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☆ Intel to invest $1.2 bln in Costa Rica over next two years
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

A smartphone with a displayed Intel logo is placed on a computer motherboard in this illustration taken March 6, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsSAN JOSE, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Intel (INTC.O) will invest $1.2 billion in Costa Rica over the next two years, the company said in a press release on Wednesday. The announcement comes after the U.S. State Department said in July that it would partner with Costa Rica's government to support the Costa Rican semiconductor sector through the 2022 Chips and Science Act. Reporting by Alvaro Murillo; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Isabel WoodfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Costa, Alvaro Murillo, Brendan O'Boyle, Isabel Woodford Organizations: REUTERS, JOSE, Intel, U.S . State Department, Costa, Science, Thomson Locations: Costa Rica, Costa Rican

☆ Google Cloud to open office in El Salvador in seven-year partnership
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

A screen with a Google Cloud logo is pictured during Google's presentation of a detailed investment plan for Germany outside the Google office in Berlin, Germany, August 31, 2021. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse Acquire Licensing RightsSAN SALVADOR, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Google Cloud and the government of El Salvador announced a multi-year agreement on Tuesday that will establish an office and deliver Google Distributed Cloud services in the Central American country, Google Cloud said in a statement. The seven-year strategic partnership, pending legislative approval, will focus on the areas of digital government, healthcare and education. Reporting by Nelson Renteria; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Isabel WoodfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Annegret, Google Cloud, Nelson Renteria, Brendan O'Boyle, Isabel Woodford Organizations: REUTERS, SALVADOR, Google, El, Central, Thomson Locations: Germany, Berlin, El Salvador, Central American

☆ US seeks trade panel to resolve labor conflict at Mexican mine
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The logo of mining and infrastructure firm Grupo Mexico is pictured at its headquarters in Mexico City, Mexico, August 8, 2017. In a statement, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) said it disagrees with the Mexican government's determination. "It is appropriate to request a panel to verify the facility's compliance with Mexican labor laws," the USTR said. Companies have closely watched U.S. labor complaints play out since the 2020 start of the USMCA, which replaced NAFTA. Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City and Paul Grant in Washington; Additional reporting by Brendan O'Boyle in Mexico City; Editing by Dan Whitcomb, Andy Sullivan & Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ginnette, Daina Beth Solomon, Paul Grant, Brendan O'Boyle, Dan Whitcomb, Andy Sullivan Organizations: Grupo, REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, U.S, Grupo Mexico's, U.S . Trade Representative, Companies, Miners, Grupo Mexico, Thomson Locations: Grupo Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico, WASHINGTON, MEXICO, Grupo Mexico's San Martin, United States, Canada, Mexican, San Martin, U.S, Washington

☆ Mexico denies U.S. request to review labor concerns at Grupo Yazaki factory
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies YAZAKI Corporation FollowMEXICO CITY, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Mexico said on Friday it has notified the United States that it will not carry out a requested review of labor rights concerns at Grupo Yazaki's auto components factory in Guanajuato. The U.S. Trade Representative said on Aug. 7 it had asked Mexico to see whether workers "are being denied the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining" at the privately held company's facility, which makes electrical components for autos for Japan-based Yazaki Corp.Mexico's labor ministry and Federal Center for Conciliation and Labor Registration "determined that there is no substantial evidence of employer interference or denial of rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining by the company," the labor and economy ministries said in a joint statement. The rejection is one of the few times since the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement went into effect in 2020 that Mexico has deemed a case ineligible for review under the pact, which has tougher rules than its NAFTA predecessor. Reporting by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan O'Boyle, William Mallard Organizations: YAZAKI, MEXICO, Grupo, The U.S . Trade, Yazaki Corp, Federal Center for Conciliation, Thomson Locations: Mexico, United States, Guanajuato, The, Japan, U.S, Canada

☆ Guatemalan president vouches for Sunday vote, promises orderly transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Guatemala's President Alejandro Giammattei makes a joint statement with his Taiwanese counterpart Tsai Ing-wen (not pictured), at the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura, in Guatemala City, Guatemala March 31, 2023. REUTERS/Luis Echeverria/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsGUATEMALA CITY, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei on Friday evening said he would work to ensure an orderly transition of power to whomever voters elect on Sunday in the final round of a tense presidential election. The comments address fears of election meddling after an effort to disqualify the front-runner's party ahead of the runoff vote. "I reiterate the commitment to promote an orderly, transparent and efficient transition process," Giammattei said in an address to the nation. Arevalo's surprise second-place finish in June's first round vote provoked calls for recounts by opponents.

