South America

Hospitals in Brazil, ‘near collapse’

The mayor of Brazil's largest city, São Paulo, has said its health system could collapse as demand grows for emergency beds to deal with coronavirus cases. Bruno Covas said the…

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Brazil’s outbreak now fourth largest in the world

Brazil’s confirmed coronavirus cases rose on Saturday past those of Spain and Italy, outbreak the fourth largest in the world. Brazil’s health ministry registered 14,919 new confirmed cases in the…

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Brazil’s LATAM airlines to lay off 1,400 employees

LATAM Airlines Group, the region's largest carrier, will lay off 1,400 employees, the company said on Friday, marking the first instance of a major Latin American airline laying off staff…

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Brazil Health minister resigns after less than a month in office

Brazil’s outgoing health minister Nelson Teich said in a press briefing on Friday that he had decided to resign from his position, becoming the second person to leave the top…

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Brazil and Mexico report record surge in coronavirus cases

Brazil and Mexico on Thursday reported a record one-day rise in new coronavirus cases, just as leaders of both countries intensified attempts to reopen their economies even as the spread…

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Coronavirus cases in Brazil continue to increase

Brazil's confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus passed Germany, as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro fought states over his wish to reopen gyms and beauty parlors even as his country becomes…

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Indigenous people cutting off from their external communities to preserve their culture in wake of pandemic

Indigenous peoples across Latin America are cutting off their communities from the outside world, worried that the coronavirus could pose a grave threat to their culture by putting at risk…

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Argentina once more faces bankruptcy

Argentina's government is trying to negotiate a restructuring of debt with creditors as the country's finances dwindle and once more faces bankrupcy. Argentina hasn't made a bond interest payment since…

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Brazil hits record coronavirus deaths

Brazil, one of the world’s emerging coronavirus hot spots, registered a record number of cases and deaths on Wednesday, prompting the health minister to flag the possibility of strict lockdowns…

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Record daily deaths in Brazil

Brazil confirmed its highest daily coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, indicating that the nation is still in the thick of its battle against the virus, even as some areas of the…

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Total coronavirus cases in Brazil rise above 100,000

There have been 4,588 new cases of the novel coronavirus in Brazil and 275 deaths over the last 24 hours, the health ministry said on Sunday, bringing total confirmed cases…

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Concern grows as Brazil coronavirus cases increase

Brazil’s virtually uncontrolled surge of COVID-19 cases is spawning fear that construction workers, truck drivers and tourists from Latin America’s biggest nation will spread the disease to neighbouring countries…

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Argentina bans all commercial flights till end of August

Argentina has announced a prohibition on all internal and international commercial flights until the end of August in its efforts to fight off the deadly oronavirus pandemic. The authorities directed…

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El Salvador authorises use of lethal force against gang members

El Salvador President, Nayib Bukele, has authorized the use of lethal force by the police and army against gang members he says are taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic, after…

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Brazil becoming coronavirus hot spot

Cases of the new coronavirus are overwhelming hospitals, morgues and cemeteries across Brazil as Latin America’s largest nation veers closer to becoming one of the world’s pandemic hot spots. Medical…

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Bolsonaro fires Brazil’s health minister

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro fired his health minister on Thursday after clashing with him over how to fight the new coronavirus, and again called for states to end stay-at-home orders…

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A doctor’s coat and a stethoscope – Brazil pays tribute to healthcare workers

Brazil paid tribute to healthcare workers on Easter Sunday by projecting a doctor coat and stethoscope onto the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue as Mass was celebrated below. via…

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Fear Bolsonaro is dragging Brazil towards coronavirus disaster

Medical experts have said they fear that Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, could be hastening the country’s march towards a devastating public health crisis like those to have hit northern Italy…

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Coronavirus hits remote Amazon tribe in Brazil killing 15-year-old boy

A 15-year-old member of a remote Amazon tribe in Brazil has died after contracting coronavirus. Alvanei Xirixan died in intensive care in the main hospital of Boa Vista, capital of…

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Photo Story: Rio salutes Brazilian health workers

