the week in review Stories that caught our eye: August 23 to 30 Yesterday 17:15 A selection of stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
Lithium mining Lithium start-ups bet on high demand in battery-powered future Yesterday 11:33 Despite oversupply today, novel lithium extraction techniques will be key to the energy transition even as companies struggle with cost competitiveness.
LATIN AMERICA Paraguay's abundant hydropower draws crypto miners, legal and not Yesterday 11:02 In the Paraguayan city of Hernandarias, a data centre with rows upon rows of supercomputers stands as a testament to a burgeoning crypto-mining sector attracted by the country's abundance of cheap, green electricity.
CRIME & SECURITY Misiones offers reward for info on fugitive lawmaker accused of child porn offences 27-08-2024 19:20 Misiones Province government has announced a five-million-peso reward for reliable information on the whereabouts of fugitive ex-provincial deputy Germán Kiczka.
BUSINESS & BANKING Mercado Libre denounces Argentina's banks for ‘cartelisation’ 27-08-2024 11:13 Giant fintech and e-commerce firm files complaint with CNDC competition watchdog accusing 36 banks of acting like a “cartel” with its MODO digital wallet service.
FINANCES & BANKING Mercado Libre hits back at Argentina's banks for ‘cartel’ tactics 26-08-2024 14:57 Mercado Libre accuses Argentine banks of “illegally concentrating” under one payments platform as an anti-competitive tactic against the company’s fintech arm, Mercado Pago.
ENERGY & GAS Petrobras eyes Argentina deals to boost energy imports 26-08-2024 14:42 Brazil’s state-controlled oil producer Petrobras is hunting for shale gas deals in Argentina.
Political crisis in Venezuela Venezuela opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia ignores summons 26-08-2024 13:43 Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia refuses to appear before prosecutors Monday as part of a probe into his claim that he was the rightful victor of last month's presidential election.
ECONOMY China hits the accelerator in bid to dominate Latin America's auto market 23-08-2024 15:57 It brands were once looked down on when it came to cars, but gradually, China's auto manufacturers are overtaking the Latin American market.
the week in review Stories that caught our eye: August 16 to 23 23-08-2024 14:37 A selection of stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
Foreign relations & diplomacy Argentina joins 10 other nations in rejecting Maduro vote certification 23-08-2024 12:58 Argentina, along with the United States and nine Latin American countries, issues statement rejecting the Venezuela Supreme Court's certification of President Nicolás Maduro's July 28 re-election.
VENEZUELA IN CRISIS Venezuela high court confirms Maduro's re-election after fraud claims 22-08-2024 14:06 Venezuela's Supreme Court, loyal to the government, declares Nicolás Maduro has won re-election despite widespread claims of voting fraud.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Mondino faces virtual paralysis of Argentina’s diplomatic corps 21-08-2024 12:48 Union grouping Foreign Service employees launches strike action to press a series of pay demands. Government’s restoration of income tax has a heavy impact on the salaries of those representing the country abroad. by Pablo Varela
MPOX VIRUS FEARS Health authorities in Argentina order quarantine ship over mpox virus fears 21-08-2024 12:20 Crew-member of vessel flying Liberian flag reported to have symptoms compatible with the mpox disease; In accordance with protocol, ship has been quarantined at Santa Fe Province port of San Lorenzo.
indigenous activist Jones Huala to be expelled from Chile after Supreme Court ruling 20-08-2024 15:23 Chile’s government has ordered the expulsion of Mapuche activist Facundo Jones Huala from the nation’s territory after the nation’s Supreme Court ordered the controversial indigenous leader be released from jail.
OPINION & ANALYSIS Musk’s free speech mantra collides with crackdowns on hate speech and disinformation 19-08-2024 13:32 Elon Musk’s absolutist version of free speech has thrown the world’s richest man and his X social-media platform into the crosshairs of governments worldwide.
SOCIAL MEDIA CLASH Social media platform X to shutter local operations in Brazil 18-08-2024 09:19 Billionaire Elon Musk announced on Saturday the immediate closure of operations of his social network X in Brazil, amid a dispute between the company and the Supreme Court.
PROTESTS IN BUENOS AIRES Thousands of exiled Venezuelans demonstrate in Buenos Aires against Maduro 18-08-2024 09:10 Rallies at 13 cities across Argentina as Venezuelans heed call from opposition María Coriina Machado to stage mass gatherings to intensify pressure on Nicolás Maduro after his disputed election win.
