BUSINESS & MARKETS MercadoLibre shares rally after record quarter of profit Yesterday 23:55 MercadoLibre stock jumped as much as 14% in after-hours trading after Latin American e-commerce and fintech giant’s profit far surpassed estimates.
Diplomatic row Venezuelan opposition pleads for assistance for asylum seekers 19-02-2025 22:51 Opposition leaders call on diplomatic community to raise voice against "siege" at Argentina's Embassy in Caracas.
PROFILE Brazil's polarising ex-president mired in legal woes 19-02-2025 15:19 Brazil's ex-president Jair Bolsonaro prepares 2026 election campaign atop legacy of disrupting the 'democratic order,' destroying the Amazon rainforest and violating human rights.
GOVERNMENT COUP Brazil prosecutor charges Bolsonaro over failed coup plot 19-02-2025 14:47 Brazil's attorney general charged ex-president Jair Bolsonaro for an alleged coup attempt, including approval of a plan to poison his political rival amidst the 2022 election.
SIZEABLE BLACK ECONOMY US$30 billion a year – Ecuador reveals size of local cartel trade 18-02-2025 14:44 Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa admits that cartels and gangs move US$30 billion worth of drugs, arms and other illicit goods through his country a year.
POPULARITY PLUMMET Why Brazil's Lula is bleeding support 18-02-2025 12:00 Brazil's leftist president embarks on a national tour of interviews and public appearances as supporters lose faith in his economic policies and the far-right emboldens worldwide.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE “LatAmGPT”: Latin America to have its own AI model in 2025 14-02-2025 17:00 Data recognising the multicultural diversity of Latin America is being incorporated into the region's new artificial intelligence model, with experts calling for technological independence.
the week in review Stories that caught our eye: February 7 to 14 14-02-2025 15:37 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
GANG VIOLENCE In Río de Janeiro, a wrong turn takes paradise to peril 14-02-2025 13:32 Around the corner from Brazil's biggest tourist attractions lie gang-guarded areas where 19 people were shot last year.
GANG VIOLENCE Ecuador's wild west shows limits of Noboa's 'iron fist' 13-02-2025 14:40 As gang violence kills neighbours and levels homes, frightened residents of Ecuador's Puerto Bolívar coastal city doubt President Noboa's promise of safety.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Argentina records highest monthly trade deficit with Brazil in seven years 13-02-2025 00:17 Bilateral trade between the two Mercosur partners was US$2.098 billion last month, up 34.1% from the previous January, but imports surge takes Argentina into negative territory.
GEOPOLITICS & DIPLOMACY Gutting aid, US cedes soft power game to China 12-02-2025 14:52 Successive US administrations have vowed to wage a global competition with China. But by freezing nearly all US foreign aid, Washington has effectively ceded one of its main levers of influence.
AGRICULTURE Milei’s plan to boost farm exports: stop ships from running aground 12-02-2025 11:41 Argentina’s government is moving to give the neglected Paraná waterway its first major upgrade in nearly two decades. But time is running out for the fixes to be made.
START-UPS Dozen Latin America start-ups flagged as top unicorn candidates 11-02-2025 17:01 At least a dozen tech firms in the region could cross the coveted US$1-billion valuation mark this year, according to specialised platform Distrito.
ELECTION DENIAL Ecuador's president claims 'irregularities' in first vote 11-02-2025 16:38 Ecuador President Daniel Noboa blames inconclusive first-round vote on unsubstantiated polling "irregularities" as he and leftist rival Luisa González advance to runoff election set for April 13.
MILITARY OUSTING Poll: Latin Americans back US military force against Maduro 11-02-2025 13:16 Despite ill feelings toward Trump, majorities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico support US military intervention in Venezuela against President Nicolás Maduro, new poll finds.
POLITICAL UPHEAVAL Colombia in crisis after president calls for cabinet resignation 10-02-2025 13:13 Environment Minister Susana Muhamad is one of several Colombian officials to resign following an unusual and scandalous meeting between President Gustavo Petro and his cabinet.
