News from South America
MercoPress South Atlantic News Agency
- Russian diesel shipment bound for Cuba challenges US blockadeon March 19, 2026
A Hong Kong-flagged tanker that could be carrying fuel to Cuba has resumed navigation in the Atlantic after remaining halted for several weeks, in a move that could offer limited relief to the island’s deepening energy crisis. According to ship-tracking available on Vessel Finder, the Sea Horse loaded fuel in a ship-to-ship operation earlier this year and […]
- Falklands, concerns on the Meningitis B outbreak in UK; Islands’ children have been vaccinated since 2025on March 19, 2026
The Falkland Islands Directorate of Health and Social Services is aware of growing concerns from parents with children studying in the UK, arising from an outbreak of Meningitis B. These concerns are entirely understandable.
- UK reaffirms longstanding relation with Chile and continued partnership for the futureon March 19, 2026
The United Kingdom reaffirmed its intention to deepen its relationship with Chile across trade, critical minerals, energy, shipbuilding and scientific cooperation, according to a statement released by the UK Foreign Office following the inauguration of President José Antonio Kast in Santiago.
- New fees for UK passport applications effective next 8 Aprilon March 19, 2026
The UK government will introduce new fees for passport applications on 8 April 2026. The proposals, which are subject to approval by Parliament, will include the following:
- Delcy Rodríguez removes Vladimir Padrino as Venezuela’s defense ministeron March 18, 2026
Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez on Wednesday removed Vladimir Padrino López as defense minister and appointed General Gustavo González López in his place, ending one of the longest and most politically sensitive tenures within the country’s ruling military hierarchy. Venezuelan media reported the move citing Rodríguez’s official […]
- Brazil promulgates Mercosur-EU deal, completing domestic ratification of trade pacton March 18, 2026
Brazil’s Congress on Tuesday promulgated the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, completing the final domestic step required for the treaty to take effect on the Brazilian side. The ceremony was led by Senate and Congress President Davi Alcolumbre, who framed the pact as a sign in favor of trade, stability and integration at a time of […]
- Falklands celebrate success of Shearers and Wool-handlers Team at world Golden Shears competition in New Zealandon March 18, 2026
Congratulations have been pouring on the Falkland Islands Team at the recent 2026 World Shearing and Wool-handling Championships, Golden Shears, at Masterton, New Zealand, following the outstanding results obtained at the competition by Adam, Evan, Talia, Pilar and Richard.
- Argentina unemployment rises to 7.5% at end-2025, Indec sayson March 18, 2026
Argentina’s unemployment rate stood at 7.5% in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from 6.4% in the same period of 2024 and from 6.6% in the previous quarter, according to data released on Wednesday by the national statistics agency, Indec. The employment rate was 45.0%, while the activity rate reached 48.6% across the 31 urban areas covered by the Permanent […]
- Brazil’s central bank starts easing cycle, cuts Selic rate to 14.75%on March 18, 2026
Brazil’s central bank on Wednesday cut the Selic benchmark rate from 15% to 14.75% a year, marking the first reduction since May 2024 and the formal start of an easing cycle that policymakers had already flagged. In its statement, the Monetary Policy Committee, or Copom, said the move was consistent with its strategy to bring inflation back to target and […]
- Attack on world’s largest gas field raises tensions and jolts marketson March 18, 2026
The war involving Iran, Israel and the United States escalated sharply on Wednesday with a strike on South Pars, the Iranian side of the world’s largest natural gas field, which it shares with Qatar. Reuters reported that the hit on the site marked a new phase in the conflict by targeting major Iranian energy infrastructure for the first time in this war, […]










