Stories for November 2023

Friday, November 3rd 2023 - 10:12 UTC
Argentina asks ICRC to broker release of hostages in Gaza

Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero Thursday held a telephone conversation with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger to express the South American country's interest in “the immediate and unconditional” release of the Argentine nationals held hostage in Gaza by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
Friday, November 3rd 2023 - 10:12 UTC
Extratropical cyclone already causing damage in Maldonado, Uruguay

One tree was reported fallen among other damages caused by the extratropical cyclone hitting the Uruguayan Department (province) of Maldonado where the exclusive beach resort of Punta del Este is located.
Friday, November 3rd 2023 - 10:09 UTC
French tourist dies in Buenos Aires after robbery

A 77-year-old French tourist dropped dead of an apparent heart attack at a police station in Buenos Aires Thursday. He was going to file a report after he had been robbed of his belongings when he was about to board an intercity bus at the Retiro Terminal in the Argentine capital.
Friday, November 3rd 2023 - 09:33 UTC
Argentine and Brazilian football fans clash in Rio ahead of Libertadores Cup final

At least two Argentine football fans of Boca Juniors were arrested Thursday in Rio de Janeiro as they reportedly clashed with supporters of Fluminense. Both teams are to play the Libertadores Cup final next Saturday at the legendary Maracana Stadium.
Friday, November 3rd 2023 - 09:19 UTC
Yearly vaccination against Covid-19 added to Brazil's immunization plan

Brazilian health authorities announced this week that starting in 2024 yearly vaccination against Covid-19 will be included in the country's Immunization Program (PNI) as per the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations, Agencia Brasil reported.
Friday, November 3rd 2023 - 09:15 UTC
Uruguay appoints acting Foreign Minister: Diego Escuder

The Uruguayan government on Thursday appointed Diego Escuder as acting foreign minister, following the resignation earlier this week of Francisco Bustillo, who was embroiled in a scandal over the issuance of a passport to known drug trafficker Sebastián Marset.
Friday, November 3rd 2023 - 08:59 UTC
Paraguay just one notch short of Fitch's investment grade

Paraguay was given a BB+ rating in Fitch's latest report, which is one step away from investment grade. Although in Asunción the South American country's Economy Ministry highlighted the achievement, the agency also warned about challenges in terms of credibility.
Thursday, November 2nd 2023 - 10:34 UTC
Uruguayan Foreign Minister resigns amid scandal involving well-known drug trafficker

Francisco Bustillo Wednesday turned in his resignation as Foreign Minister of Uruguay after audios of a conversation he had with then Deputy-Foreign Minister Carolina Ache about internationally-wanted drug trafficker Sebastián Marset went viral, it was reported in Montevideo. President Luis Lacalle Pou is on an official trip to the United States as this crisis unfolds.
Thursday, November 2nd 2023 - 09:50 UTC
Brazil deploys Armed Forces to control airports and other key sites

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva ordered the militarization of South America's largest country's main ports and airports amid growing violence among drug gangs and vigilante militias, it was reported.
Thursday, November 2nd 2023 - 09:39 UTC
Brazil cuts basic interest rate to 12.25% per year

Brazil's Monetary Policy Committee (Copom) unanimously decided Wednesday to reduce the economy's basic interest rate (known as the Selic rate) by 0.5 percentage points to 12.25% per year, Agencia Brasil reported.