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☆ Panama Canal to slash booking slots due to drought over coming months
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Monrovia NSU CHALLENGER bulk carrier transits the expanded canal through Cocoli Locks at the Panama Canal, on the outskirts of Panama City, Panama April 19, 2023. REUTERS/Aris Martinez/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPANAMA CITY, Oct 31 (Reuters) - The Panama Canal, one of the world's main maritime trade routes, will further reduce daily ship crossings in the coming months due to a severe drought, the authorities managing the canal said late on Monday, increasing shipping costs. Booking slots will be cut to 25 per day starting Nov. 3 from an already reduced 31 per day, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) said in a client advisory, and will be gradually reduced further over the next three months to 18 slots from Feb. 1. In recent months, the ACP has imposed various passage restrictions to conserve scarce water, including cutting vessel draft and daily passage authorizations. It also said delays for some gas transporters were at record highs in Panama, pushing up the cost of shipping liquefied gas from the U.S.

Persons: Aris Martinez, Eli Moreno, Brendan O'Boyle, Isabel Woodford, Josie Kao Organizations: Monrovia NSU CHALLENGER, REUTERS, PANAMA CITY, Panama Canal Authority, U.S . Energy, Administration, Thomson Locations: Cocoli, Panama, Panama City, PANAMA, Gatun Lake

☆ Panama electoral court rules out imminent referendum on First Quantum contract
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

MEXICO CITY, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Panama electoral court said in a statement on Monday that there are not currently "conditions" to hold a referendum on a controversial mining contract with Canada's First Quantum Miners. President Laurentino Cortizo said on Sunday Panama would hold a referendum to decide whether to scrap a contract with Canadian miner First Quantum's local unit following days of protests in opposition to the open pit copper mine project. Reporting by Valentine Hilaire; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Isabel WoodfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Laurentino Cortizo, Valentine Hilaire, Brendan O'Boyle, Isabel Woodford Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Canada's, Miners, Sunday Panama, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Panama

☆ Mexico Clears up Wreckage of Hurricane Otis, Counts Cost of Damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican soldiers and rescue workers on Thursday scrambled to clear up the chaos and devastation wrought by Hurricane Otis in Acapulco as the government worked to bring relief to the battered southern beach resort. Mexico's state power utility CFE had over 1,300 employees working to restore power, it said on Wednesday evening, when some 300,000 people remained without electricity. The port city's international airport was closed, after Otis wrecked the control tower, cut telecommunications, and left access roads blocked. "Now a Category 5 hurricane in Acapulco takes us by surprise," Jimenez Pons said. (Reporting by Brendan O'Boyle, Lizbeth Diaz and Kylie Madry; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Miral Fahmy)

Persons: Hurricane, Otis, Evelyn Salgado, Rogelio Jimenez Pons, Jimenez Pons, Brendan O'Boyle, Lizbeth Diaz, Kylie Madry, Miral Fahmy Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Management Solutions, CFE, Mexico City Locations: MEXICO, Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico

☆ Mexico clears up wreckage of Hurricane Otis, counts cost of damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MEXICO CITY, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Mexican soldiers and rescue workers on Thursday scrambled to clear up the chaos and devastation wrought by Hurricane Otis in Acapulco as the government worked to bring relief to the battered southern beach resort. Nearly 8,400 members of Mexico's army, air force and national guard were deployed in and near Acapulco to assist in cleanup efforts, the defense ministry said. [1/5]People stand near street stalls damaged by Hurricane Otis near the entrance to Acapulco, in the Mexican state of Guerrero, Mexico, October 25. Mexico's state power utility CFE had over 1,300 employees working to restore power, it said on Wednesday evening, when some 300,000 people remained without electricity. "Now a Category 5 hurricane in Acapulco takes us by surprise," Jimenez Pons said.

