LatinNews Daily
LatinNews Daily - 28 March 2025
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- VENEZUELA/GUYANA: Foreign minister defiant over Essequibo dispute
Andean
- In brief: IMF hails Peru’s strong recovery
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Central bank signals bleaker economic outlook
- In brief: Brazil’s monthly primary deficit shrinks year-on-year
Central America & Caribbean
- PANAMA: Martinelli granted safe passage to Nicaragua
- In brief: CAF approves new Honduras loan
Mexico
- MEXICO: Gov’t responds to US automobile tariffs
- In brief: Mexico’s Banxico continues interest rate cuts
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Caputo reveals size of IMF deal
- In brief: Argentina’s external debt drops
On 27 March Venezuela’s foreign minister Yván Gil rejected comments made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who warned that Venezuela would be making a “big mistake” if it decided to launch a military attack on Guyana, its eastern neighbour.
LatinNews Daily - 27 March 2025
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- BRAZIL: Bolsonaro to stand trial over coup allegations
Andean
- PERU: Fujimori’s party facing new legal threat
- In brief: National emergency declared in Bolivia due to heavy rains
Brazil
- In brief: Brazil’s current account deficit widens in February
Central America & Caribbean
- EL SALVADOR: Bukele hosts top US security official
- In brief: Rubio reaffirms ties with Jamaica on Caribbean tour
Mexico
- MEXICO: Authorities arrest more US targets
- In brief: Mexico’s car lobby highlights uncertainty over US tariffs
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Opposition fails in another impeachment attempt
- In brief: Pensions and child benefits increased in Argentina
On 26 March a panel of five justices on Brazil’s supreme court (STF) ruled in favour of holding a trial for former president Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2023) and some of his allies who have been accused of plotting of military coup in 2022.
LatinNews Daily - 26 March 2025
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- PERU: Boluarte convenes elections for April 2026
Andean
- In brief: Three new port terminals planned in Peruvian Amazon
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Top court begins review of Bolsonaro coup charges
- In brief: Brazil’s gov’t seeks to boost farming exports to Japan
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: Murillo named co-head of military
- In brief: El Salvador’s congress approves new IDB loan
Mexico
- MEXICO: Congress upholds immunity on rape charges
- In brief: Mexico’s Ebrard continues US trade negotiations
Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: Gov’t faces slew of protest action
- In brief: Argentina boosts ties with France
On 25 March Peru’s President Dina Boluarte announced that general elections will be held on 12 April 2026.
LatinNews Daily - 25 March 2025
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- VENEZUELA: Trump announces secondary tariffs on oil clients
Andean
- In brief: New interior minister appointed in Peru
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Pressure rising on high-profile Bolsonarista lawmaker
- In brief: Brazilian airline Gol secures exit financing deal
Central America & Caribbean
- DOMINICAN REPUBLIC/HAITI: Abinader gov’t rejects racism claims
- In brief: Honduras announces new China cooperation
Mexico
- MEXICO: Key arrest in Teuchitlán case
- In brief: Mexico’s economic activity down in January
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Milei bids to reframe dictatorship
- In brief: Chile’s central bank revises up GDP forecast
On 24 March US President Donald Trump signed an executive order authorising tariffs of 25% on US imports from countries that purchase Venezuelan oil.
LatinNews Daily - 24 March 2025
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- ECUADOR: Noboa and González square off in fiery debate
Andean
- In brief: Venezuelan public sector workers put on reduced hours
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Civil society groups raise alarm on water scarcity
- In brief: Brazil’s Rousseff re-elected Brics bank chief
Central America & Caribbean
- REGION: US ends legal status for Cubans, Haitians, and other migrants
- In brief: Panama unions stage strike
Mexico
- MEXICO: Gov’t faces further criticism over ‘extermination camp’
- In brief: Mexico’s auto assembly sector attracts record FDI in 2024
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: US sanctions Cristina Fernández
- In brief: Chile holds interest rates
Washington Watch
- Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act against Venezuela’s TdA
On 23 March Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa faced leftist challenger Luisa González in a televised debate that started the campaign for the 13 April presidential run-off election.
