LatinNews Daily
LatinNews Daily - 23 March 2026
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- COLOMBIA: Petro reportedly under investigation in the US
Andean
- In brief: Bolivia’s regional elections underscore political fragmentation
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Lula deepens cooperation with Paraguay and other regional partners
- In brief: Brazil’s Petrobras to boost investment in oil refinery
Central America & Caribbean
- CUBA: Gov’t defiant as electricity grid collapses again
- In brief: New CAF funds for Honduras
Mexico
- MEXICO: Teachers’ strike ends without resolution
- In brief: Mexico’s CFE announces new projects
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Kast revising environmental regulations to drive growth
- In brief: Argentina’s GDP grows year-on-year
Washington Watch
- Ecuador finalises US trade deal details
On 20 March Colombia’s embassy in Washington pushed back against a report in The New York Times which stated that President Gustavo Petro is being investigated by US prosecutors for allegedly having links to drug traffickers.
LatinNews Daily - 20 March 2026
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- VENEZUELA: Purge extends into the armed forces
Andean
- In brief: Bolivia and Paraguay sign deal on beef and pork imports
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Finance minister to run for São Paulo governorship
- In brief: Brazil and Paraguay resume talks to revise Itaipú treaty
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Gov’t further eases state of prevention
- In brief: Panama rejects CK Hutchison arbitration claims
Mexico
- MEXICO: Security forces go after Los Mayos
- In brief: Mexico’s Sheinbaum seeks investment in infrastructure
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Milei racks up more air miles as scandal grows
- In brief: Argentina’s trade surplus expands year-on-year
On 19 March Venezuela’s President Delcy Rodríguez replaced the military high command as she continues to assert her authority following the US capture of her predecessor Nicolás Maduro (2013-2026) in January.
LatinNews Daily - 19 March 2026
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- VENEZUELA: Defence minister replaced as Rodríguez continues purge
Andean
- In brief: New offshore gas deposit discovered in Colombia
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Police launch anti-gang operations across the country
- In brief: Brazil’s central bank lowers interest rates
Central America & Caribbean
- CUBA: Costa Rica cuts diplomatic ties with Havana
- In brief: Nicaragua posts rise in net FDI flows
Mexico
- MEXICO: Alleged Los Lobos leader arrested
- In brief: Mexican teachers launch national strike
Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: Peña promulgates controversial pension reform
- In brief: Chile’s annual growth slows
On 18 March Venezuela’s President Delcy Rodríguez carried out a cabinet reshuffle that included the removal of the defence minister, General Vladimir Padrino López – one of the staunchest allies of Rodríguez’s predecessor Nicolás Maduro (2013-2026).
LatinNews Daily - 18 March 2026
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- PERU: Prime minister replaced in cabinet reshuffle
Andean
- In brief: Bolivia’s Paz announces hydrocarbon reform bill
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Top court convicts lawmakers for misusing federal grants
- In brief: Brazil’s treasury makes major intervention in bond market
Central America & Caribbean
- EL SALVADOR: Congress amends constitution to allow life sentences
- In brief: Rubio says Cuba’s economic reforms fall short
Mexico
- MEXICO: Thaw in relations with Spain
- In brief: Mexico’s manufacturing production down month-on-month
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Kast begins dismantling environmental safeguards
- In brief: Paraguay completes ratification process for EU-Mercosur deal
On 17 March Peru’s President José María Balcázar carried out a cabinet reshuffle that included the replacement of the prime minister, Denisse Miralles, with Luis Arroyo, who had previously been serving as defence minister.
LatinNews Daily - 17 March 2026
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- CUBA: Another nationwide outage as Trump reiterates takeover threat
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Petro accuses Ecuador of cross-border bombing
- In brief: Colombia’s industrial production falls in January
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Lula shores up ties with Bolivia
- In brief: Brazil launches updated climate plan
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Panama’s GDP posts solid growth in 2025
Mexico
- MEXICO: Harfuch meets DEA head
- In brief: Mexico’s Sheinbaum pledges Cuba donation
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Kast rolls out migration control plan
- In brief: $Libra commission makes moves in Argentina
On 16 March Cuba’s electricity grid suffered a total collapse.