Persons: Alejandro Giammattei, Tsai Ing, Luis Echeverria, Giammattei, Bernardo Arevalo, Sandra Torres, Arevalo's, Arevalo, Luis Almagro, Sofia Menchu, Brendan O'Boyle, Sonali Paul Organizations: Palacio Nacional, la Cultura, REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Organization of American, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, June's, Faro

☆ Argentina to freeze fuel prices until Oct 31 to curb inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Aug 17 (Reuters) - Argentina's economy ministry said on Thursday it will freeze fuel prices until October 31 after an agreement with the industry as a measure to help tamp down triple-digit inflation. In a statement, the ministry said the government will cut taxes in exchange for the price freezes, but added that the tax benefits can be "taken away" if companies violate the agreement. The agreement followed a meeting between economy minister Sergio Massa and executives from oil companies such as YPF (YPFD.BA) and Vista (VIST.BA) earlier in the afternoon. The South American nation has been battling against sky-rocketing annual inflation which topped 113.4% through July, with monthly inflation set to rise again in August. Reporting by Carolina Pulice; Editing by Brendan O'BoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sergio Massa, Carolina Pulice, Brendan O'Boyle Organizations: Thomson

☆ Presidential hopeful Sandra Torres pitches experience as Guatemala seeks change
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Brendan O'Boyle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Presidential candidate Sandra Torres, of the National Unity of Hope (UNE) political party, greets supporters during a campaign rally ahead of the presidential run-off, in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 5, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 17 (Reuters) - Sandra Torres is pitching her two decades as a leading figure in Guatemalan politics as she tries to woo disenchanted voters ahead of a presidential runoff on Sunday and avoid a third straight election loss. Torres, who hails from a poor town in Guatemala's Peten region, has promised to expand the social safety net if elected. But while her party's last government did reduce poverty, Torres' efforts have also drawn criticism for being "clientelistic," said Will Freeman, a fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Torres has sought new allies as she seeks to reverse her election losses, analysts said.

Persons: Sandra Torres, Cristina Chiquin, Torres, Bernardo Arevalo, Alvaro Colom, Will Freeman, June's, Brendan O'Boyle, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: National Unity of, REUTERS, of, Council, Foreign Relations, Gallup, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, Central America's, United States, Guatemala's Peten, Arevalo

☆ Brazil's Lula discussed with Biden climate change, job creation initiative
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during the launch ceremony of Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) at Rio de Janeiro's Municipal Theater, Brazil, August 11, 2023. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRASILIA, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday he discussed with U.S. President Joe Biden efforts to fight climate change, as well as the outcome of a summit of rainforest nations held in Brazil last week. In a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Lula said he and Biden spoke by phone and also discussed a joint initiative between the countries to create jobs that should be launched soon. The presidents discussed "ongoing efforts to help mobilize up to $1 billion to support the restoration of degraded lands in Brazil and the Amazon region." Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu; Writing by Peter Frontini; Editing by Chris Reese and Brendan O'BoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Ricardo Moraes, Joe Biden, Lula, Biden, Lisandra Paraguassu, Peter Frontini, Chris Reese, Brendan O'Boyle Organizations: Rio de, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Twitter, White House, U.S ., Amazon Fund, Thomson Locations: Rio, Brazil, Rights BRASILIA, Venezuela, Haiti