LatinNews Daily - 21 March 2025
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- PERU: Congress tightens screws on gov’t over crime wave
Andean
- In brief: New finance minister confirmed in Colombia
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Congress approves overdue 2025 budget
- In brief: Brazil’s industrial innovation rate continues to drop
Central America & Caribbean
- HONDURAS: Army denies electoral cover-up
- In brief: Nicaragua reports slower GDP growth in 2024
Mexico
- MEXICO: Arrests made in relation to Querétaro massacre
- In brief: Mexico’s Sheinbaum unveils new investment
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Opposition boycotts pension reform signing
- In brief: Argentina’s unemployment rate down in quarterly terms
On 20 March pressure continued to mount on the government of Peru’s President Dina Boluarte over organised crime, with a motion presented in congress to summon Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén to testify on the government’s response.
LatinNews Daily - 20 March 2025
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- ARGENTINA: Lower chamber approves IMF decree amid protests
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Maduro promises migration cooperation following US threat
- In brief: Two pipelines attacked in Colombia
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Central bank suggests slowing rate hike cycle
- In brief: Brazil’s gov’t expects growth in agriculture to recover in 2025
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Arévalo hit by vehicle insurance protests
- In brief: IMF upbeat on Dominican growth
Mexico
- MEXICO: AG denounces failings in Teuchitlán investigation
- In brief: Mexico’s Sheinbaum announces solar panel initiative
Southern Cone
- In brief: Argentina’s trade surplus up in February
On 19 March Argentina’s lower chamber of congress approved a controversial decree of necessity and urgency (DNU) authorising a new agreement between the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) while large anti-government protests took place outside congress.
LatinNews Daily - 19 March 2025
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- COLOMBIA: Petro loses another finance minister
Andean
- In brief: Ecuador’s exports up in January
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Bolsonaro’s son moves to US claiming persecution
- In brief: Brazil’s gov’t seeks to broaden income tax exemptions
Central America & Caribbean
- COSTA RICA: Chaves takes further aim at attorney general
- In brief: Panama’s Mulino promulgates social security reform
Mexico
- MEXICO: Senior MS-13 leader captured
- In brief: Mexico’s gov’t downplays recession concerns
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Tensions build as more protests loom
- In brief: Chile records GDP growth in 2024
On 18 March Colombia’s Finance Minister Diego Guevara announced his resignation, in another setback for President Gustavo Petro whose supporters took to the streets yesterday to protest the archiving of his labour reform bill in the senate.
LatinNews Daily - 18 March 2025
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- VENEZUELA: Anger at US deportations to El Salvador
Andean
- In brief: Opening of Peru’s new international airport delayed again
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Right-wing party backs governors’ presidential prospects
- In brief: Brazil posts rise in economic activity
Central America & Caribbean
- EL SALVADOR: Gov’t downplays journalist’s flight
- In brief: Remittances to Honduras continue to rise
Mexico
- MEXICO: Sheinbaum tackles enforced disappearance crisis
- In brief: Mexico bans planting of genetically modified corn
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Head of congress resigns over corruption allegations
- In brief: Argentina’s fiscal surplus shrinks
On 17 March Venezuela’s government and opposition both criticised the previous day’s deportation of alleged Venezuelan criminals from the US to a prison in El Salvador.
LatinNews Daily - 17 March 2025
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- EL SALVADOR: US deports Tren de Aragua suspects to El Salvador jail
Andean
- PERU: New emergency measures announced following singer’s murder
- In brief: Peru’s economic output up in January
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Bolsonaro seeks support for 8 January rioter amnesty
- In brief: Brazil’s primary surplus rises in January
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: FQM to suspend arbitration proceedings against Panama
Mexico
- MEXICO: Pressure rises on gov’t over ‘extermination camp’
- In brief: Mexico’s Sheinbaum inaugurates water treatment plant in Tabasco
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Divisions on left and right ahead of elections
- In brief: Argentina’s annual inflation rate continues to decline
Washington Watch
- US congratulates new OAS Secretary General-elect Ramdin
On 16 March 238 alleged members of the Venezuelan criminal organisation, Tren de Aragua (TdA), arrived in El Salvador from the US, and were immediately transferred to the ‘Terrorism Containment Centre’ (Cecot), a 40,000-capacity mega prison.
