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LA PAZ/SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Bolivian police on Wednesday detained Luis Fernando Camacho, the governor of Santa Cruz and a prominent opposition leader, the latest sign of political tensions in a region that saw the arrest of a president in neighboring Peru earlier this month. Authorities have not said why Camacho was arrested but he recently helped lead weeks of protests that blocked streets and halted trade in Santa Cruz. Camacho was taken to a local airport to be flown to La Paz, local media reported. "The operation to kidnap the governor was carried out in the streets near his home, as he was returning from his duties," the Santa Cruz government said in a statement. Opposition Senator Erik Moron said in a video that he had been taken by helicopter to an unknown location.

This year wasn't about which auto manufacturer stock performed the best. All major automakers and EV startups experienced double-digit declines this year – partially or completely offsetting their gains in 2021. Many once-promising EV startups were among the biggest losers, as some ran into capital troubles or couldn't scale production as quickly as anticipated. Traditional automakers were able to temper their stock declines better than the EV startups. But America's largest automakers – General Motors and Ford Motor – both experienced declines of more than 40%, barring any surprise rally to end the year.

☆ Caught in the crossfire, Peru protest deaths keep anger burning
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Alexander Villegas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +9 min

The protests, the worst in years even in tumultuous Peru, have seen 22 people killed, the youngest just 15. The deaths threaten to keep anger fired up despite a lull in violence over the festive period in the heavily Catholic country. A security camera near the airport shows protesters invading the runway around 2 p.m., some throwing rocks and burning tires while troops gathered. The deaths have become a lightning rod for anger in poor Andean and Amazonian areas, when many feel overlooked despite local oil and copper wealth. She said the deaths would spur more anger as people looked to find someone to hold accountable.

☆ Analysis: Argentina's Vaca Muerta shale boom is running out of road
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Eliana Raszewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

[1/4] Workers stand next to a drilling rig in Vaca Muerta shale oil and gas drilling, in the Patagonian province of Neuquen, Argentina November 3, 2022. It holds the world's second-largest shale gas reserves and the fourth-largest shale oil deposits. Reuters Graphics'ABOUT TO COLLAPSE'On the ground in the key Vaca Muerta shale town of Anelo the signs of strain are clear. Local and regional demand is not enough," said Ricardo Markous, president of Tecpetrol, which operates the huge Fortin de Piedra field in Vaca Muerta. There are currently around eight active fracking crews in Vaca Muerta compared to nearly 280 in the United States, Rystad said.

☆ The Nasdaq had its worst year since 2008. These are the best and worst performers and what to expect in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-27 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

2022 brought an end to an impressive bull run for technology — and the worst year for the Nasdaq Composite since 2008. Energy stocks, meanwhile, found favor in investors' portfolios, as did healthcare and financials. Given this outlook, CNBC examined some of the worst and best-performing stocks in the Nasdaq 100 this year. Energy stocks Energy won 2022, benefitting from volatile oil prices triggered by the war in Ukraine. Meta Platforms was the worst-performing FAANG name, and one of the poorest-performing Nasdaq stocks.

☆ EV stocks face another turbulent year, but some names are set for big gains, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-24 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Electric vehicles remain hot Meanwhile, electric vehicles have a tailwind from new legislation. Meanwhile, Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage of Rivian on Dec. 20 with a $30 price target, which marks nearly 57% upside from Friday's close. The average analyst has a target price of $44.88 on the stock, reflecting potential upside of 134%, according to FactSet. Legacy automakers try to catch up Ford and General Motors are trying to gain ground within electric vehicle production. Goldman Sachs' Delaney said the firm currently prefers GM to Ford given its "head start" on electric vehicles.

