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☆ Missing Mexican journalist's body found, his newspaper La Jornada reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

July 8 (Reuters) - The body of missing 59-year-old Mexican journalist Luis Martín Sanchez Iniguez was found in the Mexican state of Nayarit, his newspaper La Jornada said on Saturday. Sanchez Iniguez had been missing since Wednesday and his wife filed a missing persons report with Mexican authorities on Friday. His body was found on the outskirts of the city of Tepic. The country consistently ranks as one of the most deadly countries for journalists, according to press freedom groups. Reporting and writing by Anna-Catherine Brigida Editing by Alistair BellOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Luis Martín Sanchez Iniguez, Sanchez Iniguez, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Alistair Bell Organizations: Thomson Locations: Mexican, Nayarit, Tepic, Mexico

☆ OAS urges Guatemalan authorities to move forward with election process
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

According to preliminary results, anti-graft candidate Bernando Arevalo bucked forecasts to earn 11.8% of the vote, enough to secure a spot on the upcoming ballot. He trailed only behind former first lady Sandra Torres, with 15.8% of the vote. "The Mission verified that no serious irregularities were revealed and that no significant changes were registered with respect to the preliminary results of Sunday, June 25," the OAS said in a statement. However, on Friday night, the CSJ resolved to extend the suspension of the results for 10 more days. The electoral process in the Central American country has been strongly criticized by international and national organizations due to this unprecedented suspension of the official results.

Persons: Bernando Arevalo, Sandra Torres, CSJ, Torres, Arévalo, Sofia Menchu, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Franklin Paul Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, of American States, Guatemalan Constitutional, Central American, Franklin Paul Our, Thomson Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemalan

☆ Argentina political drama heats as election battle lines drawn
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( Anna-Catherine Brigida | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BUENOS AIRES, June 24 (Reuters) - Argentina's presidential election battle lines have hardened after economy minister Sergio Massa entered the race in a dramatic late twist to take on front runners including a conservative city mayor, ex-security czar and libertarian economist. The most notable late confirmation has been Economy Minister Sergio Massa, whose candidacy was announced somewhat unexpectedly Friday night. "This completely changes the political scene," said Alejandro Corbacho, director of political science program at Argentine University UCEMA. Larreta, Bullrich, and Massa are roughly even in the polls, with Milei polling slightly ahead. With no candidate or party polling over 50%, the likelihood is the October election will lead to a run-off, with all still to play for.

Persons: Sergio Massa, Alejandro Corbacho, Massa, Agustin Rossi, Eduardo, Wado, de Pedro, Brazil Daniel Scioli, Horacio Larreta, Patricia Bullrich, Facundo Manes, Bullrich, Javier Milei, Carlos Fara, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Adam Jourdan, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Argentine University UCEMA, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, American, Brazil, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Argentine

1 steak consumer per capita despite the painful impact of 109% inflation on food prices, a Rosario grains exchange report showed on Friday. That, however, seems to be partly reversing, even in the face of one of the world's highest inflation rates which has badly hurt spending power. Reuters GraphicsThe exchange said the relative cost of beef versus pork and chicken had dropped since 2021, though it remained elevated versus a historical average. The proportion of beef in meat consumption climbed this year to 46% from 44% two years ago. The recent bump in the data underscores the importance of beef in Argentine culture, even as the highest inflation rate since 1991 has pushed some 40% of the population into poverty.

Persons: Gross, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Richard Chang Organizations: Reuters, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES, Rosario

☆ Argentina eases access to 'morning after pill', broadening reproductive rights
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Anna-Catherine Brigida | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Catholic country and homeland of Pope Francis approved a law allowing abortion up to 14 weeks in December 2020, part of a wave of liberalizing legislation around the region, even as the United States further north has seen abortion access tightened. In the official bulletin, the health ministry wrote that the measure would help avoid unintentional pregnancy by helping overcome "difficulties of access to health services, contraception supplies, and education" faced by some. "This removes an important barrier to access," Valeria Isla, director of sexual and reproductive health at the Health Ministry, told Reuters. The day-after pill is available without a prescription in at least 70 countries, including the United States. "For a long time it was thought to induce an abortion, which is not true," Gagliardi said, referring to the common criticism of emergency contraception from pro-life groups.