LatinNews Daily - 16 March 2026
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- CUBA: Rare protests over blackout as gov’t confirms US talks
Andean
- BOLIVIA: Alleged Uruguayan drug lord captured
- In brief: Venezuela announces LPG exports to Colombia as US eases sanctions
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Gov’t revokes visa for Trump administration adviser
- In brief: BYD announces investment for research centre in Brazil
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Remittances to Dominican Republic fall in February
Mexico
- MEXICO: Morena allies announce support for Plan B electoral reform
- In brief: Mexico posts fall in industrial production
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Milei visits Spain as tensions persist
- In brief: Argentina carries out another bond sale
Washington Watch
- Paraguay greenlights US military presence
On 14 March Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned day-earlier protests in Morón city, Ciego de Ávila province, which occurred hours after he had confirmed official talks were taking place with the US government led by President Donald Trump.
LatinNews Daily - 13 March 2026
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- CUBA: Gov’t announces prisoner release amid US pressure
Andean
- VENEZUELA: UN mission highlights ongoing repression under Rodríguez
- In brief: Repsol, Eni, and Shell sign natural gas and oil agreements in Venezuela
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Judge denies request for Bolsonaro to meet US gov’t adviser
- In brief: Brazil’s government slashes taxes on fuel
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Nicaraguan NGO highlights extent of Chinese mining concessions
Mexico
- MEXICO: Sheinbaum presents Plan B electoral reform
- In brief: Mexico’s Sheinbaum responds to CDMX airport taxi protests
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Kast meets US envoy amid China conundrum
- In brief: Argentina’s monthly inflation unchanging
On 12 March Cuba’s foreign ministry (Minrex) announced that 51 prisoners would be released in the next few days, citing “the spirit of good will and close, fluid relations” with the Vatican.
LatinNews Daily - 12 March 2026
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- CHILE: Kast takes office promising change
Andean
- VENEZUELA: New hydrocarbons minister appointed
- In brief: Head of Colombia’s state oil company charged with influence peddling
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Rio state police officers suspected of gang ties
- In brief: Brazil’s top court approves reincorporation of some Cuban doctors
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: CC appointment process complete
- In brief: Remittances to Honduras rise
Mexico
- MEXICO: Setback for Sheinbaum as electoral reform rejected
- In brief: US launches trade probe into Mexico and other partners
Southern Cone
- In brief: Paraguay’s senate approves pension reform
On 11 March José Antonio Kast was sworn in as Chile’s president.
LatinNews Daily - 11 March 2026
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- CHILE: Country prepares for swing to far-right
Andean
- ECUADOR: Top court finds State responsible in forced disappearance case
- In brief: Ecuador secures investment in Amazonian oilfields
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Bolsonaro seeks to reaffirm ties with US allies
- In brief: Brazil’s coffee exports down
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: New electoral court appointed
- In brief: China’s Cosco suspends services at Panama port
Mexico
- MEXICO: Gov’t hails drop in murder rates
- In brief: Mexico’s Sheinbaum hosts major Nordic business delegation
Southern Cone
- In brief: Paraguay appoints new head of state oil company
On 10 March Chile’s outgoing President Gabriel Boric gave a balance of his four years in office in a televised address ahead of passing the presidential sash today (11 March) to his far-right successor José Antonio Kast.
LatinNews Daily - 10 March 2026
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- ECUADOR: Suspended opposition party warns of encroaching ‘dictatorship’
Andean
- In brief: Venezuelan mining reform approved in first debate
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Congress pressures judiciary over Banco Master case
- In brief: Brazil shores up relations with South Africa
Central America & Caribbean
- HAITI: Long-awaited trial kicks off in US over Moïse’s murder
- In brief: Dominican Republic hails rise in tourism
Mexico
- MEXICO: Businesses back USMCA ahead of review
- In brief: Mexico’s inflation edges up in February
Southern Cone
- URUGUAY: Orsi bids to revive popularity with concrete measures
- In brief: More interest in Argentina’s Rigi investment scheme
On 9 March Gabriela Rivadeneira, the president of Ecuador’s main opposition party Revolución Ciudadana (RC), railed against the nine-month suspension that was imposed on the party by Joaquín Viteri, a judge on the electoral disputes tribunal (TCE), on 6 March.
LatinNews Daily - 09 March 2026
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- COLOMBIA: Legislative elections produce divided congress
Andean
- In brief: US eases sanctions on Venezuela’s gold sector
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Protesters raise alarm over femicides
- In brief: Brazil’s vehicle production up in monthly terms, down year-on-year
Central America & Caribbean
- CUBA: US reportedly weighing charges against leaders
- In brief: Monthly deflation slows in Costa Rica
Mexico
- MEXICO/REGION: Sheinbaum responds as Trump launches anti-cartel group
- In brief: Labour productivity up in Mexico
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Big turnout for Women’s Day as Kast poised to take office
- In brief: Argentina’s monthly industrial production picks up, construction slows
Washington Watch
- Mixed responses to US strikes on Iran
On 8 March Colombia’s legislative elections produced a fragmented congress in which the ruling left-wing Pacto Histórico will retain a strong presence while falling short of a majority.
