Politics

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:44 UTC

  “Lula won't last long,” Bolsonaro warns

  

  Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said Wednesday during a speech before a group of his followers in the US State of Florida that the current administration of President Luiz Inàcio Lula da Silva might have its days numbered.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:32 UTC

  Argentine opposition cries foul play in 2010 census

  

  Leaders of the Argentine opposition Together for Change (Juntos por el Cambio - JxC) coalition Wednesday argued that census data regarding the population of the La Matanza constituency in the province of Buenos Aires had been tampered with in 2010 to collect undue co-participation funds for the next 12 years.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:13 UTC

  Lira reelected Speaker of Brazil's Lower House by overwhelming majority

  

  Congressman Arthur Lira (PP-AL) was reelected Wednesday as Speaker of Brazil's Lower House for the next two years. It will be Lira's fourth term on the post after garnering a record 464 votes. The second most-voted candidate was Deputy Chico Alencar (PSOL-RJ) with 21 votes, followed by Deputy Marcel Van Hatten (Novo-RS) with 19 votes. There were also five blank votes.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:09 UTC

  Rodrigo Pacheco remains Senate Speaker in Brazil

  

  Brazilian Senator Rodrigo Pacheco (PSDB - MG) was reelected Wednesday by 49 votes against Rogerio Marinho's 32 to remain the Speaker of the South American country's Upper House, thus dealing a blow to the rightwing opposition loyal to former President Jair Bolsonaro.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:06 UTC

  Gen. Stevenazzi becomes new Uruguayan Army chief

  

  Gen. Mario Stevenazzi Wednesday took over from Gen. Gerardo Fregosi as head of Uruguay's Army during a ceremony at the Army headquarters in which Defense Minister Javier García praised the force's work during the Covid-19 pandemic and in other matters of national sovereignty.

• Thursday, February 2nd 2023 - 10:00 UTC

  Brazil's Dr Jarbas Barbosa elected as WHO Regional Director for the Americas

  

  The World Health Organization, WHO Executive Board, currently holding its 152nd meeting in Geneva, has appointed Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr. as Regional Director for the Americas effective February 2023.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 15:34 UTC

  Uruguayan soldier says he fights in Ukraine to “get value” out of his military experience

  

  Teddy, a 26-year-old Uruguayan soldier who has been fighting with the Ukrainian Army since the Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022, spoke to Uruguay’s Telenoche and told that he joined the war to “take advantage” of everything he learned in his military training.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 10:59 UTC

  South Africa in naval drills with BRICS associates, Russia and China; Argentina waiting to join the block

  

  South Africa confirmed plans to conduct joint naval drills with BRICS associates navies, Russia and China off its coast this month, from 17/27 February, next to the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 10:57 UTC

  Brazil's STF orders probe into crimes against indigenous communities

  

  Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Luís Roberto Barroso has ordered an investigation by the Attorney General of the Republic, the Military Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Justice and Public Safety, and the Regional Superintendence of the Federal Police of Roraima into the possible participation of officials of the Jair Bolsonaro government in crimes of genocide, disobedience, breach of judicial secrecy, and environmental offenses related to the life, health, and safety of several indigenous communities, Agencia Brasil reported Tuesday.

• Wednesday, February 1st 2023 - 10:45 UTC

  Venezuelan NGO denounces gov't targetting radio broadcasters

  

  The Venezuelan Non-Government Organization (NGO) Espacio Público reported the closure of 284 radio stations nationwide between 2003 and 2022 by the National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) and security forces. Broadcasters accounted for 71% of the media outlets put out of circulation under Chavism.