LatinNews Daily
LatinNews Daily - 28 March 2024
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- COLOMBIA/ARGENTINA: Colombia expels Argentine diplomatic staff
Andean
- In brief: Unemployment ticks up in Colombia
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Brazil and France hail cooperation on defence technology
- In brief: Brazil’s net job creation up in February
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: Pastors convicted amid ongoing crackdown
- In brief: Growth forecast raised in Dominican Republic
Mexico
- MEXICO: Beijing endorses López Obrador’s position on steel tariffs
- In brief: Mexico hails drop in trade deficit
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Confusion over public sector job losses
- In brief: Poverty up in Argentina
Publishing Note
- Publishing Note
On 27 March Colombia’s foreign ministry announced that Argentine diplomatic staff will be expelled from the country following insults against President Gustavo Petro from Argentina’s President Javier Milei, who called Petro a “murderous terrorist”.
LatinNews Daily - 27 March 2024
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- VENEZUELA: PUD manages to register a candidate
Andean
- In brief: Bolivia inaugurates first biodiesel plant
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Lula boosts joint climate action with France’s Macron
- In brief: Brazil to boost tax credits for electric vehicle manufacturers
Central America & Caribbean
- HAITI: Presidential transition council in limbo
- In brief: Guyana inks solar plants deal with Chinese firm
Mexico
- MEXICO: Opposition accuses López Obrador of electoral meddling
- In brief: Mexico still seeking alternatives to herbicide glyphosate
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Fighter jet purchase confirmed
- In brief: Argentina’s economic activity falls
On 26 March Venezuela’s opposition coalition Plataforma Unitaria Democrática (PUD) announced that it had been able to register Edmundo González as its presidential candidate in the 28 July election, after being unable to register Corina Yoris – herself a replacement for the disqualified María Corina Machado.
LatinNews Daily - 26 March 2024
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- GUATEMALA: Arévalo meets Biden
Andean
- VENEZUELA: PUD unable to register candidate as deadline passes
- In brief: Peru’s mining exports rise in annual terms
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Police to probe Bolsonaro’s stay at Hungarian embassy
- In brief: Spanish firm to expand major airport in Brazil
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Panama hails WB environmental loan
Mexico
- MEXICO: US court issues gun-trafficking ruling
- In brief: Mexico’s Banxico head signals caution over interest rate cut
Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: China rebukes Peña over soya claims
- In brief: Argentina’s external debt rises
On 25 March Guatemala’s President Bernardo Arévalo met US President Joe Biden at the White House.
LatinNews Daily - 25 March 2024
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- VENEZUELA: Opposition PUD names new candidate, replacing Machado
Andean
- In brief: Colombia lowers interest rates
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Suspected masterminds of Marielle Franco murder detained
- In brief: Brazil’s gov’t blocks spending to meet fiscal target
Central America & Caribbean
- PANAMA: Gov’t highlights surge in Darién crossings
- In brief: Nicaragua claims strong growth
Mexico
- MEXICO: Mass kidnapping in Culiacán highlights violence concerns
- In brief: Mexico’s inflation ticks up
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Milei courts controversy over dictatorship
- In brief: Taiwan authorises tariff exemptions for Paraguayan pork
Washington Watch
- US slaps arms restrictions on Nicaragua
On 22 March Venezuela’s opposition coalition Plataforma Unitaria Democrática (PUD) announced that it will put forward Corina Yoris as its candidate in the 28 July presidential election – replacing María Corina Machado, who has been barred from holding public office.
LatinNews Daily - 22 March 2024
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- HAITI: UN hails finalisation of presidential transition council
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Candidates begin to register amid opposition uncertainty
- In brief: Ecuador’s congress returns 2024 budget to Noboa
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Lula pushes green goals but appeases big farming
- In brief: Brazil’s gov’t projects annual contraction in farming
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: El Salvador hails strong growth
Mexico
- MEXICO: Mexico reaches repatriation agreement with Venezuela
- In brief: Mexico’s Banxico cuts interest rates
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Gov't proposes giving military public security role
- In brief: Paraguay lowers interest rates again
On 21 March the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed reports that Haitian stakeholders have all nominated candidates to a transitional presidential council in Haiti.