VENEZUELA IN CRISIS Venezuelan opposition rallies in Caracas and vows to fight 'to the end' 18-08-2024 08:54 People rallied in several cities in Venezuela and as far afield as Spain, Belgium and Australia in response to a call by opposition leader María Corina Machado; Nicolás Maduro accuses ex-presidential rival Edmundo González Urrutia of planning to "flee to Miami."
OPINION & ANALYSIS Oh my Americas, the forgotten land 17-08-2024 07:47 Whether it’s energy, or minerals, lithium and copper, certainly food (think soy and wheat), Latin America should be the go-to arena for the wider world, not some afterthought. by David Smith
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY López Obrador rules out meeting with Milei during Mexico visit 14-08-2024 14:38 Argentina's President Javier Milei set to visit Mexican capital to attend a conservative forum – but he won't be meeting his counterpart Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK ECLAC downgrades growth projections for Latin America, Caribbean 13-08-2024 15:04 Lower forecast issued for Latin America's economy by UN body, which places blame on "uncertain international context."
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Milei praises Chile’s economic policy during ‘unofficial’ visit to Santiago 09-08-2024 16:10 President Javier Milei praises Chile’s longstanding economic policies and avoids criticising Gabriel Boric during brief visit to Argentina's neighbour.
PLANE ACCIDENT Plane with 61 aboard crashes in Brazil, no survivors 09-08-2024 15:40 An airplane carrying 61 people crashed Friday in the interior of Brazil's São Paulo state, killing everyone on board.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW Stories that caught our eye: August 2 to 9 09-08-2024 12:49 A selection of stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 Venezuela opposition leader warns of exodus if Maduro stays in power 08-08-2024 15:31 Chile raises voice against election “fraud” and human rights abuses as regional heavyweights bide time.
VENEZUELA ELECTION Argentina denounces 'persecution' of Venezuela opposition, backs González as winner 08-08-2024 15:22 Argentina also asks for observance of diplomatic regulations.
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 Maduro locks up 2,000 Venezuelans in fierce crackdown 05-08-2024 12:03 Long gone is the light-hearted, almost avuncular, version of Nicolás Maduro who attempted to charm the world in the lead-up to Venezuela’s presidential election. The man who took the stage at Miraflores Palace last week was exhausted — and angry.
VENZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 Pope Francis calls for 'truth' in Venezuela, warns of violence 05-08-2024 11:51 Pope Francis on Sunday called for Venezuela to "seek the truth" after the disputed re-election of President Nicolás Maduro, warning parties to avoid violence.
AS I SEE IT Maduro still has plenty of fans 03-08-2024 14:54 For Xi Jinping and his underlings, the alleged ability of the Chinese Communist Party to solve quickly problems that keep Western politicians awake at night is a major selling point which they use to impress leaders of underdeveloped countries who see democracy as a threat. by James Neilson
MALA MUJER? Women who decide not to be mothers 03-08-2024 06:20 Increasingly more women are deciding not to be mothers. The trend, extending throughout the Western world, confronts the prejudices of those who believe that being a “good woman” means being a mother. by Sabrina Chemen
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 Maduro pledges to respect Brazil’s control of Argentina Embassy 02-08-2024 14:07 Six Venezuela opposition figures remain inside embassy; Lula to talk with AMLO, Petro about election later Thursday.
VENEZUELA ELECTION Venezuela opposition calls mass protests over disputed election 02-08-2024 13:57 Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called Thursday for protests "in every city" in the nation on Saturday to denounce the disputed reelection of President Nicolas Maduro.
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO Martin Schulz: ‘The result of the war in Ukraine is decisive for the future of the EU’ 02-08-2024 07:05 Former President of the European Parliament, German ex-lawmaker and MEP Martin Schulz, a former president of the European Parliament, on politics in the Old Continent, the EU’s ties with Latin America and the global rise of the far right. by Jorge Fontevecchia
VENEZUELA ELECTION US says Maduro lost Venezuela vote 01-08-2024 14:27 The US said the world should acknowledge that Venezuela’s opposition won last weekend’s election while President Nicolas Maduro doubled down on his claims of victory, saying his opponents should be jailed for decades.
argentina Brazil to take custody of Argentine embassy in Venezuela 01-08-2024 14:17 Argentine President Javier Milei on Thursday thanked Brazil for assuming custody of his country's embassy in Venezuela, after staff were ordered to leave when Buenos Aires questioned the reelection of Nicolas Maduro.
