-hunger initiative, launched at the G20 summit in Rio. Is Milei’s gesture of goodwill to his Brazilian counterpart a first step towards rebuilding relations?
G20 SUMMIT IN BRAZIL Argentina snubs G20 summit launch of Brazil's global anti-hunger alliance 18-11-2024 11:05 Argentina the only G20 country not to sign up to a global anti-hunger initiative set to be launched at the opening of leaders summit in Brazil.
Foreign policy & diplomacy Milei is gleefully playing the role of spoiler at Lula’s G20 18-11-2024 10:11 On the orders of President Javier Milei, Argentine diplomats have thrown a wrench into last-minute talks meant to reach consensus on the communiqué world leaders are set to sign at the G20 summit in Brazil.
Latin America Argentine justice system orders arrest of 61 Brazilians for 2023 coup 15-11-2024 21:28 Argentina's justice system has ordered the arrest of 61 Brazilians in the country who are facing prison sentences at home related to last year's coup attempt in Brasília.
G20 SUMMIT IN BRAZIL The G20: Tackling economic issues in a turbulent world 15-11-2024 14:14 The G20 is the main forum for economic and financial cooperation – areas increasingly tested by today's shifting geopolitics.
G20 SUMMIT IN BRAZIL Wars, looming Trump reign set to dominate G20 summit 15-11-2024 14:07 World leaders gather in Brazil on Monday for a G20 summit set to be dominated by differences over wars in the Middle East and Ukraine – and the incoming Donald Trump administration in the United States.
WORLD Sombre swan song for Biden in South America 14-11-2024 20:41 President Joe Biden embarked on a sombre farewell tour of South America Thursday, a trip overshadowed by Donald Trump's US election win.
LATAM Hunger in G20 host Brazil is Lula's unfinished fight 14-11-2024 19:32 Left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will call for "Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty" at the G20 summit in Rio.
EXPLOSIONS IN BRASÍLIA Brazil investigating Supreme Court bomb attack as 'terrorist act' 14-11-2024 14:06 Blast which were set off outside of the Brazilian supreme court are now being investigated by security authorities as a potential terrorist act.
Trade tensions Lula’s embrace of Xi sets up a clash over Trump’s China policy 14-11-2024 12:37 Brazil’s President Lula is advancing a strategic partnership with China, pursuing infrastructure projects to boost Brazil’s economic ties with Asia, despite the risks of upsetting their other largest trade partner: the United States.
International relations Biden to travel to South America for APEC, G20 summits 11-11-2024 15:35 US President Joe Biden will travel to Brazil for the G20 summit, and will meet with various leaders regarding environmental issues, economic growth, and more.
International relations Argentina refuses to sign G20 statement on AI regulation 11-11-2024 13:04 Argentina the only G20 nation not to sign up to statement calling for "transparent" and "ethical" regulation of Artificial Intelligence.
WORLD Trump return sows new uncertainty for stunned global leaders 06-11-2024 17:16 The world digested the return of Donald Trump to the White House with a sense of shock and trepidation. In Argentina, an ecstatic Milei sent congratulatory text messages to billionaire Elon Musk.
GEOPOLITICS Brazil reluctant to pick between US and China in polarised world 23-10-2024 23:38 Brazilian leaders are walking a fine diplomatic line to appeal to both the US and China and shield their nation from any potential blowback in an increasingly polarised world.
REFUGEES Argentina changes refugee status rules for indicted, convicted 23-10-2024 07:50 President Milei changes existing law so that Argentina will not give refuge status to people accused or convicted of crimes in other countries.
G20 SUMMIT Milei infuriates G20 by rejecting call for gender equality 22-10-2024 20:59 On Javier Milei’s instruction, Argentine negotiators refuse to sign a statement on female empowerment that had the support of all other G20 nations.
BLOOMBERG - ANALYSIS Leftist leaders are failing their promises across Latin America 21-10-2024 14:20 The changing political landscape in Latin America, highlights the decline of leftist governments due to economic challenges, crime, and social reform failures, and the rise of more business-friendly, right-leaning administrations.
ANALYSING ARGENTINA Milei the Great or Milei the Footnote? 19-10-2024 06:44 The problems Argentina faces are too big and too enduring for anyone to solve alone, especially when alienating much of the rest of the world. by Marcelo J. García
BILATERAL RELATIONS Milei confirms G20 attendance – and encounter with Lula 15-10-2024 10:06 Argentina’s President Javier Milei confirms he will attend the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, ensuring a first meeting with Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is nigh.
OPINION & ANALYSIS How economic and strategic alliances are changing in a multipolar world 12-10-2024 06:23 A guide to the new fault lines of geopolitics — from BRICS versus the G7 to Lula and Milei’s ideological rivalry in Latin America.
WOMEN'S RIGHTS Brazil introduces law increasing femicide sentences to 40 years 11-10-2024 12:42 Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signs into law a bill that makes femicide a separate criminal offence with potential sentence of up to 40 years behind bars.
SOCIAL MEDIA CLASH Musk’s X pays millions to Brazil in fines, but funds were sent to wrong account 07-10-2024 12:39 Elon Musk’s X social network pays millions of dollars in fines to Brazil for failing to comply with a series of court orders – but the funds were sent to the wrong account and had to be immediately redirected.
AGRICULTURE & ECONOMY Global food prices risk spiking on worst-ever drought in Brazil 06-10-2024 09:47 The worst drought in Brazil’s history is jeopardising coffee, sugar and soybean crops. Dead vegetation is giving way to fires, sending greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and disappearing more of the Amazon rainforest.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS Brazil, Spain struggle to shake criticism as Maduro enablers 25-09-2024 18:06 At a recent United Nations gathering, Brazilian President Lula and Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez faced scrutiny for their ambiguous stance on Nicolás Maduro's regime in Venezuela.
TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Lula seeks to lead push for global AI rules during Brazil’s G20 23-09-2024 17:33 As the planet’s largest economies struggle to forge consensus on the future of artificial intelligence, Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wants to ensure the developing world isn’t left out of the debate.
ENVIRONMENT Fires in Brazil engulf two-thirds of the country in smoke 19-09-2024 10:31 Brazil is experiencing record-breaking wildfires as persistent drought affects the Amazon rainforest. Two-thirds of the country is under smoke, and fires are reported to have been set by farmers, known as slash-and-burn agriculture.