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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, September 4th 2026 - 10:59 UTC

Politics

  • Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 08:59 UTC

    Brazil militarizes favelas in Rio do Janeiro to guarantee 'law and order'

    Rio governor Sergio Cabral requested support from the federal government

    The Brazilian government announced on Monday, 80 days before the start of the 2014 World Cup, that the military will help occupy several “favelas,” or shantytowns, in Rio de Janeiro to guarantee security in an area currently controlled by violent drug trafficking outfits where some 100,000 people live.

  • Tuesday, March 25th 2014 - 08:51 UTC

    S&P downgrades Brazil’s sovereign debt rating to BBB minus

    Bad news for Dilma Rousseff ahead of October's presidential election

    Standard & Poor's cut Brazil's sovereign debt rating closer to speculative territory in a blow to President Dilma Rousseff administration. Brazil had its long-term debt rating downgraded to BBB minus, the agency's lowest investment-grade rating. S&P changed its outlook to stable from negative, meaning further downgrades are unlikely for now, which will come as a relief for both politicians in Brasilia and financial markets.The move was widely expected but the timing surprised some investors.

  • Monday, March 24th 2014 - 07:03 UTC

    Chilean police cuts short mass protest that turned violent

    “This is not a protest against Ms Bachelet or for her, it's just an alert for the political class” (Pic AFP)

    A mass protest was cut short in Santiago, Chile, after police dispersed activists with tear gas and water cannon. According to protest organizers over 150,000 people had gathered in the city center to urge newly-elected President Michelle Bachelet to push ahead with her reform program.

  • Monday, March 24th 2014 - 07:00 UTC

    Venezuela's state prosecutor says security forces have 'committed excesses'

    Luisa Ortega said that at least 60 investigations have been opened

    Venezuela's top state prosecutor has affirmed that security forces had committed “excesses” in breaking up nearly two months of opposition protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro that have left at least 34 dead

  • Monday, March 24th 2014 - 06:55 UTC

    Brazil, France and Mexico to file papers before the US Supreme Court in support of Argentina

    The case is being closely watched because of its potential impact on future sovereign debt restructurings.

    Brazil, France and Mexico are expected to file papers in the US Supreme Court on Monday backing Argentina in its legal battle with bondholders who refused to take part in debt restructurings from the country's 2002 default, according to a source familiar with the litigation.

  • Monday, March 24th 2014 - 06:52 UTC

    Spain mourns the loss of the man who played a key role in the transition to democracy

    The former minister Adolfo Suárez and King Juan Carlos

    Former Prime Minister Adolfo Suarez, who played a key role in Spain's transition to democracy, died in Madrid on Sunday. He was 81. The former premier was hospitalized last Monday with respiratory problems related to Alzheimer's, his family said.

  • Monday, March 24th 2014 - 06:47 UTC

    EU/Mercosur still in the cold but committed to reach an agreement in coming months

    Spokesperson Clancy said negotiators exchanged information and tried to clarify several issues

    The European Union and Mercosur held last Friday in Brussels the technical meeting, as was scheduled to assess the state of negotiations for a long delayed and ambitious association and trade agreement, but concluded with no calendar for the exchange of tariff reduction proposals, which is central to the discussions.

  • Sunday, March 23rd 2014 - 09:43 UTC

    Federal troops to Rio do Janeiro to try and contain attacks against the police

    With less than 90 days to the World Cup, the city of Rio seems unable to contain violence

    The government in Brazil says it will send federal troops to Rio de Janeiro to help deal with a spate of violent attacks targeting the city's police. The decision came after the governor of Rio de Janeiro state, Sergio Cabral, asked President Dilma Rousseff for government support ahead of the football World Cup in June.

  • Saturday, March 22nd 2014 - 12:12 UTC

    Putin formalizes Russia's takeover of Crimea despite US and EU sanctions

    The Russian president signs the law ensuring control of a territory considered strategic for Moscow

    With a display of fireworks in Moscow and Crimea, President Vladimir Putin has signed a law formalizing Russia's takeover of Crimea from Ukraine, despite fresh sanctions from the EU and the US. The European Union's latest measures target twelve people involved in Russia's annexation of the peninsula.

  • Saturday, March 22nd 2014 - 08:01 UTC

    The Falklands/Malvinas: Brazil’s next regional headache?

    When Foreign Secretary William Hague recently visited Brazil, the Falklands/Malvinas issue was not on the agenda, according to Stuenkel

    By Oliver Stuenkel (*) - Brazil, foreign policy observers often point out, is blessed. Contrary to many other emerging powers such as China or India, it is located in a region that rarely experiences interstate tension or war. Not only can Brazil live on a relatively small defense budget, while India is the world's largest arms importer. Brazil can also dedicate considerable time and energy towards extending its global diplomatic reach without constantly being forced to deal with trouble in its neighborhood.