Latin America
Latin America
The Cuban government has turned 72 state-run shops into "dollar stores", shelves, unlike many regular supermarkets dealing in local currency, are well stocked with basic food and hygiene products but must be paid for in USD, the government denies the new stores are part of a "dollarisation" process turning the USD into the official currency as has happened in Panama, Ecuador and El Salvador
Jair Bolsonaro tests positive for covid-19, is said to have mild fever and receiving treatment including hydroxychloroquine and azitromycin
London court rules British government recognizes Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s president in case to decide which leader controls USD 2 billion worth of Venezuelan central bank gold stored in Bank of England, Nicolas Maduro’s lawyers say they will appeal judgement
Argentina miss already delayed bond payments after missing payments on USD 503 million on Friday in country’s ninth sovereign default, source says ongoing talks between Argentina and its creditors are making substantial progress
Jair Bolsonaro takes to streets and joins protesters who demand end to pandemic lockdowns and return to military rule, gives speech from truck where he declares the people are in power and all must yield to its will, rejects accusations of attacking democracy and proclaims that he is the constitution
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro posts on Facebook that he tested negative for Covid-19 after rumours that he tested positive, dined with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago last Saturday along with his press secretary who was diagnosed with the disease following the trip
President Nicolás Maduro wants Venezuelan women to have six children each as part of governmental birth method program, initiative critiziced as the country already lacks food access and health care, 4.5 million Venezuelans have emigrated since 2015 and one-third of the population is unable to meet basic dietary needs according to UN
Mexican national guardsmen round up 800 mainly Honduran migrants en route to USA, fly and bus the caravan members back home
Hundreds of US-bound migrants stopped from entering Mexico by security forces – the migrants tried wading across Suchiate river and threw stones at the police but were repelled by tear gas and riot shields, the migrant group dubbed "2020 Caravan" is expected to consist of between 2,000 and 3,500 people
Migrants gathering on the Guatemala-Mexico border on Sunday aiming to cross en masse during Monday in hope of being let through by authorities to avoid clashes, Guatemala says at least 4,000 people have entered from Honduras since Wednesday, Mexico says no safe conduct passes to the US will be issued
Guatemala's new President Alejandro Giammattei cuts diplomatic ties with Venezuela and orders closing of the Caracas embassy, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Rodríguez accuses Giammattei of bowing down to Donald Trump and says that "his government will surely become another bad joke"
Trinidad and Tobago to decriminalize cannabis as part of strategy to fight crime, says Prime Minister while also urging citizens to respect women, after government fails to halt rising crime trend
US impose sanctions on seven Venezuelan government officials including Luis Parra who was declare head of parliament by Nicolas Maduro's Socialist Party which led a bid to wrest control from opposition leader Juan Guaidó
Christmas Eve arson forest fire spread to Chilean city of Valparaíso destroying more than 80 homes and prompting mass evacuations, blaze fed by high summer temperatures and strong winds
President Bolsonaro says God saved his life after he was stabbed in the stomach last year and he thinks it was God's will to make him president, reassures the public he's in good state of health after being examined for skin cancer
President Bolsonaro issues decree allowing tens of thousands of small farmers to gain title to land they cultivate, making good on campaign promise, applies to land occupied by farmers before May 2014 and up to 2,500 hectares
Chilean lawmakers bow to protesters and agrees to hold referendum in April on replacing Pinochet-era constitution, voters also to decide who will serve on commission redrafting the document, opponents say charter has been pillar of stability for investor-friendly Chile
Heavy fighting erupts as Ovidio Guzmán López, son of drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán, is found by police patrol during routine patrol in Culiacán in Mexico, Sinaloa cartel members launched huge attack in attempt to seize him back from authorities, he is later released by police
Cuba imposes price controls on basic foods such as beans and pork to tame inflation as it increases state wages and pensions, regional price controls on taxi fares and haircuts introduced in recent weeks – butcher says margins are gone, and produce seller has stopped selling price-controlled lemons
Brazil implements policy prohibiting entry for dictator Nicolás Maduro and high-ranking Venezuelan regime officials, list to be updated continuously
