Latin America

Tuesday, January 7th 2020 - 09:40 UTC
Australia cloud smoke reaches Chile, Argentina and is expected in Uruguay

The cloud of smoke caused by raging bushfires in Australia has been spotted more than 12,000km away in Chile and Argentina, weather authorities in the South American countries said on Monday. Meteorologists in Uruguay expect the cloud in the next 24 hours.
Tuesday, January 7th 2020 - 08:41 UTC
Lima Group backs re-election of opposition leader Juan Guaidó

The Lima Group regional bloc said on Monday that it backed the re-election of opposition leader Juan Guaido as head of Venezuela's Congress after the government of Nicolas Maduro forced a separate vote imposing a new leader of the legislative body.
Monday, January 6th 2020 - 09:56 UTC
The Venezuelan National Assembly has two speakers: US recognizes Guaidó

Two lawmakers in Venezuela have both declared themselves parliamentary Speaker after a tumultuous day in the country's politics. US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaidó and rival Luis Parra both claimed to be Speaker of the National Assembly on Sunday.
Monday, January 6th 2020 - 09:49 UTC
“Fernandez will be received with full honors of head of state”, Bolsonaro

If Argentine president Alberto Fernandez visits Brazil, “he will be received with all the honors of head of State, which he deserves”, according to his peer Jair Bolosonaro, which has been interpreted as an easing of tensions between both leaders following the initial stormy clashes.
Monday, January 6th 2020 - 09:25 UTC
Kenji Fujimori faces 12-year prison for attempting to buy votes in Peruvian congress

Peruvian prosecutors are seeking a 12-year prison term for former lawmaker Kenji Fujimori on charges of attempting to buy votes in a plot to keep ex-president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski from being impeached. Prosecutor Bersabeth Revilla accused the son of jailed ex-president Alberto Fujimori of bribery and influence-peddling.
Saturday, January 4th 2020 - 09:47 UTC
Mexican president calls for the release of Julian Assange from prison in London

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday called for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to be released from prison in London, urging an end to what he described as his “torture” in detention.
Friday, January 3rd 2020 - 09:50 UTC
Cuba's defense chief and family barred from US for supporting Maduro's regime

The State Department announced on Thursday it was barring Cuba's defense chief from entering the US, citing what it called human rights violations in supporting the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Thursday, January 2nd 2020 - 08:41 UTC
Mexican president openly admits the power of drug lords

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador declared an end to the days of collusion between crime and government, saying in a holiday address there was a time when drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was as powerful as the country's president.
Thursday, January 2nd 2020 - 08:35 UTC
Colombia's capital first woman mayor promises to fight “racism, class distinctions and xenophobia”

Bogota's first woman mayor Claudia Lopez took office on Wednesday, promising leadership in the troubled Colombian capital and pledging to fight “racism, class distinctions and xenophobia.”
Tuesday, December 31st 2019 - 12:30 UTC
Bolivia/Spain/Mexico spat escalates with the expulsion of diplomats

Bolivia's interim president Jeanine Añez announced on Monday that the country will expel Mexico's ambassador and two Spanish diplomats, drawing a tit-for-tat response from Madrid as a dispute over an alleged attempt to extract an ex-government aide escalated.