Persons: Wade, Read, Pope Francis, Valeria Isla, Vanessa Gagliardi, Juntas, Izquierda, Gagliardi, DerquiXlaVida, Anna, Catherine Brigida, William Maclean Organizations: U.S, Embassy, Supreme, Women's Health Organization, Catholic, Health Ministry, Reuters, World Health Organization, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Dobbs, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, American, United States, Argentine

Buenos Aires wants faster payouts and easier economic targets. "More than a debt, it's a crime," President Fernandez wrote in a tweet on Thursday, citing a new government auditor report that concluded the original deal had lacked the required impact study and not passed through proper legislative channels. Fernandez, who has criticized the original deal before, called for an investigation "with all the weight of the law." Powerful but divisive Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, a previous two-term president, called the original deal "scandalous" and a "scam" of the Argentine people. Macri and the IMF have defended the original deal as necessary to restore Argentina's economic stability.

☆ Argentine shoemakers and tailors buckle under 109% inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( Horacio Soria | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Argentina is battling one of the highest inflation rates in the world, with prices growing faster at any time since 1991, raising the specter of hyperinflation and full-blown economic crisis. What it meant for small businesses like his, he said, was supplier prices changing almost daily. The clothing and footwear sector experienced the highest monthly inflation of all categories in April at 10.8%, data from statistics agency INDEC show. In a clothing market in the capital, traders pointed to higher import prices, given volatile exchange rates. "I never used to fix clothes, but people fix clothes now because they cannot afford to buy them."

☆ As US debates abortion pill ban, Argentina expands its use
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Anna-Catherine Brigida | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/3] Benjamin Castro, a 26-year-old non-binary Argentine musician and teacher, poses for pictures during an interview in Buenos Aires, Argentina May 4, 2023. Argentina is the latest country in Latin America to green light the drug, part of a two-pill abortion regimen, which now faces the threat of a ban in the United States. "Having mifepristone available is key for ensuring abortions that are safe and high quality," she said. For Benjamin Castro, a 26-year-old non-binary Argentine musician and teacher, mifepristone access came too late. Castro, who was assigned female at birth and uses male pronouns, sought an abortion in 2020 during the pandemic, before mifepristone was available, receiving only misoprostol pills.

☆ Mexico bus plunges off cliff, at least 18 die
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Emergency personnel work on the site where a bus carrying tourists traveling to Guayabitos overturned, in Compostela, Nayarit state, Mexico in this handout image obtained from social media April 30, 2023. Secretaria de Seguridad y Proteccion Ciudadana de Nayarit/Handout via REUTERSMEXICO CITY, April 30 (Reuters) - At least 18 people were killed and 33 injured when a bus fell off a cliff in western Mexico, local authorities said Sunday. "From the first moment, we have worked in a coordinated manner with the various federal and state authorities to provide immediate attention to victims," the prosecutor's office said in a statement shared on Twitter. Authorities reported that 11 women and seven men were killed. Writing by Anna-Catherine Brigida; Reporting by Raul Cortes; Editing by Richard ChangOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Mexican Senate expeditiously approves set of laws, mining reform
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Raul Cortes | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MEXICO CITY, April 29 (Reuters) - The Mexican Senate approved in an express session on Saturday a package of laws including two constitutional reforms and a new mining law rebuked by the mining chamber and Canada. The mining law shortens concessions in the mining sector to 30 years from 50, tightens water extraction permits, and requires some mining profits to be returned to local communities, among other modifications. Lopez Obrador has not granted any new mining concessions since he took office in the world's top silver producing country in late 2018. The national mining chamber Camimex has warned such reforms could cost the country some $9 billion in investments and up to 420,000 jobs. Mining giant Grupo México (GMEXICOB.MX) said on Thursday that the government's reforms to the sector did not represent a risk to its portfolio.

REUTERS/Agustin MarcarianBUENOS AIRES, April 14 (Reuters) - Argentines, painfully accustomed to decades of spiraling prices, say that the current 102.5%-and-climbing inflation rate is on another level and is making it almost impossible to get by. "In my case, I have zero capacity to save," said Claudia Hernansaez, a publishing company employee. "In one year, beef went from around 1,000 pesos ($4.66) or 1,200 pesos to 2,800 pesos." Paola Lavezzari, also in publishing, said inflation was forcing her to tighten the purse strings and buy cheaper products. Because what you used to consume of a better quality, today is unaffordable," she said.