☆ Latin Americans fall prey to more online scams as cybersecurity lags
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Carolina Pulice | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Online scams in Brazil jumped 65% last year to over 200,000, according to data from the Brazilian Public Security Yearbook published last month. And across Latin America, online frauds and cyberattacks are at an "all-time high," says cybersecurity company Tenable, posing an urgent problem for a well-connected region. "Latin America is a priority target because it has a very connected population, which means that they are always exposed," said Claudio Martinelli, managing director for Latin America for Kaspersky. In a ranking of 93 countries on cyberthreat risks compiled by fraud prevention software SEON, nine of the 10 Latin American countries were ranked in the bottom half. Three Latin American countries - Honduras, Nicaragua and Venezuela - were seen among the 10 countries with the highest risks for cyberthreats.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Gabriella Batalha didn't, Batalha, Kerry, Ann Barrett, Barrett, Claudio Martinelli, SEON, Tenable, Ransomware, Marcos Simplicio, Carolina Pulice, Brendan O'Boyle, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, YouTube, Brazilian Public Security, International Telecommunication Union, Organization of American States, America, Kaspersky, Costa, University of Sao, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Instagram, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, America, Latin America, Caribbean, Peru, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, University of Sao Paulo

☆ Bank of Mexico again holds interest rate firm, even as region begins cuts
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Brendan O'Boyle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The logo of Mexico's Central Bank (Banco de Mexico) is seen at its building in downtown Mexico City, Mexico February 28, 2019. The unanimous decision by the central bank's five-member board is the third consecutive rate hold since Banxico, as the Bank of Mexico is known, halted a two-year hiking cycle in May amid easing inflation. Rate cuts in Mexico are unlikely until late 2023, analysts say, even as central banks begin easing their monetary policy. Annual inflation in Mexico slowed for the sixth consecutive month in July, official data showed on Wednesday, landing at 4.79%, but still above the central bank's target. In recent weeks, central banks in Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, and Uruguay have cut their interest rates after aggressive monetary tightening cycles.

Persons: Daniel Becerril, Banxico, Jason Tuvey, Brendan O'Boyle, Sarah Morland, Anthony Esposito, Richard Chang Organizations: Mexico's Central Bank, Banco, REUTERS, Bank of, Capital Economics, Thomson Locations: Banco de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico, MEXICO, Bank of Mexico, Latin America, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Uruguay

☆ Guatemala president meets with OAS head, says committed to ensure elections
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei meets with the Organization of American States (OAS) chief Luis Almagro, as concerns escalate over alleged government interference in the upcoming presidential runoff vote, in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 1, 2023. Almagro is set to stay in the Central American country until August 4. Guatemala is scheduled to hold a presidential runoff election on Aug. 20, with anti-graft candidate Bernardo Arevalo facing off against former first lady Sandra Torres. The government guaranteed to OAS authorities it has the appropriate budget and can provide the infrastructure and security needed for electoral authorities to carry out the vote, according to a government statement on the meeting. Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Editing by Brendan O'BoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Alejandro Giammattei, Luis Almagro, Read, Almagro, Bernardo Arevalo, Sandra Torres, Sofia Menchu, Brendan O'Boyle Organizations: Organization of American States, GUATEMALA CITY, Organization of American, Central American, Thomson Locations: Guatemala, Guatemala City, Presidencia, GUATEMALA

☆ MercadoLibre's Q2 profit doubles on higher sales volume, user growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The company, with presence in over 18 countries across Latin America, saw its net revenue rise 57.3% in constant currency to $3.4 billion. Over the quarter, MercadoLibre said it added 8.1 million new users across its operations, bringing its total active user base to 108.6 million. Total payment volume jumped 96.6% in constant currency to $42 billion. MercadoLibre said that a total of 318.5 million items were shipped across Latin America in the quarter, marking a 20.6% growth year-on-year. Gross merchandise volume (GMV), a key metric in the e-commerce industry, was up 47.2% in constant currency to hit $10.5 billion.