Persons: Hurricane, Otis, Evelyn Salgado, Hurricane Otis, Henry Romero, Rogelio Jimenez Pons, Jimenez Pons, Brendan O'Boyle, Lizbeth Diaz, Kylie Madry, Miral Organizations: MEXICO CITY, REUTERS, Management Solutions, CFE, Mexico City, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexican, Mexico

☆ Walmex Q3 net profit jumps more than 12%, pushed by higher sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Walmart is pictured outside a store in Mexico City, Mexico July 27, 2023. Walmart de Mexico, or Walmex, the biggest retailer in Mexico, posted net profit of 13.63 billion pesos ($782 million). Quarterly revenue at the chain rose 7.7% from the year-earlier period to reach 213.07 billion pesos, missing slightly the LSEG estimate of 213.34 billion pesos. Sales increased 9.5% in Mexico and 9% in Central America, with the retailer adding 24 new stores in Mexico and three in Central America, which contributed 1.6% to total revenues. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the quarter rose 8.5% to 23 billion pesos.

Persons: Henry Romero, Walmex, Guilherme Loureiro, Loureiro, Cofece, Valentine Hilaire, Aida Pelaez Fernandez, Brendan O'Boyle, Tom Hogue, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Walmart, REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Central America, Thomson Locations: Mexico City, Mexico, MEXICO, Mexican, Central America

☆ Mexico braces for Category 5 hurricane, risk of 'catastrophic' damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Javier Verdin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Members of the federal forces chat as they keep watch at a beach as Hurricane Otis barrels towards Acapulco, Mexico, October 24, 2023. REUTERS/Javier Verdin Acquire Licensing RightsACAPULCO, Mexico, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Mexico's southern coast braced for Hurricane Otis on Wednesday as the Category 5 storm made landfall near the beach resorts of Acapulco, with the potential to cause "catastrophic damage," the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. The hurricane reached land near Acapulco, bringing maximum sustained winds around 165 mph (270 kmh) and heavy rain, the center said. In Guerrero, authorities were preparing storm shelters and the national guard said it was helping to prepare for rescues and evacuations. Reporting by Javier Verdin in Acapulco and Brendan O'Boyle in Mexico City; writing by Brendan O'Boyle; editing by Robert Birsel and Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Hurricane Otis, Javier Verdin, CONAGUA, Otis, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Evelyn Salgado, Brendan O'Boyle, Robert Birsel, Bernadette Baum Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, National Hurricane Center, Guerrero, Thomson Locations: Hurricane, Acapulco, Mexico, Rights ACAPULCO, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Miami, Mexico City

☆ Hurricane Otis barrels toward Mexico's Acapulco as Category 5 storm
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Javier Verdin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] People walk along a beach as Hurricane Otis barrels towards Acapulco, Mexico, October 24, 2023. REUTERS/Javier Verdin Acquire Licensing RightsACAPULCO, Mexico, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Hurricane Otis barreled toward Mexico's beach resort of Acapulco as a Category 5 storm on Tuesday and was poised to make landfall on its Pacific coast early on Wednesday. By 9 p.m. time (0300 GMT on Wednesday) Otis was about 55 miles south-southeast of Acapulco, the Miami-based NHC added. Over the weekend, Hurricane Norma killed at least three people as it passed along the northwest coast of Mexico. Days before, the powerful Hurricane Lidia left one person dead and several injured after battering Mexico's Pacific coast.

Persons: Hurricane Otis, Javier Verdin, Otis, Evelyn Salgado, Norma, Hurricane Lidia, Brendan O'Boyle, Diego Ore, Natalia Siniawski, Alison Williams, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, National Hurricane Center, Punta Maldonado, NHC, Guerrero, Thomson Locations: Hurricane, Acapulco, Mexico, Rights ACAPULCO, Miami, Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Oaxaca

☆ Argentina central bank hikes key rate to 133% as inflation worsens
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Jorge Otaola | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The facade of Argentina's Central Bank is pictured in the financial district of Buenos Aires, Argentina December 7, 2021. Argentina's central bank is struggling to keep the benchmark interest rate in line with inflation expectations, with a central bank poll of analysts later in the day forecasting inflation to end the year at more than 180%. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsThe impacts of inflation has been worsened by the government's near-18% devaluation of the peso in mid-August, which coincided with the prior central bank hike, where it increased the interest rate from 97% to 118%. Milei, who is seeking to shut the central bank and dollarize the economy to tame inflation, recently recommended depositors avoid renewing bank holdings in pesos, arguing that the peso does not even serve as "excrement." The central bank's rate change on Thursday came after a last-minute decision not to raise the rate to 145% "following a leak," after Reuters reported the higher figure, citing a source close to the bank.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Alberto Fernandez, Javier Milei, Jorge Otaola, Brendan O'Boyle, Isabel Woodford, Anthony Esposito, Richard Chang, Jamie Freed Organizations: Central, REUTERS, Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES

☆ Argentina cenbank raises interest rate to 145% as peso falters - source
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The facade of Argentina's Central Bank is pictured in the financial district of Buenos Aires, Argentina December 7, 2021. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBUENOS AIRES, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Argentina's central bank raised the country's benchmark interest rate to 145% from 118% on Thursday, a source close to the matter told Reuters, as the South American country battles triple-digit annual inflation. The hike follows the rapid freefall of Argentina's peso, with the currency surpassing the psychological barrier of 1,000 pesos per U.S. dollar earlier this week with less than two weeks before a crucial presidential election. That brought the annual inflation rate to 138.3%. Reporting by Jorge Otaola; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Anthony EspositoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Agustin Marcarian, Jorge Otaola, Brendan O'Boyle, Anthony Esposito Organizations: Central, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, American

☆ Mexico blames Grupo Mexico for 2014 toxic spill, wants new cleanup plan
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Grupo Mexico failed to remediate the river's water and soil and did not provide the funds to carry out proper works for the environmental recovery of the area, according to Albores. The company needed to provide an initial 2 billion pesos ($111.86 million), of which it only provided half, she said. The possible fine for the spill was set at up to 40 million pesos, worth about $3 million then. Grupo Mexico did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the causes of the spill and the government complaint. Shares in Grupo Mexico were down 2.3% after Albores' comments on Thursday.

Persons: Maria Luisa Albores, Albores, Ana Isabel Martinez, Valentine Hilaire, Brendan O'Boyle, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Grupo, MEXICO CITY, Grupo Mexico, Thomson Locations: Grupo Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico, MEXICO, Mexico's, Sonora

☆ Argentine executives pitch fiscal discipline as election hits home stretch
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Jorge Otaola | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The candidates mostly agree, however, on reducing the government's large fiscal deficit, like many business leaders. "We Argentines must stop arguing about obvious things like public spending," said Javier Goni, CEO of agribusiness company Ledesma. The election is playing out as the government struggles to service its $44 billion loan with the International Monetary Fund. The IMF forecasts that Argentina's economy will shrink 2.3% this year, with central bank reserves in the red after a historic drought trimmed $20 billion from key agricultural exports. Reporting by Jorge Otaola; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sergio Massa, Patricia Bullrich, Javier Milei, Javier Milei's dollarization, Sergio Massa's, Javier Goni, Oscar Andreani, Jorge Otaola, Brendan O'Boyle, David Alire Garcia, Leslie Adler Organizations: por la Patria, el Cambio, La Libertad Avanza, Reuters, Ledesma, International Monetary Fund, IMF, Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES

☆ Argentina launches 5G auction in bid to raise over $1 billion
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Argentina's government said on Wednesday that it will launch a 5G spectrum auction on Oct. 24 in a bid to raise some $1.05 billion. Three provider companies have already qualified as bidders for operating the frequency bands, which range from 3,300 MHz to 3,600 MHz. "In this offer, a total of 300 MHz will be submitted to the auction procedure, in three lots of 100 MHz each," a statement from Argentina's economy ministry said. The government highlighted that the deployment of 5G constitutes a medium- and long-term state policy, which requires collaboration between the public and private sectors to upgrade network infrastructure. Reporting by Lucila Sigal; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lucila Sigal, Brendan O'Boyle, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Thomson Locations: BUENOS AIRES

REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMEXICO CITY, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Mexico on Monday called for the U.S. government to mediate with Texas state authorities to ease inspections for cargo trucks crossing the border, as the country's president accused the Texas governor of "complicating the migration situation." State officials restarted costly, intensive cargo truck inspections last month. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has argued they are needed to stem the flow of migrants and illegal drugs into the country. The measure has held up some $1.9 billion in goods, Mexico's national cargo transport chamber said on Sunday. Along with the state-mandated inspections, cargo has been slowed by the temporary closure of U.S. federal processing at several crossings, Mexico's foreign ministry added.

