Politics

• Friday, September 29th 2023 - 10:29 UTC

  Argentine Senate greenlights Income Tax reform

  

  The Argentine Senate Thursday passed a bill by 38 votes to 27 to up the barrier indicating who must pay the Income (Earnings) Tax. Despite opposition from Juntos por el Cambio (JxC) citing “electioneering” intentions, the measure proposed by Economy Minister and presidential candidate Sergio Massa was approved last week by the Lower House.

• Friday, September 29th 2023 - 09:51 UTC

  US offers reward amid probe into Ecuadorian candidate's murder

  

  The US State Department Thursday made available US$ 5 million in rewards for information leading to the arrest of those who murdered Ecuador's presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio last month in Quito. The State Department also offered up to US$ 1 million for clues leading to the identification of high-ranking members of the criminal group.

• Friday, September 29th 2023 - 09:27 UTC

  Trade deal between Paraguay and the United States extended until 2025

  

  Authorities from Paraguay and the United States agreed in Asunción this week to extend until 2025 an agreement in place since 2019 to expedite the exchange, marketing, importation, and exportation of agricultural products.

• Friday, September 29th 2023 - 09:21 UTC

  Is Milei fit for the presidential debates?

  

  According to uncorroborated rumors circulating in Buenos Aires Thursday, Congressman Javier Milei, the presidential candidate from La Libertad Avanza (LLA) was suffering from some sort of mental breakdown, which raised the possibility that he might not be fit for the mandatory debates with the other four contenders who made it through the Aug. 13 Mandatory, Open, and Simultaneous Primary (PASO) elections.

• Thursday, September 28th 2023 - 09:37 UTC

  Cafiero: “No hypothesis of conflict” between Argentina and Paraguay

  

  Argentine Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero Wednesday denied his country had any “hypothesis of conflict” with Paraguay despite recent controversies over tolls collected from barges sailing along the Paraná River Waterway and Asunción canceling all electricity supply from the Yacyretá hydroelectric power plant.

• Thursday, September 28th 2023 - 08:59 UTC

  Argentina: Former minister and tax bureau chief both acquitted in money smuggling case

  

  A court in Buenos Aires Wednesday acquitted former Planning Minister Julio De Vido and AFIP tax bureau Chief Ricardo Echegaray for the 2007 attempted smuggling of a suitcase containing nearly US$ 800,000 which was being brought into the country by Guido Antonini Wilson, who was believed to be an envoy of then-Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

• Thursday, September 28th 2023 - 08:53 UTC

  Migration crisis; state of emergency in Costa Rica to deal with massive influx of people heading for US

  

  Costa Rica in Central America intends to declare a state of emergency due to an increased wave of migrants on their way to Mexico and later cross to the United States. “I have instructed the security ministry to take a firm stance with anyone who takes Costa Rica's kindness for weakness,” Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves said at a media briefing, referring to recent riots by migrants crossing the nation.

• Thursday, September 28th 2023 - 08:46 UTC

  Paraguayan Navy sailor wounded in clash with Argentine Coast Guard

  

  A Paraguayan naval officer and two civilians were arrested Wednesday by the Argentine Coast Guard (PNA) following an incident at around 3 pm in the Paraná River near the PNA's Puerto Maní (Misiones) delegation that resulted in the seizure of a Paraguayan Navy vessel allegedly trying to smuggle fuel to the Paraguayan side.

• Thursday, September 28th 2023 - 08:37 UTC

  UK implements a U-turn in climate policy and opens largest oilfields in North Sea to exploration and production

  

  The United Kingdom approved the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas in its largest undeveloped field, the North Sea Transition Authority, the responsible regulatory body said on Wednesday.

• Thursday, September 28th 2023 - 08:33 UTC

  Lula praises Biden's support to autoworkers' strike

  

  Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Wednesday praised his US colleague Joseph Biden for supporting a strike by autoworkers in Detroit, just a week after both heads of state signed an understanding regarding the role of labor unions.