By Jose Antonio Ocampo (*)
BOGOTÁ – On July 27-28, Colombia will host the first ministerial summit for sustainable, inclusive and equitable global taxation, with the support of Brazil and Chile. The choice of venue is not coincidental: it reflects Colombia’s commitment to tackling poverty and inequality through progressive taxes.
Ecuadorian authorities Tuesday confirmed that the number of inmates killed in prison clashes nationwide since July 22 had reached 31. In this scenario, President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency in all correctional facilities for 60 days, through which some 2,700 law enforcement officers carried out a control operation at the premises, it was announced.
Bolivian Defense Minister Edmundo Novillo Tuesday blamed the extreme right for Argentina's protest regarding a scientific and military agreement between La Paz and Tehran. Novillo insisted that Buenos Aires' reaction was an exaggeration and a political show ahead of this year's elections following Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero's request for an explanation.
Law enforcement from several European countries have disrupted an intercontinental criminal network smuggling migrants from fantasy island Cuba to the European Union. The investigation, coordinated by Europol and INTERPOL, led to the arrest of 62 persons, 25 of which were Cuban nationals and officials.
Ecuadorian authorities Monday declared a new state of emergency and curfew in two provinces and one city following an escalation in acts of violence, including the murder of the mayor of Manta, the country's third-largest city.
Agustín Intriago, the 38-tear-old mayor of Manta, Ecuador's third-largest city, was assassinated Sunday by hitmen, who shot him at least three times in the chest at around 1.30 pm local time while he was visiting a construction site, Interior Minister Juan Zapata confirmed.
At least six people have been arrested and eight others were injured Wednesday during the third Lima Takeover demonstration seeking President Dina Boluarte's resignation, the release from prison of former President Pedro Castillo Terrones, a constitutional reform, and the holding of fresh elections.
A powerful earthquake shook many countries in Central America on Tuesday, with a magnitude of 6.5. The quake shook much of Central America late on Tuesday evening, from Nicaragua to Guatemala, forcing residents in some cities onto the streets.
The final declaration of the two-day Summit between the European Union (EU) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) issued Tuesday in Brussels included in its 13th provision the Falkland/Malvinas Islands as a territory under dispute. The document also condemned Russia's military deployment in Ukraine with a footnote noting that one country (Nicaragua) would not adhere to that point.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Monday an investment of € 45 billion over several years for Latin American and Caribbean economies through the Global Gateway program, the EU's response to massive Chinese undertakings in the region.