VENEZUELA ELECTION Maduro risks regional rift in stand-off at Argentine Embassy in Caracas 31-07-2024 16:40 A brewing stand-off at Argentina’s embassy in Caracas, where aides to Venezuela’s opposition leader are holed up, threatens to further isolate authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro.
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 Venezuela’s military holds keys to Maduro’s future in power 31-07-2024 16:37 During Maduro’s 11 years in power, Venezuela’s security forces have largely stood by his side. And it doesn't seem like that will change anytime soon.
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 Musk versus Maduro: Long-distance ‘arch-enemies’ 31-07-2024 16:30 Nicolás Maduro versus Elon Musk, Elon Musk versus Nicolás Maduro. From a distance, the American billionaire and the Venezuelan President have been criticising each other a lot lately, yet with the political crisis in Venezuela exchanges have escalated.
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 Argentina repudiates 'harassment' at its embassy in Venezuela 30-07-2024 18:19 Foreign Ministry in Buenos Aires warned Nicolás Maduro over “any deliberate action endangering the safety of Argentine diplomatic staff and Venezuelan citizens under protection."
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 Argentina 'disregards' Maduro’s 'fradulent' victory claim 30-07-2024 15:29 Foreign Ministry in Buenos Aires condemns actions of the Venezuelan head of state, alleging Nicolás Maduro has "once again disdained the will of the Venezuelan people."
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 Venezuela’s opposition says it has proof of election fraud 30-07-2024 14:55 Venezuela’s opposition says it can prove that Edmundo González won Sunday’s election and defeated President Nicolás Maduro.
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 'We were robbed': Despair in Venezuela after Maduro victory 30-07-2024 14:48 Thousands of furious Venezuelans took to the streets Monday to protest what they called a stolen election, tearing down posters of President Nicolás Maduro as the banging of pots and pans echoed through Caracas.
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 Maduro orders withdrawal of diplomatic personnel from Argentina 29-07-2024 18:43 Venezuela orders withdrawal of all its diplomatic personnel from Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay, as well as expulsion of those nations' staff in Caracas.
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 Venezuela bonds drop on election doubt 29-07-2024 14:14 Venezuela bonds fall after President Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner in an election the opposition vowed to challenge.
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 World leaders react to disputed Venezuela election result 29-07-2024 14:08 Many nations express doubts about the transparency of Venezuela's election after Nicolás Maduro is declared the winner, while traditional allies congratulate the long-time leader.
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 Maduro declared Venezuela election winner, opposition reject result 29-07-2024 14:03 Nicolas Maduro declared winner of Venezuela's presidential election but opposition and key regional neighbours immediately reject official results.
EDITORIAL Region at a crossroads 27-07-2024 14:35 Navel-gazing is taking a rest in Argentina in this winter holiday week with eyes turned elsewhere – to the Olympics in Paris, to the recent series of game-changers in the United States elections and most immediately to presidential voting in Venezuela.
BEYOND THE HEADLINES Transcending the transition 27-07-2024 14:17 Venezuela's problems are huge and the expectations high but the bar extremely low with a rebound soon generating a positive momentum. by Michael Soltys
CRIME & INSECURITY Two Sinaloa Cartel leaders face US charges after stunning capture 26-07-2024 15:37 US President Joe Biden on Friday welcomed the arrests of two notorious leaders of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel as details emerged of an elaborate ruse used to capture the drug kingpins.
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 Blacklisted and muzzled, Maduro’s top rival can’t be held down 26-07-2024 11:25 María Corina Machado has built a powerful, energised citizen movement in Venezuela. How far it can ultimately go is up to Nicolás Maduro.
POLITICS President Milei faces new round of plagarism claims related to latest book 25-07-2024 16:26 Journalist Alejandro Alfie alleges President Javier Milei copied fragments from his latest book 'Capitalismo, socialismo y la trampa neoclásica (Capitalism, socialism and the neoclassic trap)' verbatim from two Chilean writers. He also resumed the investigation by NOTICIAS, denouncing plagiarism in “Pandenomics”.
VENEZUELA ELECTIONS 2024 Venezuela cancels invitation to Alberto Fernández to observe vote 25-07-2024 15:12 Argentina's ex-president Alberto Fernandez said Wednesday he had been asked to cancel plans to observe Venezuelan elections Sunday after he publicly urged incumbent Nicolas Maduro to accept the outcome, even if he loses.
