Latin America

• Wednesday, March 12th 2025 - 10:27 UTC

  Bolivia's fuel shortage crisis deepens

  

  The Bolivian department of Santa Cruz is experiencing a crisis caused by a severe diesel shortage, which has led to blockades and threats of strikes. Farmers in Concepción and Yapacaní have blocked key highways connecting Santa Cruz with other regions, protesting the lack of fuel that threatens their summer harvest of crops like soybeans, corn, and rice. These blockades have disrupted trade routes and prompted warnings of further protests in other towns like San Carlos and Portachuelo.

• Tuesday, March 11th 2025 - 10:09 UTC

  Peru: Pedro Castillo goes on hunger strike

  

  Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo Terrones (2021-2022) has begun a hunger strike to protest his ongoing trial for an alleged coup attempt in December 2022. Castillo, who has been imprisoned since the incident, argues that he is being unfairly prosecuted for rebellion, abuse of authority, and disturbing public tranquility, despite lacking military support. He is demanding a new court to oversee his case, as he believes the current one is biased. He also wants the United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS) to protect his rights. The prosecution is seeking a 34-year prison sentence in addition to monetary reparations.

• Tuesday, March 11th 2025 - 09:51 UTC

  Europol and Latin America agree to tackle organized crime, drugs trafficking and resilience of ports

  

  Ministerial delegations from Latin America spent several days of high level meetings in Europol headquarters in The Hague, aimed at strengthening cooperation between Latin American law enforcement authorities and Europol, enhancing strategic dialogue on tackling security threats such as organized crime and terrorism.

• Monday, March 10th 2025 - 09:08 UTC

  IMF praises Guyana's environmental initiatives

  

  The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised Guyana for its pioneering climate policies and efforts to enhance its energy matrix, promote sustainable growth, and foster economic diversification. The global credit agency highlighted the South American country's Climate Policies and Sustainable Development, Energy Transition, Economic Diversification and Workforce Development, and Inclusive Growth and Investment.

• Monday, March 10th 2025 - 08:56 UTC

  Palmeiras says sanctions against racist Cerro Porteño too lenient

  

  Officials from the São Paulo football club Palmeiras said the South American Football Confederation's sanctions issued Sunday against Paraguay's Cerro Porteño following last week's racist incidents were “extremely lenient.”

• Thursday, March 6th 2025 - 21:14 UTC

  Trump postpones tariffs on Mexican items at least until April 2

  

  US President Donald Trump announced a temporary exemption from new 25% tariffs for goods from Mexico covered under the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The Republican leader adopted the measure following a telephone conversation with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The exemption, effective until at least April 2, reverses tariffs imposed earlier this week, aimed at addressing fentanyl trafficking and trade imbalances.

• Thursday, March 6th 2025 - 10:59 UTC

  Uruguay wants to become an “actor of peace”

  

  Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin had on Wednesday his first formal day in office on Wednesday. During a ceremony in Montevideo attended by President Yamandú Orsi and Vice President Carolina Cosse, the South American country's top diplomat emphasized Uruguay's role as an “actor of peace” to help reduce global tensions.

• Wednesday, March 5th 2025 - 09:57 UTC

  Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia endorse Surinamese candidate for OAS top spot

  

  Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia have endorsed Suriname's Foreign Minister, Albert Ramdin, as their candidate for Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS). Ramdin, who previously served as Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, is seen as uniquely qualified to address contemporary challenges and bring a fresh perspective. The vote to replace the outgoing Secretary General, Luis Almagro of Uruguay, is scheduled for March 10, with Paraguayan Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano also in the running. Almagro's term ends on May 25 after a decade in the role.

• Wednesday, March 5th 2025 - 09:28 UTC

  State of Emergency extended in 7 Ecuadorean provinces

  

  Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa extended this week the state of emergency for 30 more days in seven provinces and two municipalities, including the capital, Quito, to curb insecurity and maintain public order, social peace, and peaceful coexistence.

• Tuesday, March 4th 2025 - 20:45 UTC

  Preliminary deal reached for sale of Hong Kong company's stake in Panama Canal operations

  

  Given US President Donald Trump's pressure, CK Hutchison Holdings, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, agreed to sell control of a unit operating ports near the Panama Canal, it was announced Tuesday. The sale includes an 80% stake in the Hutchison Ports group and a 90% interest in Panama Ports Company, which operates the ports of Balboa and Cristobal. The consortium acquiring these stakes includes BlackRock Inc., Global Infrastructure Partners, and Terminal Investment Ltd.