Bolivia faces intensified nationwide labor unrest as the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) and allied unions maintain an indefinite general strike, demanding the repeal of Decree 5503 that removes fuel subsidies. The prolonged conflict is set to deepen into January 2026, impacting critical economic sectors and challenging the government’s fiscal reform agenda. The Central Obrera Boliviana […]
Emerging research underscores the key role of women in artisanal fisheries governance and sustainability across Chile and Peru. As regulatory reforms and international agendas promote gender equality, the sector faces growing pressure to better integrate women’s contributions to improve productivity, climate resilience, and equitable resource management. Artisanal fisheries in Chile and Peru confront escalating climate
Inclusion of Women is Critical for Sustainable Artisanal Fisheries in Chile and Peru Read Post »
Minnovex is advancing lithium extraction efficiency through artificial intelligence, enhancing oxygen use in the leaching process, signaling a technological upgrade in raw material processing. Concurrently, Chile’s electricity sector is navigating financial recovery from tariff freezes through the MPC surcharge, a cost-recovery mechanism impacting regulated and free clients with high consumption, with significant implications for energy
Chile’s Green Hydrogen Action Plan 2023-2030 establishes a comprehensive framework for the deployment of the green hydrogen sector, integrating economic growth with environmental and social considerations. Institutional coordination, continuity in public policies, and international collaboration underpin the strategy as Chile aims to position itself as a global leader in green hydrogen production. The Green Hydrogen
Chile Advances Green Hydrogen Industry with Long-Term Strategy and Institutional Support Read Post »
The long-anticipated Mercosur-European Union trade agreement was postponed again in the December 2025 summit in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, primarily due to opposition from France and Italy within the EU. Meanwhile, Mercosur leaders, led by Brazil’s President Lula da Silva, are intensifying efforts to diversify trade partnerships beyond Europe amid internal political fractures and ongoing
Mercosur-EU Trade Deal Delayed Amidst Deep Divisions and Strategic Reorientation Read Post »
Brazil’s domestic gasoline prices continue to trade above import parity, while diesel prices fluctuate around parity, reflecting international market movements and currency pressures. Industrial sector growth is projected to slow in 2025, yet infrastructure investments, including large public-private partnership programs, support sustained demand for fuels, underscoring divergent market dynamics. Despite a stable exchange rate near
Pan American Energy (PAE) plans to drill 147 unconventional hydrocarbon wells using hydraulic fracturing near Lago Pellegrini in Río Negro, Argentina, triggering widespread protests by local communities and indigenous groups. The development coincides with significant environmental risks, including water resource depletion and contamination, while legal and regulatory challenges, including demands for consultation with indigenous peoples,
The Argentine Chamber of Deputies rejected key energy-related provisions in the 2026 national budget, blocking a significant debt forgiveness deal for Edenor and Edesur, limits on gas subsidies to cold zones, and a 20-year extension of fiscal stability for renewable energy projects. These setbacks raise uncertainty over energy sector investments and ongoing tariff negotiations, as
The World Bank has approved a $300 million loan to Argentina aimed at enhancing the management and targeting of gas subsidies. This funding builds on ongoing initiatives to modernize subsidy schemes, integrate recipients using bottled gas into formal registries, and promote fiscal and environmental sustainability in the energy sector. The long-term loan structure reflects the
