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LIMA, Feb 4 (Reuters) - As deadly protests rage across Peru, a political battle is unfolding inside the halls of Congress, walled off from the streets by hundreds of police, armored vehicles and a maze of gates. Despite the violence, and despite polls that show the majority of Peruvians want the election brought forward, Congress appears to be in deadlock. Reuters spent the last week inside the 130-seat Congress in capital Lima, talking to lawmakers to ask why Peruvian politics seems to be in such a mess. "There is little agreement within political parties as to what to do," said Peruvian political analyst Andrea Moncada. "If we have elections in a year or by some miracle by the end of this year, the parties registered to participate are the same ones that are in Congress right now."

[1/5] Protesters clash with police officers during an anti-government demonstration following the ouster of Peru's former President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru January 24, 2023. The violence has left 48 people dead with 10 more civilians killed in accidents or other issues related to the blockades. Protesters have pledged to fight on until new elections are held, Boluarte resigns and Congress is shut. The protests, while focused in the south, have spread across the nation, with hundreds of road blockades using trees, rocks and car tires jamming up transport. "I am Inca blood," said Cirilo Yupanqui, wearing a pink gas mask while protesting in capital Lima.

☆ Exclusive: Chile mine delays to slow copper growth; peak seen lower, later -regulator
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Fabian Cambero | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SANTIAGO, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Copper production in Chile, the world's largest producer of the red metal, will grow at a slower rate this decade than previously hoped, a government report seen by Reuters showed, with peak output later and lower than estimated a year ago. That is well below the 7.62 million-tonne 2028 peak the regulator had estimated in its decade outlook a year ago. Despite the expected slower growth in Chile, the report forecasts production to grow 17% to 6.58 million tonnes by 2033. Expected output will be 5.345 million tonnes in 2022, 5.467 million tonnes this year and 5.891 million tonnes in 2024. On Wednesday the chief executive of miner Freeport-McMoRan Inc (FCX.N) said Chile expansion projects were on hold until the country's political situation was clearer.

☆ Explainer: What Brazil and Argentina's 'currency union' really means
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Marcela Ayres | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BRASILIA, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Brazil and Argentina sparked some excitement on Sunday over the possibility of a potential "currency union", though the two countries are unlikely to ditch the real or peso any time soon. That sparked off chatter about a European Union-style zonal currency for South America, though officials have since played that down and analysts say a full-on currency union is a distant prospect. Under the plan, the Brazilian real and Argentine peso would continue to exist, with the new tender targeted narrowly at trade. That is key for Argentina, which is grappling with low foreign currency reserves after years of debt crises. In 2019, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro touted plans for a currency union, which also never materialized.

☆ A South American currency union? Don't hold your breath
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Rodrigo Campos | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

That came after the leaders had touted a "common South American currency" on Sunday and officials told the Financial Times the tender could even be called the "sur" and eventually look to bring in other countries around South America. "It has failed to achieve simpler integration goals than that of a common currency." He called the idea of a currency union a "fantasy." Currency union talk was just a distraction, she said. Todd Martinez, a director at Fitch Ratings' sovereigns group focused on Latin America, said the two countries appeared to be unlikely partners to form a successful currency union, given their diverging economies.

☆ Peru protesters, fired up by deaths, march on Lima demanding change
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Marco Aquino | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/9] Protesters take part in the 'Take over Lima' march to demonstrate against Peru's President Dina Boluarte, following the ousting and arrest of former President Pedro Castillo, in Lima, Peru January 19, 2023. Protesters are planning a "Take over Lima" protest on Thursday, with thousands of police expected in response. The government last week extended a state of emergency in Lima and the southern regions of Puno and Cusco, curtailing some civil rights. Boluarte has asked for "forgiveness" for the protest deaths but remained firm that she is not going to resign. The protest deaths have been the lightning rod for much of the anger, with banners calling Boluarte a "murderer" and calling the killings by police and military "massacres".

☆ Argentina to buy back $1 bln in foreign debt in signal to markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUENOS AIRES, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Argentina will buy back foreign bonds equivalent to over $1 billion to improve the South American country's debt profile, economy minister Sergio Massa said on Wednesday, looking to send a positive signal to markets despite low reserves levels. The unusual move, which Massa said could help boost the country's access to capital markets, comes as Argentina battles to replenish foreign currency reserves, rein in rampant inflation and prop up a weakening local peso currency. "Undoubtedly over the next few months, by inviting the private sector to accompany the Argentine state in this job of improving its (debt) profile, we will carry out other measures like the one we are taking today," he added. Argentina's sovereign bonds languish in distressed territory despite major restructurings in recent years with private creditors and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with which it struck a $44 billion deal last year to push back repayments. Reporting by Walter Bianchi and Jorgelina do Rosario; Writing by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Chizu NomiyamaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Exclusive: Glencore copper mine in Peru running at 'restricted' capacity due to protests -source
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Marco Aquino | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LIMA, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Glencore Plc's (GLEN.L) huge Antapaccay copper mine in Peru is operating at "restricted" capacity due to anti-government protests that saw an attack on the facility last week, a company source told Reuters on Tuesday. "The mine has not yet suspended operations, which overall continue in a restricted manner," the company source said, asking not to be named. Road blockades by protesters were preventing trucks from moving its copper, the source said. Last week, two Antapaccay company vehicles were burned and the area around the workers' housing was attacked. Las Bambas mine, owned by China's MMG Ltd (1208.HK) in the Apurimac region, has also seen transport of copper concentrates impacted by the blockades.

