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☆ Guatemala prosecutor defends its probe into anti-graft presidential hopeful
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

GUATEMALA CITY, July 14 (Reuters) - The Guatemalan prosecutors' office said on Friday it would continue its investigation into anti-graft party Semilla and that its actions were not meant to interfere with a presidential run-off set to take place next month. The office this week launched an investigation of Semilla, whose candidate Bernardo Arevalo, pledging to tackle entrenched corruption, took a surprise second place in the first-round vote in June. The prosecutor has alleged that Semilla committed fraud by using more than 5,000 fake signatures to register members. The prosecutor leading the investigation into Semilla, Rafael Curruchiche, said during a press conference on Friday that Guatemalans had come forward with complaints about Semilla. Curruchiche has previously targeted anti-graft campaigners and has been placed on the U.S. State Department's Engel List for "corrupt and undemocratic actors."

Persons: Semilla, Bernardo Arevalo, Rafael Curruchiche, Guatemalans, Arevalo, Sandra Torres, Torres, Curruchiche, U.S . State Department's Engel, Sofia Menchu, Kylie Madry, Sarah Kinosian, Cassandra Garrison, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, European Union, U.S, U.S . State, Thomson Locations: GUATEMALA, U.S, Semilla, U.S .

☆ Guatemala top court reverses ban on anti-graft presidential candidate
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The Constitutional Court said it had granted a provisional injunction filed by the Semilla party against a judge's order to suspend the party and seemingly kick Arevalo out of the race. Asked about the potential for U.S. sanctions on those behind the Semilla suspension, a U.S. State Department spokesperson cited sanctions already imposed on Curruchiche and Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras but declined to say more. Arevalo told reporters earlier on Thursday he believed the lower court's move against Semilla violated a Guatemalan law preventing political party suspensions during an election. Arevalo's presidential rival Torres urged the popular vote be respected and said she was suspending her campaign in solidarity with Semilla voters. Aldana by then had a reputation as an anti-graft crusader and helped oust, prosecute and imprison conservative former President Otto Perez.

Persons: Cinthia Monterroso, Guatemala Attorney General's, Bernardo Arevalo's, Read, Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo, Sandra Torres, Semilla, Rafael Curruchiche, U.S . State Department's Engel, General Maria Consuelo Porras, Juan Jose Arevalo, Alejandro Giammattei, Giammattei, Torres, Thelma Aldana, Otto Perez, Sofia Menchu, Dave Graham, Valentine Hilaire, Matt Spetalnick, Kylie Madry, Cassandra Garrison, Sarah Morland, Stephen Eisenhammer, Josie Kao, Lincoln Organizations: Guatemala Attorney, GUATEMALA CITY, Constitutional, European Union, U.S, U.S . State, Semilla, Washington D.C, Thomson Locations: Guatemala, Guatemala City, GUATEMALA, June's, The U.S, U.S, Canada, Britain, Chile, Norway, Mexico, U.S ., Curruchiche, Mexico City, Washington

☆ Guatemala court suspends anti-graft presidential candidate's party
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

GUATEMALA CITY, July 12 (Reuters) - A court in Guatemala suspended the party of anti-graft presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo, a prosecutor at the Attorney General's Office said on Wednesday, throwing into question his place in a second round run-off vote. "In no way will we obey a spurious and illegal decision like the one issued by that court." Shortly after, the electoral court confirmed the first-round results, which put Arevalo into a second round. "It's something that concerns us as a court, because we know that elections are won at the polls," Irma Palencia, head of the electoral court, said when asked about the suspension. This would certainly represent an astounding new low for Guatemala," said Donald J. Planty, a former U.S. ambassador to Guatemala, about the possible suspension.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Attorney General's, Arevalo, Rafael Curruchiche, Sandra Torres, Irma Palencia, Brian A, Nichols, Guatemalans, Juan Jose Arevalo, Carlos Pineda, Will Freeman, Semilla, Critics, Alejandro Giammattei, Donald J, Sofia Menchu, Valentine Hilaire, David Alire, Adriana Barrera, Cassandra Garrison, Brendan O'Boyle, Stephen Eisenhammer, Lincoln, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, Attorney, CNN, Twitter, U.S, Western Hemisphere Affairs, Central American, Council, Foreign Relations, Thomson Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemala, Nicaragua, U.S

