News from South America
MercoPress South Atlantic News Agency
- US conducts first ground-target strike in Venezuela as Operation Southern Spear escalates
on December 30, 2025US President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that the United States has launched its first strike against a land-based target in Venezuela, marking a significant escalation in the administration's "anti-narco-terrorism" campaign.
- Power cuts reported in São Paulo due to heavy rains
on December 30, 2025Some 31,000 households were left without electricity on Monday in São Paulo after heavy rains late in the afternoon, leading to a Civil Defense flooding alert in South America's largest city.
- Petro orders huge minimum wage increase in Colombia
on December 30, 2025Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Monday a historic 23.7% increase in the minimum wage for 2026, making it the largest upward adjustment in 25 years. The measure includes transport subsidies.
- Which countries improved the most this year? Argentina and Syria for The Economist
on December 30, 2025The Economist has chosen two countries for outstanding/impressive achievements during 2025. A controversial selection based on particular criteria to measure them, but since The Economist is a global leading voice, very knowledgeable and respected, in international affairs it is also a great merit for those countries named.
- Chilean Ambassador to New Zealand under fire after Rapa Nui post
on December 29, 2025Diplomatic circles in Santiago are still shaky after last week's comment by the South American country's Ambassador to New Zealand, favoring self-rule by Easter Island's native Rapa Nui community.
- Bolsonaro undergoes new surgical procedure
on December 29, 2025Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro underwent a second surgical procedure to treat persistent, chronic hiccups that have complicated his recovery from hernia surgery on Christmas Day. According to his son Carlos Bolsonaro, the family is concerned about the former head of State's health after a spike in blood pressure and new respiratory treatments.
- Brazil records highest foreign investment inflow in a decade
on December 29, 2025The Brazilian government announced on Sunday that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) reached US$84.1 billion between January and November 2025, marking the highest volume of capital inflow since 2014.
- Argentina: Lithium producers foresee prosperous 2026
on December 29, 2025Argentine lithium producers have expressed optimism towards 2026 after the mineral's global market showed strong signs of recovery, with major financial institutions and industry bodies projecting a significant price rebound and a massive production surge over the next two years.
- Significant travel chaos reported at Buenos Aires' Aeroparque
on December 29, 2025Buenos Aires' Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, Argentina's busiest airport and the only commercial terminal within the country's capital, was forced to suspend all operations for nearly three hours on Saturday during peak travel time amid a severe heatwave and the ensuing infrastructure failure.
- Uruguayan version of La Libertad Avanza crisis deepens
on December 29, 2025Argentina's ruling party La Libertad Avanza (LLA) of President Javier Milei has remained silent following recent scandals involving its Uruguayan namesake after initial endorsements involving key figures such as former Security Minister and current Senator Patricia Bullrich.