Christ the Redeemer statue is illuminated with the projection of a health worker's uniform during a religious ceremony to celebrate Easter Sunday, on Mount Corcovado, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Via…

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Brazil reports over 1,000 deaths

Brazil has become the first country in the southern hemisphere to surpass 1,000 deaths with coronavirus. The South American country has recorded at least 1,068 deaths and 19,789 cases, according…

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Photo Story: Brazil increases graves at cemetery

An aerial view of the Vila Formosa cemetery, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Vila Formosa cemetery, in the eastern part of Sao Paulo, is the largest in Latin America. The…

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Ecuador builds emergency cemeteries due to coronavirus outbreak

Ecuador’s government is preparing an emergency burial ground on land donated by a private cemetery in Guayaquil, the country’s largest city, to address a shortage of burial plots as the…

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EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Aerial photo with a drone shows the Copacabana beach without visitors due to COVID-19 crisis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. EPA-EFE/Antonio Lacerda

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Brazil reports its first coronavirus case among Amazon tribes

An indigenous woman in a village deep in the Amazon rainforest has contracted the novel coronavirus, the first case reported among Brazil's more than 300 tribes, the Health Ministry's indigenous health…

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Bolsonaro threatens he will sack health minister if he criticizes his approach to Covid19

Jair Bolsonaro has reportedly told his health minister he will sack him if he dares criticise his handling of the coronavirus crisis. According to a report in the Estado de…

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Fears for indigenous tribes after doctor in Amazon tests positive

There are fears remote indigenous communities could be decimated by the coronavirus after a doctor working with an Amazon tribe was confirmed to have the disease. The doctor had…

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Brazil’s Maracana stadium to serve as coronavirus hospital

Brazil’s Maracana sports complex in Rio de Janeiro, which includes the world famous soccer stadium, will become a temporary hospital to help fight coronavirus, state authorities said on Thursday. As…

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Bolsonaro urges Brazilians to get back to work, says concern over coronavirus overblown

As Brazil's largest city went into lockdown, President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday took aim at the "hysteria" over the coronavirus and urged that life must continue and jobs be preserved.…

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No Comment – Che Dio sia con voi…

From Brazil - Via Cosmo De La Fuente Facebook The number of people who contracted the coronavirus in Italy has now topped 1,000, at 1,016, 189 more than Wednesday, Emergency…

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Panic in Bolivia as coronavirus patient turned away from hospitals

One of two people confirmed to have the coronavirus in Bolivia is being sheltered in a government office after local residents and medical staff blocked her entry to up to…

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Argentina set to become first major Latin American country to legalise abortion

Argentina is on track to become the first major Latin American country to legalise abortion. Its president, Alberto Fernández, said on Sunday that he intends to send a legal abortion…

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Photo Story: Rio prepares for Carnival

A handout photo made available by the Tourist Information centre in Rio de Janeiro (RioTur) shows thousands of people joining the 'Fogo e Paixao' troupe to celebrate in advance the…

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‘I am good’: Pelé dismisses his son’s claim that he is depressed and reclusive

Former Brazil striker Pelé dismissed talk he is depressed and reclusive and assured fans he is doing well and maintaining a busy schedule. Pelé’s son Edinho told Globo in an…

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Heavily armed police and soldiers enter El Salvador parliament

Heavily armed police and soldiers in El Salvador have forced their way into parliament, demanding the approval of a $109m loan to better equip them. They entered the building as…

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Photo Story: Pre-Carnival of Rio de Janeiro 2020

(L-R) Queen of the carnival Camila Aparecida da Silva, King Momo Djefferson Mendes da Silva and First Princess Deisiane Conceicao participate during the opening show of the pre-carnival of Rio…

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The Year in Pictures- August: Amazon fires in Brazil

A fireman at work to extinguish a fire at a forest near Porto Velho, Brazil, 28 August 2019, as the Brazil Amazon region suffered the worst fires of the last…

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Photo Story: Inauguration of the Lagoa Christmas tree in southern Rio de Janeiro

A view of the inauguration of the Lagoa Christmas tree in southern Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 14 December 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/FABIO MOTTA

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Arrest warrant to be issued against ex Bolivian President Morales