Summary Canadian minister Ng notes progress with Mexico over energyUSTR Tai urges Mexico to monitor steel and aluminum exports to U.S.MEXICO CITY, July 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. sees some progress made on an energy dispute with Mexico, although "deep-seated" concerns persist, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Thursday shortly before talks in Mexico with top Mexican and Canadian trade officials. The U.S. and Canada demanded dispute settlement talks over energy with Mexico in July 2022, arguing that Mexico's nationalist energy policies, which have tightened state control over the energy market, were discriminatory to U.S. companies. Canada's Ng separately noted progress with Mexico over energy issues, saying concerns from Canadian companies had been addressed. In addition to the energy spat, the U.S. and Mexico are engaged in a dispute over Mexico's decree to limit the use of genetically modified (GM) corn. Before the meeting, Tai said trade dispute settlement consultations over GM corn, which the U.S. requested in June, began with Mexico last week.

Persons: Ng, Tai, Katherine Tai, Raquel Buenrostro, of International Trade Mary Ng, Canada's Ng, Daina Beth Solomon, Cassandra Garrison, Costas Pitas, Brendan O'Boyle, Marguerita Choy, Diane Craft Organizations: MEXICO CITY, U.S . Trade, USMCA Free Trade Commission, Mexican, of International Trade, Thomson Locations: Mexico, U.S, MEXICO, Canada, American, Mexican, Cancun

☆ Storm Beatriz approaches Mexican Pacific resorts, hurricane expected
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, June 29 (Reuters) - Storm Beatriz formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Thursday and will likely strengthen into a hurricane by Friday, prompting the government to issue warnings for popular beach resorts as it heads near shore, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The storm is expected to "move very near or along the coast of southwestern Mexico" and is moving west-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h),the U.S.-based NHC said late Thursday. "Beatriz is likely to become a hurricane on Friday," the NHC said. A tropical storm warning is also in effect from Punta Maldonado in the southwestern state of Guerrero, home to tourist hotspot Acapulco, to Zihuatanejo, another popular beach town in the state. Swells were also forecast along Mexico's southwestern coast, likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Persons: Storm Beatriz, Beatriz, Cassandra Garrison, Isabel Woodford, Mark Porter, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: MEXICO CITY, National Hurricane Center, NHC, Punta Maldonado, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, U.S, Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, Punta, Guerrero, Acapulco, Oaxaca

☆ Mexico president vows to clean up corruption at food security agency Segalmex
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, June 29 (Reuters) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Thursday vowed to clean up cases of fraud and corruption at Segalmex, a government organization aimed at promoting food self-sufficiency in the agricultural sector. Segalmex, created by Lopez Obrador, has been the target of multiple corruption accusations, with several former employees arrested by the Attorney General's Office (FGR) on charges ranging from embezzlement to organized crime. Lopez Obrador has put rooting out corruption at the center of his presidency. Among the accusations against Segalmex were payments using public funds for goods and services that were not accounted for. "This government does not tolerate corruption and impunity," Lopez Obrador said.

Persons: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Lopez Obrador, Lopez, Segalmex, Valentine Hilaire, Raul Cortes, Cassandra Garrison, Mark Porter Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Attorney, Regeneration, Employees, Thomson Locations: MEXICO

The fallout is a rare chink in Lopez Obrador's formidable popularity, steadily above 60% throughout his term. The pricing issue is urgent as northern corn farmers are harvesting now, many with nowhere to sell without taking a loss. It is not the first time that tensions have heated up between this administration and the agriculture sector. Valdez estimated that commercial agriculture producers represent about 10 million votes. Farmers argue Lopez Obrador's government has eliminated important sector benefits, including loans at beneficial interest rates, which his administration says too often fell into arrears.

