LatinNews Daily
LatinNews Daily - 23 January 2020
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- BOLIVIA: Growing speculation over Áñez candidacy
- In brief: Colombia issues US$1.843bn in bonds
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Gov’t enjoys solid levels of support
- In brief: Brazil oil production surpasses 1bn barrels in 2019
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Concerns over state of prevention
- In brief: Latest inflation figures released in Nicaragua
Mexico
- MEXICO: US praises handling of migrant caravan
- In brief: Mexico refinances peso-denominated debt
Southern Cone
- In brief: Argentina closes 2019 with slight primary fiscal deficit
On 22 January, several ministers in Jeanine Áñez’s interim government in Bolivia voiced their support for Áñez as a potential presidential candidate, in response to widespread speculation on Twitter about the possibility of her entry into the contest.
LatinNews Daily - 22 January 2020
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- COLOMBIA: Protests return, but Duque doesn’t budge
Andean
- In brief: Peru’s gov’t unveils PPP project portfolio for next 18 months
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Bolsonaro gov’t takes action on Amazon conservation
- In brief: Homicide charges presented in Brazil’s Brumadinho dam disaster
Central America & Caribbean
- HONDURAS: Hernández seeks to reassure over anti-corruption efforts
- In brief: Guatemala’s growth for 2019 higher than expected
Mexico
- MEXICO: Gov’t forced to defend its treatment of migrants
- In brief: Mexico’s latest unemployment figures released
Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: Abdo Benítez feels the heat
- In brief: Argentine gov’t tables debt restructuring bill
On 21 January, the government led by President Iván Duque insisted that it is unable to negotiate on most of the demands issued by the Comité Nacional del Paro protest group, after the first major demonstrations of the year in cities across Colombia led to renewed clashes with the controversial anti-riot police (Esmad).
LatinNews Daily - 21 January 2020
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- VENEZUELA: US pledges increased support for Guaidó
Andean
- In brief: Peru’s gov’t issues 2020 forecast
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Prison break in Acre puts state on high alert
- In brief: Foreign investments to Brazil grow 26% in 2019
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Giammattei to review migration accord
- In brief: Costa Rica’s Alvarado sanctions law limiting the right to strike
Mexico
- MEXICO: Homicides hit record high
- In brief: Economy minister to head Mexico’s Davos delegation
Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: Gov’t admits to failings in mass prison break
- In brief: Argentina pulls off positive bond swap operation
On 20 January US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo committed to increasing US support for Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó’s efforts to remove Nicolás Maduro from power.
LatinNews Daily - 20 January 2020
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- HONDURAS: Blow to anti-corruption efforts as gov’t ends Maccih’s mandate
Andean
- BOLIVIA: Morales announces MAS presidential ticket
- In brief: Ecuador’s protests cause GDP to contract
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Gov’t official fired for Nazi references
- In brief: Bolsonaro sanctions Brazil’s 2020 budget
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Cuba’s first biomass electric plant concludes tests
Mexico
- MEXICO: Migration policies put to the test once more
- In brief: USMCA will reassure investors and stimulate Mexico growth
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Protesters pile pressure on Piñera
- In brief: Argentina offers domestic bond swap
Washington Watch
- US suspends charter flights to Cuba
On 17 January the Honduran government led by President Juan Orlando Hernández announced that it had failed to reach an agreement with the Organization of American States (OAS) to renew the mandate of the OAS-sponsored Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (Maccih).
LatinNews Daily - 17 January 2020
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- MEXICO: Gov’t, business celebrate USMCA ratification
Andean
- BOLIVIA: Armed forces deployed ahead of expected protests
- In brief: Ecuador releases 2019 unemployment statistics
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Journalists denounce increased attacks
- In brief: Brazil central bank releases economic activity index
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Giammattei announces new anti-corruption body
- In brief: Panama closes 2019 with deflation
Mexico
- In brief: Mexico’s retail sales up
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Fernández under pressure from troublesome ally
- In brief: Paraguay places bonds in international market
On 16 January the Mexican government celebrated the ratification of the US-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) regional trade agreement by the US Senate saying that full ratification of the agreement will help to attract investment to the country.
