Latin America

Thursday, February 19th 2026 - 04:39 UTC
Peru's congress names José María Balcázar interim president

Peru’s Congress late Wednesday elected José María Balcázar, an 83-year-old lawmaker from Peru Libre, as the country’s interim president following the removal of President José Jerí amid allegations tied to undisclosed meetings and suspected influence peddling. Balcázar is set to remain in office until July 28, when he must hand power to the winner of the general election scheduled for April 12.
Thursday, February 19th 2026 - 00:23 UTC
Peru’s Congress heads to runoff vote to pick José Jerí’s successor

Peru’s Congress moved to a second-round vote to elect a new head of the legislature, who will automatically become president after José Jerí was removed on Tuesday amid allegations of influence peddling and suspicious links to Chinese businessmen.
Wednesday, February 18th 2026 - 12:04 UTC
Marco Rubio holds discreet contacts with Raúl Castro’s grandson, Axios reports

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held discreet talks with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson and caretaker of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, bypassing official Cuban government channels, Axios reported, citing sources familiar with the outreach.
Tuesday, February 17th 2026 - 23:59 UTC
Peru’s Congress ousts interim President José Jerí

Peru’s Congress voted on Tuesday to remove interim President José Jerí, just four months after he took office, deepening political uncertainty only weeks before the April 12 general election.
Tuesday, February 17th 2026 - 04:06 UTC
US, Canada and Mexico face measles outbreaks months before World Cup 2026

With fewer than four months to go before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, the United States, Canada and Mexico —the tournament’s three host countries— are reporting significant measles resurgences, a highly contagious disease that had been pushed back across the region through routine immunization. Health authorities and international bodies are urging stronger vaccination and surveillance as public trust in vaccine guidance frays.
Tuesday, February 17th 2026 - 03:47 UTC
Colombian pro-Trump lawmaker asks Petro for help after ICE arrests her son

Colombian Conservative congresswoman Ángela Vergara says her 22-year-old son, Rafael Alfonso Vergara, has been detained in the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and had spent “18 days jailed and chained” when she first went public.
Monday, February 16th 2026 - 16:58 UTC
Peru set to vote on whether to oust interim President José Jerí amid scandals weeks before elections

Peru’s Congress will debate and vote on Tuesday on a set of censure motions targeting interim President José Jerí, a move that could trigger yet another change at the top of the state in a country that has cycled through multiple presidents since 2016, just weeks before the April 12 general election.
Monday, February 16th 2026 - 05:46 UTC
Petro to issue new temporary minimum wage decree after court suspension

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he will issue “in the coming days” a temporary decree on the 2026 minimum wage after the Council of State ordered a provisional suspension of the government’s late-December decree setting the increase.
Saturday, February 14th 2026 - 04:19 UTC
Major fire hits Havana’s Ñico López refinery amid Cuba’s energy crunch

A large fire broke out on Friday at the Ñico López refinery in Cuba’s capital, sending a thick column of black smoke into the sky that was visible from multiple points around Havana Bay. Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the blaze or the extent of any damage, while emergency crews remained on scene.
Saturday, February 14th 2026 - 03:17 UTC
US redeploys USS Gerald R. Ford from Caribbean to Middle East amid Iran pressure

The United States is shifting the USS Gerald R. Ford, its largest aircraft carrier, from the Caribbean Sea to the Middle East in a move that would place two US carrier strike groups in the region as President Donald Trump presses Iran to reach a deal over its nuclear programme.