Southern Cone

Argentina's economy is improving under Milei's reforms, with Moody's upgrading the country to B3 and the IMF praising the austerity measures. However, trade with Brazil is strained by diplomatic conflict, and China has overtaken Brazil as Argentina's top trading partner.

• 5Milei promises to cut farm taxes, funded by energy and mining growth
• 4IMF chief praises Argentina's economic reforms as 2027 debt hurdle looms
• 4Moody’s Upgrades Argentina to B3 From Caa1, Changes Outlook to Positive From Stable
• 3Wirtschaft in Argentinien: IWF-Chefin lobt Sparmaßnahmen von Argentiniens Präsident Javier Milei
• 3Argentina-Brazil trade strained by diplomatic conflict

Milei's inflammatory remarks against Lula and support for Bolsonaro's son have triggered a diplomatic crisis, with Brazil recalling its ambassador. Domestically, Milei faces criticism over a deportation decree and distance from his vice president, while he rallies governors for the May Pact.

• 21Milei backs Bolsonaro's son in Brazil, calls Lula 'thief' and 'socialist trash'
• 15Milei and Lula Trade Insults as China Intervenes in Regional Tensions
• 14Argentina bans entry, expels foreigners for 'hate messages' against country
• 11Argentina VP distances from Milei as he rallies governors for May Pact
• 8Milei's Deportation Decree Sparks Criticism and Political Tensions

Security events are scattered and low-level, including a bomb threat at the US Embassy in Argentina, an arrest in Paraguay for human trafficking, and the arrest of the last fugitive in the Victor Jara murder in Chile. A security operation for an England match addressed Malvinas symbols.

• 2Last fugitive in Victor Jara murder arrested in Chile
• 1Argentine Engineer Arrested in Paraguay on Human Trafficking Charges
• 1US Embassy in Argentina evacuated amid 'bomb threat'
• 112 dachshunds found hidden in car heading to Uruguay
• 1Off-duty police officer arrests pilgrim rapist in Spain

A dominant tension is the backlash against Argentina's national image, fueled by Milei's rhetoric and Mbappé's clash with a Paraguayan senator, leading to a petition to ban Argentina from the World Cup. Meanwhile, Chile deals with storm aftermath and a decades-old human rights case resurfaces.

• 8'Despicable woman': Kylian Mbappé explodes at Paraguay senator over racist attack
• 6Chile storm kills 10, leaves 4 missing and 100,000 isolated
• 5DNA Test Confirms Woman in Argentina Not Missing Pinochet Victim
• 5Uruguayan leader criticizes compatriots for cheering against Argentina
• 3Chilean activist presumed dead found alive in Argentina after 50 years