Venezuela issues US travel warning following the mass shootings, writes growing violence finds echo and sustenance in "speeches and actions impregnated with racial discrimination and hatred against migrant populations", cites population's indiscriminate possession of firearms reason to avoid certain areas
At least 52 people killed in prison riot in Altamira jail in Pará state in Brazil, two rival gangs battled for five hours, 16 dead decapitated and part of building set on fire suffocating many, prison has a capacity of 200 but was occupied by 311 prisoners
Brazil appoints Jair Bolsonaro's son Eduardo its ambassador to US, president criticised for nepotism but says decision aims to improve relationship with Trump government
Cuban shortage of over 40 key medications, blames shortages of raw materials, patients camp out at pharmacies hoping to secure a prime place in line in hope for a new shipment, meantime Cuba sends "slave doctors" abroad in exchange for lucrative contracts and to earn praise from leftist American celebrities
Venezuelan 16-year-old Rufo Chacón blinded after being shot in face with rubber bullets 52 times of which 16 hit his eyes during San Cristobál protests against cooking gas shortages, same time boy's younger brother received blow to his skull from police baton, two officers awaiting trial
88% deforestation increase in Brazilian Amazon in June compared with same month last year, 920 square kilometres in total deforested according to national space research agency preliminary figures, follows calls from Jair Bolsonaro to develop region
Mexico City decriminalizes sex work in push to combat trafficking, local congress votes 38-0 to pass proposal
Venezuela's economic crisis now so bad criminals can't afford to buy bullets, costing USD 1 a piece while the average Venezuelan only earns USD 6.50 a month, same time most people barely use cash anymore, gang leader El Negrito is considering trying his luck abroad
Mexicans buy fake cell phones to hand over in muggings, originally used by shops in exhibition cases to protect against burglaries, armed robberies increasingly common aboard buses in Mexico City
Nicolás Maduro was ready to flee Venezuela amid protest violence and calls for his ouster on April 30, before Russia convinced him to stay, according to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
Juan Guaidó issues video message accompanied by opposition figure Leopoldo López and well-armed soldiers, declares final phase of ousting Maduro, López says he was liberated from under house arrest by military, reports of clashes in Caracas, government sources claim all military garrisons support current regime
Legislation that would ban sale of cold beer in stores in Mexico City cause public backlash, residents launching hashtag #ConLasCervezasNo and saying politicians should worry about insecurity of the country instead
Peru's former president Alan García dies after shooting himself as police arrives at his home to arrest him, was accused of taking bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht
Venezuela’s opposition figurehead Juan Guaidó stripped of parliamentary immunity which opens door to his arrest, members of Chavista assembly celebrates as Guaidó calls it a sign of regime's desperation, US repeats it will not stand idly by if anything happens to Guaidó
Brazil's federal prosecutor's office opposes President Jair Bolsonaro's plan to allow the armed forces commemorate the 55th anniversary of the 1964 military coup which some say liberated the country from the threat of communist usurpation
Venezuela deploys S-300 air defense missiles to key airbase near Caracas, Image Sat International reports, presenting satellite imagery
Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro to close Brazilian and Colombian borders to prevent aid flows, opposition leader Guaidó to lead a convoy of allies from Caracas to Colombian border to retrieve aid, Maduro to accept 300 tons of aid shipments from Russia despite denying there is a crisis
Mysterious group of five armed Americans arrested by Haitian police in Port-au-Prince, they claim they were on a "government mission" and traveled without license plates or visa stamps showing entry, Haiti has seen protests and other civil disturbances calling for resignation of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse
Venezuelan ambassador to Iraq Jonathan Velasco Ramirez renounces Nicolás Maduro and supports opposition leader Juan Guaido, calls on the army to overthrow Maduro
American anarchist "John Galton" murdered in Acapulco, the pseudonymous American ex-pat reportedly faced drug charges back home and was promoting cryptocurrencies in Mexico
Venezuela's Supreme Court bans opposition leader Juan Guaidó from leaving the country and freezes his bank accounts, Maduro says he's prepared to hold negotiations, US has handed control of Venezuela's US bank accounts to Guaidó and National Security Adviser John Bolton warns anyone attempting to harm "President Guaidó"
First Catholic church since 1959 Communist Revolution inaugurated in Cuba, Sacred Heart of Jesus in Sandino is one of three planned consecrations including Havana and Santiago, the church will seat 200 and received USD 95,000 in funding from a Florida-based parish