Bolivia will issue an arrest warrant in the coming days against former leftist President Evo Morales, accusing him of sedition, interim Bolivian President Jeanine Anez said. Morales is in Argentina,…

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Brazil could lose its U.N. vote due to debt

Brazil is in danger of losing its vote at the cash-strapped United Nations if it does not pay some of the $400 million it owes by the end of the…

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Leonardo DiCaprio responds to Brazil president’s false claim he funded Amazon fire

Leonardo DiCaprio said his organization is not funding nonprofit groups that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has falsely claimed helped start devastating wildfires in the Amazon. Bolsonaro, who has previously made…

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Former Bolivian President Morales accused of terrorism and sedition

Bolivia's interim government has accused former President Evo Morales of terrorism and sedition over his alleged role in fomenting unrest in the country. Mr Morales organised roadblocks that prevented food…

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U.N. warns Bolivia crisis could ‘spin out of control’ as death toll mounts

The United Nations warned violence in Bolivia could “spin out of control” following recent skirmishes between security forces and coca farmers loyal to ousted President Evo Morales that have left…

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Bolivia’s duelling parties strike deal to end political chaos

Bolivia’s interim government and lawmakers from the party of unseated leader Evo Morales struck a deal late on Thursday to pursue new elections, potentially helping resolve the South American country’s…

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Clashes rock Bolivia as new interim leader challenged

Renewed clashes rocked Bolivia’s capital Wednesday as the woman who claimed the presidency, a second-tier lawmaker thrust into the post because of a power vacuum, faced challenges to her leadership…

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Clashes as opposition supporters’ storm Venezuelan embassy in Brazil

Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and followers of Juan Guaido, head of the National Assembly, clash outside of the Venezuela's embassy facilities, in Brasilia, Brazil. Earlier some supporters of…

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Bolivian police ‘mutiny’ in opposition to Evo Morales

Police in at least three Bolivian cities have declared mutinies and joined anti-government protests – a possible indication that parts of the security forces may be withdrawing their backing for…

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Brazil ex-President Lula released from jail

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been freed after more than 18 months in prison. The 74-year-old ex-president, who led Brazil between 2003 and 2010, is seen…

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Protests persist in Bolivia

Opponents of Bolivian President Evo Morales clash with his supporters during political protests in La Paz, Bolivia. Street clashes broke out on Thursday among supporters and opponents of Bolivia’s government…

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Protest leader opposed to Bolivia’s President Morales reaches La Paz, student killed

Opponents of president of Bolivia Evo Morales hold a vigil at an exit of the El Alto International Airport, in El Alto, Bolivia. The Bolivian protest leader Luis Fernando Camacho…

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El Salvador expels Venezuelan diplomats, recognizes Juan Guaido

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has expelled Venezuela’s diplomatic corps, giving them two days to leave the country. El Salvador announced late Saturday that Venezuelan diplomats serving under embattled President Nicolas…

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Leaders of civic groups in Bolivia give Morales 48 hours to resign

Thousands of people gather near the Christ the Redeemer statue to listen to the new pressure measures they will take due to allegations of electoral fraud in the elections of…

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Greek-flagged tanker believed to be source of Brazil oil spill

Brazilian officials suspect a Greek-flagged tanker was the source of an oil spill that has stained about 2,500km of Brazil's coastline. The spill was first detected on 2 September, and…

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Alberto Fernández elected President of Argentina

Centre-left opposition candidate Alberto Fernández has been elected president of Argentina in a vote dominated by economic concerns. Fernández secured more than the 45% of the vote needed to win,…

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EU calls for runoff vote in Bolivia

The EU, Colombia, United States and others have urged Bolivia to hold a second election round amid protests and delays in reporting results. Official results put President Evo Morales…

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Tension in the streets of La Paz as Morales edges closer to victory

Bolivian President Evo Morales edged early Thursday to the threshold he needs for an outright victory in his re-election bid after accusing his opponents of trying to stage a coup…

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Brazilian priest brings stray dogs to mass so they can find new families

Father João Paulo Araujo Gomes who is the head of the parish of Santana in the city of Gravatá in Brazil takes homeless dogs regularly to attend church services to…

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