Domestic Politics
Bolivia’s congress voted to accept the resignation of former president Evo Morales. Morales twice flouted constitutional term limits to stand for re-election. The interim government has accused him of sedition and terrorism. Morales was Bolivia’s first Indigenous president and had been in power for almost 14 years. [Merco Press]
Due to clashes between narco-traffickers for control of coca areas in Tumaco in southwestern Colombia, over 3,000 people, including more than 1,000 children, have been displaced. Tumaco is a key corridor for cocaine exports to the United States and is thus of high importance to armed groups for trafficking drugs through Central America. [Newsroom Panama]
International Relations
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US will take additional measures to support Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido. Pompeo has also called on other countries to co-operate in order to remove President Nicolas Maduro from office. [Merco Press]
Environment
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced the creation of the “Amazon Council” to coordinate the protection and sustainable development of the rainforest. Bolsonaro has faced severe criticism for his environmental policies since taking power in January 2019. In 2019, deforestation in the Amazon increased by 85% from the previous year. [Merco Press]
Society
The first National Strike Day of 2020 in Bogota witnessed a mass protest marked by vandalism. In the northwest of the Colombian capital, a masked protestor attempted to set fire to garbage containers, leading to confrontation and clashes with the National Polices’ Anti-Riot Squad, Esmad. [The City Paper]
According to information released by Foreigners and Borders Services (SEF), the number of Brazilians living in Portugal increased by 43% in 2019. This represents the third consecutive year of growth in the Brazilian community in Portugal; one out of four immigrants in the country hail from Brazil. [Folha]
Economy
Argentina’s Transport Minister Mario Meoni announced the redesigning of port infrastructure in Buenos Aires to improve docking facilities for cruise vessels. This is to facilitate the growing number of tourists arriving at the Argentine capital. [Merco Press]
Chinese beef importers are trying to negotiate previously agreed prices to buy dozens of shipments from Uruguay and Brazil due to high values. Some Chinese importers have refused to pay for shipments that have already arrived in China. [Merco Press]
Image Source: Value Walk