Brazil

• Monday, December 18th 2023 - 10:53 UTC

  Argentina to buy electricity from Brazil due to storm

  

  Following the disruption caused by last weekend's storms to the country's grid, Argentina will import electricity from Brazil on a transitory basis, it was reported Sunday, in addition to other emergency measures adopted to face the crisis and restore supply in parts of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CAMA) and its Metropolitan Area (AMBA).

• Monday, December 18th 2023 - 10:41 UTC

  Brazilian diplomacy manages to cool tensions between Venezuela and Guyana

  

  In what is considered a success for Brazilian diplomacy, Venezuela and Guyana pledged in a joint statement last Thursday, not to resort to force to settle a long-standing dispute over contested land and adjoining sea in an oil and gas-rich region known as the Essequibo.

• Monday, December 18th 2023 - 09:58 UTC

  Covid-19: First Pirola case confirmed in Ecuador

  

  Ecuadorian authorities confirmed Sunday the detection of the first case of the so-called Pirola variant (BA.2.86) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a woman in Quito, who has been reported to be stable and “receiving outpatient treatment at home,” according to a statement from the Health Ministry, which is carrying out an epidemiological follow-up and monitoring of the patient.

• Friday, December 15th 2023 - 10:36 UTC

  Brazil: Selic cut for fourth time in a row

  

  Brazil's Central Bank (BCB) cut the Selic benchmark rate for the fourth consecutive time, from 12.25% to 11.75% per annum, in line with market expectations, it was reported in Brasilia. The Selic is now at its lowest level since reaching 10.75% in March 2022.

• Thursday, December 14th 2023 - 12:07 UTC

  Can Brazil stop Venezuela from invading Guyana?

  

  By Thiago de Aragão (*) The Brazilian government, eager to assert itself as South America’s preeminent power, finds itself at a crossroads. The victory of libertarian opportunist Javier Milei in Argentina’s recent presidential election has added a new element of uncertainty to Brazil’s relationship with its southern neighbor.

• Thursday, December 14th 2023 - 10:59 UTC

  Ties between Brazil and Argentina to remain despite ideological differences, FM says

  

  Brazil intends to keep a good relationship with Argentina despite the ideological differences between the governments of Javier Milei and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira told the Lower House's Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday.

• Thursday, December 14th 2023 - 10:48 UTC

  Lula insists a ceasefire in Gaza is urgently needed

  

  Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Wednesday decried the “daily violation” of human rights by the Israeli forces in Gaza and called for a “permanent ceasefire”.

• Wednesday, December 13th 2023 - 10:37 UTC

  Stricter measures against fossil fuels called for at COP28

  

  The Brazilian delegation attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai this week called for stronger measures against the proliferation of fossil fuels, Agencia Brasil reported.

• Tuesday, December 12th 2023 - 10:13 UTC

  Essequibo conflict: Brazil sending observer to Maduro-Ali meeting

  

  The Brazilian Government of President Luiz Inácio Lula a Silva shall be sending a delegation headed by former Foreign Minister and current presidential advisor on international affairs Celso Amorim to Thursday's meeting between the leaders of Guyana and Venezuelan in St Vincent and the Grenadines to discuss the Guiana Essequiba issue, it was reported in Brasilia.

• Tuesday, December 12th 2023 - 10:00 UTC

  Brazil forecasts a grains harvest of 312 million tons, but climate conditions will hinder soybeans

  

  Brazilian farmers are expected to harvest some 312 million tons of grains and oil seeds in the 2023/2024 crop, which will be 2,4% lower than the record volume of the previous crop.