MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Stories for February 13th 2026
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Friday, February 13th 2026 - 23:59 UTC
Uruguay cancels Cardama OPV deal over “serious breaches,” moves toward legal action
Uruguay’s government has terminated its contract with Spain’s Cardama shipyard for the construction of two offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) for the Uruguayan Navy, citing “serious contractual breaches,” and said it will seek damages through legal action.
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Friday, February 13th 2026 - 23:57 UTC
What does Argentina’s new lower age of criminal responsibility law entail?
Argentina’s debate over a “lower age of criminal responsibility” centres on the minimum age at which the State can formally prosecute a minor. The lower house of Congress (Chamber of Deputies) has given initial approval to a new Juvenile Criminal Regime that would lower that threshold from 16 to 14 and redefine procedures and sanctions for adolescents.
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Friday, February 13th 2026 - 18:53 UTC
US lifts key curbs on Venezuelan oil, clearing Repsol and other majors to operate
Washington has issued new authorizations that allow oil-and-gas-related transactions in Venezuela for companies including BP, Chevron, Eni, Repsol and Shell, in a shift that could unlock stalled projects and settle payments previously constrained by US sanctions.
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Friday, February 13th 2026 - 12:56 UTC
Financial Times: Venezuelans turn more optimistic after Maduro’s capture
A face-to-face poll reported by the Financial Times points to a sharp swing in public mood in Venezuela following the US military intervention and the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro. The paper said Venezuelans are “much more optimistic about the future”, while the same findings also show heightened concern over security.
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Friday, February 13th 2026 - 04:09 UTC
Argentina moves first in Mercosur as lower house backs EU trade deal
Argentina became the first Mercosur country to secure an initial legislative green light for the trade agreement with the European Union, after the Chamber of Deputies approved the text late on Thursday. The bloc also includes Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay, which have launched their own domestic ratification processes.
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Friday, February 13th 2026 - 00:01 UTC
Paraguay posts $162m trade deficit in January as exports decline
Paraguay recorded a US$ 162.2 million trade deficit in January after reporting US$ 1.2864 billion in exports and US$ 1.4486 billion in imports, according to the Central Bank of Paraguay’s (BCP) monthly foreign trade report.