Cryptocurrencies Venezuela crypto remittances skyrocket as migration crisis worsens 24-07-2024 21:11 Amount transmitted via crypto in Venezuela likely reached a record 9%of all the money sent home last year, according to data from blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis. by María Paula Mijares Torres, Bloomberg
VENEZUELA ELECTION Venezuela opposition relies on citizens to protect July 28 votes 23-07-2024 16:36 With very little international oversight of Venezuela’s upcoming election, a network of citizen witnesses is the opposition party’s best hope of minimising vote tampering.
MERCOSUR Brazil halts chicken exports to EU and Argentina on virus 19-07-2024 15:22 Brazil is halting chicken exports to the European Union and Argentina after a virulent poultry disease was found on a commercial farm, disrupting shipments from the world’s largest exporter.
BILATERAL RELATIONS Lula calls Brazil’s ambassador in Argentina home for ‘review’ of bilateral ties 16-07-2024 10:24 Brazil's government stresses that its envoy in Buenos Aires has not been "recalled" but instead called to Brasília for consultation obver how to improve the relationship with Argentina's President Javier Milei.
ENERGY & GAS Bolivia announces discovery of natural gas 'mega-field' 15-07-2024 18:34 Bolivia has discovered a massive natural gas field with reserves of 1.7 trillion cubic feet, its biggest discovery of the fuel since 2005.
STADIUM CHAOS Copa América chaos raises concerns for 2026 World Cup 15-07-2024 15:10 Chaotic scenes at the Copa América final raise serious questions for the organisers of the 2026 World Cup.
STADIUM CHAOS Miami’s showcase for football's World Cup collapses into chaos 15-07-2024 14:57 The Copa América final between Argentina and Colombia was meant to be Miami’s dress rehearsal for the World Cup football tournament in the United States. Hours before kick off, it collapsed into chaos.
EDITORIAL Between Tucumán and Asunción 13-07-2024 07:44 President Milei’s decision to skip the Mercosur summit does more to compromise Argentina’s future than his photograph and 10-point pact does to advance it.
Copa América 2024 Final Argentina seek 'triple crown' but Colombia aim for upset in Copa América final 12-07-2024 16:42 A win would also give the Albiceleste a record 16th Copa America title, but Colombia are on an impressive streak of their own and will undoubtedly prove to be tough opponents.
Copa América 2024 Something has to give as Copa América’s in-form teams meet in Miami 11-07-2024 15:42 Miami prepares to be invaded by fans of the Albiceleste and Cafeteros ahead of an eagerly anticipated final.
MERCOSUR SUMMIT Mercosur leaders slam Milei's absence from summit 09-07-2024 09:44 Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, Luis Lacalle Pou and Santiago Peña criticise Argentine leaders decision not to attend a Mercosur presidential summit.
UNREST IN BOLIVIA Lula visits Bolivia seeking to unify the left after failed coup 09-07-2024 09:24 Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva travels to Bolivia for a trip meant to broker peace between President Luis Arce and former president Evo Morales.
MERCOSUR TENSIONS Lacalle Pou criticises Milei’s decision to skip Mercosur summit 08-07-2024 16:15 "The message is not the only important thing, the messenger is very important," declares Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou in response to Javier Milei's Mercosur summit.
MERCOSUR SUMMIT Mondino tells Mercosur peers that bloc needs ‘adrenaline shock’ 08-07-2024 13:03 Argentina’s Foreign Minister tells her Mercosur counterparts that trade bloc needs an “adrenaline shock” to realise its “untapped potential” – yet President Javier Milei still won’t attend presidential summit.
BILATERAL RELATIONS Milei walks fine line as he slams 'judicial persecution' of Bolsonaro 08-07-2024 11:47 President Javier Milei oversteps normal diplomatic conventions by denouncing "judicial persecution" of Jair Bolsonaro, his ideological ally in Brazil.
PRESIDENT IN BRAZIL Milei backs Bolsonaro without attacking Lula in Brazil visit 08-07-2024 11:17 Javier Milei headlines conservative rally in southern Brazil alongside right-wing former president Jair Bolsonaro, the biggest gamble yet on his unorthodox foreign policy approach.
Copa América 2024 Copa América crunch-time for surviving quartet 08-07-2024 11:05 Argentina versus Canada and Uruguay against Colombia – the Copa América is down to the final four with a pair of fascinating semi-finals.