Latin America

Monday, May 20th 2019 - 09:59 UTC
Morales launches his presidential campaign for a fourth five-year term

Bolivian President Evo Morales launched this weekend his campaign for a fourth term, rejecting opposition allegations that he leads a corrupt and dictatorial government. Morales, 59, is Bolivia's first indigenous president and is aiming to be reelected in October.
Saturday, May 18th 2019 - 09:59 UTC
New North American trade pact closer as US lifts tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada and Mexico

The United States struck deals on Friday to lift tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico, the three governments said, removing a major obstacle to legislative approval of a new North American trade pact.
Saturday, May 18th 2019 - 08:17 UTC
Peru wants China to help finance a railway to the heart of South America

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra told news agency Reuters on Friday that China could partner with Bolivia and Peru on a massive intercontinental railway project that Peru once dismissed as too costly when pitched by China nearly three years ago.
Saturday, May 18th 2019 - 07:59 UTC
Smog disaster in Mexico City, all residents “smoking” half a pack of cigarettes a day

Scientists say breathing the heavily polluted air in Mexico City these days is like smoking somewhere between a quarter-and a half-pack of cigarettes a day.
Friday, May 17th 2019 - 08:48 UTC
Sargassum killing Mexico and Caribbean beaches and tourism industry

Tourists looking for sun and sand in Mexican resorts like Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum have been disgusted by foul-smelling mounds of sargassum – a seaweed-like algae – piling up on beaches and turning turquoise waters brown, and experts are warning that it may be the new normal.
Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 09:57 UTC
Brazilian General: Venezuelans military oust Maduro and lead a transition, or divisions risk a civil war

Venezuela’s armed forces will either depose President Nicolas Maduro and lead a transition to democratic rule or face divisions that risk a civil war, the Brazilian government’s top security adviser said on Tuesday.
Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 09:56 UTC
Environmental emergency in Mexico City; classes and football match suspended, and cars restricted on Wednesday

Authorities declared an environmental emergency on Tuesday for metropolitan Mexico City, one of the world's most populous megalopolises, as smoke from nearby wildfires pushed pollution to levels deemed potentially harmful to human health.
Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 09:55 UTC
Brazil withdraws from hosting a Latin America climate conference next August

Brazil has withdrawn its offer to host Latin America and Caribbean climate week, a key milestone leading up to the annual UN negotiations. Initially set to take place from 19 to 23 August in Salvador, the event is part of a series of regional summits to encourage dialogue between governments and civil society, in support of national climate pledges.
Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 09:52 UTC
Ex Lima mayor jailed after admitting benefiting from the Odebrecht corruption network in Peru

A Peruvian judge on Tuesday sentenced former Lima mayor Susana Villaran to 18 months' preventive detention for accepting illegal campaign funds from Brazilian construction firms Odebrecht and OAS. The Odebrecht bribery scandal, which has washed through Latin America, runs deep in Peru, where the country's last four presidents are accused of receiving illegal payoffs.
Wednesday, May 15th 2019 - 09:29 UTC
Guatemala constitutional court bars presidential candidate because she's the daughter of an ex military ruler

The constitutional court of Guatemala has barred Zury Ríos, the daughter of ex-military ruler Efraín Ríos Montt, from running for the presidency. Ms. Ríos was one of the frontrunners ahead of elections on 16 June. The court argued that Guatemala's constitution bars close relatives of coup leaders from serving as president.