Latin America

Wednesday, July 22nd 2020 - 07:50 UTC
Dissident FARC guerrilla suspected of having shot down an Army helicopter

Eleven Colombian military personnel were missing and six injured after a helicopter crashed in the southeast of the country during an operation against guerillas, the army said on Tuesday. The Blackhawk helicopter was carrying 17 military personnel when it went down.
Tuesday, July 21st 2020 - 08:45 UTC
Ecuador closer to reach a US$ 17,4bn debt overhaul agreement with bondholders

Ecuador pushed forward with its debt overhaul plans on Monday, requesting a vote among its creditors on reconfiguring the terms of US$ 17.4 billion of its external bonds, with its largest group of creditors backing the proposal.
Tuesday, July 21st 2020 - 08:42 UTC
Colombia's economy contracted 16,65% in May year to year

Colombia’s economy contracted 16.65% in May versus the same month a year ago as ongoing measures to curb the spread of coronavirus hit production, the government’s statistics agency said.
Tuesday, July 21st 2020 - 08:40 UTC
Mexican president challenged by drug gangs, but refuses to declare war

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Monday he would maintain a less confrontational approach to battling drug gangs even after one of Mexico's most powerful cartels showcased its firepower in a video that stunned Mexicans.
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.