Argentine economist-turned-president at the helm since 2023
Mass protests by miners, farmers, teachers and unions have paralysed La Paz and El Alto, blocking roads and causing shortages of fuel, food and medicine. Clashes with police have involved tear gas, dynamite blasts and arrests. President Rodrigo Paz has reshuffled his cabinet and deployed security forces while international aid and diplomatic tensions are rising.
Pope Leo XIV has confirmed a Europe-focused itinerary this year, including a visit to UNESCO in Paris and planned stops in Spain and Lourdes. The Vatican says the trip is part of efforts to engage European Catholic communities amid rising secularism.
Peter Thiel has been relocating activities abroad, purchasing property in Argentina and engaging with its leadership while his U.S. tax environment faces possible changes. Multiple outlets report the billionaire is exploring Argentina as a potential Plan B amid political and fiscal shifts at home.
Abelardo de la Espriella has surged to the top in the first round with about 43% of the vote, ahead of Iván Cepeda (≈41%), triggering a runoff on June 21. The far-right outsider promises hardline security and mega-prisons, while Cepeda advocates Petro’s continuity and Total Peace. Valencia trails after a major collapse.
Colombia, Peru and Brazil are moving right in a regional shift that could reshape how the Amazon is managed. De la Espriella in Colombia has secured a narrow win, while Peru is poised to elect Fujimori. Brazil faces a high-stakes election that could redefine environmental policy amid deforestation concerns.
Brazil’s anti-racism framework, embedded in the 1988 constitution, carries prison terms and fines for racial insults. Recent incidents involve nationals from Argentina, Spain and Chile accused of racially charged actions on flights. The cases underscore the legal protections for workers and ongoing public scrutiny of racism in Latin America.
A series of court rulings restricts high-profile political figures as Lula’s government pushes anti-deforestation efforts. Bolsonaro remains under house arrest for a 2022 coup attempt, while Bolsonaro’s political allies face ongoing legal actions amid a tense presidential race.
Colombia’s presidential runoff winner is under pressure over US citizenship and possible conflicts of interest. Senator Iván Cepeda has urged Abelardo de la Espriella to renounce his US citizenship and clarify whether he is an agent of the United States. Cepeda warns of civil disobedience if legality conditions are not met.
Keiko Fujimori has been officially declared winner of Peru's June 7 runoff, taking 50.135% of the vote to Roberto Sánchez's 49.865%. The result follows weeks of protests, fraud accusations and a review of contested ballots. Fujimori has pledged to unite the country and crack down on crime; Sánchez has contested the result.
Colombia’s president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has suspended the transition with incumbent President Gustavo Petro, accusing him of planning a coup. Petro denies fraud and international observers have praised the vote. The new cabinet is being announced as tensions rise over governance, oil policy, and the future of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.
Argentina has reached the World Cup final after Lautaro Martinez’s stoppage-time winner in Atlanta, sparking awe across Buenos Aires. Fans pour into the Obelisk, city streets, and public spaces, while celebrations contrast with lingering online claims of refereeing bias.
Israel’s prime minister has postponed a planned US trip to the end of the month as funeral arrangements for US senator Lindsey Graham are moved to a later date. The delay comes amid ongoing discussions with Washington over security and Lebanon, with Trump’s comments and past tensions shaping expectations for a possible meeting.
The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain is set to feature 30 bespoke championship rings for the winners, with 1,996 rings for fans. Donald Trump is attending and will present the trophy, a move that has fueled controversy over the tournament’s political optics. Balogun’s suspension reversal is central to ongoing debates about integrity and influence in the event.
A look at how Latin American superstition (cabalas) shapes support for Argentina’s World Cup team. Presidents have historically avoided big matches to prevent jinxes, with recent reporting showing Milei and others adopting ritual clothing and routines while watching from Olivos. The piece notes the persistence of ritual behavior among fans and leaders.
World Cup tensions flare as Argentina supporters gesture with a Falklands banner after a semi-final win. UK officials push FIFA to investigate, citing political symbols in sport; FIFA is reviewing the reports under standard procedure.
