
Despute being one the most stable economies in the region, shanty town developments are also on the rise in Chile. Immigration and other factors have contributed to the downside of prosperity.

Russian President Vladimir Putin Wednesday announced his country had successfully tested a new hypersonic missile named Avangard, which he claimed is impossible to intercept. Putin made the announcement from the National Defence Control Centre in Moscow where he watched a live feed of the missile tests.

Around 1.5 million children are not fed properly amidst Argentina's current crisis, according to the Argentine Catholic University's (UCA) latest study on the matter, which was released Wednesday. The new record means an increase of around 456,000 children from the previous research.

Outgoing President Michel Temer issued an executive order that allows foreign groups to own 100% of a Brazilian airline. Previously, non-Brazilians were limited to 20% of shares. The decision occurs in the midst of a bankruptcy proceeding filed by Avianca Brasil.

Venezuelan authorities have offered Russian companies to take part in gold exploration and gold mining in the country, according to Russian Ambassador to Venezuela Vladimir Zaemsky.

After defaults in Mozambique, Venezuela, and Cuba the Brazilian government froze credit lines for new exports, a measure that will affect mostly small and medium-sized businesses. The Brazilian Treasury Department will spend US$ 6 million to reimburse BNDES (National Bank For Economic and Social Development) for Cuba's default

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will cut a visit to Brazil short, skipping incoming President Jair Bolsonaro’s inauguration.

Venezuela’s foreign ministry on Tuesday described as “interventionist and disrespectful” U.S. comments on a weekend incident in which the country’s navy stopped two ships exploring for oil for Exxon Mobil off Guyana’s coast.

Marine conservationists Sea Shepherd are claiming Japan's decision to abandon whaling around Antarctica as a victory, though their battle will go on with the Asian nation moving to resume hunting elsewhere. On Boxing Day, Japan announced it was leaving the International Whaling Commission so it could resume commercial hunting of the marine mammals in their territorial waters.

Chilean President Sebastián Piñera Wednesday morning announced he would seek a constitutional reform before Congress to bring to an end the “founded decree” mechanism to remove Carabineros' director generals after last week's dismussal of General Hermes Soto.