LatinNews Daily - 14 March 2025
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- PANAMA: Unions warn of action as social security reform approved
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Resumption of deportation flights agreed with US
- In brief: Interest rate held steady in Peru
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Top court sets date to discuss Bolsonaro coup case
- In brief: Slight monthly slump for Brazil’s services sector
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Honduras’ economic activity picks up
Mexico
- MEXICO: Rubio welcomes collaboration but wants more
- In brief: Industrial production declines in Mexico
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: CGT announces strike as pressure mounts on Milei
- In brief: Road improvement plan announced in Paraguay
On 13 March Panama’s 71 member-unicameral legislature approved legislative bill 163 which reforms the country’s social security system (CSS).
LatinNews Daily - 13 March 2025
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- ARGENTINA: Pensions protest turns violent
Andean
- PERU: Congress moves to tighten control over NGOs
- In brief: Ecuador’s Noboa presents economic reactivation plan
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Latest inflation figures deal blow to Lula
- In brief: Brazilian think tank warns of US tariff impacts
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Gov’t hails arrest of country’s most wanted fugitive
- In brief: US aviation authority extends Haiti ban
Mexico
- MEXICO: More ‘extermination camps’ found
- In brief: Mexico delays response to US steel and aluminium tariffs
Southern Cone
- In brief: Chile reports rise in exports
On 12 March a protest of pensioners against austerity descended into violence in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires as the retirees were joined by members of football ultras and security forces violently repressed the demonstration.
LatinNews Daily - 12 March 2025
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- COLOMBIA: Petro announces referendum on labour and health reforms
Andean
- In brief: Ecuador’s gov’t unveils compensation amid heavy rains
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Lula reaffirms support for industrial sector
- In brief: Authorities suspend operations of Brazilian airline Voepass
Central America & Caribbean
- HONDURAS: CNE tensions escalate over chaotic primaries
- In brief: Remittances to Dominican Republic rise
Mexico
- MEXICO: Trade war increases risk of recession
- In brief: World Bank identifies policy areas to reduce poverty in Mexico
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Milei’s IMF decree under fire
- In brief: Shell and Chevron join Argentine pipeline project
On 11 March Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro announced that he will call a referendum so that voters can decide whether to implement his government’s proposed reforms of labour and the healthcare system, which are facing stiff opposition in congress.
LatinNews Daily - 11 March 2025
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- HONDURAS: Presidential race takes shape
Andean
- ECUADOR: Gov’t hails drop in homicides
- In brief: Dollar shortage hits fuel supply in Bolivia
Brazil
- BRAZIL: COP30 president’s letter omits oil concerns
- In brief: Brazil’s poultry exports up in yearly terms
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Prominent Guatemalan journalist returned to prison
Mexico
- MEXICO: ‘Extermination camp’ found in Jalisco state
- In brief: Mexico gov’t on defensive over Vulcan Materials dispute
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Double resignation damages Boric
- In brief: Milei decree moves Argentina closer to new IMF deal
On 10 March preliminary results from Honduras’ 9 March primaries indicated that Defence Minister Rixi Moncada would be the presidential candidate for the ruling leftist Partido Libertad y Refundación (Libre), ahead of 30 November general elections.
LatinNews Daily - 10 March 2025
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- COLOMBIA: Security personnel taken hostage in Cauca
Andean
- In brief: Inflation picks up in Colombia
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Lula boosted by strong GDP figures
- In brief: Brazil posts trade deficit in February
Central America & Caribbean
- HAITI: New head of transitional presidential council
- In brief: Cuba imposes price caps on rice and beans
Mexico
- MEXICO: Sheinbaum celebrates tariff ‘pause’
- In brief: Mexico’s annual inflation picks up
Southern Cone
- URUGUAY: Orsi concludes cabinet inauguration
- In brief: Chile’s inflation slows
Washington Watch
- Venezuela threatens to end migration cooperation with US
On 7 March Colombia’s Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez denounced the “kidnapping” of 29 members of the security forces the previous day in the southwestern department of Cauca.