Persons: Edgard Garrido, Andres Manuel Lopez, Lopez, Lopez Obrador's, Bosco, la Vega, Lopez Obrador, Claudia Sheinbaum, Marcelo Ebrard, Adan Augusto, Baltazar Valdez, Valdez, Raul Urteaga, Urteaga, spokespeople, Luz Maria Mendoza, Cassandra Garrison, Stephen Eisenhammer, Nick Zieminski Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, U.S, Regeneration, Producers, Chicago Board of Trade, CNA, Farmers, North American Free Trade, United Farm Workers, Valdez, Global Agrotrade Advisors, Agriculture, Finance Ministry, FIRA, Thomson Locations: La Constitucion Totoltepec, Toluca , Mexico, MEXICO, Sinaloa, United States, U.S, Chihuahua, Mexico, Canada

☆ Mexico interior minister steps down to vie for presidential bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, June 16 (Reuters) - Mexican Interior Minister Adan Augusto Lopez has resigned from his post to compete for the ruling party's candidacy in next year's presidential elections, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Friday. Lopez Obrador said during a regular press conference that the interior minister had resigned the day before. The president did not immediately name a replacement, but said that Alejandro Encinas, who has led human rights issues for the ministry, would act as interior minister in the interim. Lopez's resignation follows that of former Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, who stepped down earlier this week, and Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, whose last day in office is Friday. Opinion polls so far have tended to give Sheinbaum, who would be Mexico's first female president if she won, a slight edge.

Persons: Adan Augusto Lopez, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Lopez Obrador, Lopez, Alejandro Encinas, Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, Raul Cortes, Kylie Madry, Sarah Morland, Cassandra Garrison, Bill Berkrot Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Mexico City Mayor, Regeneration, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, MORENA

MEXICO CITY, June 14 (Reuters) - Dozens of flights at an international airport in the northern Mexican state of Sinaloa were suspended Wednesday as protests by farmers demanding guaranteed prices for grains ramped up a standoff with the government. Producers urge President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to guarantee prices for corn, wheat and sorghum, saying government intervention is vital to counter a steep drop in international prices. Saying they had no response, a group of farmers marched to Culiacan airport and blocked the doors in videos shared on social media. In other videos, farmers entered government offices and tipped grain from bags onto the floor. Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha asked farmers to instead protest commodities trader Cargill (CARG.UL) and Mexican corn product makers Minsa and Gruma, implying they were responsible for lower prices.

Persons: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Wheat, Ruben Rocha, " Rocha, Minsa, Cassandra Garrison, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Farmers, Chicago Board, Sinaloa, Cargill, Agriculture Ministry, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexican, Sinaloa, Culiacan, Phoenix , Arizona, Mexico

MEXICO CITY, June 7 (Reuters) - Scientists have documented the first-known instance of a "virgin birth" by a crocodile, which had been living in isolation for 16 years at Costa Rican zoo, according to a study published Wednesday. According to the study published in the journal Biology Letters, scientists tested the crocodile fetus' genetic makeup. The phenomenon of FP, which some scientists have referred to by the shorthand of "virgin birth," has also been documented in other species of fish, birds, lizards and snakes. In FP, a female's egg cell can develop into a baby without being fertilized by a male's sperm cell. The scientists said the Costa Rica "virgin birth" could lead to new information about crocodile ancestors that walked the earth in the Triassic Period some 250 million years ago.

Persons: Pterosauria, Cassandra Garrison, David Gregorio Our Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Costa, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Costa Rican, Costa Rica

MEXICO CITY, June 2 (Reuters) - Mexico said on Friday it would counter U.S. arguments over agriculture biotech measures, including plans to limit its use of genetically modified (GM) corn, in trade dispute settlement consultations requested by Washington earlier in the day. If the consultations fail to resolve disagreements within 75 days, Washington can request a dispute settlement panel to decide the case. The United States requested formal trade consultations in March over objections to Mexico's plans to limit imports of GM corn and other agricultural biotechnology products. The new decree eliminated a deadline to ban GM corn for animal feed and industrial use, by far the bulk of its $5 billion worth of U.S. corn imports, but maintained a ban on GM corn used in dough or tortillas. Some sector experts have expressed concern that the move could set a precedent among other countries, which would disrupt the global corn trade.

