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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, January 23rd 2026 - 20:12 UTC

Politics

  • Friday, December 19th 2025 - 21:34 UTC

    Superflu makes it to Argentina and Brazil

    The primary concern for health officials remains low vaccination uptake

    Health authorities across South America are on high alert following the confirmed detection of the Influenza A (H3N2) “K subclade” in Argentina and Brazil. The variant, which has already triggered emergency protocols in Chile and Bolivia, is characterized by genetic mutations that may increase transmissibility, though experts emphasize it does not currently appear to be more lethal than standard flu strains.

  • Friday, December 19th 2025 - 10:59 UTC

    Signing of EU-Mercosur FTA postponed to January

    “We need a few more weeks to resolve some issues with member states,” Von der Leyen stated

    The highly anticipated signing of the free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), originally scheduled for this Saturday in Foz do Iguaçu, has been officially postponed until January following a surge in domestic pressure and mass protests by European farmers.

  • Friday, December 19th 2025 - 08:47 UTC

    Paraguay's guaraní is most stable currency in the region, Bloomberg finds

    Economy Minister Carlos Fernández Valdovinos highlighted his country's macroeconomic strength

    Paraguay's guaraní (PY₲) has been highlighted as the most stable and highest-performing currency in Latin America for 2025. In a report published this week by the specialized outlet Bloomberg Línea, the Paraguayan currency has appreciated over 17% against the US dollar this year, outperforming Mexican and Colombian pesos.

  • Friday, December 19th 2025 - 08:36 UTC

    Argentina: National Bioethics Commission created

    The body -replacing previous entities with overlapping roles- will be chaired by Health Minister Mario Lugones

    The Argentine government has officially established the National Bioethics Commission through Decree 893/2025. Operating under the Ministry of Health, this new body will serve as the country's sole regulatory authority on health-related ethical evaluations and scientific research.

  • Friday, December 19th 2025 - 08:18 UTC

    Peru purchasing South Korean tanks in major defense deal

    Deliveries are expected to begin in 2026, with local assembly of the vehicles projected to start in 2029

    Peru has signed a strategic framework agreement with South Korean defense firm Hyundai Rotem to purchase 54 K2 Black Panther battle tanks and 141 K808 armored personnel carriers, signaling a total modernization of the South American country's capabilities in this regard.

  • Thursday, December 18th 2025 - 19:37 UTC

    Falklands, Government congratulates newly elected Members of Legislative Assembly

    Reelected MLA Jack Ford has been named to the Executive Council and Chair of the Assembly. Photo: FITV

    The Falkland Islands Government has congratulated all newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly following the General Election held on Thursday 11 December, followed by the swearing ceremony.

  • Thursday, December 18th 2025 - 10:55 UTC

    Lula issues ultimatum as Meloni and Macron stall EU-Mercosur FTA

    Brazil will no longer move a finger as long as Lula is president if the FTA is not signed by Saturday

    Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued a sharp ultimatum to European leaders on Wednesday, declaring that if the long-awaited EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is not signed this Saturday, he will abandon negotiations for the remainder of his presidency.

  • Thursday, December 18th 2025 - 10:30 UTC

    Brazil: Senate passes bill slashing sentences for Jan 8 convicts

    Former President Bolsonaro could be eligible for parole or house arrest way sooner

    In a decisive 48-25 vote on Wednesday, the Brazilian Senate approved the controversial “Dosimetry Bill” (PL 2162/2023), a measure that drastically reduces prison sentences for those convicted in the January 8, 2023, riots and the alleged coup plot.

  • Thursday, December 18th 2025 - 10:28 UTC

    Ecuadorean football star killed by hitmen

    Pineida and his partner died in the attack, but his mother survived

    Barcelona Sporting Club defender Mario Pineida and his partner were slain by hitmen in Guayaquil on Wednesday afternoon. The footballer's mother, who had been shopping with the couple, was wounded in the attack but is out of danger.

  • Thursday, December 18th 2025 - 08:11 UTC

    Bolivian President ends fuel subsidies, raises minimum wage

    Paz has blamed the previous administrations of Evo Morales and Luis Arce Catacora for “20 years of looting and waste”

    Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz Pereira has announced a drastic economic overhaul, declaring a state of “economic, financial, energetic, and social emergency,” which includes ending fuel subsidies that have been in place for over 20 years and implementing a significant increase in the minimum wage to offset the resulting inflation.