Politics

Sunday, January 18th 2026 - 23:20 UTC
With Milei present and Lula absent, Mercosur and EU sign landmark deal in Asunción

The European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc signed their long-negotiated association and free trade agreement on Saturday in Paraguay, with Argentina’s President Javier Milei attending the ceremony and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva absent, represented instead by his foreign minister.
Saturday, January 17th 2026 - 10:55 UTC
Mercosur and EU sign historic trade agreement in Asunción after 26 years of negotiations

On January 17, 2026, the Mercosur bloc and the European Union (EU) will formalize a comprehensive association and free trade agreement in Asunción, Paraguay, marking the culmination of nearly 26 years of negotiations, according to international and regional news outlets.
Saturday, January 17th 2026 - 08:02 UTC
Delcy Rodríguez meets CIA director in Caracas

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez met on Thursday in Caracas with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, holding talks focused on security and cooperation, US intelligence sources confirmed to EFE.
Saturday, January 17th 2026 - 03:33 UTC
Historic Endurance model unveiled in Stanley

A scale model of the Endurance, the legendary polar ship of Ernest Shackleton, was officially unveiled on Thursday at the Jetty Visitor Centre in Stanley, becoming a new long-term public exhibit, according to the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust (FMHT).
Friday, January 16th 2026 - 19:17 UTC
Venezuela announces Armed Forces “review and adjustment” after US attack

Venezuela’s Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced Friday a “review and adjustment” of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) following the January 3 US attacks, in which 47 Venezuelan soldiers were killed and President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured, EFE reported.
Friday, January 16th 2026 - 19:07 UTC
Lula and von der Leyen say Mercosur-EU deal advances multilateralism

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed on Friday that the free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU), due to be signed Saturday in Asunción, will benefit global trade, democracy and multilateralism, EFE reported.
Friday, January 16th 2026 - 11:02 UTC
Brazil transfers military equipment to Uruguay and Paraguay to bolster regional security

Brazil has enacted two laws formalizing the transfer of military aircraft and equipment to Uruguay and Paraguay, as part of an initiative to upgrade operational capabilities of neighboring countries and enhance regional security, Agência Brasil reported.
Thursday, January 15th 2026 - 22:00 UTC
Machado handed her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado handed her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump on Thursday, in a symbolic gesture that capped a high-stakes visit to Washington amid mixed signals from the White House over Venezuela’s political future.
Thursday, January 15th 2026 - 21:26 UTC
Machado says she counts on Trump, but White House backs Delcy Rodríguez

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado told supporters gathered outside the White House on Thursday that “we count on the president for Venezuela’s freedom” after holding a closed-door meeting lasting more than two hours with US President Donald Trump.
Thursday, January 15th 2026 - 15:41 UTC
US to suspend immigrant visas for 75 countries, including Uruguay; Orsi calls it a “worrying signal”

Uruguay’s President Yamandú Orsi said he was concerned by Washington’s decision to pause immigrant visa issuance for citizens of 75 countries —including Uruguay— starting January 21, with no end date announced. “In numerical terms it’s not very important, but as a signal it certainly worries us,” Orsi said after meeting US Ambassador Lou Rinaldi at the presidential residence in Montevideo.