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Americas and the Caribbean

Americas and the Caribbean

Americas and the Caribbean

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Americas and the Caribbean. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

The US Navy’s Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which has been operating in the region. Photo: US Navy via AFP

Trump’s Venezuela ‘blockade’ raises legal questions as US masses forces

With an unusually large US military presence near Venezuela, observers warn of tactics that stretch the bounds of international law.

19 Dec 2025 - 3:18PM

Brazil’s Lula vows to veto bill slashing Bolsonaro’s 27-year prison term

19 Dec 2025 - 2:09AM

US forces strike another alleged drug boat in eastern Pacific, killing 4

18 Dec 2025 - 10:44AM

Brazil’s Congress passes bill to cut Bolsonaro’s 27-year prison sentence

If successful, the legislation could see Brazil’s former president serve a little over two years in prison for coup plot.

18 Dec 2025 - 1:55PM

The bill provoked protests in cities across Brazil on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Trump orders blockade of sanctioned oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela

Venezuelan government condemns blockade as ‘irrational’ after the US president demands it ‘return’ oil, land and assets to the US.

17 Dec 2025 - 4:27PMvideocam

US military boat strikes kill 8, adding to drug war death toll

The US military said it targeted ‘designated terrorist organisations’, and posted video of an operation in the eastern Pacific.

16 Dec 2025 - 4:42PM

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Chile takes hard-right turn as Kast scores landslide election victory

Jose Antonio Kast declares Chile ‘wanted change’ as the South American nation chooses its most right-wing president in decades.

15 Dec 2025 - 3:33PM

Jose Antonio Kast after winning the presidential run-off election. Photo: Reuters

How Mexico’s Sheinbaum weaves generations of tradition into her signature style

The colourful embroidered dresses and blouses have become a wardrobe staple for Mexico’s ‘most stylish’ president.

13 Dec 2025 - 1:46PM

War and conflict

As I see it | Would the world be safer if the military were in charge of the US?

Capricious political leaders like Donald Trump and his defence chief may be more dangerous than responsible and battle-tested generals.

12 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM

Tensions rise as US prepares to seize more tankers with Venezuelan oil

Seizure off Venezuela signals a crackdown on a shadow fleet of tankers and financially squeezing the Maduro government.

12 Dec 2025 - 4:14PMvideocam

A satellite image shows the Skipper tanker and another vessel off Port Jose, Venezuela, on November 18, 2025. Photo: Planet Labs PBC via Reuters

Tanker seized off Venezuela to be taken to US port, as threat of war grows

White House justifies targeting ‘black-market oil’ as Russia expresses support for its ally, Nicolas Maduro.

12 Dec 2025 - 10:12AMvideocam

The tanker as it was being seized by US forces off the coast of Venezuela this week. Photo: US Attorney General Pam Bondi’s X account via Reuters

Explainer | US-Venezuela tensions: how far will Trump go?

As tensions escalate in the Caribbean, the world waits for Washington’s next move.

11 Dec 2025 - 2:06PMvideocam

Fugitive Nobel laureate Machado details secret US help to reach Norway

Nobel laureate breaks silence on months in hiding, detailing essential US support for her clandestine exit to Oslo to receive Peace Prize.

11 Dec 2025 - 10:03PM

‘We keep it’: Trump says US seized oil tanker off Venezuela coast

Venezuela accuses the US of ‘blatant theft’ and ‘international piracy’ after US forces stormed a sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean.

11 Dec 2025 - 4:02PMvideocam

Armed individuals in camouflage outside the ship’s bridge with weapons raised. Photo: US Attorney General Pam Bondi’s X account via AFP

Mexico lawmakers approve tariff increase on Chinese and other Asian imports

The move, which still requires Senate approval, would affect goods like cars, clothes and steel from China, India, South Korea and elsewhere.

11 Dec 2025 - 2:42AM

Employees work at a steel bar factory in Santa Catarina, Nuevo Leon state, Mexico, in November. Photo: AFP

Honduras president alleges ‘electoral coup’ amid chaotic vote count

Fraud allegations, claims of US interference and disputed tally sheets mar vote count following Honduras’ November 30 presidential election.

10 Dec 2025 - 3:47PM

China-Latin America relations

US senators warn of China-cartel links forming a global ‘Silk Road of crime’

At a Senate hearing, officials described Chinese money brokers as key to laundering cartel funds and fuelling the illicit fentanyl trade.

10 Dec 2025 - 7:28AMvideocam

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Venezuela’s Machado will not receive Nobel Peace Prize in person

The Venezuelan opposition figure, who has been in hiding for over a year, will have her daughter accept the award in Norway.

10 Dec 2025 - 4:03PM

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, in August 2024. Photo: AP

Bolsonaro’s son says he could drop his Brazil presidency bid ‘for a price’

Flavio Bolsonaro’s announcement comes as his allies push for amnesty for his father, the jailed former president.

8 Dec 2025 - 11:02AM

Hegseth defends killing boat survivors, likens drug gangs to al-Qaeda

Washington’s policy of sinking boats and killing alleged drug-runners has led to serious debate in Congress.

7 Dec 2025 - 2:54PMvideocam

Venezuela’s Machado defies warning, vows to attend Nobel Peace Prize ceremony

Caracas has said Maria Corina Machado will be considered a ‘fugitive’ if she travels to Norway to accept the prize.

6 Dec 2025 - 11:40PM

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gestures as she addresses her supporters during a protest on January 9. Machado lives in hiding in her country. Photo: AFP

China-Latin America relations

Trump’s national security blueprint aims to combat China’s rise in Latin America

Framework pledges to stop competitors from threatening the stability and political alignment of neighbouring countries in the region.

6 Dec 2025 - 7:37AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump unveiled a new national security blueprint on Friday, prioritising US dominance in the Western Hemisphere. Photo: EPA

Trump favourite edges ahead in Honduras vote as opponent calls foul

Salvador Nasralla claimed ‘an algorithm changed the data’ after losing a lead held since Tuesday.

5 Dec 2025 - 10:18AM

US admiral denies ‘kill them all’ order in Caribbean boat strike

Admiral Frank Bradley briefs US lawmakers on the September 2 Caribbean attack that did not initially kill all on an alleged drug boat.

5 Dec 2025 - 10:23AM

With US warships near, Venezuela’s Maduro describes call with Trump

Phone call occurred amid a massive US military build-up in the region and deadly strikes on alleged drug vessels.

4 Dec 2025 - 3:13PM

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro looks through binoculars during a rally in Caracas on Monday. Photo EPA

China-Latin America relations

China unlikely to aid Maduro if US acts, but may benefit from fallout: analysts

Beijing condemns US pressure on Caracas but offers limited support, prioritising its economic interests and long-term gains.

4 Dec 2025 - 7:01AMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Moscow on the sidelines of the celebration marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War in May. Photo: Xinhua

Honduras TV host widens lead over Trump-backed rival for president

Donald Trump, who has backed Nasry Asfura, has alleged election fraud without evidence.

4 Dec 2025 - 12:29PM

US-Cuba relations

Cuba starts restoring power to Havana, as millions suffer blackouts

A failed transmission line connecting Havana to Cuba’s largest power plant in Matanzas triggered the morning blackout.

3 Dec 2025 - 11:36PM

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