MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, July 19th 2025 - 23:06 UTC

Politics

  • Thursday, May 11th 2023 - 10:41 UTC

    Colombian president wants compulsory military service to end

    Petro also wants to increase the wages of the military personnel

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro wants his country to have more professional armed forces and thus bring the compulsory military service to an end, it was reported Wednesday in Bogota. The head of state also insisted on further funding the activity. In September last year, then Interior Minister Alfonso Prada had spoken about the government's plan to replace mandatory military service with a voluntary one. In the last five years, 460,113 young people between 18 and 24 years of age served compulsorily in the Armed Forces.

  • Thursday, May 11th 2023 - 10:32 UTC

    Brazilian authorities make 157 drug-related arrests

    According to Mario Sarrubbo, all the evidence seized will be used to devise future operations against drug gangs

    At least 157 people were arrested Wednesday in Brazil in a police raid against drug-trafficking gangs, it was reported in Rio de Janeiro. Among those taken into custody were leaders of the two largest Brazilian criminal factions -the First Capital Command (PCC) and the Red Command (Comando Vermelho)- according to police sources cited by Xinhua.

  • Thursday, May 11th 2023 - 10:26 UTC

    Brazil: Telegram removes postings against Fake News Bill

    Telegram acquiesced to a ruling by STF Justice De Moraes

    The Telegram messaging service platform Wednesday acquiesced to a Supreme Federal Court (STF) ruling and removed all postings against the so-called Fake News bill which is already under Congressional debate, Agencia Brasil reported.

  • Thursday, May 11th 2023 - 10:17 UTC

    Chilean Army declares red alert after Mapuche arson attacks

    Monsalve also announced a stronger amry deployment in La Araucania as Mapuche violence mounts

    Chile's Undersecretary of the Interior Manuel Monsalve Wednesday announced that a red alert was being declared in the southern part of the country following arson attacks allegedly perpetrated by Mapuche rebels, it was reported in Santiago.

  • Wednesday, May 10th 2023 - 10:40 UTC

    Lula and Sunak discussed trade, investment, forestry and Ukraine in London

    The Prime Minister praised President Lula’s leadership on climate change and welcomed his reflections on the concerning situation in the Amazon.

    British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed President Lula da Silva to Downing Street ahead of King Charles III Coronation on Saturday. The leaders discussed the great potential in the relationship between the UK and Brazil, including in health, research and development and technology.

  • Wednesday, May 10th 2023 - 10:37 UTC

    Foreign Secretary expected to launch new UK Overseas Territories Strategy at the JMC

    The Governor of the Falklands and Commissioner of South Georgia Alison Blake CMG and Teslyn Barkman, representing the Falklands Legislative Assembly

    Taking into account that most British Overseas Territories have sent representatives to London for the several days celebration of King Charles III Coronation, the Joint Ministerial Council which brings together UK Ministers and elected leaders of the OTs, will be taking place this week, May 11/12.

  • Wednesday, May 10th 2023 - 10:20 UTC

    Argentine Supreme Court halts provincial elections

    The CSJN's decision was “a clear interference in the democratic process and the autonomy of the provinces,” Fernández said

    Argentina's Supreme Court (CSJN) ordered the gubernatorial elections in the provinces of Tucumán and San Juan scheduled for this coming weekend halted after two candidates were believed to be in breach of local Constitutions that ban perpetual reelections.

  • Wednesday, May 10th 2023 - 10:17 UTC

    Chile: Boric enacts new anti-drug trafficking law

    “Chile will finally have a law that strengthens the prosecution of drug trafficking and organized crime,” Boric said

    Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font Tuesday signed into law the Anti-Drug Trafficking Bill changing the penal code for drug traffickers and tackling the money trail behind these operations.

  • Wednesday, May 10th 2023 - 10:11 UTC

    Trump found guilty of sexual assault in civil court

    The verdict is “the greatest witch hunt of all time,” Trump said

    Former US President Donald Trump has been found guilty of sexual assault and defamation against former journalist E. Jean Carroll in a trial by jury at a Manhattan federal civil court Tuesday.

  • Wednesday, May 10th 2023 - 10:07 UTC

    Ecuador: Congress to move on with President's impeachment trial

    It will be the first time in 44 years of democratic life in Ecuador that a president will face a possible impeachment

    Ecuador's President Guillermo Lasso might be removed from office after the National Assembly approved Tuesday by 88 votes in favor of a motion to call for his impeachment for the alleged crime of misappropriation of public funds, it was reported in Quito.