MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, October 19th 2025 - 04:14 UTC

Politics

  • Thursday, August 7th 2025 - 07:37 UTC

    Argentine opposition defies Milei, approves increased funding for public universities

    Milei has already pledged to veto any law that implies increased public spending. However, with key legislative elections approaching, the issue takes on added political weight

    Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies approved a bill on Wednesday to raise funding for public universities, with 158 votes in favor and 75 against. The measure, backed by the Peronist bloc and other opposition parties, marks a new legislative defeat for far-right President Javier Milei, who vetoed a similar initiative last year.

  • Wednesday, August 6th 2025 - 21:46 UTC

    Brazil: Opposition lawmakers stay the night in Congress

    Bolsonaro's followers want a broad amnesty plus De Moraes' impeachment

    Brazilian opposition lawmakers spent the night in both houses of Congress on Wednesday, which prevented work from resuming. Those who stayed through the wee hours of Thursday were relayed by some of their colleagues before dawn.

  • Wednesday, August 6th 2025 - 21:02 UTC

    Trump announces 50% tariffs on India for buying Russian oil

    Trump has threatened 100% tariffs on countries that continue business with Russia unless a major peace deal with Ukraine is achieved

    US President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed an additional 25% tariff on imports from India in reprisal for buying Russian oil, bringing the total surcharge to 50%. Washington claims Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Government was “fueling the war machine” by funding Russia's military deployment in Ukraine.

  • Wednesday, August 6th 2025 - 10:32 UTC

    Former Paraguayan President under probe for corruption

    The investigation against Abdo was prompted by a report on an Argentine website

    Paraguay's Public Prosecutor's Office has opened a criminal investigation into former President Mario Abdo Benítez and his wife, Silvana López Moreira, for the alleged concealment of assets. The investigation was prompted by reports from an Argentine outlet claiming that the former president had hidden assets in tax havens, such as the Seychelles.

  • Wednesday, August 6th 2025 - 09:39 UTC

    Uruguay's La Libertad Avanza garners enough signatures

    Quintana noted that Uruguay was a different country from Argentina, but they were both “dying from socialism”

    The Uruguayan version of La Libertad Avanza has successfully obtained the required signatures to be officially recognized as a political party by the Electoral Court. Led by Nicolás Quintana, the group will now have its statutes and principles published, and if no challenges are made within ten days, it will be eligible to participate in upcoming elections.

  • Wednesday, August 6th 2025 - 09:37 UTC

    Lula to invite Trump to COP30

    “A solid partnership is built on mutual benefits,” Lula emphasized

    Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva does not intend to discuss tariffs with his US colleague Donald Trump but will invite him to the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled for November in Belém.

  • Wednesday, August 6th 2025 - 07:20 UTC

    Falklands Government opens search for future Telecommunications provider

    FIG is seeking information in preparation for a potential tender (or licensing) process to design and carry out operations and future development of telecommunication and media services

    Following approval by Executive Council, the Falkland Islands Government (FIG) has opened an international search for future providers of telecommunications. This work, which relates to the period after the end of Sure’s current exclusive license, is being led by FIG’s appointed consultants, Cambridge Management Consulting.

  • Tuesday, August 5th 2025 - 21:46 UTC

    Ecuador's Constitutional Court blocks Noboa's initiatives

    The ruling is temporary, pending a final decision on the matter, so Noboa still stands a chance of applying them at a later time

    Ecuador's Constitutional Court has provisionally suspended several articles from three laws championed by President Daniel Noboa: the Organic Intelligence Law, the National Solidarity Law, and the Organic Law on Public Integrity. These norms had faced constitutional challenges from various organizations and opposition groups who argued that they violated fundamental rights.

  • Tuesday, August 5th 2025 - 21:26 UTC

    Uruguay's population projected to decline over time

    A smaller population could decrease housing demand in major cities like Montevideo

    A study released this week by Uruguay's National Institute of Statistics (INE) showed that the South American country's population will have dwindled by nearly half a million people by 2070, falling from approximately 3.49 million to 3 million, due primarily to a low birth rate, an aging population, and a net loss to emigration.

  • Tuesday, August 5th 2025 - 11:26 UTC

    Brazil turns to tea-drinking China to cushion 50% tariffs on coffee by US

    Per capita coffee consumption in China is still only 16 cups per year, compared to the global average of 240

    Amid new 50% tariffs on Brazilian coffee exports to the United States, China has authorized 183 Brazilian companies to export coffee to its domestic market. This move is seen as a way for Brazil to offset the economic impact. Jorge Viana, head of ApexBrasil, the country’s export promotion agency, called the agreement a “milestone for Brazil’s coffee sector.”