News from South America
MercoPress South Atlantic News Agency
- UK loses measles elimination status, WHO reports
on February 2, 2026The United Kingdom has lost its measles elimination status, the World Health Organization has announced. The move was based on the spread of cases in 2024 when there were 3,600 suspected cases. However elimination status means there is no sustained transmission so this decision was largely expected, given the scale of the outbreaks in 2024.
- China’s Xi calls to make Renminbi “a powerful currency,” as Trump is ready to change Fed’s chair
on February 2, 2026China’s President Xi Jinping has called for the renminbi to achieve global reserve currency status, “a powerful currency” according to remarks published on Saturday in Qiushi, the Chinese Communist Party’s flagship ideology journal.
- First three weeks Illex squid catches in Argentina considered “encouraging”
on February 2, 2026The Illex squid season in Argentina, taking into account catches of the three first seeks of 2026 can be considered, “encouraging”, according to Marcela Ivanovic, head of the Cephalopods’ Program from the Fisheries Research and Development Institute, INIDEP.
- Petro’s high-stakes Trump meeting tests a strained U.S.–Colombia partnership
on February 2, 2026Colombian President Gustavo Petro will meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, Feb. 3, in what both capitals frame as an attempt to steady a relationship under pressure from disputes over counternarcotics policy, regional security and trade.
- US signals high-level Cuba contacts as energy pressure campaign widens
on February 2, 2026US President Donald Trump said his administration is talking with “the highest people” in Cuba and voiced confidence that a deal could be reached, even as Washington tightens economic pressure aimed at restricting the island’s fuel lifeline.
- Ruling party’s Laura Fernández emerges as clear front-runner in Costa Rica election
on February 2, 2026The candidate for the ruling Partido Pueblo Soberano, Laura Fernández, has become Costa Rica's new president-elect with nearly 50% of the vote, compared to approximately 30% for the Social Democrat Álvaro Ramos, who came in second, according to provisional data from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).
- New Epstein documents tie him to power and mention a prominent Argentine businessman
on February 2, 2026A fresh release of Jeffrey Epstein-related records by the U.S. Department of Justice has reignited global scrutiny of the late financier’s web of contacts and influence. The trove—published under the “Epstein Files Transparency Act”—runs into millions of pages and also includes videos and images, according to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
- Argentina probes alleged pollution and abuse claims at key Antarctic outpost
on February 2, 2026An internal complaint alleging prohibited environmental practices and mistreatment of personnel triggered an investigation at Petrel Antarctic Base, a key enclave in Argentina's logistical deployment in Antarctica. The investigation is being conducted by the Antarctic Joint Command (COCOANTAR), led by Maximiliano Mangiaterra.
- Over 60% of Brazilians are overweight as obesity doubles in 18 years, survey shows
on February 2, 2026More than six in ten Brazilians are now overweight and obesity affects roughly one in four adults, according to official health data released this week and carried by Agência Brasil. The survey estimates that 62.6% of the population had excess weight in 2024, up from 42.6% in 2006, while obesity (BMI ≥ 30) doubled from 11.8% to 25.7% over the same period.
- Extratropical cyclone strengthens off southern Brazil, raising flood and wind risks in Santa Catarina
on February 2, 2026An extratropical cyclone forecast to develop offshore in the South Atlantic is already driving growing instability across Santa Catarina, with officials warning that conditions could worsen between Monday, Feb. 2, and Wednesday, Feb. 4. The alerts were issued by Defesa Civil de Santa Catarina and reported by Agência Brasil.