The World Cup has concluded with the United States framed as a winner by some leaders, while the White House navigates immigration policies, ticketing backlash, and diplomatic frictions. Controversies around refereeing calls and international reception have shaped the event’s legacy.
Spain defeats Argentina 1-0 in extra time to claim the 2026 World Cup. Netanyahu has publicly supported Argentina, while Spain’s Sánchez condemns Israel’s Gaza campaign. The final has become a global stage for competing political loyalties, drawing reactions from Palestinian supporters and international actors.
Spain has won the World Cup, a victory that Palestinians see as a symbol of solidarity amid Gaza’s war. Reports describe celebrations across Palestinian communities and in Gaza, where football remains a rare escape from conflict. The tournament underscores political divides and global advocacy around Gaza, with Spain’s stance on Palestine shaping the conversation.
The United States planned to send senior officials to monitor Brazil’s October elections, but Brazilian authorities denied visas, accusing the move of implying electoral interference. Lula da Silva’s government says Brazil will safeguard its sovereignty as Bolsonaro’s allies press foreign support. The dispute underscores foreign involvement concerns ahead of the vote.
Donald Trump has attended and helped present medals at the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey, where Spain defeated Argentina 1-0. He has been the focal point before and after the ceremony, drawing boos and triggering debate over U.S. hosting ambitions, international diplomacy, and sports as a political stage.
Brazilian President Lula Da Silva is defending sovereignty as talks with the US fray over election interference fears. Milei’s rhetoric and Bolsonaros’ campaign moves intensify regional tensions ahead of Brazil’s October vote. Diplomatic spats include visa revocations and downgrades, amid a broader regional shift toward conservative leadership.
Keiko Fujimori has been sworn in as Peru’s president, vowing a hardline approach to crime and instability after a tumultuous decade of leadership. She pledges military involvement in high-crime areas during emergencies and seeks to bolster ties with the United States while addressing El Niño impacts and inequality.
Argentina has issued a presidential decree expanding immigration powers to bar, deport, and revoke visas for individuals who promote hatred against Argentines or desecrate national symbols. The move follows a wave of backlash after Argentina's World Cup performance, including a post-match brawl and FIFA investigations. The decree emphasizes that criticism protected under the constitution remains exempt, but it leaves unresolved how hate speech will be defined or enforced against tourists and long-term residents.
A coordinated U.S.-Japan intervention in late July has only temporarily strengthened the yen. The currency has given back roughly half the gains from the operation and is trading near ¥159–¥160 to the dollar as of mid-August. Analysts say the yield gap between U.S. and Japanese debt and Japan's domestic policy mix are keeping downward pressure on the yen.
Two separate bomb attacks have marred Abelardo de la Espriella’s first week in office, killing at least one officer and wounding others. The army has attributed one tollbooth blast near Cali to dissident FARC factions and reported a drone strike on a police station in Cesar. De la Espriella has pledged a forceful crackdown and the US has pledged a $1bn security package.
Top authorities have coordinated a yen intervention to stall a slide in the currency, a move that strengthens yen but leaves questions about long-term fiscal and monetary policy. The effort reflects growing geopolitical ties and a shared aim to curb disorderly moves that could threaten global markets.
Petro claims thousands of tally sheets were manipulated after counts were transmitted, a charge rejected by electoral authorities and international observers as Colombia prepares to inaugurate the new president after a tightly contested election.
SpaceX has reported quarterly results with strong revenue but ongoing losses, highlighting a heavy $18bn capex focus on AI infrastructure. Investors are watching for returns as Starlink remains the profit engine while the AI division remains loss-making and the public market faces a volatile response as lock-up expirations loom.
Brazil has downgraded ties with Argentina amid a diplomatic spat linked to Brazil’s election cycle, while U.S. actions and regional acrimony intensify. Investigations into a deadly Brazilian air crash add to scrutiny of aviation safety and governance.