Ecuador election 2025 Ecuador heads to election run-off between Noboa and González 10-02-2025 08:58 With more than 90% of the ballots counted, incumbent President Daniel Noboa has 44.3% and rival Luisa González 43.8%, with a run-off set to decide the nation's future.
GEOPOLITICS Trump flashes newfound imperialist streak in White House return 06-02-2025 13:09 US presient's surprise proposition to take control of the Gaza Strip is just the latest signal that his new foreign policy doctrine revolves around expanding the US footprint across the globe.
INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY El Salvador offers to jail US citizens, Rubio says 04-02-2025 11:38 Marco Rubio says he is "profoundly grateful" to El Salvador for its unprecedented offer to jail US detainees in Latin America's largest prison.
DRUG VIOLENCE Narco violence tops agenda in Ecuador election 04-02-2025 10:25 Ecuadoreans vote Sunday for the country's next president as drug-related cartel and mafia violence run rampant. 'Iron fist' incumbent Daniel Noboa is up against Luisa González, a staunch defender of democracy.
US-VENEZUELA RELATIONS Has Trump changed tack on Venezuela and Maduro? 03-02-2025 09:34 US President Donald Trump may be adjusting the hard-line approach he adopted toward Caracas during his first term.
PANAMA CANAL THREAT Rubio lays down ultimatum to Panama over canal 03-02-2025 09:28 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio makes real on Donald Trump's threats and warns President José Raúl Mulino he must make immediate changes to reduce Chinese influence on the Panama canal.
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO ‘Trump is the catalyst,’ agree former ambassadors to China 01-02-2025 09:44 Argentina’s two most recent ambassadors to China, Diego Guelar and Sabino Vaca Narvaja, discuss the chessboard facing the world’s two key powers as Donald Trump begins a new term in the United States. by Jorge Fontevecchia
the week in review Stories that caught our eye: January 24 to 31 31-01-2025 17:01 A selection of stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
CENTRAL AMERICA Nicaragua legislature cements 'absolute power' of president, wife 31-01-2025 14:58 Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo consolidate their absolute command of power in Nicaragua – as president and “co-president,” they will control all branches of government and civil society, according to the troubled nation's latest constitutional reform.
CRIME & SECURITY Eruption of organised crime changes Chile’s daily customs 31-01-2025 14:50 Chileans rely on emergency jewellery, armoured cars and word of mouth as organised crime damages nation's reputation as one of the safest countries in Latin America.
TRUMP TARIFF THREAT Lula says if Trump hikes tariffs, Brazil will reciprocate 30-01-2025 13:42 "It's very simple: if he taxes Brazilian products, Brazil will reciprocate," warns Brazil's leftist leader.
POLITICS IN UNITED STATES Trump says US will detain 30,000 migrants in Guantánamo 30-01-2025 09:30 US President Donald Trump announces that the United States will hold some 30,000 "criminal illegal aliens" at the notorious Guantánamo military detention facility in Cuba as part of his administration's crackdown on illegal immigration.
FOREIGN POLICY & SECURITY Argentina may send Armed Forces to beef up Triple Frontier security 30-01-2025 00:35 Border clampdown takes Brazil by surprise, with officials learning of move via media; Security, Defence Ministries fine-tuning details to determine number of troops and where they will be deployed.
TRUMP'S RETURN Scalded by Colombia row, Latin America treads carefully with Trump 29-01-2025 22:44 Leaders across Latin American leaders are walking a tightrope in the Trump 2.0 era, as Gustavo Petro’s recent clash with US president goes to show.
Split Coalition Trump clash fractures Colombia's ruling coalition 29-01-2025 15:59 Colombia's Liberal Party severs ties with President Gustavo Petro's legislative coalition following his social media spat with Trump, which could make promised reforms more difficult to pass.
Human Rights 'No way out': Grim conditions in El Salvador's mega-prison 29-01-2025 14:17 The largest prison in Latin America and emblem of the war against gangs in El Salvador celebrates two years since it was inaugurated under conditions that rights groups call inhumane. Along with Milei's support, Argentina Security Minister Patricia Bullrich considers President Nayib Bukele's approach as a model for state security.
