Get our news on your inbox! x

Remember me Forgot password

MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, July 12th 2025 - 10:09 UTC

Politics

  • Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 06:49 UTC

    Brazil's Real at almost four to the US dollar; 70% weaker in the last 12 months

    The Real has been the second-worst performing currency against the dollar over the past 12 months, losing close to 70% of its value.

    Brazil’s currency closed on Monday at the weakest level ever against the dollar as raging economic and political situations increased uncertainty and the odds of the country losing its investment-grade credit rating from yet another ratings company, which could be catastrophic.

  • Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 06:02 UTC

    The British Pavilion at the Expo Prado 2015: Best in Show

    British Pavilion at the Expo Prado 2015: Best in Show

    More than 75,000 people visited the British Pavilion at the Expo Prado 2015 -the largest agro-industrial exhibition in Uruguay. The Pavilion was awarded first prize in the category “Best Embassy and Chamber of Commerce Pavilion” by the Uruguayan Rural Association, organisers of the Expo.

  • Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - 05:52 UTC

    Argentina: Double celebration for Kirchnerism, in Chaco and Tucuman provinces

    Kirchnerite contender Domingo Peppo was easily elected governor of Chaco province after receiving 53.35% of the votes in a closely-watched election

    Double victory for Cristina Fernandez and the 'Kirchnerite' model: her candidates won the governorship in the northern province of Chaco and the Tucuman Supreme Court validated the result which confirmed that former Healthcare minister Juan Manzur last 23 August was the clear winner and the next governor of the province.

  • Monday, September 21st 2015 - 08:34 UTC

    Argentina's top Electoral Court announces measures or ensure transparency

    The Electoral Court (CNE) called on electoral parties to deliver more ballots to polling stations than usual and to regularly check if any ballots are missing

    After considering the proposals made by opposition parties and NGOs, and “irregularities” during the recent election for governor in the province of Tucumán, Argentina's top electoral court has announced more than 20 measures aimed at reinforcing the transparency of the October 25 general elections.

  • Monday, September 21st 2015 - 08:07 UTC

    Francis meets Fidel Castro and warns Cubans of the dangers of ideology

    Spokesperson Father Lombardi said the meeting, which included Castro's wife and other family members, was “very relaxed, fraternal and friendly.”

    Pope Francis met Cuba's revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Sunday hours after warning Cubans to beware the dangers of ideology and the lure of selfishness as the island enters a new era of closer ties with the United States. Latin America's first pope and Castro, the region's last surviving revolutionary icon of the 20th century, discussed religion and world affairs at the home of the 89-year-old retired president for about 40 minutes.

  • Monday, September 21st 2015 - 08:03 UTC

    Dissidents arrested in Havana as they tried to approach Pope Francis

    Photos showed some of the dissidents dragged away by security personnel at Havana's Revolution Square, where they reportedly tried to approach the pope

    Dissidents opposed to Cuba’s regime were arrested when they tried approaching Pope Francis in Havana on Sunday, an activist group reported. The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba identified the dissidents as Patriotic Union of Cuba members Zaqueo Baéz, Boris Reni, Aymara Nieto Muñoz and Maria Josefa Acon Sardiña, who is also a member of the Ladies in White, a peaceful protest group founded by female relatives of Cuban political prisoners.

  • Monday, September 21st 2015 - 07:53 UTC

    Che's daughter refuses to attend Pope Francis mass at Revolution Square

    “I did not go to the mass because it would be hypocritical of me. What was I to do standing there for hours? No, no” said Aleida Guevara

    The Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara’s daughter, Aleida Guevara refused to go to a mass Pope Francis conducted on Sunday during his historic Cuban trip, saying it would be “hypocritical” of her to be present.

  • Monday, September 21st 2015 - 07:38 UTC

    Cristina Fernandez attends Havana mass and meets with Pope Francis

    This time, the seventh was mostly a protocol meeting, but Cristina Fernandez takes every opportunity possible to join the Argentine born Pope

    Argentine president Cristina Fernández took part in Pope Francis' Sunday's mass from Havana's Plaza de la Revolucion, as she watched the pontiff in the company of her Cuban counterpart Raul Castro. Sitting next to the Cuban president, CFK followed Francis' services as he called for society to “protect the most fragile,” in a service witnessed by more than 100,000 worshippers at the Havana landmark.

  • Monday, September 21st 2015 - 07:18 UTC

    Brazil Justices ban corporate contributions to political campaigns and parties

    “The influence of economic power turns the electoral process into a political game of marked cards, an odious pantomime”, said Justice Rosa Weber

    Brazil's Supreme Court banned corporate contributions to political campaigns and parties, a hot issue as investigators in the country's biggest corruption scandal say such financing was used by businesses to win lucrative contracts with state-run oil company Petrobras.

  • Saturday, September 19th 2015 - 08:36 UTC

    Pope Francis arrives in Cuba, but dissidents are skeptical about any changes

    Rights groups and dissidents opposed to the regime have called on the pope to urge Raul Castro to put an end to crackdowns and curbs on civil liberties.

    Pope Francis praised Cubans' “spirit” in the face of adversity in a message broadcast ahead of his trip to the impoverished island. “It does me a lot of good and helps me to think of your faith in the Lord, of the spirit with which you confront the difficulties of each day,” the pope said in a message played on state television.