Brazil's government recognizes Juan Guaidó, Venezuela's Congressional leader who opposes Nicolas Maduro, the rightful president of Venezuela, says he is prepared to assume the presidency on an interim basis and call elections
Former Venezuelan Supreme Court ally of Maduro denounces him after fleeing to US, Christian Zerpa claims most recent election was not "free and competitive", Supreme Court claims he was under investigation for sexual harassment
Rio de Janeiro security forces to implement shoot-to-kill policy, says newly elected governor Wilson Witzel, former federal judge has promised to kill criminals by helicopter-borne snipers and says Rio needs Guantánamo-style prison camp
Brazilian President Bolsonaro grants agricultural department power over tribal lands, critics fear opening salvo in corporate exploitation of rainforest and other protected lands, calls for "integration" of tribal peoples into Brazilian citizenry
Jair Bolsonaro announces liberation from "socialism, inverted values, the bloated state and political correctness" as he is sworn in as Brazil's 42nd president, adding that his government will "rescue the family, respect religions and our Judeo-Christian tradition"
Mexican mayor Alejandro Santiago gunned down moments after being sworn in, assailants remain at large with one suspect in custody, governor of Oaxaca vows thorough investigation
Jair Bolsonaro plans issuing presidential decree allowing all Brazilians without criminal records to own firearms, dismantling gun laws key campaign pledge for president-elect taking office January 1
Venezuelans regret six-year-old gun control bill, in affect a declaration of war against an unarmed population, the bill sold as a hardline effort to improve security and sharply reduce crime, many now point to Venezuela as case study for how gun prohibition produce the opposite effect
Venezuela’s last nationally circulated, anti-government newspaper El Nacional stops publishing print edition amid paper shortages and unrelenting government pressure, with an onslaught of tax reviews, advertising restrictions and lawsuits, will become an exclusively online publication
Brazil will pull out of United Nations migration pact, says incoming foreign relations minister Ernesto Araújo, who will take office in January under president-elect Jair Bolsonaro
Brazilian president-elect Jair Bolsonaro names retired General Carlos Alberto Dos Santos Cruz government minister, led the UN peacekeeping forces in Haiti, fifth addition from the country's military
Colombia suspects Venezuelan military agents seek to infiltrate shelters for migrants to start riots, 3 out of 15 Venezuelans recently expelled from country after violent confrontations members of armed forces
Local citizens of Tijuana, Mexico protest recent arrival of Central American migrant caravan, the 3,000 asylum seekers are projected to grow to 10,000 in coming weeks, residents worry about criminal backgrounds and believe they are looking for handouts
UNHCR claims refugees fleeing Venezuelan economic crisis reaches 3 million, the UN agency estimates nearly 2.4 million are residing in neighboring Latin American countries
Jair Bolsonaro now leads Fernando Haddad in Brazilian presidential election polling, the right wing candidate also received an endorsement from the Brazilian farmer's lobby
Nearly 2 million refugees have fled economic collapse in Venezuela since 2015, UN refugee agency chief says nearly 5,000 people leave the country daily and 2.6 million Venezuelans now living abroad
ICJ blocks Bolivian attempt to force Chile to negotiate the country's former access to the Pacific Ocean, Bolivia lost coastal access in 1879-1883 war with Chile but still maintains a naval force
105 prisoners escape maximum security prison in northeastern Brazil after about 20 heavily armed men blow down front gate and fire on watchtowers, 41 of the escaped prisoners recaptured after security forces lock down state capital João Pessoa
Brazilian presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro stabbed during campaign rally with injuries to liver, lung and intestines, undergoes surgery to treat wounds and prevent infection, one suspect identified with Socialism and Liberty Party apprehended
Venezuela arrests 131 people accused of sabotaging Maduro's economic reforms, several large-chain managers accused of speculating and hoarding price-controlled basic products among arrestees, 1.5 million people have fled Venezuela since 2015
Brazilian presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro advocates police murder of criminal suspects, says "you cannot treat them as if they were normal human beings", Bolsonaro is polling second behind jailed former president likely to be barred from elections
Residents of Brazilian Pacaraima drive out hundreds of Venezuelan migrants after restaurant owner was stabbed and robbed in his home by four Venezuelans, migrant group then attacked 30 border shopping Brazilians, Venezuela concerned about reports of attacks on migrated citizens and asks Brazil to guarantee their safety