LatinNews Daily - 16 January 2020
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- VENEZUELA: China confirms reduced economic support due to sanctions
Andean
- In brief: Ecuador’s Mirador mega-mine sends first export to China
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Country recedes from regional stage, in favour of the West
- In brief: Brazil retail trade up in November
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Giammattei faces first test over migration
- In brief: Cuban LPG shortage linked to US sanctions
Mexico
- MEXICO: López Obrador feels the heat over security
- In brief: Mexico’s CCE calls for major increase in investment
Southern Cone
- URUGUAY: FA criticises Lacalle Pou’s economic proposal
- In brief: Argentina inflation highest in almost two decades
On 15 January, China’s foreign ministry confirmed that “China and Venezuela are stopping or slowing down some of our co-operation, due to sanctions and other factors”.
LatinNews Daily - 15 January 2020
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- GUATEMALA: Giammattei takes office
Andean
- PERU: Dissolution of congress ruled to be lawful
- In brief: Coffee production up in Colombia
Brazil
- BRAZIL: HRW denounces Bolsonaro’s anti-rights policies
- In brief: Brazil minimum wage adjusted for inflation
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Latest inflation figures in Costa Rica released
Mexico
- MEXICO: More criticism of Insabi
- In brief: Mexico approves Pemex oil exploration projects
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Pressure grows on Piñera over human rights abuses
- In brief: Buenos Aires province seeks extension on bond repayment
On 14 January Guatemala’s new president, Alejandro Giammettei, and his conservative Vamos government assumed office for a four-year term.
LatinNews Daily - 14 January 2020
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- HAITI: Institutional void as legislators’ terms lapse
Andean
- BOLIVIA: Morales’ militia proposals met with anger
- In brief: Venezuela’s parliament suggests inflation is finally slowing
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Plastic ban to come into force in São Paulo city
- In brief: Deceleration in investments in Brazil
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Honduras and Guatemala reap benefits from customs union
Mexico
- MEXICO: Lorry drivers protest over Santa Lucía airport project
- In brief: Mexico issues Euro bonds
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: No bail out for Buenos Aires province
- In brief: Industrial production down in Uruguay
On 13 January Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse announced that the terms of all 119 national deputies and two-thirds of the 30-member senate had expired.
LatinNews Daily - 13 January 2020
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- COLOMBIA: Assassination attempt highlights growing threat to peace
Andean
- In brief: FDI to Colombia up in 2019
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Police violence continues in Rio
- In brief: Brazil’s 2019 inflation closes above target
Central America & Caribbean
- EL SALVADOR: Bukele announces plans to revive economy
- In brief: Investment in Panama’s construction sector on the rebound
Mexico
- MEXICO: Opposition attacks gov’t over new healthcare programme
- In brief: Annual fall in Mexico’s industrial production
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Guzmán focused on firefighting
- In brief: Economists lower Chile growth forecast for 2020
Washington Watch
- Pompeo speaks to Uruguay’s president-elect
On 12 January Colombia’s national police reported that it had thwarted an assassination attempt against Rodrigo Londoño ('Timochenko'), president of the Fuerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Común (Farc), the political successor to the demobilised Farc guerrilla group.
LatinNews Daily - 10 January 2020
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- NICARAGUA: FSLN announces plans to discuss electoral reforms
Andean
- ECUADOR: Political asylees leave for Mexico
- In brief: Colombia’s exports fall by 6.2% in 2019
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Gov’t seeks to tweak approved judicial reform
- In brief: Record dollar outflows from Brazil
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Guatemala closes 2019 with higher inflation
Mexico
- MEXICO: Public pressure on López Obrador over insecurity
- In brief: Inflation down in Mexico
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Governors line up for assistance
- In brief: Argentina’s central bank cuts benchmark interest rate again
On 9 January, Gustavo Porras, a legislator for Nicaragua's ruling Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional (FSLN) and legislative president, announced plans to discuss electoral reforms this year, ahead of the 2021 general election.
LatinNews Daily - 09 January 2020
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- MEXICO: Seeking to reprise regional leadership role
Andean
- BOLIVIA: Massive anti-corruption investigations launched
- In brief: World Bank forecasts strong economic growth in Colombia
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Wildfires in the Amazon increased 30% in 2019
- In brief: Brazil set for another record harvest
Central America & Caribbean
- EL SALVADOR: Justice & security minister hails security progress
- In brief: Honduras annual inflation for December within target range
Mexico
- In brief: Mexican car exports plummet
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Chamber of deputies to investigate human rights violations
- In brief: Argentina seeks public debt investigators
On 8 January, the Mexican government formally assumed the pro-tempore presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) saying that it hopes to use this to promote greater cooperation in the region, and not to discuss the same political issues that have been discussed in the other regional forums.
