South America

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, the two-term United Nations secretary-general who brokered a historic cease-fire between Iran and Iraq in 1988 and who in later life came out of retirement to help re-establish democracy in his Peruvian homeland, has died. He was 100.

His son, Francisco Pérez de Cuéllar, said his father died Wednesday at home of natural causes. Current U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the Peruvian diplomat a “personal inspiration.”

BUENOS AIRES, March 3. /TASS/: The Argentine and Russian sides agreed to develop scientific cooperation in the field of fishery, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Russia, Head of the Federal Agency for Fishery Ilya Shestakov said on Tuesday.

CARACAS, March 3 (NNN-TELESUR) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro held a meeting with government and opposition members of the national negotiating table at the executive’s Miraflores Palace Monday.

“We move forward with a firm and sustained step in the dialogue with the different political sectors of the country that contribute to reaching great agreements in order to strengthen democracy and peace for the Republic,” Maduro said after the meeting. 

CARACAS, March 2 (NNN-Prensa Latina) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called for continuity of what he considers a social, political and economic offensive to guarantee peace and stability for the people.

‘March has arrived! A month laden with a deep Chavist sentiment that encourages us to continue the social, political and economic offensive, guaranteeing our beloved people’s peace, stability and prosperity. Always loyal to the eternal legacy of Commander Chavez!, Maduro wrote on his Twitter account.

BUENOS AIRES, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Argentine President Alberto Fernandez called on Sunday for an "orderly" resolution of the country's debt crisis while seeking talks on debt restructuring.

"We need an agreement that will allow Argentina to get back on its feet and not fall down again. This is non-negotiable," Fernandez said at the 138th ordinary session of the National Congress.

Fernandez said the country's public debt has hit "a record amount" and almost 49 billion U.S. dollars are due in 2020 alone. "To this we must add 14.838 billion dollars in interest on this debt."

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 29 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and at least 16 others remained missing on Saturday after a shipwreck in northern Brazil.

According to local authorities, some 60 to 70 people were traveling in the ship, which was sailing on the Amazon River from Amapa state to its neighboring Para state.

The ship's maximum capacity was 242 and authorities confirmed that it was a registered vessel for transporting both passengers and cargo.

BOGOTA (Colombia), Feb 27 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — At least five Latin American governments and several companies are considering debt sales to fund environmentally friendly projects in what is expected to be the region’s most active year for the issuance of so-called green bonds since 2017.

SANTIAGO, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Forest fire "Agua Fria" in central Chile's Maule region has destroyed 8,350 hectares of natural and cultivated land, the National Forest Corporation (CONAF) said Tuesday.

The fire, starting on Feb. 9, is raging just a few kilometers from the Radal Siete Tazas National Park, which has been closed even amid the high season for travelers. It has been the worst forest fire of the summer months in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the worst in Chile's history.

SANTIAGO, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chile's President Sebastian Pinera on Sunday said his government is ready to maintain "law and order" during protests planned for March.

"Many are expecting a violent March. The government has prepared to safeguard law and order, and promote a March of agreements," Pinera said via Twitter.

Referring to widespread demands for improvements in government services, he said that "to increase pensions, create a guaranteed minimum wage and improve healthcare, agreements, not violence, is the way."

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — One of every three people in Venezuela is struggling to put enough food on the table to meet minimum nutrition requirements as the nation’s severe economic contraction and political upheaval persists, according to a study published Sunday by the U.N. World Food Program.

A nationwide survey based on data from 8,375 questionnaires reveals a startling picture of the large number of Venezuelans surviving off a diet consisting largely of tubers and beans as hyperinflation renders many salaries worthless.