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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, May 27th 2025 - 21:01 UTC

Latin America

  • Wednesday, December 4th 2024 - 10:00 UTC

    Former Bolivian president Sánchez de Lozada sentenced to 6 years in jail

    Sánchez de Losada, 94, has lived in the United States since fleeing Bolivia amid social unrest resulting in some 60 deaths

    Bolivia's Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) Tuesday sentenced former President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada (1993-1997 and 2002-2003) to 6 years in jail for signing numerous oil contracts without parliamentary approval. The 94-year-old former head of State resides in the United States and it remains to be seen whether he can be extradited.

  • Tuesday, December 3rd 2024 - 10:33 UTC

    What will the Mercosur summit discuss?

    As Uruguay prepares to hand over Mercosur’s pro tempore presidency to Argentina, this summit could define the bloc’s path forward amid global trade uncertainties

    Montevideo will host the XLV Mercosur Summit on 5-6 December, bringing together South American leaders to discuss pressing regional issues. Outgoing Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou will chair the meeting, along with Argentina's Javier Milei, Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Paraguay's Santiago Peña. Uruguay's President-elect Yamandú Orsi will also attend.

  • Saturday, November 30th 2024 - 10:55 UTC

    Chilean Governor announces ambitious Tierra del Fuego tunnel project

    The initiative seeks to replace the current crossing of the Strait of Magellan by barge

    Governor Jorge Flies of the Chilean Magallanes and Antarctica Region announced a project to build an underwater tunnel linking the mainland with Tierra del Fuego, an initiative from which Argentina would also benefit. The proposal submitted during a National Conference on Policies for Extreme Zones in Chile seeks to replace the current barge 3.7 kilometers crossing through the Strait of Magellan. The 4-kilometer submarine tunnel would entail a US$1.5 billion investment.

  • Friday, November 29th 2024 - 10:00 UTC

    Colombia says more time needed for visas with UK

    The time before Christmas is not the best to implement the visa requirement, Ambassador Barreras argued

    Colombia's Ambassador to the United Kingdom Roy Barreras asked Home Secretary Yvette Cooper for a meeting to postpone the application of the visa requirement saying it was highly untimely to set it into force ahead of the Christmas Holidays.

  • Thursday, November 28th 2024 - 10:46 UTC

    Orsi's inauguration: Inviting Maduro “will be seen when the time comes”

    The President-elect highlighted Lacalle's willingness to a smooth transition, as is customary in Uruguay

    Uruguay's President-elect Yamandú Orsi did not rule out inviting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro over to his inauguration during his first press conference after winning the runoff against Álvaro Delgado of the ruling Multicolor coalition. However, the former Mayor (Governor) of Canelones admitted some “diplomatic difficulties” with Caracas that he hoped to work out. In any case, he insisted that “relations are between States and not between presidents.” At any rate, the issue “will be seen when the time comes,” he added.

  • Thursday, November 28th 2024 - 10:45 UTC

    Bolivia highlights gas pumping deal as a source of hard currency

    “We are estimating more than 10 million dollars per month,” Montenegro said

    Bolivia will be collecting some US$ 120 million yearly for allowing Argentine gas from Vaca Muerta through to Brazil, Economy Minister Marcelo Montenegro explained Wednesday during a press conference in which he highlighted the importance of Tuesday's agreement to bringing fresh foreign currency into the country's coffers in addition to its strategic nature in a regional context riddled with energy challenges.

  • Thursday, November 28th 2024 - 10:27 UTC

    IDB grants funding for Paraguayan environmental undertaking

    The project will contribute to the recovery of degraded areas and improve the conditions of Lake Ypacaraí

    Paraguay has been granted US$ 154 million in loans from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) plus a US$ 7.7 million non-refundable contribution through the IDB CLIMA program, the Economy Ministry in Asunción announced Wednesday. The funding is to be allocated to improving the environmental conditions of the Ypacaraí Lake basin, in Central Paraguay, it was also explained.

  • Thursday, November 28th 2024 - 10:23 UTC

    Latin American Forum of Ideas 2024 kicking off in Asunción

    Former Uruguayan President Luis Alberto Lacalle Herrera will be among the event's attendees, it was announced

    Former Presidents and experts in various fields are to convene on Thursday and Friday at Asunción's Sheraton Hotel for the Latin American Ideas Forum (FLI) 2024, a space for innovation and international cooperation under the motto “Connecting the present with the future of Latin America”.

  • Wednesday, November 27th 2024 - 10:00 UTC

    YPFB okays Argentina pumping gas to Brazil through Bolivia

    The agreement with Argentina's Total Energies and Brazil's Grupo Matrix Energía “represents a crucial step,” Dorgathen said

    Bolivia's State-run Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) agreed to allow Argentina to pump gas to Brazil through the existing pipeline, company President Armin Dorgathen announced Tuesday during the International Forum on Hydrocarbons, Fertilizers, Renewable and Alternative Energies in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. “We will promote the efficient flow of gas between Argentina and Brazil, taking advantage of existing infrastructure and strengthening regional cooperation,” he said.

  • Wednesday, November 27th 2024 - 09:29 UTC

    Colombia and UK instate reciprocal visa requirement

    The UK lifted the need for visas for Colombians on Nov. 9, 2022, but backtracked due to an increase in irregular migration

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced Tuesday that his country would require tourist visas for UK nationals effective immediately in reciprocity for London's decision to reinstate the condition for citizens of the South American country.