MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, November 6th 2025 - 12:17 UTC

Politics

  • Saturday, May 3rd 2025 - 10:50 UTC

    Pepe Mujica criticizes PIT-CNT central labor for inaction under Lacalle Pou

    “This talk of prioritizing the country is all just talk,” Mujica also said about Uruguayan politicians

    Former Uruguayan President José Pepe Mujica criticized the PIT-CNT central labor union for its inaction during Luis Lacalle Pou’s government (2020-205), noting the absence of strikes and claiming the group only became active under the new leftist government of Yamandú Orsi, which took office on March 1.

  • Saturday, May 3rd 2025 - 10:49 UTC

    Chimney installed for Pope-electing conclave

    Meanwhile, the Vatican's press office denied Cardinal Parolin was ill

    Vatican firefighters installed a chimney on the Sistine Chapel roof for the upcoming conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor. The chimney, connected to two stoves—one from 1939 for burning ballots and a 2005 model for chemical additives—will emit black smoke for no election, white smoke for a new pope, and yellow smoke for pre-conclave testing.

  • Saturday, May 3rd 2025 - 10:14 UTC

    World Bank grants additional US$ 230 million to Milei's Argentina

    The WB has so far given US$ 1.5 billion to Milei's administration

    The World Bank (WB) Friday approved a US$ 230 million loan for Argentina to enhance job creation and training, supporting the “Promoting Employment” and “Back to Work” programs. This financing, part of a US$ 12 billion three-year package following Argentina’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement, aims to benefit over 800,000 unemployed individuals through training, job search services, and socio-labor skill certification, it was explained.

  • Saturday, May 3rd 2025 - 09:53 UTC

    Brazilian Social Security Minister resigns amid scandal

    Lupi stepped down, although his name did not come up in the investigations

    Carlos Lupi resigned Friday from his post as Brazil's Social Security Minister after meeting at the Palácio do Planalto with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, given the ongoing fraud investigation at the National Institute of Social Security (INSS). Although Lupi was not named in the enquiry, he stepped down, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and justice. His second-in-command, Wolney Queiroz, has been chosen as his successor.

  • Saturday, May 3rd 2025 - 07:55 UTC

    Maduro ignores ruling from UN court in new attempt to take over Guyana´s Esequibo region

    Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in a statement underscored its historical position to not recognize the jurisdiction of the UN International Court of Justice

    The government of Venezuela aggressively rejected a ruling from the UN International Court of Justice ordering Caracas to refrain from holding elections for officials who supposedly would oversee the resource-rich disputed region of Esequibo in neighboring Guyana.

  • Friday, May 2nd 2025 - 19:37 UTC

    Brazilian workers push for shorter labor schemes

    Lula, a former union leader himself, voiced his support for public debate on the matter, emphasizing the need for a balance between work and well-being

    Demonstrators across Brazil marked Workers' Day Thursday with protests demanding an end to the 6x1 schedule (six consecutive workdays followed by one day of rest) and advocating for a reduction in the standard 44-hour workweek.

  • Friday, May 2nd 2025 - 19:07 UTC

    No injuries or damages reported as strong quake hits Strait of Magellan region

    Some 1,100 people were evacuated in Puerto Williams

    A 7.4-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale struck the Drake Passage Friday, triggering a tsunami warning for Chile's Magallanes region and Antarctic Territory. Chile and neighboring Argentina carried out preventive evacuations, relocating thousands from coastal areas. Shortly after, a stronger 7.5-magnitude quake hit Puerto Williams, followed by a 6.1 aftershock in the Strait of Magellan. Chilean authorities later downgraded the tsunami alert but suspended maritime activities. No injuries or damages were reported, and both countries continue to monitor the situation, urging residents to remain in safe zones.

  • Friday, May 2nd 2025 - 10:50 UTC

    De Moraes grants house arrest to former President Collor de Melo

    De Moraes found Collor's health ailments proven and therefore his house arrest was in order

    Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF) Alexandre De Moraes allowed Thursday former President Fernando Collor de Melo to serve his 8-year, 10-month sentence under house arrest, citing humanitarian grounds. The decision follows a defense request citing Collor's “chronic health conditions,” including “sleep apnea, Parkinson's disease, and bipolar disorder”—as well as his “advanced age of 75.” Collor must wear an “electronic monitoring device” and can only receive visits from his legal team.

  • Friday, May 2nd 2025 - 10:44 UTC

    Milei insists Argentines “do not hate journalists enough”

    “Today, they cannot extort and blackmail,” given the existence of social media, Milei also argued

    Argentine President Javier Milei launched a fierce attack on the press via social media, defending his advisor Santiago Caputo, who intimidated a Tiempo Argentino photographer during a Buenos Aires City electoral debate.

  • Friday, May 2nd 2025 - 10:37 UTC

    Argentine opposition sides with workers amid Milei's adjustment policies

    CFK, Kicillof, and Massa agreed that it was a sad Workers' Day

    Former Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner (CFK) Thursday issued a Workers' Day message on X, criticizing President Javier Milei’s government for eroding labor rights and reducing wages to 2001 levels. CFK pointed out the “declared intention of Milei's government to continue sweeping away rights” and called on “to remain united in the defense of the right to a dignified life, with work as a tool for progress.”