Weekly Report - 01 June 2023 (WR-23-22)

The idea of regional integration, a constant subject of South American diplomatic rhetoric over the last half century, has been dusted down and put back on the table, following a 12-country summit held in Brasília on 30 May.... Read More

The lineup for Ecuador’s 20 August presidential election is beginning to take shape as candidates throw their hats into the ring.... Read More

Protests against Peru’s President Dina Boluarte had faded away since March, with protesters appearing disillusioned by the failure to unseat Boluarte and force early elections.... Read More

President Gustavo Petro’s attempt to negotiate a ‘total peace’ agreement continues to be undermined by violent incidents around the country, with some armed groups warning that they would attack politicians ahead of regional elections in October.... Read More

On the sidelines of this week’s presidential summit in Brazil, Presidents Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela and Gustavo Petro of Colombia continued their push for closer collaboration.... Read More

Jorge Macri, a cousin of former president Mauricio Macri (2015-2019), has won the endorsement of the right-wing opposition Propuesta Republicana (PRO) to run for mayor of Buenos Aires in the October elections.... Read More

In an election year marked by dollar shortages and surging inflation, Economy Minister Sergio Massa and Máximo Kirchner, a national deputy and the son of Argentina’s Vice President Cristina Fernández, have flown to China in search of financial help.... Read More

Brazil’s congress has begun its inquiry into the 8 January riots, when supporters of right-wing former president Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2023) attacked government institutions in the capital.... Read More

A proposed oil exploration project of Brazil’s state-owned oil company Petrobras to drill a well off the coast of the northern state of Amapá has been blocked by Brazil’s federal environmental enforcement agency (Ibama) – a decision which Petrobras appealed on 25 May.... Read More

On 4 June, inhabitants of Estado de México (Edomex) and Coahuila states will take to the polls to elect new governors.... Read More

Mexico’s armed forces are once again the focus of scrutiny over alleged spying activity.... Read More

MEXICO | US challenges labour rights at Goodyear plant.... Read More

Honduras’s leftist Partido Libertad y Refundación (Libre) government led by President Xiomara Castro has extended for a further 45 days, until 5 July, the state of exception in place since December 2022 as part of an anti-extortion plan aimed at tackling gangs [WR-22-50].... Read More

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO | Economic recovery.... Read More

The High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, recently paid his first visit to Cuba since assuming his current post.... Read More

“This meeting is an example of how we either come together to fight for our interests or become puppets at the hands of the major powers.” ... Read More