
The Cuban energy crisis situation with its frequent blackouts and fuel shortages means increased economic hardship leading to social unrest, according to international news agencies reports. Blaming the US embargo is the common reaction from the government, but also are an aging infrastructure, lack of investment, plus insufficient supply of fuel add to the people’s misery, living in darkness and uncertainty.

Paraguay's National Anti-Drug Secretariat (Senad) decided to break off from its partnership with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), according to a note sent by Minister Jalil Rachid on Dec 6, which went public Tuesday in Asunción. Rachid said the move stemmed from the need to optimize resources and strengthen operational areas.

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa announced Tuesday that the end of the nationwide blackouts is in sight. As of December 20, there will be no outages throughout the country. This decision is based on the recovery of the installed capacity, which for 10 years was irresponsibly neglected, the head of State posted on X.

By Gwynne Dyer - Take a moment, first, to celebrate the fall of a regime of surpassing evil even by the demanding standards of the Middle East. Father and son, the Assad regime oppressed and abused the Syrian people for 53 years, and now it is gone in a week. Even the American-backed regime in Afghanistan did not fall that fast.

Buenos Aires Province Governor Axel Kicillof and Congressman Máximo Kirchner got together with former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner (CFK) and former Presidential hopeful Sergio Massa at a residence in Moreno on the outskirts of the country's capital to discuss the future of Peronism / Kirchnerism vis a vis the 2025 mid-term elections. It was their first photo together after the electoral defeat against Javier Milei in 2023.

Rebel forces in Syria have unveiled the opulent lifestyle of former President Bashar al-Assad after storming his presidential palace in Damascus. Videos circulated online show a fleet of luxury cars, including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, and Mercedes-Benz vehicles, as well as boxes of Louis Vuitton items, fine art, and high-end furniture.

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Monday underwent head surgery to drain a hematoma and relieve his persistent headache. He was said to be in good condition and recuperating at Sao Paulo's Hospital Sírio-Libanês' ICU ward. The procedure involved a craniotomy (a cut through the skull), it was also explained.

Argentine authorities have taken steps towards patrolling the Bolivia-bordering Bermejo River with Coast Guard (Prefectura Naval Argentina - PNA) units so as not to leave the neighboring country as the only one with an armed presence in the area, Security Minister Patricia Bullrich announced.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres Monday condemned the slaughtering of over 180 people between Dec. 6 and 8 near Port-au-Prince after a gang leader was told that the victims, all or most of them aged over 60, had rendered a son of his ill through witchcraft.

Argentine authorities expressed their concern this weekend over the well-being of the six Venezuelan opposition asylum seekers who are housed at what used to be Buenos Aires' Embassy in Caracas and is now guarded by Brazil following the diplomatic breakup.