Stories for February 20th 2023

Monday, February 20th 2023 - 10:49 UTC
Miguel Ángel Pichetto under heavy criticism for homophobic remarks

Argentina's Comptroller General and former Vice-Presidential candidate Miguel Ángel Pichetto is to be investigated by the National Institute Against Discrimination (Inadi) for his remarks regarding Women's Minister Ayelén Mazzina.
Monday, February 20th 2023 - 10:36 UTC
US Coast Guard unit arrives in Uruguay

US Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Stone arrived Sunday in Uruguay as part of her South Atlantic tour to reduce illicit maritime activity and conduct joint exercises with Uruguay's Navy. The vessel's deployment seeks to develop partnerships and increase US interoperability with South American nations to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Monday, February 20th 2023 - 10:30 UTC
Heavy rains in northern S. Paulo leave at least 36 dead

At least 36 people have been reported dead in the Brazilian State of São Paulo as heavy rains caused floods and mudslides. The number of fatalities is expected to rise, it was reported. A highway linking Rio de Janeiro to the port city of Santos was blocked by landslides and floodwaters. In addition to the dead, 228 people are displaced and 338 are homeless, it was reported.
Monday, February 20th 2023 - 10:21 UTC
Gustavo Petro has been officially banned from entering Peruvian territory

Peru's one-house Congress approved late Friday by 72 votes in favor, 29 against, and 7 abstentions, the declaration of Colombian President Gustavo Petro as “persona non grata” for his statements likening the local police to Nazi troops. The decision had been endorsed Tuesday by the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.
Monday, February 20th 2023 - 10:13 UTC
Brazil's Finance Minister to discuss climate change one-on-one

As he prepares to leave for Bangalore, India, this week to attend a G20 conference of economy ministers ahead of the summit of heads of government and state, Brazil's Fernando Haddad insisted that the largest South American country intends to be active again in the solution of global crises, Agencia Brasil reported. The Finance Minister also said he believed socio-environmental sustainability should be a topic in all his bilateral meetings.
Monday, February 20th 2023 - 10:10 UTC
STF investigations against Lula shelved

Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Ricardo Lewandowski ordered the closing of three preliminary investigations in the extinct Lava Jato and Zelotes Operation against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Agencia Brasil reported.
Monday, February 20th 2023 - 10:08 UTC
Brazil has deja-vu feelings about Suriname riots

The Brazilian government of President Luiz Inácio Lula Da Siva condemned during the weekend Friday's events in Paramaribo, Suriname, where scores of rioters stormed the Congress building in an episode that somehow echoed the Jan. 8 events in Brasilia.
Monday, February 20th 2023 - 09:42 UTC
LA Auxiliary Bishop shot dead

Los Angeles Catholic Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell was shot dead Saturday in a case local investigators are handling as murder, it was reported.