Latin America

Tuesday, August 21st 2018 - 08:05 UTC
Venezuelan refugees restarted pouring into northern Brazil

Brazil's government has not ruled out closing its border with Venezuela at Pacaraima, in Roraima state, but sees obstacles to doing so because of international treaties it has signed, Political Affairs Minister Carlos Marun said on Monday.
Monday, August 20th 2018 - 07:08 UTC
Brazil sending troops to Venezuela border following clashes between locals and refugees

Brazil is sending additional troops to its northern frontier after residents of one of its border towns attacked Venezuelan immigrants, forcing hundreds of them to flee back into their country. Brazil's Ministry of Public Security said over the weekend it would send an additional 60 soldiers to Roraima on Monday, reinforcing a contingent already operating in the northern state.
Thursday, August 16th 2018 - 08:52 UTC
New president takes office in Paraguay pledging to combat poverty and corruption

Mario Abdo Benitez, “Marito”, took over as Paraguay's new president on Wednesday, replacing a seemingly disgruntled Horacio Cartes, who left the inauguration ceremony before it finished. Abdo Benitez, 46, promised to combat poverty and entrenched corruption, and urged Paraguayans to “look toward the future and not remain stuck in the past” as he took the oath of office to start a five-year term.
Monday, August 13th 2018 - 06:38 UTC
Mexican incoming president pledges drastic cuts in privileges and personal security

Mexican president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he will abandon the secret service-style protection used by his predecessor in favor of a security detail of 20 unarmed men and women, including lawyers, doctors and engineers.
Friday, August 10th 2018 - 06:51 UTC
Brazil and Argentina markets hit by domestic and overseas uncertainties

Major Latin American currencies fell against the dollar on Thursday as global trade tensions strengthened the greenback and political uncertainty in Brazil and Argentina. Latin America's largest economy heads into a presidential election in two months time and in Argentina a major corruption scandal is unfolding.
Friday, August 10th 2018 - 06:36 UTC
Another record year of murders in Brazil: 63.880 in 2017

Brazil had a record number of murders last year, with homicides rising 3.7% from 2016 to 63,880 according to a study released on Thursday, just months before a presidential election in which violence has become a key issue.
Thursday, August 9th 2018 - 13:14 UTC
Justice denies request to close a northern state border with Venezuela

A judge on the Supreme Federal Court of Brazil denied a request by the regional government of Roraima to close the nation’s border with Venezuela. Roraima is Brazil’s northernmost state and its authorities claimed the persistent influx of Venezuelan immigrants has overburdened the state’s public services.
Thursday, August 9th 2018 - 08:15 UTC
Cuban private farmers given more incentives to increase production

Cuba said this week it was doubling the amount of land it granted would-be farmers and the lengths of their leases in an effort to increase stagnating agricultural output. The state owns 80% of the land and leases most of that to farmers and cooperatives. The remainder is owned by some 400,000 private family farmers and their cooperatives.
Wednesday, August 8th 2018 - 06:50 UTC
Colombian president Duque anticipates “corrections” to the peace deal with guerrillas

Colombia’s youngest elected president was sworn in to office on Tuesday, promising to “make corrections” to a peace deal with leftist rebels that has divided the country and to crack down on lingering armed groups still roaming the countryside.
Tuesday, August 7th 2018 - 10:43 UTC
Chile legally bans the widespread commercial use of plastic bags

Chile has become the first South American country to legally ban the widespread commercial use of plastic bags. The new legislation approved by Congress and enacted by President Sebastián Piñera, gives small shops two years to adapt to a total ban.