Bolivia, currently grappling with a measles outbreak, has reported a pharmaceutical industry crisis exacerbated by a dollar shortage. Additionally, the country is also dealing with low influenza vaccination rates among vulnerable groups.
Ecuadorean drug trafficking gang leader José Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias Fito was extradited late Sunday to the United States. The head of the Los Choneros organization was considered one of the country's most notorious criminals, whose escape from jail in 2024 triggered a violence wave that forced President Daniel Noboa to declare an internal armed conflict. Fito was recaptured on June 25.
The Presidents of Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, and Colombia, plus Spain's Prime Minister, are to convene on Monday in Santiago to share the so-called “Democracy Forever” event, a follow-up to a 2024 initiative focused on combating extremism. This year's agenda will cover strengthening democracy and multilateralism, reducing inequalities, as well as combating disinformation and regulating emerging technologies.
Argentine authorities have upped the security measures around the so-called Triple Frontier encompassing Puerto Iguazú (Argentina), Foz do Iguaçú (Brazil), and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay) out of concerns over the possible entry of Iranian agents, in addition to the suspected presence of Hezbollah “sleeper cells” in the country.
Bolivia is stepping up its efforts to combat a potential measles outbreak, with the Health Ministry conducting an international health emergency drill at El Alto International Airport and the Education Ministry implementing mandatory vaccination checks for students.
Although not typically associated with Bolivia, this South American country has exported over 27,000 tons of high-quality coffee in the past decade, generating over US$108 million in revenue.
The oil, gas, and mining sectors are the backbone of industrial progress and energy supply. These industries rely on large-scale extraction, transport, and processing of heavy materials. One of the critical technologies that enable these operations to function smoothly is slurry pumping — a process essential for handling abrasive, dense, and often corrosive mixtures of solids and liquids.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro's rift with Vice President Francia Márquez became more evident Thursday during a televised cabinet meeting during which the possible appointment of former porn actress Amaranta Hank (born Alejandra Ocaña) as Minister of Equality and Equity was discussed. That position had been held by Márquez, who chose to reisgn earlier this year.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil met with his Colombian counterpart, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio, in Bogotá to reinforce bilateral relations between the two South American countries. A key topic was promoting a Binational Economic Zone to boost cross-border trade and the economies of both nations.
The First Emergency Ministerial Summit of the Hague Group, held in Bogotá, Colombia, on Tuesday and Wednesday, concluded with a strong diplomatic stance against what participating nations describe as the genocide of the Palestinian people.