LatinNews Daily - 21 March 2024
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- VENEZUELA: Condemnation mounts as another Machado ally arrested
Andean
- In brief: Bolivia’s natural gas revenue falls in 2023
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Marielle Franco murder investigation progresses
- In brief: Brazil’s central bank cuts interest rate again
Central America & Caribbean
- HAITI: Violence continues to escalate
- In brief: IMF announces release of more funds for Suriname
Mexico
- MEXICO: Local Los Chapitos leader killed in Sonora
- In brief: Mexico joins plastic reduction initiative
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Milei names supreme court picks
- In brief: Argentina’s GDP contracts
On 20 March Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced the arrest of Henry Alviárez, the national coordinator for Vente Venezuela (VV) – the party of María Corina Machado, the chosen presidential candidate for the Venezuelan opposition coalition Plataforma Unitaria Democrática (PUD).
LatinNews Daily - 20 March 2024
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- BRAZIL: Police recommend first criminal charges against Bolsonaro
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Clan del Golfo accepts Petro’s offer of negotiations
- In brief: Ecuador’s Conaie warns of ‘uprising’ against mining
Brazil
- In brief: Brazilian petrochemicals giant Braskem posts net losses
Central America & Caribbean
- HAITI: Edging towards a presidential transition council
- In brief: New initiative to address food insecurity in Guatemala
Mexico
- MEXICO: Gov’t slams Texas immigration law
- In brief: Mexico hails new investment announcements
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Armed forces deployed to Rosario
- In brief: Argentina’s trade surplus widens
On 19 March Brazil’s federal police (PF) filed a report which recommended criminal charges against former president Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2023) in relation to an alleged scheme to falsify coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine certification.
LatinNews Daily - 19 March 2024
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- CUBA: Tensions rise with US over protests
Andean
- PERU: Another investigation opened into Boluarte
- In brief: Peru highlights investment opportunities from planned port
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Dengue case numbers break national record
- In brief: Brazil’s economic activity rises in January
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Guatemala and US boost economic ties
Mexico
- MEXICO: Police attacked in Michoacán
- In brief: Mexico’s Pemex projects greater production
Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: Abdo Benítez strikes back
- In brief: Chile records weak economic growth in 2023
On 18 March Cuba’s foreign ministry (Minrex) summoned US chargé d’affaires Benjamin Ziff and handed him a formal protest note accusing the US of interfering in domestic affairs.
LatinNews Daily - 18 March 2024
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- COLOMBIA: Furore over Petro’s call for constituent assembly
Andean
- In brief: VAT increase in Ecuador
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Ex-commanders implicate Bolsonaro in alleged coup plot
- In brief: Brazil’s net job creation up in January
Central America & Caribbean
- CUBA: Rare protests as economic and energy situation worsens
- In brief: US announces more funding for Haiti
Mexico
- MEXICO: Ayotzinapa protests continue in Guerrero
- In brief: Private consumption up in Mexico
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Police chief resigns amid scandal
- In brief: Argentina records second consecutive monthly budget surplus
Washington Watch
- Venezuela slams extension of US emergency declaration
On 15 March Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro suggested that a constituent assembly could be convened with the power to modify the constitution.
LatinNews Daily - 15 March 2024
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- ARGENTINA: Milei suffers senate setback
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Leading Tren de Aragua suspect arrested in Spain
- In brief: Peru’s trade surplus grows
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Marielle Franco case transferred to supreme court
- In brief: Brazil’s retails sales rise in January
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: TSE magistrates face trial
- In brief: Panama hails departure from EU grey list
Mexico
- MEXICO: Officials sacked in Guerrero over Ayotzinapa killing
- In brief: Mexico’s Banxico warns of ‘weakening’ regional economies
Southern Cone
- In brief: Argentina updates anti-money laundering legislation
On 14 March Argentina’s senate voted to strike down a decree of necessity and urgency (DNU) issued by President Javier Milei shortly after he took office last December deregulating broad swathes of the economy.