Persons: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, February's, Tom Haag, Cassandra Garrison, Adriana Barrera, Kylie Madry, Dave Graham, Ismail Shakil, Leslie Adler, William Mallard Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Washington, U.S, Trade Ministry, United, U.S . Trade, U.S ., Corn Growers Association, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, Canada, U.S, Washington, United States, Mexican, Mexico City, Ottawa

MEXICO CITY, June 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. is escalating its conflict with Mexico over agriculture biotech measures, including the stance on genetically modified (GM) corn, by requesting dispute settlement consultations, senior officials of the U.S. Trade Representative's office said on Friday. If the consultations announced on Friday fail to resolve disagreements within 75 days, Washington can request a dispute settlement panel to decide the case. The United States requested formal trade consultations in March over objections to Mexico's plans to limit imports of GM corn and other agricultural biotechnology products. Earlier this week, Mexico's agriculture minister expressed confidence in an interview that the dispute with the U.S. would not escalate to a dispute settlement panel. The new decree eliminated the deadline to ban GM corn for animal feed and industrial use, by far the bulk of its $5 billion worth of U.S. corn imports, but maintained a ban on GM corn used in dough or tortillas.

Persons: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Tom Vilsack, Tom Haag, Cassandra Garrison, Adriana Barrera, Ismail Shakil, Leslie Adler Organizations: MEXICO CITY, U.S . Trade, U.S, Trade Ministry, United, Economy Ministry, Agriculture, U.S ., Corn Growers Association, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, U.S, Mexico, Canada, Washington, United States, Mexico City, Ottawa

MEXICO CITY, May 31 (Reuters) - Better coordination between Mexico's government and telecoms companies is needed to ensure a faster roll-out of 5G services to meet the demand of major companies such as Tesla (TSLA.O), executives and officials said on Wednesday. But the federal government needs to help connect the manufacturing sector with telecoms providers to boost 5G services and attract more investment, said Gabriel Szekely, Chief Executive of Mexico's National Telecommunications Association (Anatel). "(The government) does not have a specific vision for the 5G world to be implemented in Mexico," Szekely said. About 15% of Mexico's population has access to 5G services, compared to 61% in the United States, Szekely said, citing a recent study. "In the case of the train... the government has not come out to say this is what is needed and this is the plan," Szekely said.

Persons: Tesla's, Gabriel Szekely, Szekely, Ivan Rivas, Rivas, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's, Lopez Obrador, Cassandra Garrison, Muralikumar Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Mexico's National Telecommunications Association, Nuevo, Nuevo Leon Economy, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's Inter, Oceanic, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Nuevo Leon state, U.S, Mexico, Mexico City, United States, Nuevo Leon, Pacific, Gulf, Panama

☆ After growing GM corn for decades, some US farmers open to Mexican restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Tom Polansek | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"I'm all for free and fair trade," said Fred Huddlestun, who grows GM corn and soybeans in Yale, Illinois. Supporters of the policy say GM corn can contaminate Mexico's age-old native varieties and have questioned its impact on human health. NCGA said GM corn is safe and it will fight all illegal trade barriers for farmers. But many would consider growing more non-GM corn, if the price were right. "You need to make it worth my while," said Illinois farmer Dave Kestel, who grows GM corn and sells seed for Corteva.

Entrepreneur Luke Iseman said the sulfur dioxide in the balloons would deflect sunlight and cool the atmosphere, a controversial climate strategy known as solar geoengineering. The Mexican government told Reuters it is now actively drafting “new regulations and standards” to prohibit solar geoengineering inside the country. While the Mexican government announced its intention to ban solar geoengineering in January, its current actions and plans to discuss geoengineering bans with other countries have not been previously reported. GLOBAL GEOENGINEERING BANClimate policy experts said Mexico is in a position to help set the rules for future geoengineering research. David Keith, a professor of applied physics and public policy at Harvard University who has dedicated much of his research to solar geoengineering, called Iseman's launch a "stunt."

