Latin America

French MEPs concerned over EU-Mercosur deal amid regional push

Over 20 years in the making, the EU-Mercosur deal is edging closer to implementation, with the region's leaders, including Brazil's freshly elected President Lula, pushing for swift ratification. However, French EU lawmakers reiterated concerns over environmental standards.

Scholz bid to rally Ukraine support in South America falls flat

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's bid to rally support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's invasion during his first South American tour fell flat, with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reiterating his view both parties shared blame.

US issues license to Trinidad and Tobago to develop Venezuela offshore gas field

The Biden administration has granted a license to Trinidad and Tobago to develop a major gas field located in Venezuelan territorial waters, US and Trinidad officials said on Tuesday (24 January), marking a further easing of some sanctions on Venezuela.

Latin American cocaine cartels bring violence to Europe

Getting cocaine in many of Europe's big cities is now as easy as ordering a pizza: twenty or so minutes after you place your order by WhatsApp or Signal, a dealer can be at your door.

Lula slams far-right ‘terrorism’ as Brazil clears protest camps

Brazilian security forces cleared protest camps Monday (10 January) and arrested 1,500 people as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned "acts of terrorism" after a far-right mob stormed the seat of power, unleashing chaos on the capital.

Biden visits US-Mexico border as immigration issue heats up

President Joe Biden visited the US-Mexico border on Sunday (8 January) for the first time since taking office, tackling one of the most politically charged issues in the country as he prepares for a re-election bid.

Brazil police wrest back seat of power from pro-Bolsonaro rioters

Brazilian security forces wrested back control of Congress, the presidential palace and the Supreme Court Sunday (8 January) after a flood of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro's supporters stormed the seat of power, unleashing chaos on the capital.

EU economic policy in 2023: The great unlevelling?

In 2023, the EU’s economic policy agenda will likely focus on the bloc's reaction to the US large-scale subsidy plan for green technologies, but fiscal rules, trade policy, the reconstruction of Ukraine, and financial stability will also be on the menu for EU policymakers.

Lula takes over in Brazil, slams Bolsonaro’s anti-democratic threats

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was sworn in as Brazil's president on 1 January, delivering a searing indictment of far-right former leader Jair Bolsonaro and vowing change of course to rescue a nation plagued by hunger, poverty and racism.

EU hails WTO ‘major win’ in frozen fries spat with Colombia

The European Union welcomed a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling Wednesday (21 December) against Colombia's imposition of duties on frozen fries from three EU countries.

EU concerned about Peru protesters ‘killed’, urges calm

The European Union added its voice Monday (19 December) to calls for calm after nearly two weeks of protests prompted by the ouster of leftist ex-president Pedro Castillo.

France disappointed but proud of fightback in epic World Cup final

France are disappointed they could not successfully defend their World Cup crown after losing to Argentina on penalties in Sunday's final but leave Qatar with heads high having fought until the end, players Raphael Varane and Hugo Lloris said.

EU’s global push on food sustainability standards raises hackles in third countries

The EU’s ambition to hold third countries' food imports to its own sustainability standards has been met with consternation as stakeholders sounded the alarm in key trading partners, including Brazil and the US.

EU, Chile conclude negotiations on new trade agreement

hilean Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonia Urrejola came to Brussels on Friday (9 December) to conclude negotiations on a new, more far-reaching "Advanced Framework Agreement" that slashes most tariffs between the EU and Chile.

‘Brazil is back’ at COP27 as Lula meets US, Chinese climate envoys

Bringing a message that "Brazil is back" in the fight against global warming, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with climate envoys from China and the US at the COP27 talks, on his first foreign trip since being elected Brazilian president.

After palm oil, activists aim at banning soy oil for use in biofuels

The European biofuels industry has hit back at allegations that it is driving deforestation in the Amazon, arguing that soy imported into the bloc for biofuels must undergo checks to ensure it is not contributing to habitat destruction.

In Brazil, Lula’s victory raises hope for Amazon rainforest

The victory on Sunday (31 October) of Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva in Brazil's presidential election has raised environmentalists’ hopes that the Amazon rainforest will be protected from ranchers, illegal loggers and gold miners. EURACTIV's media partner, Climate Home News, reports.

Lula narrowly defeats Bolsonaro to win Brazil presidency again

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva narrowly defeated President Jair Bolsonaro in a runoff election on Sunday (30 October) that marked a stunning comeback for the leftist former president and the end of Brazil's most right-wing government in decades.

Bolsonaro-Lula presidential race down to the wire in Brazil, polls show

Brazil's heated presidential race has tightened ahead of a Sunday vote, several opinion surveys showed on Saturday (29 October), with right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro eroding a slight advantage for leftist challenger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in most polls.

Brazilian elections: Lula’s victory to revive EU-Mercosur agreement

The much-criticised free trade agreement between the EU and the four Latin American countries in Mercosur is currently at a standstill but will be revived if Socialist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wins the Brazilian presidential elections on Sunday (30 October).

EU, Latin American leaders seek closer ties amid Ukraine war fallout fears

Latin American and EU leaders called for closer and better ties between their regions on Thursday (27 October), while lamenting Russia's invasion of Ukraine for stoking global inflation, poverty, and the risk of recession.

EU says ‘fully committed’ to Mercosur deal as region comes into focus

The EU is 'fully committed' to moving ahead with the stalling Mercosur free-trade deal with the South American bloc and should do so before “other actors intervene,” EU's chief diplomat Josep Borrell said on Monday (24 October).

US charges Russians for shipping military technology via German company

US prosecutors on Wednesday (19 October) charged five Russian nationals for sanctions evasion and other violations related to shipping military technologies bought from US manufacturers to Russian buyers, some of which ended up on the battlefield in Ukraine.

France expresses ‘deep concern’ over detained dual-nationals in Nicaragua

French officials expressed "deep concern" on Thursday (13 October) over the detention in Nicaragua of two women with joint French-Nicaraguan citizenship, on allegations of conspiracy and spreading fake news.