Persons: Jose Luis Gonzalez, Greg Abbott, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Lopez Obrador, Kylie Madry, Dave Graham, Brendan O'Boyle, Sarah Morland Organizations: U.S . Customs, REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, U.S, Government, Texas Department of Public, ., Texas, Ciudad Juarez, Thomson Locations: U.S, Zaragoza, Ysleta, El Paso, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, MEXICO, Texas, Mexican, Americas, El Paso , Texas

☆ 'Extremely dangerous' Category 4 Hurricane Lidia heads to Mexico's Pacific coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/9] Men board up the storefront of a business as Hurricane Lidia barrels towards Mexico's Pacific coast, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico October 10, 2023. REUTERS/Christian Ruano Acquire Licensing RightsMEXICO CITY, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Hurricane Lidia reached Category 4 strength on Tuesday afternoon as it barreled towards Mexico's Pacific coast, where major beach and tourist resorts were bracing for significant downpours, likely flooding as well as imminent hurricane-force winds. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that Hurricane Lidia was of "extremely dangerous" strength and could strengthen further before making landfall on Tuesday night. The hurricane was about 110 miles (177 km) southwest of major beach destination Puerto Vallarta, the Miami-based NHC reported in its latest bulletin at 5:30 p.m. The Puerto Vallarta airport announced on social media it was closing from 4 p.m. (2200 GMT) until 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Persons: Lidia, Christian Ruano, Max, Raul Cortes Fernandez, Brendan O'Boyle, Isabel Woodford, Stephen Eisenhammer, Stephen Coates, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, Christian, MEXICO CITY, U.S, National Hurricane Center, NHC, Tropical, Thomson Locations: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, MEXICO, Miami, Puerto, Nayarit, Sinaloa, Jalisco, Guerrero

☆ Guatemala's Arevalo says state using violence to counter protests, warns of possible 'siege'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Josue Decavele Acquire Licensing RightsGUATEMALA CITY, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Guatemala's president-elect Bernardo Arevalo said on Monday the government is using violence to counter protests and create tension which could be used as an excuse for declaring a state of "siege," even as the government announced tighter measures. The attorney general's office has conducted raids on the buildings of electoral authorities and Arevalo's Semilla party headquarters and has moved to suspend the party. Late on Monday, outgoing President Alejandro Giammattei said on national TV the country would no longer tolerate street blockades, which he called illegal. "Many of the blockades in the west of the country have counted on the participation and assistance of foreigners," he said. He also called on Arevalo to meet with OAS mediators to ensure a peaceful handover on Jan. 14.

Persons: Josue, Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo's, Alejandro Giammattei, Giammattei, Arevalo, Sofia Menchu, Nelson Renteria, Valentine Hilaire, Sarah Morland, Brendan O'Boyle, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Organization of American States, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, Arevalo's, El Salvador, Guatemalan, Arevalo .

☆ Bus carrying migrants in Mexico crashes, leaving 17 dead, 15 injured
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, Oct 6 (Reuters) - A bus carrying dozens of mostly Venezuelan migrants in the south of Mexico crashed on Friday, killing 17 people and leaving 15 more injured, state authorities said. The bus was on the highway in the southern state of Oaxaca when it overturned, the state's civil protection agency said on social media X. Pictures from the agency showed the bus tipped over along a tight curve in the road. The interior ministry of neighboring state Puebla said that the 15 injured people had been taken to its hospitals, as the accident occurred near state lines. Migrants attempt to cross Mexico by bus, in trucks or aboard cargo trains, however, the journey is often dangerous.

Persons: Raul Cortes, Diego, Kylie Madry, Brendan O'Boyle, Cassandra Garrison Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Diego Ore, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, Oaxaca, Puebla, U.S

☆ Mexico seeks diplomatic arrangements to return LatAm migrants
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Agents from Mexico's National Institute of Migration (INM) carry out an operation on the banks of the Rio Bravo river, the border between Mexico and the United States, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico October 5, 2023. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez Acquire Licensing RightsMEXICO CITY, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Mexico's national migration institute (INM) on Friday said it has asked the foreign ministry to make diplomatic arrangements with Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela for the countries to accept migrant return flights. In the last three weeks, more than 27,000 migrants have been "persuaded to get down from trains," INM said in a statement. INM said it sought help from the ministry so that Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela would accept "assisted returns via air." INM also said it had hired charter planes and buses to transport migrants within Mexico, as well as to their home countries.