Constitutional Reform Maduro sets 'public debate' on constitutional reform 29-01-2025 11:40 Days after his swearing-in for a third term in office amid allegations of electoral fraud, President Nicolás Maduro pledges to "integrate the popular power" into Venezuela's constitution.
TOURISM & TRAVEL Argentina’s rich neighbours cut back on visits due to strong peso 28-01-2025 09:38 Tourists visiting from Uruguay and Chile fell at least 30% in December from a year ago, according to INDEC.
BORDER ROW Milei plans to build Argentina-Bolivia border wall, citing crime 28-01-2025 09:29 Salta Province plans to build short fence near the Bolivian border as part of a crackdown on drug-trafficking and contraband.
Tariff Threat Trump holds off on Colombia tariffs after migrant deal 27-01-2025 12:22 US president sends a powerful message by threatening sweeping tariffs on Latin American ally to push forward his geopolitical goals on migration.
TRUMP IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN Brazil slams US after dozens of deportees arrive handcuffed 26-01-2025 09:29 Brazil's Foreign Ministry said it would demand an explanation from Washington over the "degrading treatment of passengers" on a flight deporting dozens of immigrants from United States.
The Week in Review Stories that caught our eye: January 17 to 24 24-01-2025 16:06 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
Endangered Livestock Uruguay alert shows potentially toxic cyanobacteria 23-01-2025 11:37 A large algae bloom at the Río Negro Basin in Uruguay could impact the country's agricultural sector.
Hate Speech Hearing Tech giants skip Brazil disinformation hearing 23-01-2025 10:44 Meta scraps its independent fact-checking program in the US, igniting fears about the spread of hate speech and disinformation in Brazil.
FOREIGN RELATIONS Milei would leave Mercosur if needed for US-Argentina deal 22-01-2025 15:09 President Javier Milei says he would leave Mercosur if necessary to cement a free-trade agreement with the United States.
NEW ERA IN AMERICA Trump on Latin America: 'We don’t need them – they need us' 22-01-2025 11:10 US president's remarks indicate his forthright approach to future policy; Trump insists he will regain control of Panama Canal, sends troops to Mexican border, but Marco Rubio’s eye will remain on wider region.
Conflict at the Canal Panama complains to UN over Trump canal threat 22-01-2025 10:10 Panama rejected President Donald Trump's pledge that the United States would be "taking back" the Panama Canal, saying the key interoceanic waterway would remain under its control.
BILATERAL TENSIONS Partner demands release of Argentine held for 'terrorism' in Venezuela 22-01-2025 07:26 The partner of an Argentine security officer, jailed in Venezuela more than a month ago for "terrorism," demands his immediate release.
EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL EU to set up one-billion-euro 'reserve' for farmers hit by Mercosur deal 21-01-2025 15:08 European Union vows to create one-billion-euro "reserve" for farmers negatively impacted by Mercosur trade deal.
Extortion Epidemic Peru journalist killed, prosecutor's office bombed 21-01-2025 14:29 The owner and director of a regional TV channel in southern Peru was killed by hitmen after reporting on racketeering by gangs.
Colombia Guerrilla Violence Colombia tries to contain guerrilla violence that has killed 100 20-01-2025 15:43 A fresh outbreak of guerrilla violence amid a faltering peace process in Colombia has left 100 people dead and thousands displaced.
Foreign relations & diplomacy Peña says Paraguay thrilled to be on Trump’s radar 18-01-2025 10:10 Paraguay President Santiago Peña says as his nation stands to become more relevant in the next US administration.
Analysing Argentina Latin America ducks and covers for Trump – except Milei 18-01-2025 06:37 With expected good access to the new White House, it will be up to Milei and his team to distinguish personal ideology from national interest and act accordingly. by Marcelo J. García
THE WEEK IN REIVEW Stories that caught our eye: January 10 to 17 17-01-2025 16:57 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
TRUMP'S INAUGURATION Milei to join far-right leaders, tech moguls at Trump's inauguration 16-01-2025 19:23 Along with the president's usual travelling crew, one unexpected Argentine will also be in attendance: San Juan Province Governor Marcelo Orrego.
latin america Brazil's Bolsonaro denied passport for Trump inauguration 16-01-2025 17:58 Brazil's supreme court denied former president Jair Bolsonaro, under investigation for an alleged coup plot, from traveling to Donald Trump's inauguration next week.