☆ Argentina president rejects Supreme Court ruling, sparking backlash
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Fernandez, who has seen his popularity slide and whose ruling coalition was badly defeated in midterm congressional elections last year, said that the state would "challenge the members of the Supreme Court" and seek to have the ruling revoked. His remarks sparked off a backlash on both sides, some agreeing with the president that the ruling was unjustified and others saying the rejection of a Supreme Court decision set a dangerous precedent and undermined the justice system. "The president decided to break the constitutional order, completely violate the rule of law and attack democracy," said Buenos Aires city mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, who is seen as a potential 2023 presidential candidate. "This measure is, under current conditions, impossible to comply with," said Buenos Aires province Governor Axel Kicillof. "There are already 18 governors who denounce the partisan decision of the Supreme Court to benefit the head of the city government against all the provinces."

☆ Peru ex-ministers recount Castillo's bombshell final day
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( Marco Aquino | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

By the evening, he was in jail, where he remains - arrested over charges of "rebellion" - and Peru had a new president. Even for politically volatile Peru, it was a dramatic and tense day that has led to deadly protests by Castillo supporters. For Salas, the speech was the final nail in Castillo's political coffin. In the wake of the speech, Castillo's economy minister also resigned, joining the chorus calling his actions a "coup". 'WE WONDERED WHAT HAPPENED'According to Salas and Roberto Sanchez, Castillo's then trade minister, Castillo made the speech seeking to dismiss Congress from his presidential offices.

☆ Air travellers warned of delays as UK passport control staff strike
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union take part in a border force workers strike action near Heathrow Airport, in London, Britain December 23, 2022. The Public and Commercial Services Union said more than 1,000 Border Force staff, who are employed by the government, were expecting to strike. The union said its Border Force members had been offered a 2% pay rise, far below inflation that stood at 10.7% in November. "Immigration halls are free flowing ...with Border Force and the military contingency providing a good service," a spokesperson said. Gatwick, Britain's second busiest, said passengers should expect longer wait times at passport control between Friday and the end of the year.

☆ Chile's artisanal fishermen fear die-out as trawling, climate bite
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Rodrigo Garrido | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The current fishing law, which came into effect in 2013, has faced criticism from lawmakers and fishermen who say it only benefits large fisheries. "Having a new fisheries Law means regaining the confidence of the actors in the sector and the country in the regulation," said Julio Salas, undersecretary of fisheries and aquaculture. Chile has more than 99,557 artisanal fishermen registered in official records, government data show. It could include elements to improve the sustainability of fishing stocks and give larger fishing quotas to small-scale businesses. Rodrigo Gallardo, an artisanal fisherman from the port of Valparaiso, said the practice of trawling needed to end in Chile.

"The World Cup is an immense joy that revives us after suffering economic crisis for so long," Victorica said. "But soon we will have to fall back into reality and face the situations that weigh us down every day." "The World Cup gives us hope and the desire to believe," said Osvaldo Hassan, a 62-year-old merchant in Buenos Aires. World Cup wins can give a small boost to a country's economy in the months following, an academic paper from Britain's University of Surrey found, helping raise exports. Reporting by Rodrigo Campos in New York and Belen Liotti in Buenos Aires; Writing by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Peru ministers visit protest zone as families bury their dead
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Alexander Villegas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The police and armed forces have been accused by rights groups of using deadly firearms and dropping smoke bombs from helicopters. The military says protesters, most in Peru's Andean south, have used homemade weapons and explosives. "In this crisis today where families are mourning and in pain, where basic public infrastructure is destroyed... A recent Ipsos Peru poll showed that 52% of people who live in Peru's south supported Castillo's attempt to shutter Congress, while nationally only 33% approved with 63% against it. Reporting by Alexander Villegas in Ica, Peru; Writing by Marco Aquino; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

It was a third World Cup for Argentina, but the first in 36 years. Messi has long lived in the shadow of Maradona in Argentina, who fans still adore with almost God-like status. [1/13] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Final Qatar 2022 - Fans in Buenos Aires - Buenos Aires, Argentina - December 18, 2022 General view as Argentina fans celebrate with flares after winning the World Cup REUTERS/Mariana Nedelcu 1 2 3 4 5In the streets of the capital revelers partied early into the hours of Monday. The World Cup had been the one piece of silverware missing for Messi, 35, who has broken multiple records playing for club teams Barcelona and Paris St Germain. Sunday's final was likely his last World Cup game for his country.

