LatinNews Daily
LatinNews Daily - 22 May 2026
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- HONDURAS: Two massacres pile pressure on gov’t
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Dissident returns from exile in case study for Machado
- In brief: Bolivia’s labour minister replaced amid protests
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Top court provides boost to controversial Amazon railway project
- In brief: Brazil’s gov’t raises coffee harvest forecast
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: US supreme court rules on Cuba confiscation claims
Mexico
- MEXICO: Sheinbaum looks to smooth US security relations
- In brief: Moody’s downgrades Mexico’s state-run electricity firm
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: IMF disburses more funds
- In brief: Uruguay hails investment from Brazilian forestry firm
Publishing Note
- Publishing Note
On 21 May Honduras’ government led by President Nasry Asfura ordered a direct police (PNH) and military (FFAA) intervention in two municipalities, Trujillo (Colón department), and Omoa (Cortés department, which borders Guatemala), after two separate attacks left at least 25 people dead.
LatinNews Daily - 21 May 2026
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- CUBA: US escalates pressure on Havana, indicts Raúl Castro
Andean
- BOLIVIA/COLOMBIA: Ambassadors expelled over Petro comments
- In brief: Venezuela reports slower GDP growth in Q1
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Lula decrees tighter rules on big tech
- In brief: Brazil’s congress moves to weaken environmental checks
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Head of EU council pays unprecedented trip to Guatemala
Mexico
- MEXICO: US issues more sanctions against Cártel de Sinaloa
- In brief: Mexico downgraded by Moody’s
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Kast’s mega reform passes lower chamber
- In brief: Argentina’s trade surplus rises
On 20 May the US Department of Justice announced charges against Cuba’s former president Raúl Castro (2008-2018) and five others over the deadly 1996 shootdown of planes operated by humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue (BTTR) which killed three US citizens and one US national.
LatinNews Daily - 20 May 2026
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- BOLIVIA: US claims coup attempt underway against Paz
Andean
- In brief: Ecuador’s international reserves at record high
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Flávio Bolsonaro’s popularity sinks amid Banco Master revelations
- In brief: Brazil’s Lula launches credit line for ride-hailing and delivery drivers
Central America & Caribbean
- EL SALVADOR/HONDURAS: Governments respond to border incident
- In brief: Canada’s Sherritt suspends plan to dissolve Cuba operations
Mexico
- MEXICO: Controversial tourist megaproject halted
- In brief: General Motors announces new plans in Mexico
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Kast names new security minister, spokesperson
- In brief: Argentina announces bids on Paraguay-Paraná tender
On 19 May US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau expressed alarm about violent protests in Bolivia, which he described as an attempt to overthrow President Rodrigo Paz’s government.
LatinNews Daily - 19 May 2026
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- CUBA: US ramps up pressure, issues new round of sanctions
Andean
- BOLIVIA: Protests escalate in La Paz
- In brief: Saab charged with money laundering, disowned by Venezuela
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Lula insists on resource sovereignty
- In brief: Brazil’s economy activity sees monthly decline
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Panama’s inflation continues to rise
Mexico
- MEXICO: SHCP freezes accounts of accused Sinaloa officials
- In brief: Mexico’s flag carrier to resume flights to Venezuela
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Paraguay-Paraná bidding process advances to final stage
- In brief: Chile’s economic activity down in Q1
On 18 May the US government led by President Donald Trump announced it was blacklisting Cuba’s interior ministry (Minint), police (PNR), and intelligence agency (DGI), along with 11 Cuban officials.
LatinNews Daily - 18 May 2026
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- PERU: Final results confirm run-off between Fujimori and Sánchez
Andean
- In brief: Saab deported from Venezuela to US
Brazil
- BRAZIL: More pressure on Bolsonaro family over Banco Master scandal
- In brief: Brazil’s services sector posts another monthly decline
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Arévalo hails new chapter as new AG assumes post
- In brief: More foreign firms reportedly respond to US sanctions on Cuba
Mexico
- MEXICO: Former Sinaloa security chief surrenders to US authorities
- In brief: Mexican teachers’ union rejects salary rise
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Alvarado pursues new tack over mega reform
- In brief: Chile’s Kast announces investment in Atacama
Washington Watch
- More convictions in US over assassination of Haiti’s Moïse
On 17 May Peru’s national electoral tribunal (JNE) announced the final results of the 12 April first round of the presidential election, confirming that Roberto Sánchez will join Keiko Fujimori in the 7 June run-off.