Persons: Jose Luis Gonzalez, INM, Diego Ore, Brendan O'Boyle, Beth Solomon, Isabel Woodford Organizations: Mexico's National Institute of Migration, REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Thomson Locations: Rio Bravo, Mexico, United States, Ciudad Juarez, MEXICO, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, U.S

☆ Costa Rica to declare state of emergency amid migrant surge
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SAN JOSE, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Costa Rica's President Rodrigo Chaves said on Tuesday that he has ordered officials to declare a state of emergency as the number of migrants passing through the small Central American nation has risen sharply. "I have instructed the security ministry to take a firm stance with anyone who takes Costa Rica's kindness for weakness," Chaves said at a press conference, referencing recent riots by migrants crossing the country. So far in September, more than 60,000 people have passed through the Costa Rican border town shared with Panama, Paso Canoas, where fewer than 20,000 people live, another official said. Costa Rica's Chaves will visit Panama in early October to hold discussions on the migrant crisis. Reporting by Alvaro Murillo; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Anthony Esposito and Brendan O'BoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Costa, Rodrigo Chaves, Chaves, Costa Rica's Chaves, Alvaro Murillo, Valentine Hilaire, Anthony Esposito, Brendan O'Boyle Organizations: JOSE, Central, Thomson Locations: Costa Rican, Panama, Paso Canoas

☆ US asks Mexico for fresh workers' rights review at auto parts facility
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai chairs the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework meeting in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. May 27, 2023. The latest review marks the U.S. Trade Representative office's 14th labor rights complaint against facilities in Mexico since the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on trade took effect in 2020, including nine this year. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said the request was intended to "address a serious violation of workers' rights" at the automotive parts factory, involving an employer possibly terminating workers for engaging in union activity. The Mexican government has ten days to review the U.S. request, and if it accepts, another 45 days to investigate the case. Mexico has recently denied two requests for probes into labor rights concerns, rejecting a U.S. call to review Grupo Yazaki's auto components factory in the state of Guanajuato and also a Grupo Mexico mine labor probe.

Persons: Katherine Tai, Rebecca Cook, Tai, Teklas, Brendan O'Boyle, Isabel Woodford, Sonali Paul Organizations: Trade, REUTERS, Automotive, U.S . Trade, office's, . Trade, Washington, Grupo, Thomson Locations: Detroit , Michigan, U.S, MEXICO, Mexico, Mexican, Aguascalientes, Canada, States, Turkey, Europe, North America, China, Guanajuato, Grupo Mexico

☆ Mexico inflation continues slowdown in early September
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A man sells corn grains at a public market in Ozumba de Alzate, State of Mexico, Mexico, May 24, 2022. Headline inflation in Latin America's second-largest economy hit 4.44% in the 12 months through early September, down from 4.64% at the end of August, data from statistics agency INEGI showed. If not, we're talking about the Bank of Mexico standing on just one foot," the president told a press conference. It warned that it would be necessary to maintain it for an "extended" period to meet its inflation target of 3%, plus or minus one percentage point. Mexico's economy grew 0.2% in July from June and expanded 3.2% from the same month a year before, the national statistics agency said earlier on Friday.

Persons: Edgard Garrido, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Banxico, Lopez Obrador, Peter Frontini, Raul Cortes Fernandez, Brendan O'Boyle, Natalia Siniawski, Alistair Bell Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Bank of, Thomson Locations: Ozumba de Alzate, State, Mexico, Bank of Mexico

☆ Peru's central bank cuts benchmark interest rate to 7.5%
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A worker walks pasts the logo of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru (BCRP) inside its headquarters building in Lima, Peru June 16, 2017. REUTERS/Mariana Bazo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 14 (Reuters) - Peru's central bank on Thursday cut its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 7.5% after holding the rate steady for eight straight months, as the monetary authority in the Andean nation sees inflation easing. The central bank first held the rate steady in February following an aggressive series of hikes that began in August 2021. Despite inflation easing, the bank said on Thursday that its decision does not necessarily imply a cycle of successive reductions in the interest rate. Peru's annual inflation rate in August slowed to 5.58%, the lowest since September 2021.