LatinNews Daily - 06 March 2026
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- COLOMBIA: Poised for decisive legislative elections
Andean
- In brief: US and Venezuela restore diplomatic ties
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Banco Master CEO’s messages indicate political ties
- In brief: Brazil’s Petrobras posts rise in annual profit
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Congress picks CC magistrate in fraught process
- In brief: Costa Rica’s unemployment edges up in quarterly terms
Mexico
- MEXICO: USMCA negotiations set to begin
- In brief: GFCF down year-on-year in Mexico
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Government deepens US alignment
- In brief: Chile’s Codelco inks AI agreement with Microsoft
On 5 March Colombia’s Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the authorities have seized nearly Col$1.5bn (US$396,000) which was intended to purchase votes in the 8 March legislative vote and presidential primary elections.
LatinNews Daily - 05 March 2026
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- VENEZUELA: US delegation discusses mining reform with Rodríguez
Andean
- In brief: Investigation launched as gas leak hits Peruvian supply chain
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Banco Master CEO detained amid new phase of probe
- In brief: Brazil ratifies EU-Mercosur trade deal
Central America & Caribbean
- HAITI: Fils-Aimé presents new ministers
- In brief: Cuba hit by another massive outage
Mexico
- MEXICO: Electoral reform presented to congress
- In brief: Mexico’s vehicle sales down year-on-year in February
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Industry seeks dialogue with Milei
- In brief: Uruguay’s inflation slows
On 4 March the US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum met with Venezuela’s President Delcy Rodríguez to discuss a planned mining reform.
LatinNews Daily - 04 March 2026
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- CUBA: Six charged with terrorism over speedboat attack
Andean
- ECUADOR: US launches military operation against criminal groups
- In brief: Venezuela announces new US oil contracts
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Economy slows in setback for Lula
- In brief: Brazil’s job creation down year-on-year
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Costa Rica opens trade and investment innovation office in Israel
Mexico
- MEXICO: Green light for 40-hour work week
- In brief: Mexico’s private sector raises growth and inflation forecasts
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Gov’t transition suspended over Chinese cable spat
- In brief: Uruguay’s rate-cut cycle continues
On 3 March Cuba’s attorney general’s office announced that six people had been charged with terrorism following the 25 February deadly shooting in Cuban waters involving a Florida-registered speedboat.
LatinNews Daily - 03 March 2026
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- ECUADOR: Curfews announced as crime strategy enters ‘new phase’
Andean
- In brief: Mining reform planned in Venezuela
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Opposition backs calls to ban presidential re-election
- In brief: Brazil’s oil and gas production down in monthly terms, up year-on-year
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Arévalo extends state of prevention
- In brief: Dominican Republic hails strong growth
Mexico
- MEXICO: Authorities continue to target group linked to mayor murder
- In brief: Remittances to Mexico continue to fall in January
Southern Cone
- URUGUAY: Orsi presents balance sheet to congress
- In brief: Chile’s economic activity falls year-on-year
On 2 March Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa announced that, as part of “the next phase” of the battle against organised crime, a curfew will be enforced from 15-30 March in the western provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos, El Oro, and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas.
LatinNews Daily - 02 March 2026
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- ARGENTINA: Milei opens congress with promise of sweeping reforms
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Machado announces plan to return
- In brief: Colombia’s unemployment rate falls year-on-year
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Lula pledges support for flood-stricken areas in southeast
- In brief: Brazil rolls back on recent import tariff increase
Central America & Caribbean
- CUBA/REGION: Caricom pledges humanitarian aid
- In brief: Nicaragua’s trade deficit shrinks
Mexico
- MEXICO: Alleged El Mencho bodyguards charged
- In brief: Mexico’s Pemex narrows losses in 2025
Southern Cone
- In brief: Uruguay hails meeting of 2025 fiscal targets
Washington Watch
- Sheinbaum holds call with Trump following Mencho killing
On 1 March Argentina’s President Javier Milei delivered a combative address to a joint session of congress to open the new legislative session in which he promised a host of era-defining reforms, while railing against opponents.