LatinNews Daily - 08 January 2020
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- VENEZUELA: Guaidó calls for renewed protests
Andean
- In brief: Latest inflation figures released in Bolivia
Brazil
- BRAZIL: São Paulo sees protests against rise in transport fares
- In brief: Brazil’s automotive sector set to grow in 2020
Central America & Caribbean
- HAITI: OAS Secretary-General meets Haiti’s Moïse
- In brief: Guatemala removed but Panama remains on France’s list of tax havens
Mexico
- MEXICO: EZLN ups its anti-gov’t actions
- In brief: Mexico taps international financial markets
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Agricultural producers mobilise against fiscal measures
- In brief: Argentina issues US$284.5m of treasury bonds
On 7 January, Venezuelan opposition leader and disputed national assembly (AN) president Juan Guaidó returned to the parliament building, outlining plans for another round of public protests against the de facto government led by Nicolás Maduro.
LatinNews Daily - 07 January 2020
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- HONDURAS: Calls mount for renewal of Maccih’s mandate
Andean
- BOLIVIA: Extension of Áñez’s mandate to be contested
- In brief: Ecuador registers 0.07% annual deflation in 2019
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Bolsonaro lashes out at journalists again
- In brief: China’s XCMG to open its first bank in Brazil
Central America & Caribbean
- In brief: Honduras’ GDP grew 2.4% in third quarter 2019
Mexico
- MEXICO: Getting to grips with surge in missing people
- In brief: Mexican gov’t to invest in banking infrastructure
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Relying on domestic lending to stay afloat
- In brief: Companies sentenced in Chile’s ‘toilet paper cartel’ case
On 6 January, civil-society groups called on the government led by President Juan Orlando Hernández to renew the original agreement establishing the Organization of American States (OAS)-sponsored Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (Maccih).
LatinNews Daily - 06 January 2020
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- VENEZUELA: Guaidó fights for survival as key vote descends into chaos
Andean
- In brief: Colombia’s annual inflation closes at 3.8% in December 2019
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Bolsonaro comments on measures in Argentina
- In brief: Brazil’s Natura concludes Avon purchase
Central America & Caribbean
- PANAMA: Private sector calls for new justice officials to end impunity
- In brief: Guatemala’s Giammattei meets Honduras’s Hernández
Mexico
- MEXICO: López Obrador reaches out to indigenous communities
- In brief: Business confidence continues to fall in Mexico
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Private sector workers get wage boost
- In brief: Uruguay inflation closes 2019 above target
Washington Watch
- US applauds Colombian gov't's draft decree on aerial spraying of glyphosates
On 5 January, opposition deputy Luis Parra was elected president of Venezuela’s national assembly (AN), but only after opposition leader Juan Guaidó’s re-election bid was derailed by the national guard (GNB) seemingly denying him entry to the parliament building.
LatinNews Daily - 03 January 2020
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- COLOMBIA: Assassination crisis continues to undermine peace agreement
Andean
- In brief: Germany contributes €1m to Ecuador food programme
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Risk of tensions with Venezuela over escaped soldiers
- In brief: Brazil 2019 trade surplus lowest in four years
Central America & Caribbean
- PANAMA: Cortizo highlights economic challenges
- In brief: New oil finding in Guyana less than expected
Mexico
- MEXICO: López Obrador promises peace
- In brief: Mexico’s registers US$790m trade surplus in November 2019
Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Fernández reaffirms stance in renegotiations with IMF
- In brief: Economic activity still contracting in Chile
On 2 January, Colombia’s Fuerza Alternativa Revolucionaria del Común (Farc), the political successor to the demobilised guerrilla group, reported the murder of former combatant Benjamín Banguera Rosales in the south-western department of Cauca.
LatinNews Daily - 02 January 2020
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- BOLIVIA: Interim government seeks to resolve diplomatic dispute
Andean
- In brief: Peru closes 2019 with 1.88% inflation
Brazil
- BRAZIL: Mining in indigenous territories on the cards for 2020
- In brief: Brazil’s BCB posts public sector deficit for November
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: Ortega releases more political prisoners
- In brief: El Salvador’s GDP grew 2.7% in third quarter 2019
Mexico
- MEXICO: EZLN reiterates opposition to gov’t projects
- In brief: Mexico on course to post lower-than-expected fiscal deficit
Southern Cone
- CHILE: Piñera calls for national “healing” in 2020
- In brief: S&P lifts Argentine foreign currency rating from selective default
On 31 December 2019, Bolivia’s interim government announced it would appoint a high representative to the country’s embassy in Spain, in order to resolve the “impasse” over the expulsion of two Spanish diplomats from Bolivia.