News of latin america

BOLIVIAN ELECTION 2025

Rodrigo Paz wins run-off as Bolivia formalises shift to right

Yesterday 21:45 Pro-business Senator Rodrigo Paz wins Bolivia's presidential run-off with 55% of vote, defeating rival Jorge 'Tuto' Quiroga; Two decades of socialist rule, propelled by Evo Morales, comes to an end.

CRISIS IN VENEZUELA

Venezuela VP denies alleged talks with United States on removing Maduro

17-10-2025 08:57 US President Trump indicated Wednesday he had authorised covert CIA operations against Venezuela and was considering attacks on land against alleged drug-cartels in the country.

Political crisis in Peru

Peru's new president names ex-general to oversee 'war' on gangs

15-10-2025 11:31 President José Jerí assumed the Presidency last week after Congress voted to impeach unpopular leader Dina Boluarte amid a surge in gang-related violence.

Run-off in Bolivia

After 20 years of socialism, Bolivia set for change with right-wing run-off

15-10-2025 11:08 Ex-president Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga and Senator Rodrigo Paz will go head-to-head in Bolivia's presidential run-off Sunday, with either hopeful likely to shift the nation's politics significantly to the right.

GEOPOLITICS & DIPLOMACY

Trump says he’d be ‘very upset’ by Chinese military in Argentina

14-10-2025 21:58 Trump’s comments about Chinese activity in Argentina come as President Javier Milei visits the White House.

NOBEL PRIZE

Venezuelan opposition leader Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize

10-10-2025 13:36 Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado awarded Nobel Peace Prize for her "tireless work promoting democratic rights" and "struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy."

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

IMF chief: Public support is crucial for Milei’s reform push

08-10-2025 18:07 With a US$20-billion swap with the United States reportedly under discussion, IMF reinforces that Milei government's reforms will falter without popular support.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

World Bank trims Argentina’s growth forecast to 4.6%

07-10-2025 13:37 Argentina’s economy will grow by 4.6 percent in 2025, predicts World Bank economists – above domestic projections; World Bank slightly raises growth forecast for wider Latin America region.

TRUMP’S TRADE WAR

Brazil's Lula asks Trump to remove tariffs in 'friendly' phone call

06-10-2025 19:05 Two leaders share "friendly" 30-minute call in first talks since trade war row in part spurred by conviction of ex-president Bolsonaro.

ECONOMY – ANALYSIS

Milei defends peso while billions spent outside Argentina

05-10-2025 23:32 Argentines are going on cross-border shopping sprees, costing Milei's government billions as it tries to prop up the peso

CRIME & INSECURITY

Sexual abuse in Catholic Church unpunished more in Latin America

29-09-2025 19:12 While countries in the Global North are progressing with more transparency over historical child sex abuse in the Church, Latin America remains the epicentre of silence.

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Brazil's Lula warns 'anti-democratic forces' targeting institutions

23-09-2025 12:07 "Anti-democratic forces are trying to subjugate institutions and stifle freedoms," warns Brazilian president at UN General Assembly.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Farmers call Paris protest against EU-Mercosur deal

23-09-2025 11:50 French farmers union to stage massive protest next month in rejection of the EU-Mercosur trade deal.

Human rights

UN-backed mission reports rising political persecution in Venezuela

22-09-2025 16:59 UN-backed fact-finding mission condemns clampdown in Venezuela; Maduro invites Trump to “preserve peace through dialogue” – but US president rejects approach.

Foreign relations & diplomacy

Milei rejects ‘moderate option’ as he hails Charlie Kirk at CPAC Paraguay

16-09-2025 23:29 At CPAC in Asunción, Argentina’s President warns against ‘third way’ politics, praises Paraguay’s economic model and meets his counterpart and ally Santiago Peña.

MERCOSUR-EFTA AGREEMENT

Mercosur and EFTA sign free-trade deal in Rio de Janeiro

16-09-2025 18:42 Deal creates a market of 300 million people and covers some US$4 trillion in GDP; Brazil brands it a “clear signal” against US protectionism led by Trump.

BUSINESS & ACQUISITIONS

Race for Carrefour’s business in Argentina heats up

16-09-2025 17:14 Carrefour is leaving Argentina and the biggest players in the national supermarket industry are interested in the French retailer’s business, which includes almost 700 stores nationwide. A look at who is in the running.

