Latin America

Monday, July 20th 2020 - 09:40 UTC
Mexico seems unable to control the spread of coronavirus cases and death toll

Half the Covid-19 patients who go to the hospital in Mexico's border state of Baja California die, an alarming rate that experts attribute to people waiting too long to seek admission because they fear the poor conditions of hospitals.
Saturday, July 18th 2020 - 09:05 UTC
Cuba devalues its currency and makes the US dollar legal tender for shopping

Cuba said this week it will allow some stores to sell food, personal hygiene and other consumer goods in U.S. dollars and will eliminate a 10% tax on the greenback, an effort to rake in more hard currency to purchase goods abroad.
Saturday, July 18th 2020 - 07:50 UTC
Mexican president will contribute 25% of his salary to combat the virus

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday that he will return a fourth of his salary to help the country weather the coronavirus crisis that has battered the economy, encouraging public servants also to donate from their earnings.
Friday, July 17th 2020 - 07:35 UTC
US shuts borders with Mexico and Canada until August 20

United States Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf announced on Thursday that borders with Mexico and Canada would remain shut to most travel, to stem the spread of the coronavirus, for another month to Aug 20.
Friday, July 17th 2020 - 07:19 UTC
Peruvian president reshuffles cabinet following the harsh economic impact of the pandemic

Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra undertook a major government reshuffles this week, replacing more than half his cabinet as his popularity has taken a hit due to the harsh economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and a lengthy lockdown.
Thursday, July 16th 2020 - 09:33 UTC
Bolivian president and at least seven cabinet ministers and lawmakers tested positive for coronavirus

Bolivia's government has been rocked by the novel coronavirus, with the president and at least seven of her Cabinet ministers testing positive, straining the interim leadership and casting a shadow over a slated election rerun in under two months.
Thursday, July 16th 2020 - 07:18 UTC
After four months suspension, Peru reopens domestic air travel

Peru reopened domestic air travel on Wednesday in a bid to reignite the economy as it announced a drop of 33% in GDP for May year-on-year. Long queues of passengers formed from dawn at the Jorge Chavez airport in the capital Lima with 17 domestic flights operating during the day.
Wednesday, July 15th 2020 - 08:56 UTC
Ecuador's US$ 17,4bn debt restructuring plan faces divided bondholders

Ecuador’s government will likely have to sweeten its offer to creditors in order to reach an agreement to restructure US$ 17.4 billion in bonds, say analysts. The government’s proposal already has the backing of one group of creditors, holding around half of the bonds and including AllianceBernstein, Ashmore and BlackRock.
Wednesday, July 15th 2020 - 08:55 UTC
Exxon resumes drilling in Guyana; local politics battle over the future oil revenue

Exxon Mobil resumed drilling in Guyana last month, underscoring its dedication to the offshore hotspot despite the oil price crash and a messy turn in local politics.
Wednesday, July 15th 2020 - 08:52 UTC
Canadian investors question Mexican government energy policy, which privileges the state's role

As Mexico celebrated a new trade deal with the United States and Canada on July 1, a group of Canadian energy investors warned their government that Mexico could already be violating the agreement for failing to respect contracts.