☆ Italian film legend Gina Lollobrigida dies at age 95
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

ROME (AP) — Italian film legend Gina Lollobrigida, who achieved international stardom during the 1950s and was dubbed “the most beautiful woman in the world” after the title of one of her movies, died in Rome on Monday, her agent said. Lollobrigida also was an accomplished sculptor, painter and photographer, and eventually essentially dropped film for the other arts. Lollobrigida was born on July 4, 1927 in Subiaco, a picturesque hill town near Rome, where her father was a furniture maker. Lollobrigida began her career in beauty contests, posing for the covers of magazines and making brief appearances in minor films. On her website, Lollobrigida recalled how her family lost its house during the bombings of World War II and went to live in Rome.

[1/4] Soy plants are pictured on a farm in Enconada, on the outskirts of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, January 7, 2023. The tensions underscore a sharpening of a deep-seated rivalry between Santa Cruz and La Paz - Bolivia's farming hub and the political capital respectively - that have long butted heads over politics and resources. La Paz is an Andean stronghold with a large indigenous population that has traditionally titled towards the ruling socialist MAS party. "They can't resist on their own", said Montenegro, adding the rising economic pressures would force Santa Cruz producers to re-start supply within the country. Every Santa Cruz person has to fight, all Bolivians must fight for the well-being of Bolivia, for freedom."

☆ Peru's mining south, rocked by violence, braces for 'endless battle'
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Marco Aquino | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The anger in the Andean south looks likely to harden, protest leaders told Reuters, a major risk to firms in the world's no. "This is an endless battle," said Edgar Chura, leader of the Puno Defense Front protest group before the Monday clashes, a view shared by other protest leaders who spoke with Reuters. Protest leaders, meanwhile, say that a government proposal to bring elections forward to April 2024 is not enough. Jose Luis Chapa, a protest leader and workers union official in Arequipa, said new elections must be held this year if the government wanted dialogue. "The agreement is not to talk with anyone from government, least of all Dina Boluarte," the mining region protest leader said, adding protests would be "staggered" around the south.

☆ Exclusive: Paraguay election race puts Taiwan ties on a knife-edge
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Daniela Desantis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Paraguay is one of only 14 nations globally that retains diplomatic ties with Taiwan and the only South American country to do so. "Paraguay must have relations with China," Alegre said in a recent interview after being named presidential candidate. "We hold this critical position towards relations with Taiwan because we don't think we get enough back from this relationship." Santiago Pena, the Colorado Party candidate, said Paraguay's over six decades of ties with Taiwan would remain intact if he won the April 30 vote. "What we produce is enough for a neighborhood in a city in China, but what interests (Beijing) is us breaking ties with Taiwan.

☆ Argentina president seeks to impeach Supreme Court chief after clash
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUENOS AIRES, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Argentine President Alberto Fernandez on Tuesday said he would seek to impeach the head of the Supreme Court, after the two powers recently clashed over a court decision to award more state funds to the city of Buenos Aires. Fernandez said in a statement that he had signed, along with various provincial governors, a request for the impeachment of Supreme Court President Horacio Rosatti as well as other members of the top court, escalating a fight with the judiciary. Fernandez had rejected a Supreme Court ruling in December to give a larger proportion of state funds to the opposition-controlled city of Buenos Aires, before backtracking and saying that he would comply with the ruling he called "unfair". Reuters could not immediately reach the Supreme Court or Rosatti for comment. Fernandez called on his Frente de Todos coalition to support his plan to start the impeachment process in Congress.

Santa Cruz leaders pledge to fight until Camacho is released, picketing government buildings and stopping transport of grains. "We have a mandate from our assembly that nothing leaves Santa Cruz and that is what we are going to do," said Rómulo Calvo, head of the powerful Pro Santa Cruz civic group. Marcelo Cruz, President of the International Heavy Transport Association of Santa Cruz, said routes were being blocked so no trucks could leave the province. "No grain, animal or supply from the factories should leave Santa Cruz for the rest of the country. "Santa Cruz is the economic stronghold of Bolivia," said Gary Rodríguez, General Manager of the Bolivian Institute of Foreign Trade (IBCE).

[1/7] Bolivian opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho receives a medical evaluation following his detention, at an undisclosed location in this image released December 28, 2022. Former President Morales said on Wednesday he hoped Camacho's detention would bring justice after three years. There was an uneasy calm Thursday in Santa Cruz, where signs of damage were visible after protests Wednesday ended with a fire set to the Santa Cruz prosecutor's headquarters. Public Works Minister Edgar Montano said on Twitter his house in Santa Cruz had been set on fire and robbed. The federal prosecutor's office said it would seek the "harshest punishment" for those responsible for damages in Santa Cruz.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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