Huaman is one of Peru's "forgotten" people, marginalized, rural groups Castillo tried to represent - often falling short - whose anger has been fired up by his arrest, threatening to derail a fragile new government and a reviled Congress. Many of the protesters - some Castillo supporters and others simply angry - said they felt ignored by political leaders. The military says protesters, most in Peru's Andean south, have used homemade weapons and explosives. A political rookie, he had won support with pledges to reform the constitution, redistribute huge copper riches and empower marginalized indigenous groups. Outside the Lima jail, Katherine Asto had come to support Castillo wearing a white hat with a slogan making her feelings clear: "Shut down Congress, it's a nest of rats".

☆ Morgan Stanley's top auto analyst Jonas sees tough year ahead for EVs, gives his top picks
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Analyst Adam Jonas is expecting a "challenging" 2023 for auto earnings on the back of declining demand and deflation – particularly for electric vehicle makers. But Jonas' price target implies the stock could gain 10.6% from where it closed Tuesday. Jonas cut the expected electric vehicle penetration forecasts for 2025 and 2030 to 11% and 26%, respectively, from 13% and 32%. Tesla and Rivian are both electric vehicle makers among his top picks. The stock, which is down 48.4% this year, has a price target that shows it could gain 34% over Tuesday's close.

☆ Exclusive: Peru eyes spending in protest zones, but fiscal goals 'non-negotiable' -minister
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Marco Aquino | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The political turmoil is increasingly threatening to derail Peru's economic stability, with ratings agencies warning of downgrades, blockades impacting major mines and protesters demanding Congress and new president Dina Boluarte step down. Amid warnings from ratings agencies about the economic impact of the unrest and possible elevated spending, Contreras pledged that fiscal responsibility would be maintained. Peru is aiming for a fiscal deficit of 2.5% of GDP this year and 2.4% next year. On Monday, ratings agency S&P cut Peru's outlook to negative from stable and warned about a possible ratings downgrade if the upheaval continued. Contreras said that he had spoken with S&P and Fitch and understood their concerns, but highlighted Peru's fiscal and monetary strength, which he said was a buffer for the economy.

☆ Peru declares state of emergency, seeks 18-months jail for Castillo
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-14 | by ( Marco Aquino | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/7] Peruvian President Pedro Castillo addresses the audience during the opening of the VII Ministerial Summit on Government and Digital Transformation of the Americas, in Lima, Peru on November 10, 2022. The protests were sparked by the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo on Dec. 7 in an impeachment vote. Prosecutors on Wednesday said they were seeking 18 months of pretrial detention for Castillo, who has been charged with rebellion and conspiracy. He called on supporters to come to the jail, saying he should be released after the initial seven-day period of pretrial detention expires later on Wednesday. However, sources from the prosecutor's office and analysts said Castillo cannot be released while the Supreme Court resolves the prosecutors' request.

☆ Arid wheat fields and dead cows: a snapshot of Argentina's worst drought in decades
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Maximilian Heath | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The drought in Argentina has led to sharp cuts to the country's wheat harvest forecast and is threatening to derail corn and soy too. Russo said soil moisture levels were worse than the 2008/09 campaign, when the South American country produced only 31 million tonnes of soybeans, from 18 million hectares planted. Russo said that the current wheat crop forecast of 11.8 million tonnes, already slashed from an original 19 million tonnes, could be trimmed further. In 2008/09 the wheat harvest was 8.3 million tonnes. Reporting by Maximilian Heath in Navarro, Argentina Editing by Adam Jourdan and Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Peru lawmakers vote to oust President Castillo after Congress shut-down threat
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Marco Aquino | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/6] Peru's President Pedro Castillo delivers a statement to the media along with Chile's President Gabriel Boric at the La Moneda government palace in Santiago, Chile, November 29, 2022. REUTERS/Ivan AlvaradoLIMA, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Peru's Congress voted to oust President Pedro Castillo in an impeachment trial on Wednesday, hours after he said he would dissolve the legislature by decree and threw the Andean country into a full-on constitutional crisis. Ignoring Castillo's attempt to shut down Congress, lawmakers moved ahead with the impeachment trial, with 101 votes in favor of removing him, six against and 10 abstentions. "The United States categorically rejects any extra-constitutional act by President Castillo to prevent Congress from fulfilling its mandate," the U.S. ambassador to Peru, Lisa Kenna, wrote on Twitter. Peru, which has gone through years of political turmoil, has seen major stand-offs between the president and Congress before.

