International
Thousands of Argentines protest soaring inflation
AFP
Thousands of Argentines brought central Buenos Aires to a standstill on Thursday in another massive protest against the South American country’s soaring inflation.
The “Federal march for work and salaries, and against hunger and poverty” was bolstered by thousands of people arriving from outside the capital, heeding the call from multiple unions and left-wing groups critical of center-left President Alberto Fernandez’s social policies.
Calls to protest have become more frequent since the start of the year, as the Argentine economy shows no signs of stemming its inflationary trend.
In the first four months of 2022, prices rose 23 percent, including a 6 percent jump in April, according to figures published Thursday.
Having already recorded inflation of over 50 percent in 2021, the current rate would surpass even the worst estimates of 60 percent by the end of the year.
Protesters are also angry at the government’s budgetary restraint, a necessity during debt renegotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which will see the country reduce its annual deficit from three percent of GDP in 2021 to zero by 2025.
Argentina’s left and far left have little clout at the ballot box but a great capacity to organize street protests.
They are vehemently opposed to repaying Argentina’s $44 billion IMF debt, and demand more generous social aid packages.
One of their main slogans is: “the debt is to the people.”
While the administration has tried to limit expectations of more aid, splits have begun to appear in the government coalition, with Vice President Cristina Kirchner, the former president, openly criticizing Fernandez.
“I don’t think we will honor all the expectations, all the confidence, all the hope that has been placed in us,” she said several days ago, in a veiled barb at the president.
In recent weeks, Fernandez boosted by 50 percent food vouchers for the poor, increased pensions for those working in the informal sector, and also hiked the minimum wage from 38,940 to 45,540 pesos ($319 to $373).
International
Cuba accuses U.S. of pressuring countries ahead of UN vote on embargo
The Cuban government on Wednesday accused the United States of exerting “intimidating and deceptive pressure” on third countries to vote against the annual UN General Assembly resolution calling for an end to U.S. sanctions on the island.
In a statement to the international press, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez claimed that Havana possesses “reliable information” about Washington’s efforts to pressure countries in Latin America and Europe ahead of the vote.
The non-binding resolution, presented every year by Cuba since 1992, has consistently received overwhelming supportfrom the international community — with 187 votes in favor and only two against (the U.S. and Israel) in recent years. The next vote is scheduled to take place on October 28.
Rodríguez described the resolution as a diplomatic victory for Cuba despite its lack of practical effect, and asserted that his government had obtained U.S. documents sent to other nations urging them to “change their historical position” on the issue.
According to the foreign minister, the United States has allegedly “coerced allied nations” in recent weeks using tactics such as visa denials, trade tariffs, and pressure on private companies.
He further stated that in two written communications, dated October 8 and 17, Washington explicitly urged the recipients to “reject” the Cuban resolution “in accordance with applicable legal measures.”
Central America
U.S. and Panama hold joint jungle exercises to strengthen security ties
U.S. and Panamanian security forces carried out joint exercises in Panama’s jungle on Wednesday, focusing on the exchange of specialized knowledge as part of renewed bilateral cooperation in security and defense, according to official statements.
Joint operations between the two nations—Panama, which has had no standing army since 1990, and the United States—have been frequent since the 1989 U.S. invasion. The latest drills come after both countries renewed their security cooperation last April through a memorandum of understanding, which initially sparked some controversy in Panama due to provisions allowing greater temporary and rotational U.S. military presence.
The exercises also coincide with an unprecedented U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean, part of Washington’s expanded anti-narcotics campaign, which it links to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government—currently the target of a $50 million U.S. reward offer.
“We are simply focused on creating mutual understanding and shared experiences that can be beneficial for both countries, Panama and the United States,” said U.S. Colonel Ada Cotton during a press briefing.
The U.S. contingent, composed of Marines and an Army officer, participated at the invitation of the Panamanian government, which, according to Cotton, “has clearly defined what we can and cannot do” during the training exercises.
International
Colombia conducts nationwide emergency drill focused on hidroituango dam
Colombians took part on Wednesday in the National Emergency Response Drill, an exercise aimed at enhancing citizens’ ability to react to risk situations and promoting a culture of prevention.
According to the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), the drill was conducted throughout the country.
This year’s main focus was Hidroituango, Colombia’s largest hydroelectric power plant, located in a mountainous canyon in the municipality of Ituango, in the northwestern department of Antioquia.
The head of the UNGRD, Carlos Carrillo, oversaw the exercise at Hidroituango, which is powered by the Cauca River, the country’s second most important waterway after the Magdalena.
“We simulated a rise in the Cauca River’s water level,” Carrillo explained, noting that evacuation sirens sounded at 7:30 a.m. local time (12:30 GMT) and that five municipalities upstream and five downstreamtook part in the drill.
Personnel operating the hydroelectric plant’s machinery also evacuated their work areas as part of the exercise.
Carrillo emphasized that the data collected during the simulation will be crucial to assess and strengthen the response capabilities of local governments and communities.
Cuba accuses U.S. of pressuring countries ahead of UN vote on embargo
U.S. and Panama hold joint jungle exercises to strengthen security ties
Colombia conducts nationwide emergency drill focused on hidroituango dam
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International4 days agoMillions to join “No Kings” march in U.S. amid Trump’s growing authoritarian backlash
-
International4 days agoMaría Corina Machado: “Venezuela is closer than ever to regaining freedom”
-
International1 day agoTrump warns Hamas that they will be “eradicated” if they break the ceasefire with Israel in Gaza
-
Central America2 days agoWhite House targets Nicaragua over human rights and labor violations
-
International3 days agoU.S.-Colombia Tensions Escalate as Trump Ends Subsidies, Criticizes Petro
-
International2 days agoJoe Biden finishes prostate cancer radiotherapy at Penn Medicine
-
International1 day agoVenezuela accuses U.S. of using anti-drug operations as pretext to target Maduro
-
International1 day agoThe Chief Builder: Trump and his remodeling of the White House
-
International2 days agoZelenskyy: Meeting with Trump “Positive” Despite Rejected Missile Request
-
International4 hours agoUruguay’s Orsi and Tony Blair discuss AI cooperation and child poverty policies
-
International1 day agoTrump assures that Ukraine could still “win” the war
-
International1 day agoThe United States investigates why a Waymo autonomous vehicle did not respect a stop sign
-
International1 day agoCosta Rica hails appointment of Japan’s first female Prime Minister, Takaichi Sanae
-
International1 day agoMexico and the US launch an unprecedented joint border plan to stop arms trafficking
-
International2 days agoTrump says Venezuela is ‘feeling the heat’ amid U.S. anti-drug operations in the Caribbean
-
International3 hours agoColombia conducts nationwide emergency drill focused on hidroituango dam
-
International1 day agoColombian court overturns ex-president Uribe’s conviction for witness tampering
-
International2 hours agoCuba accuses U.S. of pressuring countries ahead of UN vote on embargo
-
Central America3 hours agoU.S. and Panama hold joint jungle exercises to strengthen security ties