☆ Spain's PM Sanchez to push for 'territorial integrity' for Ukraine in China visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( Paul Mathiasen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SANTO DOMINGO, March 25 (Reuters) - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday he would push for fair peace in the war in Ukraine that included "territorial integrity" during a state visit to China next week. "The most important thing ... is that when this peace is reached in Ukraine, it will be fair and lasting ... and when we talk about fair, I mean that the territorial integrity of Ukraine, which has been violated by Putin, is respected," Sanchez said in a news conference. Last month, Beijing outlined a 12-point peace plan and called for a comprehensive ceasefire. Xi recently traveled to Moscow, where he described China's position on the conflict as "impartial". Reporting by Paul Mathiasen in Santo Domingo, writing by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Honduras ends decades-long diplomatic ties with Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TEGUCIGALPA, March 25 (Reuters) - Honduras said on Saturday it was ending its decades-long diplomatic relations with Taiwan, bringing it closer to China as it expands its footprint in Central America. "The government of Honduras recognises the existence of just one China," the Honduran foreign ministry said in a post on Twitter. The ministry said Honduras had notified Taiwan of its decision to break ties, and that it would not return to having any relationship or official contact with Taiwan. The Honduran foreign minister travelled to China this week to open relations after President Xiomara Castro said her government would start ties with Beijing, Honduras being one of only 14 countries to formally recognise Taiwan. China views Taiwan as one of its provinces with no right to state-to-state ties, a view the democratically elected government in Taipei strongly disputes.

☆ Mexico government to challenge Supreme Court suspension of electoral reform
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A general view of the Supreme Court building where Ministers elected a new President for the Supreme Court, in Mexico City, Mexico January 2, 2023.REUTERS/Henry Romero/File PhotoMEXICO CITY, March 26 (Reuters) - The Mexican government said Sunday it would challenge the Supreme Court's temporary suspension of parts of a controversial electoral reform pushed by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The Supreme Court on Friday halted parts of the reform, which was a scaled-down version of a failed constitutional reform originally sought. The court also confirmed it will consider a lawsuit from independent electoral institute INE that seeks to overturn it. The Supreme Court's statement said in its statement Friday that the case involved "the possible violation of citizen's political-electoral rights." The government has said the reform seeks to reduce the bureaucratic costs of elections and strengthen democratic principles.

☆ Argentina ex-President Macri says he will not be candidate in upcoming elections
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group C - Poland v Argentina - Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar - November 30, 2022 Former President of Argentina Mauricio Macri REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini/File PhotoBUENOS AIRES, March 26 (Reuters) - Former Argentine President Mauricio Macri said on Sunday that he will not be a presidential candidate in the country's October general elections, as the opposition coalition moves to confirm its candidates. Opposition candidates Buenos Aires Mayor Horacio Rodriguez Larreta and former Security Minister Patricia Bullrich applauded Macri's decision not to run. "I will not be a candidate in the next election," Macri said in a video posted on social media on Sunday. Although Macri had previously suggested he would not run for the October elections, other opposition members speculated he would still announce his candidacy. The opposition coalition appears poised to garner more support than the ruling party, which has not yet defined its candidate amid major internal disputes between Fernandez and his Vice President Cristina Fernandez.