Persons: MercadoLibre, Mercado, Pedro Arnt, Arnt, Gross, Andre Romani, Carolina Pulice, Brendan O'Boyle Organizations: SAO PAULO, Mercado Pago, Thomson Locations: Latin America, Brazil, Mexico, America

☆ Bahamas promises to join Kenya in security force in Haiti as support grows
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks about the Black Sea grain corridor outside U.N. Security Council at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File PhotoAug 1 (Reuters) - The Bahamian government on Tuesday welcomed Kenya's decision to lead a multinational force in Haiti and committed 150 people to support the effort if the United Nations authorizes the force. "The Bahamas has committed 150 persons to support the multi-national force once authorized by the United Nations Security Council," the ministry said in a statement. It added the Bahamas looks "forward to cooperating with hemispheric partners including the United States and Canada." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday commended Kenya for "considering to serve as the lead nation" for the multinational force and expressed support for its authorization from a UN Security Council Resolution.

Persons: Antonio Guterres, Brendan McDermid, Kenya's, General Antonio Guterres, Alfred Mutua, Antony Blinken, Haiti's, Ariel Henry, Brendan O'Boyle, Jasper Ward, Anthony Esposito, Chris Reese Organizations: Security, REUTERS, Bahamian, United Nations, United Nations Security Council, Kenyan Foreign, UN Security, American States, Haitian, Thomson Locations: U.N, New York City, U.S, Haiti, Bahamas, Kenya, United States, Canada, Washington, Jasper

☆ Brazil's Petrobras to trim dividends under new policy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-29 | by ( Peter Frontini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SAO PAULO, July 28 (Reuters) - Brazilian state-run oil firm Petrobras' (PETR4.SA) board of directors on Friday approved a new shareholder remuneration policy that will trim its hefty dividend and allow share buybacks, according to a securities filing. Under the new policy, Petrobras' quarterly dividend will have to be at least 45% of its free cash flow, down from the current 60%, when the firm's gross debt is below $65 billion. In 2022, Petrobras paid a total of 215.8 billion reais to its shareholders, including the Brazilian government, which holds a controlling stake in the firm. Petrobras will announce its second-quarter dividends and earnings on Aug. 3 after the market closes. Reporting by Carolina Pulice and Peter Frontini; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle and Kylie MadryOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jean Paul Prates, Carolina Pulice, Peter Frontini, Brendan O'Boyle, Kylie Madry Organizations: SAO PAULO, Petrobras, SA, Reuters, Thomson

Bimbo cut its annual sales forecast to low-to-mid single-digit growth, Chief Financial Officer Diego Gaxiola said in a call with analysts, down from a previous projection of mid-to-high single-digit growth. "Compared to our initial sales guidance, we have an impact of more than six percentage points" due to the strength of the peso, Gaxiola said. Earlier on Tuesday the firm, which sells buns, cakes, cookies, bagels and tortillas across 34 countries, reported that revenues increased 4% to a second-quarter record of 100.37 billion pesos ($5.86 billion) following price hikes, which were also offset by the peso's strength. The strong peso also partially contributed to a nearly 30% drop in quarterly net profit, falling to 4.30 billion pesos, Bimbo said. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the quarter rose 7.8% to 14.00 billion pesos.

Persons: Bimbo, Diego Gaxiola, Gaxiola, Kylie Madry, Aida Pelaez, Fernandez, Brendan O'Boyle, Sonali Paul Organizations: MEXICO CITY, U.S, Thomson Locations: Canada, MEXICO, U.S, Mexico

☆ US, Mexico agree on labor rights plan for Mexican Goodyear plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, July 19 (Reuters) - The United States and Mexico reached an agreement to remedy violations of workers' rights at a Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co (GT.O) plant in the Mexican city of San Luis Potosi, both countries said on Wednesday. The Mexican government has committed to carry out a number of measures under the agreement, the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) office said in a statement. Goodyear must also inform workers of their labor rights and respect union activity, the USTR said. Mexico will carry out periodic inspections of the plant, and if warranted, could impose sanctions on people, labor organizations or the company, the USTR said. The remediation plan comes after a petition from a Mexican independent union, which found Goodyear was offering employees fewer benefits than an industry-wide agreement required.

