Southern Cone in August 2026: the most important developments in society
In the Southern Cone in August 2026, the main news was Pope Leo XIV's announcement on August 5 that he will visit Argentina, Uruguay and Peru in November, his first papal trip to South America. The itinerary for Argentina, his native country, includes Buenos Aires and other cities, with meetings with local clergy and civic leaders, according to the Vatican.
In Argentina, thousands of people protested on August 7 against proposed private property legislation, which critics say could make it easier for foreigners to own land. The government had not yet responded. Publishers, booksellers and authors also opposed President Javier Milei's deregulation measures, citing concerns for the book sector. The Argentine Football Federation publicly defended FIFA President Gianni Infantino as transparent. Around Lionel Messi, a religious leader in Paraguay posted what he said was the last known photo of Messi's father, Jorge Messi, who has died.
Other items included a storm in Chile that brought flooding and two deaths, and reports that a Chilean town was poisoned by mining waste imported from Sweden. In Buenos Aires an extreme cold alert was issued on August 9. The family of an Argentine woman found dead in Punta del Este demanded answers about her death, and the boyfriend of an Argentine nanny detained by US immigration authorities said he was devastated. Newly released SS documents detailed the escape of the Nazi Priebke to Argentina after the war.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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