LatinNews Daily - 7 March 2025
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- MEXICO: US tariff ‘pause’ a big win for Sheinbaum
Andean
- GUYANA/VENEZUELA: Guyana turns to the ICJ over Venezuela
- In brief: Health reform clears Colombia’s lower chamber
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Gov’t to slash tariffs on food imports
- In brief: Brazil’s central bank tightens regulation of digital payments
Central America & Caribbean
- HONDURAS: More alarm over electoral violence ahead of primaries
- In brief: Costa Rica’s unemployment edges up
Mexico
- In brief: Mexico’s labour productivity dips in quarterly terms
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Milei challenges congress over IMF deal
- In brief: Investigation opened into power outage in Argentina
On 6 March Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said that after an “excellent and respectful” telephone call with her US counterpart Donald Trump, the US government had agreed to halt and postpone a blanket 25% import tariff on Mexican products.
LatinNews Daily - 6 March 2025
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- MEXICO: Business groups support Sheinbaum in tariff battle
Andean
- ECUADOR: Top court calls for route out of state of exception
- In brief: Ecuador’s Noboa demands prompt payment for oilfield deal
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Carmakers’ association raises alarm on Chinese imports
- In brief: Brazilian market experts maintain inflation forecast
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Revocation of Zamora’s house arrest draws concern
- In brief: Third Haiti airport opens for international flights
Mexico
- In brief: Mexico’s GFCF down in December
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Milei’s spokesperson gives time frame for IMF deal
- In brief: Uruguay’s inflation edges up in annual terms
On 5 March Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum met with 40 Mexican business leaders to discuss how to respond to the crisis in trade with the US, following the imposition of 25% tariffs on Mexican products by the administration of President Donald Trump.
LatinNews Daily - 5 March 2025
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- PERU: Castillo’s trial gets underway
Andean
- In brief: Chevron given deadline to wind down Venezuela operations
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Deadly police clash in Bahia
- In brief: China suspends beef imports from three plants in Brazil
Central America & Caribbean
- PANAMA: US-led group buys Panama Canal ports
- In brief: El Salvador’s Bukele unwavering on bitcoin
Mexico
- MEXICO: Anti-nepotism law approved – but postponed
- In brief: Mexico sets date to unveil US tariff response
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Boric appoints new interior minister
- In brief: Paraguay’s inflation up in annual terms
On 4 March the trial began of Peru’s former president Pedro Castillo (2021-2022), who is accused of rebellion and abuse of authority in relation to his attempt to dissolve congress in December 2022.
LatinNews Daily - 4 March 2025
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- MEXICO: Sheinbaum braces for trade war
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Petro calls for international commission on Catatumbo violence
- In brief: Ecuador’s gov’t confirms controversial oilfield deal
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Top court approves transparency plan for budgetary grants
- In brief: S&P highlights recovery for Brazil’s industrial sector
Central America & Caribbean
- COSTA RICA/PANAMA: Seeking to reassure over migration
- In brief: New investment in Costa Rica medical devices sector
Mexico
- In brief: Mexico’s remittances slow in monthly terms
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Macri takes fight to Milei
- In brief: Chile’s economic activity up again
On 3 March Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum reacted cautiously to the imposition of a 25% tariff on Mexican products shipped to the US, indicating that her government had a “Plan A, B, C, and D” to respond to a trade war.
LatinNews Daily - 3 March 2025
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- GUYANA/VENEZUELA: Venezuelan vessel enters Guyanese oilfield
Andean
- In brief: Controversy over alleged plan to sell Ecuadorean oilfield
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Lula appoints left-wing ally to cabinet post
- In brief: Brazil’s gov’t releases funds for workers
Central America & Caribbean
- HAITI: Police raid Chérizier’s stronghold in Port-au-Prince
- In brief: Honduras hit by national blackout
Mexico
- MEXICO: Sheinbaum demands equal treatment
- In brief: Mexico’s tourism FDI remains steady in 2024
Southern Cone
- URUGUAY: Orsi takes office as FA returns to power
- In brief: Industrial production in Chile slows
Washington Watch
- Mexico extradites cartel leaders to US
On 1 March Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali denounced an incursion by a “Venezuelan armed patrol ship” in the latest escalation of tensions between Venezuela and Guyana.