LatinNews Daily - 15 May 2026
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- CUBA: CIA director visits Havana
Andean
- BOLIVIA: Social protests against Paz intensify
- In brief: Peru holds interest rates again
Brazil
- BRAZIL: More alleged associates of Banco Master CEO arrested
- In brief: Brazil projects record soybean harvest
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Remittances to Honduras slow in monthly terms
Mexico
- MEXICO: Investigation into murder of CDMX aides continues
- In brief: Sheinbaum names new Pemex CEO
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Kast appoints new Codelco leadership
- In brief: Argentina’s inflation slows
On 14 May John Ratcliffe, the head of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), visited Cuba’s capital, Havana.
LatinNews Daily - 14 May 2026
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- CUBA: Gov’t admits country has run out of fuel oil and diesel
Andean
- ECUADOR: Noboa talks security with Vance
- In brief: Venezuela announces debt restructuring process
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Flávio Bolsonaro denies wrongdoing over Banco Master ties
- In brief: Brazil’s retail sales rise in March
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Panama and Dominican Republic boost trade ties
Mexico
- MEXICO: Morena mends relations with allies ahead of midterms
- In brief: Mexico responds to S&P outlook downgrade
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Heat rises on Adorni as brother investigated
- In brief: Chile’s government seeks deeper ties with India
On 13 May Cuba’s Mining and Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said that Cuba had run out of fuel oil and diesel, and the country’s national energy grid was in a “critical” state.
LatinNews Daily - 13 May 2026
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- PERU: Sánchez faces possible corruption trial
Andean
- In brief: Profits and production down at Colombia’s Ecopetrol
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Lula launches anti-organised crime initiative
- In brief: Brazil’s inflation slows in monthly terms
Central America & Caribbean
- BAHAMAS: Davis wins rare re-election
- In brief: Cuba adjusts fuel prices amid US oil blockade
Mexico
- MEXICO: Authorities reject report of lethal CIA campaign
- In brief: Industrial production down in Mexico
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Hundreds of thousands protest against university cuts
- In brief: Analysts lower growth forecast in Chile
On 12 May Peruvian media revealed that prosecutors are seeking a corruption trial for left-wing presidential candidate Roberto Sánchez, who is poised to win a place in the election’s 7 June second round as the vote count from the 12 April first round nears completion.
LatinNews Daily - 12 May 2026
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- CUBA: Speculation over reports of US military surveillance flights
Andean
- VENEZUELA/GUYANA: Rodríguez defends Essequibo claim at The Hague
- In brief: Head of Colombia’s state oil company charged with electoral offences
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Pressure rises on Bolsonaro’s son
- In brief: Brazil’s Petrobras posts quarterly rise, yearly drop in profits
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Honduras and IMF reach new staff-level agreement
Mexico
- MEXICO: Texas incident raises concerns over migrant safety
- In brief: Mexico-EU trade deal authorised by European Council
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Milei faces protest march
- In brief: Paraguay’s income inequality edges down
On 11 May United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said “there is no military solution that can be sought for Cuba” following reports of US military intelligence-gathering flights.
LatinNews Daily - 11 May 2026
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- COSTA RICA: Fernández takes office
Andean
- BOLIVIA: Morales announces march on La Paz as his trial begins
- In brief: Andean Community demands end to Ecuador-Colombia trade war
Brazil
- BRAZIL: STF justice suspends law that could cut Bolsonaro’s jail time
- In brief: Brazil’s vehicle production down in monthly terms, up year-on-year
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Remittances to Guatemala slow in monthly terms
Mexico
- MEXICO: More tensions as Madrid leader abandons trip
- In brief: Mexico reports job creation in April
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Top court weighs in on Kast’s mega reform
- In brief: Inflation accelerates in Chile
Washington Watch
- Alarm over US revocation of visas for board of Costa Rican newspaper
On 8 May Laura Fernández, of the right-wing Partido Pueblo Soberano (PPSO), took office as Costa Rica’s president for a four-year term.