☆ Uruguay's free-trade deal ambitions rattle South American trade bloc
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Fabian Werner | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

At the meeting in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo, the leaders sought to pressure their host over plans for go-it-alone trade deals with China and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). "The solution is not for each one of us just to do our own thing," said Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, chiding Uruguay. One of the smallest economies in South America, Uruguay has been trying for years to conclude unilateral trade agreements that it considers more beneficial than Mercosur. Of course, if we go in a group it is much better," said Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou. Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez said Mercosur integration was "fundamental and strategic" but indicated flexibility on a demand Uruguay not move forward on trade deals without informing the others.

☆ The CFPB Engages in Legal Deception
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Adam J. White | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

But the CFPB, which Congress established in the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010, is engaging in some false advertising of its own. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in October that the bureau’s unprecedented power to fund itself is unconstitutional. The Constitution prohibits agencies from spending from the federal Treasury without “appropriations made by law.” The CFPB does exactly that. The Dodd-Frank Act authorizes its director to decide unilaterally how much the agency needs to spend and to demand that the Federal Reserve transfer the funds to the agency. The Fifth Circuit recognized that this self-funding power violates the Constitution and undermines one of the basic pillars of republican self-government.

☆ Ambivalent Argentines want to be Messi but are more Maradona - author
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Lucila Sigal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Argentines aspire to be like clean-living Lionel Messi but in reality are more like flawed rebel Diego Maradona, an author says, as comparisons between the two great No. 10s become a dominant talking point of the Qatar World Cup. But only a World Cup would give him Maradona's stature. "People demand more from Messi because he's come on the scene to compete with and rival Maradona. "But unfortunately he needs to win here because in Argentina winning is what counts.

Small-scale copper miners are now challenging Big Copper for territorial control of rich deposits of the red metal. In Peru, artisanal mining permits have doubled to 80,000 since 2020, government records show. Peru's leftist administration presented a new framework for artisanal mining last week that declared artisanal mining is "as important" as big mining. "Where we have concessions we can't have (artisanal mining permits)," Rojas said. The number of valid artisanal mining permits in Tapairihua has fallen from 100 to 32 since May, according to government records.

☆ Tesla's stock is suffering from Musk's Twitter takeover, Morgan Stanley survey of investors finds
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Elon Musk's involvement in Twitter hasn't been good for Tesla 's stock, according to a Morgan Stanley survey of institutional investors and industry experts. Nearly 75% of those surveyed by the firm believe the Twitter situation has accounted for at least a significant portion of Tesla's recent share price underperformance, the survey showed. Morgan Stanley received 43 responses to its Nov. 23 survey. "While difficult to quantify, we believe there must be some form of sentiment 'circuit breaker' around the Twitter situation to calm investor concerns around Tesla." "In a slowing economic environment, we believe Tesla's 'gap to competition' can potentially widen, particularly as EV prices pivot from inflationary to deflationary," he said.

☆ In South America's Andes, farmers pray for rain to end drought
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Monica Machicao | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] An indigenous woman raises her hands in prayer asking for rain in the Lloko Lloko community, in Tihuanacu, Bolivia November 23, 2022. REUTERS/Claudia MoralesTIHUANACU, Bolivia, Nov 25 (Reuters) - High in the mountains of the Bolivian Andes, farmer Alberto Quispe has one thing on his mind: rain. The drought has hit crops in Bolivia as well as in Argentina, Paraguay and Peru. In the Andean regions, drought in recent years has caused falling water reservoir levels in places like Chile and led to important glaciers retreating. Drought has hit crops like wheat and soy, including this year in major grains producer Argentina.

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