Haiti

Economics

Politics

Military & Security

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

Thousands of garment workers protested in Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince as they demanded higher wages, following weeks of similar demonstrations over working conditions and pay at firms that export to U.S. clothing retailers, Reuters reported Feb. 17.

Haiti: Garment Workers Protest Poor Working Conditions and Low Wages

Supply Chains

Security

Security Challenges in Latin America

South America: Split Decisions on Trade

Argentina

Chile

Social Issues

Environment, Science & Technology

Crossing Borders

Approximately 2,000 Argentine truck drivers staged a protest at the Cristo Redentor-Los Libertadores border crossing against the Chilean government’s decision to require all truck drivers to undergo PCR testing against COVID-19 before crossing the border, MercoPress reported Jan. 20.

Argentina: Lorry Drivers Stage Protest Over Chile's Tightening COVID-19 Restrictions

COVID-19

Brazil

United States

Australia

China

The Argentine government used an executive decree to extend a ban on the exportation of common asado meats through the end of 2023 in an effort to keep domestic prices of popular beef cuts artificially low, Clarin reported Jan. 2.

Argentina: Export Ban on Asado Meats Extended Through 2023

Nicaragua

Nicaragua’s general election saw the reelection of President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo in an electoral process widely regarded as fraudulent, Deutsche Welle reported Nov. 7.

Nicaragua: President Ortega Cements Dictatorship in General Election

On the first day of Brazil’s fifth generation auction, the government announced it would allow winners to use Chinese telecoms company Huawei Technologies’ existing 5G equipment, Reuters reported Nov. 4.

Brazil: China’s Huawei Included in 5G Auction

Analysts expect the La Nina weather pattern to return to South America in November and last until January, cutting average rainfall an estimated 20-30% in Argentina and Brazil, Reuters reported Aug. 24. 

Argentina, Brazil: La Nina Expected to Return, Cutting Average Rainfall

Agriculture

Environmental Issues

Paraguay

Uruguay

Uruguay announced it would begin to negotiate free trade agreements with countries outside the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) during the South American trade bloc’s last meeting, Semanario Busqueda reported July 7.

Latin America: Uruguay to Seek Trade Deals With Non-Mercosur Countries

Argentine meat packers have agreed to a preliminary deal with the government that will allow them to resume beef exports at 50% of their usual volume, Reuters reported June 16. 

Argentina: Beef Producers to Partially Resume Exports Under Government Deal

South America is a continent divided, at least when it comes to trade. Its countries fall into one of two blocs: the Common Market of the South, more commonly known as Mercosur, or the Pacific Alliance. That nearly every South American country relies on commodities for economic growth presents a much more serious problem to Mercosur, traditionally the more protectionist of the two, than it does to the Pacific Alliance, which has more potential partners with which to trade. The leaders of Mercosur understand as much, and they are considering liberalizing some of their policies accordingly. In the meantime, however, the bloc’s fate will be left to fluctuations in commodity prices and in regional trade.

South America is a continent divided, at least when it comes to trade.

Colombia

Mexico

Peru

Venezuela

Venezuela's Unraveling

Colombian Peace Process

Commodities: A Cautionary Tale

A Crude Recovery

Globalization

China in Transition

Snapshots

Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) shakes hands with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro during a joint press conference after holding a meeting in Moscow on Feb. 16, 2022. 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

While it may condemn Western efforts to financially alienate Russia, Brasilia is unlikely to help Moscow build an alternative global payments system.

Brazil's Dependence on the U.S. Dollar Will Limit Its Ability to Ease Russia's Isolation

Assessments

An electronic board shows the index chart at the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange after shares in Brazilian state oil giant Petrobras plunged amid news of a leadership shake-up on Feb. 22, 2021. 

Energy

With fiscal reforms unlikely ahead of next year’s election, South America's largest economy risks missing out on an expected post-pandemic surge of foreign investment. 

Is Brazil Barreling Toward an All-Out Economic Crisis?

A photo of Argentina's central bank headquarters in Buenos Aires. 

Avoiding a full-fledged crisis will hinge on whether the Argentine government’s can produce a credible economic growth plan and reach a debt restructuring deal with bondholders.

Argentina's Latest Default Doesn't Have to Mean Another Economic Collapse

Guidance

The national flag of Argentina flies above Avenida 9 de Julio, one of the major arteries of Buenos Aires, on Nov. 28, 2018. 

While it has yet to fully abandon the South American trade bloc, Argentina's withdrawal from current negotiations will still cripple Mercosur's ability to ink future deals.

By Exiting Trade Talks, Argentina Risks Sealing Mercosur's Fate

After four years under President Mauricio Macri’s conservative leadership, the new administration in Buenos Aires will pursue state intervention and protectionist policies in an attempt to resurrect the country’s moribund economy.

Argentina Has Elected a Leftist President. Now What? 

Europe

Both blocs will require unanimous consent for ratification. But securing yes votes from all member states will be a tall order.

EU, Mercosur: Why a Trade Deal Struck After 20 Years of Talks May Never Take Force

EU: Regional Blocs

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Argentine President Mauricio Macri, left, is pictured with his Brazilian counterpart, Jair Bolsonaro.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's efforts to lift trade restrictions could fall short of what he originally envisioned.

Argentine Elections Could Narrow Brazil's Mercosur Reform Path

Resistance among Brazilian business interests and lawmakers could short-circuit the president's moves to partner with Washington at China's expense.

Brazil, U.S.: Bolsonaro's Hunger for a U.S. Trade Deal Will Be Hard to Satiate

Recent data show that a hoped-for economic recovery could be slow to manifest, a scenario that would decrease the president's re-election chances and possibly enable a populist government to return.

Argentina: Surging Inflation Puts Macri on a Hotter Seat

Long considered a fringe political outsider, Jair Bolsonaro raced to victory in Brazil's presidential elections in 2018.

Anger at crime and corruption catapulted right-wing lawmaker Jair Bolsonaro to victory in October. As he prepares to take office on Jan. 1, 2019, here's a look back at Brazil's -- and Bolsonaro's -- past 12 months. 

2018: The Year Bolsonaro Captured Brazil's Presidency

President-elect Jair Bolsonaro has vowed a fundamental change in direction, including in business and trade, for the giant Latin American country of Brazil.

Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro wants to lift the bloc's restrictions on bilateral trade agreements, and the odds are in his favor.

Brazil's Next President Is Looking to Shake Up Mercosur

New Peugeot and Citroen cars await shipment on the pier in Rio de Janeiro in February 2017. Brazil is keen to export its vehicle output overseas, but trade restrictions might complicate such plans.

The Importance of Mexico

The Global Impact of Trump's Auto Tariffs

Mexican carmarkers recently guaranteed themselves access to the United States. Now their Brazilian counterparts are looking to emulate the feat in a search for their own export markets.

South America: Split Decisions on Trade

SITUATION REPORTS

Haiti: Garment Workers Protest Poor Working Conditions and Low Wages

Argentina: Lorry Drivers Stage Protest Over Chile's Tightening COVID-19 Restrictions

Argentina: Export Ban on Asado Meats Extended Through 2023

Nicaragua: President Ortega Cements Dictatorship in General Election

Brazil: China’s Huawei Included in 5G Auction

Argentina, Brazil: La Nina Expected to Return, Cutting Average Rainfall

Latin America: Uruguay to Seek Trade Deals With Non-Mercosur Countries

Argentina: Beef Producers to Partially Resume Exports Under Government Deal

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