LatinNews Daily - 08 May 2026
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- BRAZIL: Lula and Trump seek to ease tensions
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Death in custody creates human rights test for Rodríguez
- In brief: Bolivia raises funds with bond sale
Brazil
- In brief: Prominent Brazilian senator targeted in Banco Master probe
Central America & Caribbean
- CUBA: US announces new sanctions as Sherritt halts operations
- In brief: El Salvador’s investigative media outlet El Faro slams asset freeze
Mexico
- MEXICO: US to review consulates
- In brief: Mexico’s central bank cuts interest rates as inflation slows
Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: Peña deepens ties with Taiwan
- In brief: Industrial production and construction rise in Argentina
On 7 May Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with US President Donald Trump in the White House, where they discussed areas of bilateral interest such as trade, mining, and efforts to tackle organised crime.
LatinNews Daily - 07 May 2026
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- PERU: López Aliaga leads protest against alleged electoral fraud
Andean
- In brief: Ecuador’s gov’t makes second foray into bond markets
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Critical minerals bill makes progress in congress
- In brief: Brazil buys US dollars to stabilise currency fluctuations
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Pressure grows over imprisoned indigenous leaders
- In brief: Dominican Republic and Ecuador to start trade talks
Mexico
- MEXICO: Investigation into Chihuahua drug lab continues
- In brief: GFCF continues to fall in Mexico
Southern Cone
- CHILE: More setbacks for Kast’s mega reform
- In brief: Chevron to launch new investment in Argentina
On 6 May the Peruvian far-right presidential candidate Rafael López Aliaga (Renovación Popular, RP) repeated his claims of fraud as the vote count continues following the 12 April election.
LatinNews Daily - 06 May 2026
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- GUATEMALA: Arévalo ends speculation, names new AG
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Door opened to debt restructuring
- In brief: Roads blocked in Bolivia amid fuel protests
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Authorities respond to school shooting
- In brief: Brazil’s central bank maintains cautious tone on rate cuts
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Panama’s gov’t hails banana sector recovery
Mexico
- MEXICO: Madrid leader causes a stir
- In brief: Mexico, US agree measures to address aviation concerns
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Federal legal challenge against glacier law reform
- In brief: Inflation rises in Uruguay
On 5 May Guatemala’s President Bernardo Arévalo named Gabriel Estuardo García Luna, a former judge and professor serving as an adviser to the procurator general’s office (PGN), as Guatemala’s new attorney general (AG).
LatinNews Daily - 05 May 2026
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- CUBA: Trump ramps up sanctions and rhetoric
Andean
- ECUADOR/COLOMBIA: Quito eases trade war as curfews begin
- In brief: Venezuela’s gov’t backtracks on minimum wage announcement
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Lula relaunches debt relief programme to boost popularity
- In brief: Brazil posts record oil and gas production figures
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Mining project suspended in Dominican Republic
Mexico
- MEXICO: Sinaloa governor steps aside amid US allegations
- In brief: Remittances up in Mexico
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Gov’t backtracks following censorship accusations
- In brief: Chile’s economic activity continues to fall year-on-year
On 1 May US President Donald Trump threatened military force against Cuba and signed an executive order which expands economic sanctions on the island.
LatinNews Daily - 01 May 2026
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- VENEZUELA: Direct flights to US resumed after seven-year pause
Andean
- In brief: Interest rate hikes paused in Colombia
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Congress overturns veto on bill to cut prison time for Bolsonaro
- In brief: Brazil’s unemployment rises in quarterly terms
Central America & Caribbean
- ANTIGUA & BARBUDA: Browne wins fourth term
- In brief: Honduras leaves CCJ to save costs
Mexico
- MEXICO: Sheinbaum says proof needed for US charges against officials
- In brief: Mexico posts GDP decline in first quarter of 2026
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: CGT stages protest rally
- In brief: Uruguay announces fuel price rise
Publishing Note
- Publishing Note
On 30 April direct commercial flights resumed between Venezuela and the US for the first time since 2019, with both countries hailing this as a sign of improved relations.