South America

Four Dead In Bolivia Car Crash

LA PAZ, Jan 5 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) – Four people were killed, after their car crashed into a wall and burst into flames, near a lithium carbonate plant in Uyuni Salt Flats, in the Bolivian department of Potosi, said local authorities yesterday.

“The vehicle was likely travelling at excessive speed” when the driver lost control, collided with the wall, and came to a stop approximately 70 metres from the point of impact, Juan Carlos Oblitas, the deputy commander of Potosi Police, briefed reporters on the accident that occurred early Wednesday.

Venezuela: Maduro calls Argentina's decision to refuse BRICS membership ‘stupidity’

CARACAS, January 2. /TASS/: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro criticized the decision of his Argentine counterpart Javier Milei to refuse the country's accession to BRICS.

"By excluding Argentina from BRICS, he [Javier Milei] is acting against the Argentines. This is one of the most clumsy and stupid things that Miley has done against Argentina," Maduro said in a traditional interview with Le Monde diplomatique newspaper on January 1.

He added that such a decision "takes Argentina back to the 19th century."

Covid-19: Alert issued in Paraguay amid growing number of cases

ASUNCION, Jan 2 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Paraguayan health authorities have issued an alert amid an increase in the number of Covid-19 and influenza cases that are pushing the national sanitary network to its limits, it was reported in Asunción.

According to the Health Surveillance report, there has been a sustained increase in Covid-19 cases, with 975 new infections last week, 70 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths, which represents a significant growth from 435 cases only three weeks ago.

Peru closes 2023 with inflation rate of 3.41 pct: official

LIMA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Peru's Consumer Price Index (CPI) at the national level saw a 0.30 percent increase in December, closing the January-December 2023 period with an inflation rate of 3.41 percent, the National Institute of Statistics and Information (INEI) reported Monday.

The report said that the CPI increase registered in December at the national level was due to increases above the national average in the transport divisions by 1.10 percent, food and non-alcoholic beverages by 0.38 percent, and tobacco by 0.36 percent.

Venezuela's Maduro expresses high hopes for 2024

CARACAS, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday shared a New Year's Eve message, in which he highlighted the struggles and successes of the South American country in 2023, and forecasted fresh achievements for 2024.

Via social media site X, Maduro invited Venezuelans to celebrate "a 2024 of new victories."

"2023 has been a year of struggles, but also of victories and hope. We have overcome obstacles, demonstrating that unity and solidarity are our strength," he said.

Chilean gov’t extends agricultural emergency

SANTIAGO, Dec 30 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Chile’s Government announced it was extending the agricultural emergency stemming from a water deficit due to poor rains, it was reported in Santiago. With this measure, authorities may keep up the aid to producers from Atacama to Magallanes until Sept. 30, 2024.

 The contingency plan reaches 100% of the communes in the Coquimbo region and in the provinces of Petorca, San Antonio, San Felipe de Aconcagua, Los Andes, Marga Marga, and Valparaíso, except for Juan Fernández.

Brazil shows concern as Venezuela slams UK warship sent to Guyana

BRASILIA, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Brazil expressed concern on Friday after Venezuela complained about the deployment of a British warship off the Guyana coast, raising tensions in a border dispute over the oil-rich Esequibo region of the former British colony.

"The Brazilian government believes that military demonstrations of support for any party must be avoided, so that the ongoing dialogue process can produce results," the Brazilian foreign ministry said in a statement. It urged all parties to "contain themselves" and resume talks.

Argentina’s new authorities say no plans to review agreements with Moscow — Russian envoy

BUENOS AIRES, December 29. /TASS/: The new Argentinian authorities led by President Javier Milei have made it clear that they don’t plan to review agreements with Moscow, Russian Ambassador to Buenos Aires Dmitry Feoktistov said.

Venezuela launches military operation against "threat" from Britain

CARACAS, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday ordered a "joint military action" by the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) in eastern Venezuela amid what he described as a "threat" from Britain.

The stationing of a British military ship in the waters of neighboring Guyana represents a breaking of the recent agreement Venezuela reached with the Guyanese government during the dialogue on Dec. 14, said Maduro during a New Year's greeting speech to military personnel.

Americans freed by Venezuela in US prisoner swap land at Texas base

CARACAS/WASHINGTON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Some of the Americans who were freed by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government in a U.S. prisoner swap have landed at a U.S. military base in San Antonio, Texas, a Reuters witness said.

The individuals were freed on Wednesday in exchange for the U.S. release of an ally of Maduro, Colombian businessman Alex Saab, who was granted clemency by U.S. President Joe Biden and returned to Venezuela on Wednesday. Maduro also agreed to release at least 20 opposition-linked prisoners from prison.

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