Maduro pegs bolívar to government's petro cryptocurrency effectively devaluing by 96%, also says will hike minimum wage by over 3,000% and boost corporate tax rate, tells people to trust him as he wants the country to recover and he has the formula, economists expect "much more aggressive stage of hyperinflation"
Venezuela's Maduro ends subsidized petrol prices for political opponents compounding weaponized sustenance program of food at subsidized prices only for regime supporters
Cuban government enables free mobile internet for island's 5 million subscribers for a day, the government is testing the new service ahead of a planned for-pay launch, most residents utilize internet at Wi-fi hotspots that cost 1 USD per hour when average monthly wages are USD 30, dissident Cuban blogger and social media pioneer Yoani Sanchez labels it "citizen's victory"
Nicolas Maduro announces the phasing out of state subsidies for petrol over two years in effort to curb smuggling, the official rate of 1 Bolivar per liter creates valuable arbitrage as street price is Bolivar 4 million per liter, the Venezuelan government claims that fuel smuggling costs the country USD 18 billion per year in lost revenue
Chile's Minister for Cultural Affairs resigns after facing criticism for 2015 comments about human rights museum, Mauricio Rojas claimed museum was a "shameless and inaccurate use of a national tragedy", human rights organizations and local politicians pressured him to quit four days into his new job
Brazil struggles with "serious problem with lethal violence" after achieving record high of 63,880 murders in 2017, data compiled by Brazilian Public Security Forum shows an average of 175 murders per day corresponding to 30.8 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, incidence of rape also increased 8% to 60,018 for the period, murder has a strong racial and political element with many victims being young, black men and little police follow-up
Ecuadorian government declares state of emergency as Venezuelan migration surges, Venezuelans fleeing economic dislocation typically arrive via border with Colombia, the declaration mobilizes aid and social workers to help manage the impact of uncontrolled mass migration
Venezuelan President Maduro unharmed but seven National Guard soldiers injured after alleged drone attack against military event where he gave a speech in Caracas, says everything points to right-wing plot linked to Colombia and Florida and several were caught, little-known group "National Movement of Soldiers in T-shirts" claims responsibility for attack in series of social media posts
Right wing populist Brazilian presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro trailing jailed former president Lula da Silva in polls despite larger social media following, considers descendant of the country's last emperor or retired army general as running mates
Venezuela to remove five zeroes from currency bolívar instead of the three planned in June and tie it to state-backed petro cryptocurrency – no details offered concerning the petro tie, but President Nicolás Maduro calls the plan "great economic change"
Brazil's government indigenous agency Funai releases footage of uncontacted indigenous man who has lived alone in Amazon forest for at least 22 years, man believed to be in his 50s fells tree in video and appears to be in excellent health, believed to be only survivor of land grab attack in 1995, Funai whose policy is to avoid contact has protected 8,070 hectares in area
Pablo Escobar's widow and son charged with money laundering by federal judge in Argentina where they live, assets frozen but no arrests made
Brazil's President Michel Temer orders army and federal police to clear highways blockaded by striking truck drivers after protest over fuel prices and graft enters fifth day, state of emergency declared in São Paulo over fuel shortages
Brazil truckers on strike for four days due to rising fuel prices, demand tax cuts, nationwide shortages hit supermarkets, numerous flights cancelled, some factories idle
Venezuela expels American diplomats Todd Robinson and Brian Naranjo as Donald Trump authorized new sanctions against country after widely-condemned presidential election
Nicolás Maduro re-elected as Venezuelan president with 67.7% of vote in election that main opposition boycotted, both second placed Henri Falcón and third candidate Javier Bertucci demand new election due to irregularities
Giant anti-communist flag displayed on Rio de Janeiro hill on Karl Marx's 200th birth day, firefighters called to remove it since it was placed in national park (Portuguese)
Venezuela raises minimum monthly wage by 155% to VEF 1 million three weeks before presidential election, raise to USD 1.61 at black market exchange rate third increase this year
Mexican presidential candidate Jaime "El Bronco" Rodriguez says during debate that robbers' hands should be cut off, was country's first independent governor and is in fifth place in most opinion polls
Ten killed and at least 100 injured in Nicaragua after three days of clashes between police and people protesting pension reform, protests concerning 5% pension tax and increased forced contributions to system for both employees and employer