Dredging row Government accused of skewing auction to upgrade soy river 16-01-2025 11:40 President Javier Milei faces scrutiny for unfairly favouring Belgium firm Jan de Nul NV in 30-year tender to dredge Paraná river.
Police Protest Crackdown Pro-Morales protesters clash with police in Bolivia, dozens arrested 15-01-2025 17:04 Bolivian police arrest more than 40 supporters of Evo Morales as political and judicial tensions soar.
Climate Conundrum Colombia's LNG imports threaten Gustavo Petro's climate push 15-01-2025 13:26 The Andean nation must bring in cargoes with a bigger carbon footprint as its own reserves dwindle and its president refuses to allow new drilling contracts.
Media Repression 46 Nicaraguan journalists exiled in 2024, says NGO 14-01-2025 11:46 Independent journalists face exile, arrest and disappearances under government led by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.
Natural Disaster in Brazil At least 10 dead in Brazil landslides 13-01-2025 17:31 Landslides caused by torrential rains in southeast Brazil have destroyed homes and left at least 10 people dead as rescue efforts continue.
In focus: Venezuela What next for Venezuela? Maduro critics fear widening crackdown 13-01-2025 08:31 Critics warn of "Nicaragua-isation of Venezuela," with "no space at all for any kind of dissent."
PROFILE María Corina Machado: the face and fire of Venezuela's opposition 13-01-2025 05:56 María Corina Machado has become the face of Venezuela's opposition after being barred from challenging sitting-president Nicolás Maduro in last year's elections.
BILATERAL SPAT Maduro brands Milei a 'Nazi, Zionist and social sadist' 11-01-2025 10:00 Nicolás Maduro branded his Argentine counterpart Javier Milei a "Nazi, Zionist and social sadist" on Friday as he was sworn-in as Venezuela's leader for a third term.
Crisis in Venezuela Maduro sworn in for third term as opponents condemn 'coup' 11-01-2025 09:48 Nicolás Maduro's inauguration on Friday for a third term as Venezuela's president drew widespread admonishment from countries that have accused him of stealing the July election.
The Week in Review Stories that caught our eye: January 3 to 10 10-01-2025 16:18 A selection of stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
Hidrovía Paraná-Paraguay Paraná-Paraguay waterway a focal point for global security policy 10-01-2025 13:44 Ongoing tussle involving major dredging companies seeking to participate in Milei government's tender. Hidrovía Paraná-Paraguay is a naval highway for the trafficking of illicit drugs to the rest of the world.
Political crisis in Venezuela Venezuela's Maduro sworn in for third presidential term 10-01-2025 12:17 Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in Friday for a third six-year term in office, dealing a blow to opposition's dream of change.
ENVIRONMENT Uruguay bucks 2024 global warming trend 10-01-2025 09:25 The world experienced its hottest year in 2024 since records began, but in Uruguay, global warming was counteracted by bouts of "near-historic" cold.
Political crisis in Venezuela Brief arrest rocks Venezuela as Maduro targets opposition 10-01-2025 08:48 Though she was released within two hours, the reported arrest of María Corina Machado on Thursday marks a significant escalation by Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela.
Political crisis in Venezuela Maduro to take presidential oath despite domestic, global outcry 10-01-2025 08:40 President Nicolás Maduro due to be sworn in for a third consecutive term, despite multiple countries recognising opposition rival Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as legitimate president-elect following disputed elections past July.
Political crisis in Venezuela Venezuela opposition claims Machado briefly detained in Caracas protest 09-01-2025 16:44 Venezuela pro-democracy figurehead María Corina Machado emerged from months of hiding to lead a mass protest in Caracas Thursday, before conflicting claims that she was briefly detained by state security agents.
PROTESTS IN VENEZUELA 'Venezuela will be free': anti-Maduro protests roil Caracas 09-01-2025 15:17 Opponents of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro take to the streets in a last-ditch protest against his swearing-in for a third six-year term as president.