Stories for March 2020

Friday, March 20th 2020 - 09:47 UTC
Brazil closing all land borders except with Uruguay, and banning entry from EU and Pacific countries

Brazil on Thursday announced it was closing land borders and prohibiting entry to people from European and many Pacific Asian countries to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, as Mexico and Peru reported their first virus deaths.
Friday, March 20th 2020 - 09:43 UTC
Argentina successfully rolls over local bonds in Pesos

Argentina’s economy ministry said on Thursday it had exchanged around 257 billion pesos (US$ 4 billion) in a debt swap for new instruments maturing between 2021-2024, as the government looks to restructure its debt amid a credit crunch.
Friday, March 20th 2020 - 08:31 UTC
Anglo Theatre from Uruguay performed in the Falkland Islands

The Anglo Theatre Touring Company arrived in the Falkland Islands ready to entertain children and adults alike, but sadly new travel restrictions in Chile meant they had to leave the Islands earlier than planned.
Friday, March 20th 2020 - 08:26 UTC
IAATO has a new Executive Director, Gina Greer

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) announced on Thursday the appointment of Gina Greer as Executive Director. Gina will lead the Secretariat and work with IAATO’s Executive Committee to further the association’s mission of advocating and promoting safe, environmentally responsible private-sector travel to Antarctica.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:59 UTC
Coronavirus: Argentina unveils stimulus package; ample support from the political system to the strategy

Argentina unveiled this week a 700 billion Pesos (some US$10 billion) stimulus package to try to sustain economic activity, avert shortages of food and medical supplies, help companies and protect workers and vulnerable groups affected by the worsening Covid 19 pandemic.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:58 UTC
Coronavirus: Mercosur members coordinate actions and frontier movements

Mercosur country members agreed on Wednesday to share information and statistics on the coronavirus evolution as part of a common strategy destined to combat the pandemic, which included facilitating the return of ex-pats and ensuring the movement of goods among the block.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:57 UTC
Pots and pans protest against Bolsonaro; Brazilian markets crash and Congress approves national emergency

The coronavirus outbreak hammered Brazil on Wednesday, crushing local markets, infecting more members of the country’s political elite and prompting loud protests against President Jair Bolsonaro, whose son waded into a diplomatic spat with China.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:53 UTC
Uruguay to auction a controversial 41 year old jet used as VIP transport by the previous government

Uruguay has begun a process to auction the British Aerospace BAe 125-700A business jet acquired in 2017 by the country’s previous government for use as a presidential transport for then head of the Executive Tabare Vazquez.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:47 UTC
Chile declares a 90-day “state of catastrophe” beginning this Thursday

Chilean President Sebastian Piñera on Wednesday declared a 90-day state of catastrophe as cases of the new coronavirus mounted in the nation, giving the government extraordinary powers to restrict freedom of movement and assure food supply and basic services.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:40 UTC
Brazilian government security advisor, a minister and the head of the Senate, self isolated with coronavirus

Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has so far escaped coronavirus contagion but his national security advisor, his mines and energy minister plus the Senate chief haven't been so lucky.