LATIN AMERICA

MEXICO'S PRESIDENT CHALLENGES GOOGLE OVER GULF OF MEXICO RENAMING

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In a diplomatic pushback, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has contested Google's decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in compliance with an executive order from former U.S. President Donald Trump. The rebranding on Google Maps was announced earlier this week, sparking criticism and concerns over sovereignty.

COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT SUSPENDS PEACE TALKS AMID ESCALATING VIOLENCE

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Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced the suspension of peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN) on Friday, citing the group's involvement in violent attacks that he labeled war crimes. The announcement followed the ELN's attack in the Catatumbo region, which left five demobilized members of the FARC rebels dead and displaced numerous civilians.

MEXICO'S ECONOMY SHRINKS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS

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Mexico's economy contracted for the first time in three years during the fourth quarter of 2024, according to official data released Thursday. The 0.6% GDP decline from the previous quarter, reported by INEGI, comes as the country anticipates potential tariffs from the US under President Donald Trump. This marks the first such downturn since 2021.

FEAR AND REPRESSION IN VENEZUELA: THE STARK REALITY UNDER MADURO

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Venezuela is gripped by an atmosphere of fear as President Nicolas Maduro prepares for his controversial third-term inauguration. Described by one Latin American diplomat as "fearful," the nation's streets are witnessing a surge in security forces, with dissenters facing intensified crackdowns.

ARGENTINA'S ECONOMY: FROM STRUGGLING TO STRIDING

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Is Argentina turning the corner? Well, in November 2024, it certainly looked like it! For the first time in half a year, Argentina's economy managed to break the streak of negative growth, posting a modest 0.1% year-on-year expansion. If that sounds like a small number, that's because it is—almost as small as a grain of rice—but hey, after months of decline, even a tiny uptick feels like a victory.

SOUTH AMERICA SUMMIT HOPES TO SEAL HUGE TRADE DEAL WITH EU

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Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay are hoping to announce a blockbuster trade deal with the European Union at a regional summit Friday after a push by Brussels to get the long-delayed accord over the line. The deal between the 27-nation EU and the four founding members of South America's Mercosur bloc would create the world's biggest free trade zone. But it has been dogged by resistance by France -- especially its famously militant farmers, who fear it would bring unfair competition.

PANAMA REJECTS THE US' CLAIMS ON CANAL AND EXPANSION AMBITIONS

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Panama firmly rejects Donald Trump's vow to "take back" the Panama Canal,as President Jose Raul Mulino made this crystal clear.

"The canal was not a concession from anyone," Mulino declared on social media. "It is and will remain Panamanian." His response came after Trump's inflammatory inaugural speech.

MEXICAN MAYOR MURDERED, TOP SECURITY CHIEF ARRESTED

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A man in Mexico has been arrested by police in connection to the brutal murder of the mayor of the city of Chilpancingo last month. The killing of Alejandro Arcos, whose beheaded body was found just days after he had been sworn in as mayor, caused shock and revulsion in the violence-wracked state of Guerrero.