Domestic Politics
Brazilian oil workers clashed with Petrobras, protesting against the recent layoffs at a fertilizer factory in the state of Parana. The United Federation of Oil Workers said that about 60% of the company’s workforce has joined the strike since it kicked off on February 1 to oppose the government’s plans for the privatization of company assets. [AP News]
International Relations
The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on and blacklisted a subsidiary of Russian state oil major Rosneft that provides a financial lifeline to Venezuela. The US targeted Russia over its backing of Nicolas Maduro’s government in Venezuela. [Aljazeera]
Amnesty International requested a meeting with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez to discuss the government’s response to the country’s ‘grave human rights crisis’. AI also expressed its concerns over the National Guard, a new law-enforcement agency, to curb the migrants and asylum seekers. [Latin American Herald Tribune]
Environment
Chilean Agricultural Minister Antonio Walker stated that the blaze in a Chilean national park is one of country’s biggest ever fires. The fire has affected an area of more than 5,200 hectares. [Latin America Herald Tribune]
Economy
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) denied any haircut to Argentina, who owes $44 billion to the IMF. Alberto Fernandez, country’s president, accused the IMF of violating its own rules and argued that it loaned money to an administration which was knowingly unable to repay the credit. [Merco Press]
Argentina’s meat industry is suffering huge losses due to a drop in exports because of coronavirus and the closure of Chinese markets. China is the main market for Argentina as it absorbs 70% of its meat production. [Merco Press]
Technology
Colombia ordered Facebook to strengthen its security measures to protect users’ personal data. The Superintendency of Industry and Commerce issued an ultimatum for the company to implement security improvements by June 14. [Merco Press]
Gender
Abortion rights activists and women across several generations in Argentina marked a return on the streets to reiterate their demand for the government to legalise abortion. Recently, the newly elected President Alberto Fernandez has supported the legislation and is drafting a bill to present to the Congress. [Al Jazeera]
Image Source: TIME