BONDS & MARKETS

Foreign investors with Argentina FOMO pile into Brazil stocks

16-09-2025 11:35 Afraid of missing out on an Argentina-like rally, investors are piling into Brazil on bets that a business-friendly candidate will win next year’s election.

TRUMP’S TRADE WAR

Bolsonaro conviction 'not a witch hunt,' Lula tells Trump in NYT op-ed

15-09-2025 12:56 Brazil President Lula writes in ‘New York Times’ op-ed addressed to Donald Trump that he is "proud" of Supreme Court decision to convict far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro on coup charges.

BUSINESS & FINANCE

Meet the man who wants to run Latin America's most valuable company like a start-up

15-09-2025 10:29 Who is MercadoLibre's new CEO, the man who wants to run Latin America's most valuable company like a start-up? Ariel Szarfsztejn is inheriting the mantle of the e-commerce and fintech giant from Marcos Galperin at a time of mounting competition and talent constraints.

BRAZILIAN POLITICS

In divided Brasília, some celebrate Bolsonaro conviction, others fume

12-09-2025 11:17 Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison after being convicted of plotting to claw back power from his elected successor Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva through force in 2022.

BRAZILIAN EX-PRESIDENT

Bolsonaro found guilty of coup plot, given 27 years in jail

11-09-2025 16:08 Historic Supreme Court conviction in Brazil; Far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro found guilty of plotting a military coup in bid to overturn 2022 election loss by three justices.

Foreign relations & diplomacy

Flight carrying Argentines deported from US lands in Buenos Aires

11-09-2025 08:43 First Trump-era deportation flight to Buenos Aires brings 17 Argentines back; Milei government tried to keep operation quiet and will not complain to Washington, but nation has been grouped alongside Brazil and Venezuela by the US administration.

Foreign policy & diplomacy

Milei plans visit to Paraguay for Peña meeting and CPAC event

10-09-2025 17:38 President to meet Paraguayan counterpart, address conservative summit after scrapping Spain trip for far-right rally.

Uruguayan politics

Uruguay’s finance minister shuns chainsaw for modest tax hikes

10-09-2025 15:50 Orsi government lays out plans to lower budget deficit through tax increases early in its term to avoid politically contentious spending cuts or additional levies later down the line.

BRAZILIAN EX-PRESIDENT

Jair Bolsonaro on brink of conviction in Brazil coup trial

10-09-2025 10:04 Forme president risks a prison term of over 40 years if found guilty of seeking to stay in power after his defeat in 2022 elections.

Football violence

Independiente disqualified from Copa Sudamericana over stadium brawl

04-09-2025 21:43 Argentine side must also play its next 14 matches in CONMEBOL tournaments without its fans and pay a US$250,000 fine.

REGIONAL TENSIONS

Latin American nations concerned by US-Venezuela tension

04-09-2025 16:04 Washington ramps up regional crime fight; Trump confirms Washington killed 11 “terrorists” when it took down a boat allegedly carrying drugs into international waters.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU pushes ahead with bid to ratify Mercosur free-trade deal

03-09-2025 14:50 Agreement needs approval of the European Parliament and a qualified majority of its 27 member states.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU presents Mercosur deal for member states' approval

03-09-2025 11:23 Agreement would form a 700-million-customer free-trade area – the world's biggest – but it still faces opposition in Europe over agricultural concerns.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU to present Mercosur trade deal for member state approval

01-09-2025 13:40 Deal is backed by a wide majority of EU countries keen to diversify trade away from the United States, but France remains staunchly opposed.

EXPLAINER

United States targets Venezuela over 'Soles' cartel – but does it exist?

29-08-2025 07:36 While some of US President Donald Trump's right-wing led allies in South America have echoed his designation of the 'Cártel de los Soles' as a terrorist organisation, many have doubts such a group even exists.

Lithium in Latin America

Untapped lithium riches are in crosshairs of Bolivian candidate

28-08-2025 15:08 Jorge 'Tuto' Quiroga’s approach to lithium is much more dramatic than his centrist opponent Rodrigo Paz, who has vowed to seek consensus with local communities and regions.