BUENOS AIRES, April 10 (Reuters) - Argentina has patched up its wobbly economy with a so-called "soy dollar" preferential exchange rate to boost grains exports and bring in much-needed foreign currency, which analysts said would give the government breathing room, at least temporarily. "The 'farm dollar' will not create extra foreign currency, but at least will accelerate it coming in and so provide temporary relief," said economist Gustavo Ber, adding that foreign currency reserves had hit "critical levels." Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsThe so-called "soy dollar" was used twice last year and did help create a boost in exports, at least in the short-term helping ease availability of foreign currency. "This new measure aims to buy two months, which in the current context is not insignificant," Geretto told Reuters. Reporting by Walter Bianchi and Anna-Catherine Brigida; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Crypto exchange Binance expands in Argentina
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Anna-Catherine Brigida | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BUENOS AIRES, April 4 (Reuters) - Crypto exchange Binance, which has been sued by U.S. regulators, said on Tuesday it is expanding services in inflation-hit Argentina, allowing users to buy and sell digital currencies directly with local pesos. Until now, Binance had operated in Argentina only as an intermediary platform to match crypto buyers and sellers. He said local users could transfer pesos to a Binance account and see their balance reflected there in local currency, which would then be usable to buy crypto. As Binance has faced mounting scrutiny from regulators, the exchange has lost some banking partners needed for so-called on-ramp, off-ramp transactions to fiat currencies. "Argentine users know the crypto world," Hinz said.

[1/5] One of the dishes created by Bolivian chef Marsia Taha and Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez with ingredients from the Amazon, gets served at Gustu restaurant, in La Paz, Bolivia, March 31, 2023. REUTERS/Claudia MoralesApril 3 (Reuters) - In the high altitudes of Bolivia's La Paz, some of South America's top chefs are paying homage to regional Amazonian culinary ingredients including gusanillo, or worm chili, tree bark that tastes like garlic, and honey from stingless bees. At Taha's restaurant Gustu in La Paz, a feast of colors and flavors was carefully spread out on wooden tables decorated with large leaves to celebrate the gastronomic diversity of the Peruvian and Bolivian Amazon. "This is not only a celebration of the Amazon and its biodiversity but of our producers as well. They are the ones who make it possible for these products to arrive to our homes or our restaurants," said Taha.

☆ Argentina February inflation data "very bad": government spokesperson
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BUENOS AIRES, March 16 (Reuters) - The Argentine government on Thursday said annual inflation data registered in February, the highest since 1991, was "very bad," but insisted that the 60% inflation rate forecast in this year's budget would be met, the president's spokesperson said. President Alberto Fernandez has struggled to rein in one of the world's highest inflation rates that has put increasing pressure on Argentine consumers. Argentina last month registered an inflation rate of 6.6% compared to January and 102.5% compared to February of the previous year, the highest data since the 115% annual rate in September 1991. "The inflation data obviously seems bad, very bad and also was not expected," presidential spokesperson Gabriela Cerruti said during a press conference. "We hope that the plan that was going to lower the curve, which had these problems, can somehow return to the path that was planned, indicated, and that we get to that (60% annual inflation)," she added.

The stand-off could threaten the government's revived push to advance lithium projects and make batteries, including through a recent deal with a Chinese consortium led by the world's largest battery maker CATL. Local authorities pledged to try to ease the tensions. "We are going to redouble our efforts as authorities ... so that this mobilization is lifted," said Jhonny Mamani, Potosi governor. Officials blamed the protests on misinformation campaigns and urged Bolivians to allow projects to move ahead or risk losing the chance to develop lithium resources. Reporting by Daniel Ramos and Monica Machicao; Writing by Anna-Catherine Brigida; Editing by David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ 'I lost everything': Cyclone Yaku unleashes destruction in Peru
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/6] View of damaged houses in the aftermath of the Moche river overflowing due to torrential rains caused by Cyclone Yaku, in Trujillo, Peru, March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Randy ReyesLIMA, March 13 (Reuters) - Powerful Cyclone Yaku has unleashed torrents of rain on Peru's northern region in recent days, burying homes and cars in mud and leading to the deaths of at least six people. In the northern coastal towns of Trujillo and Lambayeque, residents waded through knee-high water and cars crawled through inundated streets. "It reached us, we have lost everything, I lost everything. The cyclone is the latest crisis hitting Peru, where anti-government protests have rocked the country since Congress removed former President Pedro Castillo from power in December.

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