Latin America

Thursday, March 26th 2020 - 08:25 UTC
Pandemic: total lockdown in Colombia; Chile extends schools closure until May

Countries across Latin America tightened measures on Wednesday to halt the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus, with more lockdowns and school closures as well as increased aid to the region's poorest.
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:56 UTC
Pandemics: Bolsonaro and governors clash over priorities, the economy and jobs or public health

Brazil's largest city of Sao Paulo began fifteen days of lockdown to fight the spread of the coronavirus on Tuesday. This after Brazil's own president, Jair Bolsonaro, has faced fierce criticism for his blasé treatment to combat the threat, which he describes as a quote “little flu.”
Wednesday, March 25th 2020 - 08:35 UTC
Cruise vessel Zaandam prevented from disembarking in Chilean ports

A cruise ship with more than 1,800 people aboard - including 42 complaining of flu-like symptoms - was prevented from docking in Chile due to fears over the coronavirus.
Monday, March 23rd 2020 - 07:49 UTC
Cristina Fernandez is back in Buenos Aires from Cuba with her daughter

Argentine vice president Cristina Fernandez is back in Buenos Aires from Cuba with her daughter who has been under medical treatment in Havana for a year. The two immediately left for their home where they will comply with the mandatory fourteen day self isolation for any passengers arriving in Argentina from overseas because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Saturday, March 21st 2020 - 09:30 UTC
OAS General Assembly re-elects Luis Almagro as Secretary General

The 54th Special General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) on Friday re-elected Luis Almagro as Secretary-General and Nestor Mendez as Assistant Secretary-General of the Organization.
Friday, March 20th 2020 - 09:47 UTC
Brazil closing all land borders except with Uruguay, and banning entry from EU and Pacific countries

Brazil on Thursday announced it was closing land borders and prohibiting entry to people from European and many Pacific Asian countries to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, as Mexico and Peru reported their first virus deaths.
Thursday, March 19th 2020 - 08:58 UTC
Coronavirus: Mercosur members coordinate actions and frontier movements

Mercosur country members agreed on Wednesday to share information and statistics on the coronavirus evolution as part of a common strategy destined to combat the pandemic, which included facilitating the return of ex-pats and ensuring the movement of goods among the block.
Wednesday, March 18th 2020 - 08:58 UTC
Covid 19: Mercosur countries isolated from the world and among themselves

The number of Coronavirus cases tested positive are increasing significantly, in the exponential leg of the process, in Mercosur country members and in Chile. Brazil reported the first death, a 62 year old man in Sao Paulo with a medical record of high pressure and diabetes.
Wednesday, March 18th 2020 - 07:30 UTC
Bolsonaro asks Congress to declare state of emergency to free federal funds from spending caps

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro said on Tuesday his second coronavirus test was negative and his government asked Congress to authorize a state of emergency that would allow it to scrap fiscal targets and free up funds to combat the virus’ spread.
Wednesday, March 18th 2020 - 07:24 UTC
IMF rejects Maduro's request for coronavirus aid loan: who runs Venezuela?

The International Monetary Fund has quickly rejected a surprise request on Tuesday by Venezuela for an emergency US$ 5 billion loan to fight the new coronavirus, which threatens to push its already battered economy over the edge.