
Argentine low-cost carrier Flybondi has announced an ambitious regional expansion plan involving a projected investment of US$1.7 billion and the establishment of a new operation under a Paraguayan flag.

The French National Assembly voted unanimously on Thursday to reject the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), sending a strong, non-binding message to President Emmanuel Macron to withhold his approval.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Sunday at the G20 Summit in South Africa that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and the European Union (EU) would be signed on December 20. Lula, who holds the South American bloc's rotating presidency, has made the deal a priority.

Uruguay's Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin projected Thursday a major shift in the world's trade landscape, in which his country would need to focus on what to sell instead of to whom, given the surge of 31 tariff-free nations by 2026. Speaking to FocoUy, he framed the emerging trade environment as practically entering a free trade area with key global blocs.

The Argentine Government has launched the Paraná Plan, a major interagency initiative designed to curb federal crimes and reinforce border security along the Paraná-Paraguay Waterway, a vital trade route increasingly exploited by transnational criminal organizations.

Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi pointed out that the recently announced Reciprocal Trade and Investment Framework between Argentina and the United States placed his country in a position where it is best to be attentive, maybe it's an advantage.

The recent announcement by Washington and Buenos Aires of a joint trade agreement has generated controversy in Montevideo, where it is perceived as a violation of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) rules, so the government of President Yamandú Orsi will monitor the case closely.

France has once again cast a negative note on the proposed Free Trade Agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard stated emphatically that her country would not sign a deal that condemns its farmers.

Argentine authorities have reinforced the country's borders with Brazil, in case gang fighters pushed by local law enforcement might intend to escape through any of those crossings, following the controversial raid earlier this week in two Rio favelas.

Uruguay's Economy Minister Gabriel Oddone said on Monday that the landslide victory by Argentine President Javier Milei's La Libertad Avanza (LLA) in Sunday's midterm elections would benefit his country with a more stable neighbor, resulting in a favorable environment for the economy.