Persons: Mariana Bazo, Carolina Pulice, Brendan O'Boyle Organizations: Central Reserve Bank of, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Central Reserve Bank of Peru, Lima , Peru, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Lincoln

☆ Guatemala President-elect Arevalo suspends participation in transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Guatemala President-elect Bernardo Arevalo and Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei attend a meeting as part of the presidential transition, in Guatemala City, Guatemala September 4, 2023. The announcement came after the top prosecutor's office in the Central American country raided facilities run by Guatemala's main electoral tribunal on Tuesday. Arevalo said his participation in the transition would resume once the "necessary institutional (and) political conditions are reestablished." "We reiterate our firm willingness to immediately resume the transition process as soon as the elected authorities request it," the government added. Shortly before electoral tribunal officials declared Arevalo the victor, his party Semilla was notified that a branch of the tribunal suspended the party over registration flaws.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Alejandro Giammattei, Arevalo, Alejandro Giammattei's, resoundingly, Semilla, Sofia Menchu, Brendan O'Boyle, Carolina Pulice, Sandra Maler, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, REUTERS oka Acquire, GUATEMALA CITY, Central American, Organization of American States, Prosecutors, Thomson Locations: Guatemala, Guatemala City, REUTERS oka, GUATEMALA, Guatemalan

☆ Two injured in shootout outside Mexico City airport, flights operating normally
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A member of the security forces stands guard outside the Mexico City International Airport after a suspected robber fired at police, in Mexico City, Mexico, September 12, 2023. REUTERS/Luis Cortes Acquire Licensing RightsMEXICO CITY, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Two people were injured just outside Mexico City International Airport on Tuesday after a suspected robber fired at police, but flights are operating normally, the city government said. A suspected gunman has been arrested, the city's security ministry said in a statement. Carlos Velazquez, the head of the airport - Latin America's busiest - told reporters that the terminal where the incident occurred was operating without interruptions and that passengers were not in danger. Mexico City security minister Pablo Vazquez told local news outlet Milenio that the situation was under control.

Persons: Luis Cortes, Carlos Velazquez, Pablo Vazquez, Carolina Pulice, Lizbeth Diaz, Noe Torres, Raul Cortes, Brendan O'Boyle, Mark Porter Organizations: Mexico City International, REUTERS, Mexico City International Airport, Thomson Locations: Mexico, Mexico City, MEXICO

☆ Panama Canal water levels at historic lows, restrictions to remain
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Elida Moreno | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Bahamian LOS ANGELES SPIRIT crude oil tanker is pictured during its transit in the expanded canal through Cocoli Locks at the Panama Canal, on the outskirts of Panama City, Panama March 10, 2023. The authority that manages the canal added in a statement that this week's ship traffic represents a "normal" level for this season. It noted that a month before the end of its 2023 fiscal year, the canal's total vessel crossings already total nearly 800 more that what the canal authority's budget had forecast. Each vessel passing through the 50-mile (80-km) trans-oceanic waterway uses some 51 million gallons (193 million litres) of water from the lake. They argue that a potential early start to Panama's dry season and hotter-than-average temperatures could increase evaporation and result in near-record low water levels by April.

Persons: Aris Martinez, Eli Moreno, Brendan O'Boyle, Marianna Parraga, David Alire Garcia, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Aris, PANAMA CITY, Pacific, Thomson Locations: Cocoli, Panama, Panama City, PANAMA

☆ US embassy in Haiti urges citizens to leave country 'as soon as possible'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Men run next to burning tires during a protest demanding an end to gang violence, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, August 14, 2023. REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 30 (Reuters) - The U.S. Embassy in Haiti on Wednesday urged citizens in the Caribbean country to leave "as soon as possible" citing security and infrastructure challenges, as escalating violence has left thousands displaced and sent homicides soaring. "U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible via commercial or private transport," the embassy said in a statement, urging extreme caution. Earlier this month, the U.S. Embassy in the capital Port-au-Prince temporarily closed, due to gunfire in the vicinity. Reporting by Brendan O'Boyle and Jasper Ward; Editing by Isabel Woodford and Bill BerkrotOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ralph Tedy Erol, Brendan O'Boyle, Jasper Ward, Isabel Woodford, Bill Berkrot Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Embassy, Wednesday, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Port, Prince, Haiti, Caribbean, Jasper

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