Lucía Vargas del Río
Senior political correspondent based in Buenos Aires covering international trade, summits, and regional policy.
China Seizes Panamanian Ships, Latin America Condemns Move
The US and five Latin American countries condemned on April 29 China's detentions of nearly 70 Panama-flagged ships as retaliation for the judicial annulment of CK Hutchison's port contracts.
Argentina Receives Record Foreign Currency, Boosts Reserves
Argentina began receiving in April 2026 a flow of foreign currency that could exceed $30 billion in six months, though inflation and an approval drop to 36% challenge Milei.
Latin American Markets Outperform Wall Street in 2026
Latin American stock markets outperform Wall Street in 2026: Brazil up 21.7%, MSCI Latin America gains 23%, and Colombia, Peru, and Mexico markets also post significant advances.
IMF and World Bank Warn of Iran War Impact on Latin America
The IMF and World Bank warn in April 2026 that the Iran war is impacting Latin American economies, although Argentina and Paraguay stand out as pockets of dynamism in the region.
IMF and World Bank Resume Relations with Venezuela
The IMF and World Bank resumed relations with Venezuela on April 17, 2026, under interim president Delcy Rodríguez, opening the door to the first full economic assessment in 20 years.
Brazil Ibovespa Nears the 200,000-Point Milestone
The Ibovespa closed at 198,657 points on April 14, just 678 points from the historic 200,000 milestone, with 11 consecutive sessions of gains and record foreign capital.