☆ Inflation, migration in focus at regional Ibero-American summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( Paul Mathiasen And Jesus Frias | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Honduras President Xiomara Castro attends at the XXVIII Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, March 25, 2023. Dominican Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout via REUTERSSANTO DOMINGO, March 25 (Reuters) - Leaders attending the Ibero-American Summit meeting in the Dominican Republic on Saturday highlighted rising inflation and migration as risks to the stability of the region. "Today migration management constitutes one of the great regional challenges," said Chilean President Gabriel Boric. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, meanwhile, canceled his attendance at the Ibero-American summit after receiving a positive COVID-19 test result, though he has since tested negative twice, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said. Reporting by Paul Mathiasen and Jesus Frias in Santo Domingo and Marco Aquino in Lima Writing by Cassandra Garrison Editing by Matthew Lewis and Deepa BabingtonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Venezuela's Maduro will not attend Ibero-American summit, official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CARACAS, March 25 (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will not attend an Ibero-American summit this weekend hosted by the Dominican Republic, a Venezuelan official said on Saturday, a day after a summit organizer said he was en route. Foreign Minister Yvan Gil will attend the Saturday and Sunday conference instead, Venezuela's Information Minister Freddy Nanez told Reuters. The confirmation Maduro will not attend came a day after a summit official said Maduro was on his way to the event, which provides a forum for leaders from across Latin America as well as Spain and Portugal. Maduro is shunned by many governments due in part to his 2018 re-election derided as a sham by international observers. Reporting by Leonardo Fernandez Viloria in Caracas; Writing by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ US State Department monitoring reports of kidnapped couple in Haiti
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PORT-AU-PRINCE, March 25 (Reuters) - A U.S. State Department spokesperson said Saturday the government is aware of reports of two U.S. citizens missing in Haiti, after media outlets said a Florida couple had been kidnapped. The couple was on a trip to visit family and attend a festival when they were kidnapped during a bus ride, the relative said, according to CNN. "We are aware of reports of two U.S. citizens missing in Haiti," the State Department spokesperson said. The security situation has devolved further in recent months with routine gun fights between police officers and the gangs. The group said ransom money was paid for the release of the captives, but a dozen had escaped on their own.

☆ Venezuela's Maduro skips Ibero-American summit after positive COVID test
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CARACAS, March 25 (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro canceled his attendance at the Ibero-American summit after receiving a positive COVID-19 test result, though he has since tested negative twice, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on Saturday. Rodriguez said Maduro was informed by his doctors on Friday of a positive PCR test, leading him to cancel his appearance at the event, which provides a forum for leaders from across Latin America as well as Spain and Portugal. Everything indicates that it was a false positive," Rodriguez said on Twitter. Venezuela's information minister, Freddy Nanez, told Reuters earlier on Saturday that Maduro will not attend the event a day after a summit official said Maduro was on his way to the Dominican Republic. Maduro is shunned by many governments due in part to his 2018 re-election derided as a sham by international observers.

Mexico published a presidential decree on genetically modified (GM) corn in late 2020, saying it would ban GM corn in the diets of Mexicans and end the use the herbicide glyphosate by Jan. 31, 2024. The new decree eliminated the deadline to ban GM corn for animal feed and industrial use, by far the bulk of its U.S. corn imports. The new plan bans only GM corn used for dough or tortillas but leaves the door open to gradually substituting GM corn for animal feed and industrial use in the future. Some sector experts have said they worry that Mexico's restriction on GM corn, if successful, could set a precedent, prompting other countries to take a similar approach and disrupting the global corn trade. Corn for human food use comprises about 21% of Mexico's corn imports from the U.S., according to a representative from the National Corn Growers Association, citing U.S. Grains Council data.

CHICAGO/WASHINGTON, March 6 (Reuters) - The United States has requested formal trade consultations with Mexico over U.S. objections to its southern neighbor's plans to limit imports of genetically modified corn and other agricultural biotechnology products. "We hope these consultations will be productive as we continue to work with Mexico to address these issues." The United States has previously threatened to take the issue to a trade dispute panel under the trilateral agreement with Mexico and Canada over the plan, which would ban genetically modified corn for human consumption. A USTR official said the talks would cover Mexico's planned rejection of GMO corn and other agricultural biotechnology products that have been shown to be safe in the United States and other countries for decades. Corn for food use comprises about 21% of Mexican corn imports from the U.S., a representative from the National Corn Growers Association said, citing U.S. Grains Council data.

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