LatinNews Daily - 14 March 2024
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- PANAMA: Second presidential debate marked by key absence
Andean
- PERU: Congress applies pressure on Boluarte
- In brief: New survey highlights Venezuela poverty
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Proposal to toughen drug laws clears key hurdle
- In brief: Brazil seeks to boost domestic fertiliser production
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: EU and Honduras sign forest protection agreement
Mexico
- MEXICO: Police arrested over Ayotzinapa student killing
- In brief: Mexico’s Cemex upgraded
Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: Concerns over independence of prosecutor’s office
- In brief: Argentina downgraded on debt swap
On 13 March a second presidential debate ahead of Panama’s 5 May general elections took place.
LatinNews Daily - 13 March 2024
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- COLOMBIA: New attorney general elected
Andean
- In brief: Venezuela’s oil production rises
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Hostage incident in Rio heightens security concerns
- In brief: Education drives rise in monthly inflation in Brazil
Central America & Caribbean
- HAITI: Kenya-led international security mission back in limbo
- In brief: Costa Rica’s public works minister dismissed
Mexico
- MEXICO: Protests intensify in Guerrero over Ayotzinapa killing
- In brief: Industrial production up in Mexico
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Gov’t responds to Rosario violence
- In brief: Argentina’s monthly inflation continues to ease
On 12 March Colombia’s supreme court elected Luz Adriana Camargo as the new attorney general, ending weeks of gridlock over the issue.
LatinNews Daily - 12 March 2024
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- HAITI: PM Henry to step down
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Capriles calls on Machado to step aside
- In brief: Ecuador’s mining exports reach annual record
Brazil
- BRAZIL: São Paulo mayoral race narrows
- In brief: Brazil’s gov’t discusses Petrobras dividends concerns
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: US unveils Panama humanitarian donation
Mexico
- MEXICO: Presidential candidates sign peace agreement
- In brief: Mexico posts annual rise in international tourism
Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: Abdo Benítez accused of crimes to discredit Cartes
- In brief: Argentina launches mega debt swap
On 11 March Haiti’s prime minister, Ariel Henry, announced that he will resign once a new presidential transitional council is sworn in.
LatinNews Daily - 11 March 2024
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- HONDURAS: Former president Hernández convicted in US
Andean
- COLOMBIA: EMC reaches agreement on ‘territorial transformations’
- In brief: Inflation drops in Venezuela
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Bolsonaro banned from military events amid coup plot probe
- In brief: Brazil and Germany boost climate finance cooperation
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Nicaragua’s international reserves up
Mexico
- MEXICO: State police investigated over killing of Ayotzinapa student
- In brief: Mexico records annual increase in air travel
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Milei blames ‘caste’ for wage increase
- In brief: Annual inflation rises in Chile
Washington Watch
- Mexico, Guatemala, and US hold trilateral migration meeting
On 8 March a US federal court convicted Honduras’ former president Juan Orlando Hernández (Partido Nacional, PN, 2014-2022), on three drug and weapons-related counts.
LatinNews Daily - 08 March 2024
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- PERU: Congress escalates assault on judiciary
Andean
- In brief: Annual inflation falls in Colombia
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Diplomatic gaffes contribute to drop in Lula’s approval
- In brief: Brazil’s Petrobras posts drop in net profit
Central America & Caribbean
- CUBA: Probe launched into former economy minister
- In brief: UN climate fund ends Nicaragua agreement
Mexico
- MEXICO: Tensions mount over Ayotzinapa protests
- In brief: Mexico’s inflation rate falls
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Governors willing but wary
- In brief: Argentina’s YPF announces major investment
On 7 March Peru’s congress voted to impeach two members of the country’s seven-member judicial oversight body (JNJ), which has become the frontline in a power struggle between congress and the judiciary.
