Stories for February 2023

Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:09 UTC
Rodrigo Pacheco remains Senate Speaker in Brazil

Brazilian Senator Rodrigo Pacheco (PSDB - MG) was reelected Wednesday by 49 votes against Rogerio Marinho's 32 to remain the Speaker of the South American country's Upper House, thus dealing a blow to the rightwing opposition loyal to former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:06 UTC
Gen. Stevenazzi becomes new Uruguayan Army chief

Gen. Mario Stevenazzi Wednesday took over from Gen. Gerardo Fregosi as head of Uruguay's Army during a ceremony at the Army headquarters in which Defense Minister Javier García praised the force's work during the Covid-19 pandemic and in other matters of national sovereignty.
Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:00 UTC
Brazil's Dr Jarbas Barbosa elected as WHO Regional Director for the Americas

The World Health Organization, WHO Executive Board, currently holding its 152nd meeting in Geneva, has appointed Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr. as Regional Director for the Americas effective February 2023.
Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 15:34 UTC
Uruguayan soldier says he fights in Ukraine to “get value” out of his military experience

Teddy, a 26-year-old Uruguayan soldier who has been fighting with the Ukrainian Army since the Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022, spoke to Uruguay’s Telenoche and told that he joined the war to “take advantage” of everything he learned in his military training.
Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 10:59 UTC
South Africa in naval drills with BRICS associates, Russia and China; Argentina waiting to join the block

South Africa confirmed plans to conduct joint naval drills with BRICS associates navies, Russia and China off its coast this month, from 17/27 February, next to the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 10:57 UTC
Brazil's STF orders probe into crimes against indigenous communities

Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Luís Roberto Barroso has ordered an investigation by the Attorney General of the Republic, the Military Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Justice and Public Safety, and the Regional Superintendence of the Federal Police of Roraima into the possible participation of officials of the Jair Bolsonaro government in crimes of genocide, disobedience, breach of judicial secrecy, and environmental offenses related to the life, health, and safety of several indigenous communities, Agencia Brasil reported Tuesday.
Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 10:45 UTC
Venezuelan NGO denounces gov't targetting radio broadcasters

The Venezuelan Non-Government Organization (NGO) Espacio Público reported the closure of 284 radio stations nationwide between 2003 and 2022 by the National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) and security forces. Broadcasters accounted for 71% of the media outlets put out of circulation under Chavism.
Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 10:42 UTC
Census shows Argentina has a population of 46 million

Argentina's National Institute of Statistics and Census (Indec) Tuesday published the results of the 2022 survey, which showed that the country has 46,044,703 inhabitants in 17,805,711 households nationwide. The study also found that 48.22% of the total population was male and 51.76% female.
Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 10:29 UTC
Chilean airlines will reimburse cost of boarding taxes under certain conditions

Chile's national Consumer Service, Sernac is calling all consumers who purchased tickets directly from airlines between 2015 and 201l and did not make use of them, to claim from the companies the reimbursement of the boarding taxes paid.
Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 10:26 UTC
Fears Bolivia could run out of gas in a few years because of lack of investments

The Bolivian government has rejected predictions that the country will cease to be an exporter of natural gas and become a net importer by 2030. The government has said it has plans to invest some US$ 325 million in exploration and extraction in new wells by the country's hydrocarbons company, YPFB, Yacimientos Petroliferos Federales de Bolivia.