Stories for 2025

Saturday, March 29th 2025 - 10:14 UTC
Slight drop in unemployment in Uruguay and Chile

Uruguay's unemployment rate slightly decreased to 7.9% in February from 8.1% in January, according to a National Statistics Institute (INE) report released Friday. This represents a 0.2% drop month-over-month and a 0.4% decrease compared to February 2024, with approximately 150,900 people unemployed. The employment rate remained stable at 59.4%, while the activity rate saw a minor decline from 64.6% to 64.5%. It was President Luis Lacalle Pou's last month in office. Yamandú Orsi was sworn in on March 1.
Saturday, March 29th 2025 - 09:05 UTC
Covid-19 cases on the rise in Chile

Chilean health authorities recorded 98 casualties attributable to Covid-19 between Jan. 1 and March 22, 2025, with a total of 5,191 confirmed cases. The fatalities were 76.5 years old on average with an almost equal distribution between genders, while patients with chronic conditions like hypertension or diabetes were affected the most.
Saturday, March 29th 2025 - 08:48 UTC
Brazil: Affirmative action reversing white predominance in positions of leadership

Black and indigenous representation in Brazil's Executive branch has risen to 39%, a 17-point increase over 25 years, a study titled ”Black Leadership in the Brazilian State (1995-2024)” (Lideranças Negras no Estado Brasileiro (1995–2024)” released Friday showed.
Friday, March 28th 2025 - 23:40 UTC
Italy tightens citizenship rules to curb 'commercialization'

Italy’s government has approved a reform to restrict automatic citizenship by descent, citing concerns over the growing number of requests—especially from Latin America—and what officials described as the “commercialization” of Italian nationality.
Friday, March 28th 2025 - 20:00 UTC
Prosecution wants vax certificate case against Bolsonaro dropped

Brazil's Attorney General Paulo Gonet requested the shelving of an investigation into former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's alleged fraud in his Covid-19 vaccination records. The prosecution concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove Bolsonaro instructed his aide, Mauro Cid, to falsify vaccination data in the Health Ministry's system, despite the former aide-de-camp claims in a plea bargain. As per Brazilian law, corroborating evidence is needed beyond a collaborator’s testimony.
Friday, March 28th 2025 - 19:26 UTC
Ecuadorean President's family linked to cocaine shipments to Europe

The banana producing and trading firm belonging to Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa's family has been linked to cocaine exporting to Europe, hidden in fruit shipments from the port of Guayaquil. Journalist Andrés Durán -known locally as “The Chochologist”- has fled the country due to death threats. He claims to have evidence against Noboa Trading.
Friday, March 28th 2025 - 10:33 UTC
Argentina secures $20B IMF deal, aims to boost Central Bank reserves to $50B

Argentina’s Economy Minister Luis Toto Caputo announced Thursday that the loan negotiated with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) amounts to US$ 20 billion disbursement from the IMF, which, in addition to further borrowing from the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank, and the CAF would leave the Central Bank's (BCRA) reserves around US$50 billion.
Friday, March 28th 2025 - 10:21 UTC
Current and former Uruguayan presidents celebrate democracy

José 'Pepe' Mujica underlined Thursday the importance of a country having the freedom to disagree. He made those remarks alongside former fellow Uruguayan Presidents Julio María Sanguinetti and Luis Alberto Lacalle Herrera, together with the incumbent Yamandú Orsi, during a Colorado Party ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the South American country's return to democratic rule. Luis Lacalle Pou, who completed his term last month, made a video appearance while relatives of the late former Presidents Jorge Batlle and Tabaré Vázquez were presented with a distinction.
Friday, March 28th 2025 - 10:03 UTC
Chile: Boric picks Cordero for newly-created Security Ministry

Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font Thursday created the country's Security Ministry and appointed Luis Cordero to head it. Cordero, who is serving as undersecretary of the Interior following the scandalous departure of Manuel Monsalve, will take up his new post effective April 1.
Friday, March 28th 2025 - 10:02 UTC
Measures announced to tackle racism in sports

Brazil's Government Thursday launched a comprehensive plan to tackle racism in sports, focusing on awareness, monitoring, and education. Key actions include creating a seal and award for anti-racist sports entities, launching educational campaigns at events, and developing a digital platform to track racial discrimination data. The initiative, supported by Ministers Anielle Franco (Racial Equality) and André Fufuca (Sports), emphasizes collaboration with sports justice, media, and government programs to promote equality and inclusion.