LatinNews Daily - 07 March 2024
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- HAITI: Pressure grows on Henry to step down
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Thousands march against Petro
- In brief: New prime minister appointed in Peru
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Conservative justices vote against cannabis decriminalisation
- In brief: Brazil’s monthly trade surplus up year-on-year
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Honduras denounces World Bank arbitration body
Mexico
- MEXICO: Ayotzinapa protests escalate
- In brief: Vehicle sales, exports, and production rise in Mexico
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Gov’t cracks down on prisoners
- In brief: Pension reform enters Chile’s senate
On 6 March the United Nations (UN) Security Council (UNSC) held a private meeting on Haiti.
LatinNews Daily - 06 March 2024
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- VENEZUELA: Election date announced
Andean
- In brief: Peru’s prime minister resigns
Brazil
- BRAZIL: São Paulo declares dengue emergency
- In brief: Japanese carmaker Toyota boosts investment in Brazil
Central America & Caribbean
- HAITI: Henry re-emerges in Puerto Rico as gangs consolidate control
- In brief: Report highlights dire state of Honduran public hospitals
Mexico
- MEXICO: Gov’t responds to candidate protection requests
- In brief: Job creation down year-on-year in Mexico
Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: Colorados seek to dispel controversy
- In brief: Uruguay’s inflation edges down
On 5 March Venezuela’s national electoral council (CNE) announced that the presidential election will take place on 28 July.
LatinNews Daily - 05 March 2024
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- PERU: Investigation opened into prime minister following audio leaks
Andean
- In brief: Ecuador’s country risk falls
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Death of indigenous activist stokes questions
- In brief: Brazil’s gov’t seeks to regulate gig economy
Central America & Caribbean
- PANAMA: TE strikes down Martinelli’s candidacy
- In brief: Flights to Haiti cancelled as gangs try to seize control of airport
Mexico
- MEXICO: Presidential candidates hone in on security
- In brief: GFCF in Mexico increases in yearly terms
Southern Cone
- URUGUAY: Opposition FA swings into campaign mode
- In brief: Chile’s Codelco acquires lithium company
On 4 March Peru’s attorney general’s office opened a preliminary investigation into Prime Minister Alberto Otárola, who is under mounting pressure over allegations that he improperly offered a job to a young woman with whom he had a relationship.
LatinNews Daily - 04 March 2024
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- ARGENTINA: Milei makes overture to governors while rebuking congress
Andean
- ECUADOR: Noboa reaches 100-day mark with surging popularity ratings
- In brief: Energy firm Gunvor fined in Switzerland over Ecuador bribes
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Former army chief testifies on alleged coup plot
- In brief: Brazil’s GDP growth shows little annual variation
Central America & Caribbean
- HAITI: State of emergency declared after thousands escape from prison
- In brief: Dominican Republic maintains interest rates
Mexico
- MEXICO: Another candidate killed amid electoral violence concerns
- In brief: Remittances up in yearly terms in Mexico
Southern Cone
- In brief: Chile registers rise in economic activity
Washington Watch
- Blinken visits Milei, Lula
On 1 March Argentina’s President Javier Milei made a much-anticipated appearance to open the new session of congress, an institution which he recently branded a “nest of rats” and with which he has been locked in an acrimonious struggle since he took office last December.
LatinNews Daily - 01 March 2024
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- GUATEMALA: Government moves against AG
Andean
- BOLIVIA: Tensions escalate in congress
- In brief: Unemployment falls in Colombia
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Gov’t sets up permanent base to support Yanomami
- In brief: Brazilian-Chinese consortium wins São Paulo rail contract
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Remittances to Nicaragua rise
Mexico
- MEXICO: Show of unity for Morena as campaigns begin
- In brief: Mexico’s unemployment rate edges down
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Former president Fernández accused of corruption
- In brief: Modernised EU-Chile trade deal advances
On 29 February Guatemala’s new government led by President Bernardo Arévalo filed a criminal complaint for “breach of duties” against attorney general María Consuelo Porras, calling for her to be stripped of her immunity from prosecution.