LatinNews Daily - 16 June 2023

On 15 June Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador met Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, the European Union (EU)’s executive branch, in Mexico City, where both leaders agreed to complete an update of an existing free trade agreement (FTA) before the end of this year.... Read More

On 15 June Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro denied reports that the ongoing scandal engulfing his government was triggered by the theft of Col$3bn (US$723,000) of cash belonging to him.... Read More

* Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has announced that the government has approved PEN1.2bn (US$329.5m) in spending to address the impact of this year’s El Niño weather phenomenon.... Read More

On 15 June Brazil’s federal police (PF) raided the residences and office of Senator Marcos do Val, who has been accused of obstructing the authorities’ investigations into the 8 January attack on the capital perpetrated by supporters of right-wing former president Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2023).... Read More

* Brazil’s national statistics institute (Ibge) has released the latest figures on the services sectors, which showed that the volume of services in April contracted by 1.6% compared with the previous month.... Read More

On 15 June the Caribbean Community (Caricom) published a statement noting that Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry had committed to establish a national unity government and widen the composition of the country’s three-member high transition council (HCT).... Read More

* Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel has hosted his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi in the capital Havana.... Read More

* The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a declaration of intent with Mexico’s government led by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to reinforce their strategic partnership on financing sustainable development in the country.... Read More

On 15 June Argentina’s presidential spokesperson Gabriela Cerruti denounced as “an atrocious case” the disappearance of Cecilia Strzyzowksi, the daughter-in-law of a prominent leader of a piquetero social movement allied with the provincial governor of Chaco.... Read More

* Argentina’s central bank (BCRA) has held the country’s benchmark interest at 97%, following a slight deceleration of monthly inflation in May.... Read More