Persons: Goodyear, Raul Cortes, Valentine Hilaire, Kylie Madry, Brendan O'Boyle, Sonali Paul Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Goodyear Tire &, U.S . Trade, Goodyear, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, United States, Mexico, Mexican, San Luis Potosi, U.S

☆ Motor-biking dog and owner cruise Brazil's streets to help hungry pups
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Leonardo Benassatto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Leonardo BenassattoSAO PAULO, July 17 (Reuters) - Miguel Pereira de Souza and his dog Ruby zoom through Brazil's sprawling metropolis Sao Paulo on a motor-bike on a mission: hand out free dog food to less fortunate pooches. "I said from today every time I see a dog going hungry, I will donate a portion of food," Souza said, wiping away tears. Once Souza posted videos and pictures on social media of his food deliveries and the street dogs, donations started to flood in. "I had more than 700 kilograms (1,543 lb) of dog food in my living room," said Souza, who has Ruby's name tattooed on his forearm. "This help from Miguel - donating food, water, time and encouraging others to donate - I think is very cool," she said.

Persons: Miguel Pereira, Leonardo Benassatto, Miguel Pereira de Souza, Souza, Ruby, Raja Vidya, Steven Grattan, Brendan O'Boyle, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Leonardo Benassatto SAO PAULO, American, Thomson Locations: Sao Paulo, Brazil, Paulo, Miguel

☆ Mexico intercepts over 500 migrants in two days
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Brendan O'Boyle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

INM/Handout via REUTERSMEXICO CITY, July 16 (Reuters) - Mexican authorities on Sunday said they intercepted over 500 migrants in two days in the eastern state of Veracruz as authorities crack down on the transportation of migrants toward the United States in unsafe conditions. The town's mayor Roberto Montiel wrote on Facebook that "over 180" migrants were found, including women and children, with some of the migrants presenting signs of dehydration. Earlier on Sunday, the INM reported in a statement that authorities had intercepted 303 migrants in two operations on Friday morning in Veracruz. Also on Friday, authorities found 196 migrants, including 19 unaccompanied minors, packed into an improperly parked tractor-trailer detected on a road close to the city of Fortin de las Flores. Five of the migrants were adults from Guatemala and another five adults from India, the INM statement said, without providing further details on the other migrants' nationalities.

Persons: Fortin de las, Roberto Montiel, Fortin de las Flores, Brendan O'Boyle, Diane Craft Organizations: National Institute of Migration, REUTERS, REUTERS MEXICO CITY, National Migration Institute, Facebook, Thomson Locations: Fortin de, Fortin de las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico, Handout, REUTERS MEXICO, United States, Puente Nacional, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Fortin, India, Mexico's, Chiapas, Texas

☆ Mexican journalist shot to death in car in Acapulco, local media report
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, July 15 (Reuters) - Mexican journalist Nelson Matus was killed Saturday in the coastal resort city of Acapulco in the southwestern state of Guerrero, local media reported. The director of local news site Lo Real de Guerrero, Matus was shot in his car in the parking lot of a store, Mexican newspaper El Universal reported. The attack took place after 3:00 pm in the neighborhood of Emiliano Zapata in the north of Acapulco, Mexican newspaper Reforma reported. Reforma added that Matus had survived two assassination attempts in 2017 and 2019, citing local media. The Guerrero state attorney general's office did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Persons: Nelson Matus, Lo, Matus, Emiliano Zapata, Luis Martin Sanchez, general's, Brendan O'Boyle Organizations: MEXICO CITY, El Universal, Reforma, Jornada, Borders, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexican, Acapulco, Guerrero, Emiliano, Reforma, Nayarit, Mexico

☆ Drag queens compete for top prize in Nicaragua pageant
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Mix Imperial Central American Tropical Drag Royale provided a stage for drag performers in a region where LGBT people often face discrimination and economic hardship. "It's a form of catharsis," said Alexa Evangelista, a drag queen from El Salvador and one of the night's performers, who lip-synched and danced for the adoring crowd. Drag queen Peppe Pig said the pageant gave her the opportunity to travel outside her home country of Guatemala, and that drag has helped her meet new friends and her current partner. Nicaraguan drag queen Akeyra Davenport took home the night's crown in her first competition after 11 years as a drag artist. Reporting by Maynor Valenzuela in Managua Writing by Brendan O'Boyle Editing by Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Maynor Valenzuela, Alexa Evangelista, Evangelista, Peppe Pig, Akeyra Davenport, Brendan O'Boyle, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Imperial, REUTERS, Maynor, Central, Thomson Locations: Guatemala, Managua, Nicaragua, Maynor Valenzuela MANAGUA, El Salvador, Central America, Nicaraguan

