News from South America
MercoPress South Atlantic News Agency
- Argentina halts Jerusalem Embassy move amid Falklands oil drilling dispute
on January 13, 2026Argentina has reportedly put on hold its plan to relocate its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem after diplomatic friction linked to offshore oil drilling near the Falkland Islands, Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported over the weekend.
- Gigantic wave kills one Argentine beachgoer near Mar del Plata
on January 13, 2026One Argentine beachgoer died, and 35 others needed medical help after a rare and violent maritime phenomenon known as a meteotsunami hit the Atlantic Ocean resort of Santa Clara del Mar, some 20 kilometers north of Mar del Plata.
- Brazil's health watchdog gives nod to HIV vaccine
on January 13, 2026Brazil's Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) approved on Monday the use of the drug Sunlenca (lenacapavir) for HIV-1 prevention as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), Agencia Brasil reported.
- No human corridor through Peru for Venezuelans exiting Chile
on January 13, 2026Peru's President José Jerí told Chile's President-elect José Antonio Kast that the human corridor through his country so that Venezuelan migrants could return home was not a feasible option.
- Venezuela's interim administration releases 24 potitical prisoners
on January 13, 2026Hundreds of relatives of the Venezuelan Bolivarian regime's political prisoners remained outside the various detention facilities into the early hours of Tuesday. Still, only 24 of them were released in the end, whereas human rights groups such as Foro Penal insist some 800 of them remain incarcerated.
- IMF coming to Venezuela's rescue?
on January 13, 2026US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced on Monday a plan to stabilize Venezuela’s collapsing currency by re-engaging with global financial institutions. The strategy consists of unfreezing approximately US$4.9 billion in International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to provide much-needed liquidity to Caracas' Central Bank.
- Trump spoils Lula's celebration of trade surplus with Iran
on January 13, 2026US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that any nation conducting business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on all trade with Washington, thus crushing earlier celebrations by Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose government proudly announced a substantial trade surplus with Tehran, totaling US$2.8 billion in 2025, driven by corn and soybeans.
- Venezuelan serviceman recounts U.S. strike that disabled air defenses before Maduro capture
on January 13, 2026A Venezuelan serviceman stationed at the Meseta de Mamo military academy in La Guaira described the Jan. 3 U.S. bombardment as a rapid, overwhelming assault that “blinded” radar and electronic systems, preventing any organized defense. “There was no time to counterattack. They were very fast,” he said anonymously in an account published by La Hora […]
- Situation in Iran critical; Washington may also step in
on January 12, 2026Over 500 people have been reported dead during this past weekend in the Islamic Republic of Iran as groups supporting the return to power of a monarchy under Mohamed Reza Pahlavi II (son of the shah deposed in 1979) took to the streets, women taking off their religious clothing and appearing uncovered, challenging Islamic morals.
- More than 800 political prisoners remain jailed as Venezuela signals partial openness
on January 12, 2026The Venezuelan interim government of caretaker President Delcy Rodríguez has allowed some relatives to visit political prisoners still held by Caracas at the Rodeo I detention facility. Among them is Argentine Border Guard (Gendarmería Nacional) NCO Nahuel Gallo, about whom nothing concrete has been heard.