
A message from Prime Minister Keir Starmer: It’s a real privilege to wish everyone in the Falkland Islands a very happy Christmas. It has been a year of change in the UK as we’ve brought in our new Government of service with that commitment to service extending to every one of you supporting your islands and the issues you care about, cheering you on in your successes and flying your flag proudly over Whitehall on Falklands Day.

Alejandro Stipanicic's resignation Thursday as president of Uruguay's State-run oil company Ancap stirred up the political arena in Montevideo leading up to the transition towards the new government of President-elect Yamandú Orsi.

One person was killed and at least three others were wounded in a clash between peddlers and Argentina's Border Guard (Gendarmería Nacional - GN) near the town of Orán in the northern province of Salta bordering Bolivia.

The former vice-president of Uruguay, Lucía Topolansky, generated a strong controversy when she affirmed that some people lied before Justice in cases investigating crimes against humanity committed during the civil-military dictatorship. Her statements, made in an interview for the book Los indomables, have been criticized by victims, prosecutors and human rights organizations.

The Chilean Government of President Gabriel Boric Font sent a protest note through diplomatic channels to Argentina after Economy Minister Luis Toto Caputo dubbed the leftwing leader a “Communist” who was sinking his country. Santiago said Caputo made “inappropriate and inaccurate statements” during a radio interview with a Buenos Aires broadcaster.

Following the detention of Border Guard (Gerndarmería Nacional) First Corporal Nahuel Gallo in Venezuela on spying charges, the Argentine Government of President Javier Milei issued a travel advisory Tuesday recommending to avoid all travel to that country where “A dictatorship prevails,” according to Presidential Spokesman Manuel Adorni.

The Paraguayan Government of President Santiago Peña reversed its decision to stop all cooperation with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Wednesday, citing an agreement signed in 2022 during Mario Abdo Benítez's administration, of which nobody seemed to have been aware.

The Venezuelan administration of President Nicolás Maduro renamed the Oil Ministry which will be henceforth known as Ministry of Hydrocarbons, Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez announced Wednesday. The measure seeks to boost the sector, she explained on her Telegram account.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a report warning travelers to Chile that muggings, armed robberies, pickpocketing and bag snatching are common there. Tourists need also be aware of scams targetting them such as staining their clothes to distract them and then stealing their belongings. In response, Chilean lawmakers requested a special session of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Congress.

“We are absolutely resolutely committed to the sovereignty and self-determination of Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands,” said Stephen Doughty MP and Minister of State for the Overseas Territories on a question from a fellow Labour MP, Portsmouth North, Amanda Martin during the Wednesday Parliament session.