MEXICO CITY, July 13 (Reuters) - The Mexican government is no longer interested in purchasing Citigroup's (C.N) local retail arm, known as Banamex, a government spokesperson said on Thursday, adding that the U.S. bank "chose a different path" for its unit. Deputy Finance Minister Gabriel Yorio told Reuters at the time that Mexico could pursue a total or partial acquisition of the unit. Government spokesperson Jesus Ramirez did not immediately respond when asked which path the U.S. bank is taking. Before Citi's decision to list Banamex, banking sources said mining conglomerate Grupo Mexico (GMEXICOB.MX) had been eyeing the unit for around $7 billion. Reporting by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle and Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Gabriel Yorio, Jesus Ramirez, Lopez Obrador, Valentine Hilaire, Brendan O'Boyle, Jamie Freed Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Citi, Reuters, Government, Grupo Mexico, German, Grupo, Spain's Banco Santander, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, U.S, Mexican, Mexico

☆ Northern Mexico bakes as residents try to beat scorching heat
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Victor Medina/File PhotoMEXICALI, Mexico, July 13 (Reuters) - Construction worker Brian Larreta's job is tough any day of the year, but scorching temperatures this month in northern Mexico have made it a dangerous feat. A deadly heat wave spiked temperatures across Mexico in June, but while recent weeks have brought relief to more southern regions, the country's heat-accustomed northern states have continued to bake in abnormally high temperatures. Heat waves have historically hit Mexico in April and May, according to data from the Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM). This year, experts said the heat wave was worsened by drought. The local government, along with religious groups, took to the streets to offer homeless people shelter, water, and rehydration salt packets to avoid heat strokes.

Persons: Victor Medina, Brian Larreta's, you've, they’re, Larreta, Aaron Gomez, Martina Sarabia, Brendan O'Boyle, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Autonomous National University of Mexico, Thomson Locations: Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, MEXICALI, California, UNAM

☆ 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

☆ Costa Rica charges former president Solis with corruption
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SAN JOSE, July 6 (Reuters) - Costa Rica said on Thursday it has charged former President Luis Guillermo Solis with corruption, accusing him of involvement in a 2017 improper transfer of government funds to state-owned Bancredito. Solis, who governed between 2014 and 2018, denied the charges. "I categorically reject the charges that have been brought against me," the former center-left leader said in a video posted on Twitter. "I know I did not commit any crime," he said in a text message to Reuters. "This is a case that has already been prosecuted," he wrote in a text message, saying he would not comment further.

Persons: Luis Guillermo Solis, Solis, Helios Fallas, Sergio Alfaro, Alfaro, Fallas, Alvaro Murillo, Brendan O'Boyle, Edwina Gibbs, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: JOSE, Twitter, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Costa Rica

☆ Two dead, output impacted after fire engulfs Mexican oil platform
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Ana Isabel Martinez | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Boats spray water onto an offshore oil platform that caught fire at the Pemex's Cantarell Field, in the Bay of Campeche, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico July 7, 2023. In posts on Twitter, Pemex said it had accounted for all other workers and said oil production had taken a major hit from the blaze. Later on Friday, the company said oil production had been "impacted in a substantial way" due to the fire. A Pemex statement Friday morning indicated that 321 of 328 people working on the sprawling platform had been successfully evacuated. The vast majority of Mexican oil production comes from nearby shallow water fields clustered around the Bay of Campeche in the southern Gulf, where Pemex has suffered a number of industrial accidents in recent years.

Persons: Pemex, Octavio Romero, Cantarell, Ana Isabel Martinez, Stefanie Eschenbacher, Kylie Madry, Manuel Carrillo, Brendan O'Boyle, Isabel Woodford, David Gregorio, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Bay, Campeche, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico, Handout, MEXICO

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