CRIME & SECURITY

Argentina adds ‘Cártel de los Soles’ to terrorism crime registry

26-08-2025 18:47 Argentina further aligns with Washington’s security agenda by adding alleged Venezuelan-linked network to terrorism register.

TRADE & COMMERCE

Mercosur and Canada to resume talks over free-trade agreement

26-08-2025 10:26 Amid trade tensions sparked by Donald Trump's tariff war, Mercosur and Canada are set to resume negotiations on a free-trade agreement.

BOLIVIAN ELECTION 2025

Bolivia candidate Jorge Quiroga vows to scrap China, Russia lithium deals

26-08-2025 09:44 Bolivian right-wing presidential hopeful Jorge 'Tuyo' Quiroga vows to scrap billion-dollar lithium extraction deals struck by the outgoing government with Russia and China, if elected in October 19 run-off.

BRAZILIAN POLITICS

Bolsonaro’s family dynasty creaks under pressure of Brazil coup trial

25-08-2025 13:55 The once-united Bolsonaro clan is creaking under the pressure, leaving the coalition of centre-right parties in their orbit in disarray.

POLITICS IN BRAZIL

Police in Brazil say Bolsonaro drafted asylum plea to Milei in 2024

20-08-2025 22:37 Brazilian police claim that ex-president Jair Bolsonaro drafted request asylum from Javier Milei in Argentina in February 2024 as coup probe against him gathered pace.

BOLIVIAN ELECTION 2025

From TikTok to frontrunner: Rodrigo Paz's presidential campaign in Bolivia

20-08-2025 09:15 Rodrigo Paz is hardly an outsider. His experience in politics runs two decades deep, having served as mayor, councillor, deputy and senator. His popularity has only grown since adding Edman Lara – nicknamed "Captain Lara" – to the ticket as vice-president.

RECORD-BREAKER

Brazilian goalkeeper Fábio claims world record for most football matches

20-08-2025 08:51 Brazilian goalie Fábio Deivson Lopes Maciel claims to have made his 1,391st competitive appearance in men's football – a world record.

CHILEAN ELECTION 2025

Frontrunners in Chile's presidential race offer contrasting futures

19-08-2025 10:12 Eight candidates are running to be Chile's next president, with right winger José Antonio Kast – who has run for the top office twice before – and leftist Jeannette Jara leading the polls.

BOLIVIAN ELECTION 2025

Paz or 'Tuto'? Meet the two candidates who will duel for Bolivian Presidency

18-08-2025 16:59 Jorge Quiroga and Rodrigo Paz, two right-wing candidates, head into a run-off for president of Bolivia.

BOLIVIAN ELECTION 2025

Voters end two decades of socialist rule in Bolivia

18-08-2025 12:52 Voters sent two pro-business candidates to Bolivia’s presidential election run-off, ending two decades of almost-uninterrupted socialist rule.

Human rights

Peru's president signs military crimes amnesty bill into law

13-08-2025 17:36 Peruvian President Dina Boluarte signs controversial bill granting amnesty to military personnel, police and members of civilian self-defence units over a bloody 1980-2000 campaign against leftist guerrillas.

BOLIVIAN ELECTION

Evo Morales threatens mass protests if Bolivia swings right

13-08-2025 12:44 Evo Morales vows stiff resistance to any liberal reforms, should a right-wing candidate emerge triumphant in the upcoming general election.

LABOUR IN LATAM

UNICEF: Girls in Latin America doing double domestic work of boys

12-08-2025 17:18 Amount of time dedicated to domestic work by adolescent girls in Latin America is almost double the time spent by boys, according to UNICEF study.

Interview

Julio Bitelli: ‘I don’t rule out a Milei-Lula bilateral meeting’

12-08-2025 14:19 Brazil's Ambassador in Argentina Julio Bitelli discusses bilateral relations, commercial ties and whether the leaders of the two presidents will ever meet.

by Pablo Varela

Bolivia elections 2025

Bolivia’s right wing on cusp of power in vote in 20-year first

12-08-2025 12:46 Samuel Doria Medina and Jorge Quiroga lead the polls for the August 17 elections in Bolivia. One is a former president and the other a millionaire – either one is likely put an end to two decades of left-wing governments.