Tiago Rogero

Colombian activist Beto Coral says he was arrested and held for 30 days in US immigration detention after protesting against presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella in Florida. A memo by Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Coral of political activity against the candidate and cited his legal actions and alleged support for Gustavo Petro’s government. Coral alleges physical mistreatment, solitary confinement and deprivation of food and water, while DHS characterized him as an immigration violator. After congressional Democrats and his lawyer Elizabeth Shaw sought his release, he agreed to leave the US voluntarily and says he will not return, despite retaining a theoretical legal pathway to do so. The case has raised concerns about the use of immigration powers to suppress political speech related to a foreign election.

Italian police recovered three paintings by Paul Cézanne, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Henri Matisse stolen during a March burglary at the Magnani Rocca Foundation near Parma. The works, valued collectively at more than $10m, were found during prosecutor-authorised searches, while the investigation continues. Separately, São Paulo police recovered eight Matisse illustrations stolen from a library in December and arrested a man accused of storing them; five stolen engravings by Candido Portinari remain missing.

Argentina’s government released a heavily produced video showing a 60-year-old Peruvian woman, PLS, being handcuffed during an immigration operation in Buenos Aires, despite her having no arrest warrant and being released minutes later. Her lawyer and the rights group CELS allege unlawful detention, degrading treatment and the use of her image as propaganda. President Javier Milei’s government has expanded frequent, police-backed immigration raids and introduced decrees modeled partly on Donald Trump’s policies, including tighter residency, healthcare and deportation rules. Government data obtained by CELS show that only 2.2% of foreigners stopped in the documented operations had irregular status, raising questions about their justification. PLS says the incident damaged her livelihood and made her afraid to leave home, while CELS pursues legal action against the state.

Luis Carlos Rúa, the activist behind the anonymous anti-corruption persona Elefante blanco, has taken a seat in Colombia's Senate after winning about 124,000 votes. He wore his white elephant costume during the swearing-in ceremony, having revealed his identity only three days before the election because of past death threats. Rúa became known for exposing abandoned or wasteful public infrastructure projects through social media and now plans to continue that oversight from Congress, including proposing a law dedicated to repairing potholes. His election reflects public frustration with traditional politics and the growing influence of social media. Although he identifies as independent, Rúa has faced criticism for supporting a proposal to relocate the presidential inauguration, while defending it as a signal of state presence in a neglected region and later opposing the revised relocation to Cali.

Javier Milei has alleged that criticism of Argentina, racist-abuse accusations involving its World Cup supporters and online conspiracy theories were part of a coordinated campaign financed by the US Democratic Party and the governments of Brazil and Mexico. He offered no public evidence, while researchers found a hostile and widespread online conversation but no proof of a large-scale coordinated operation. Critics say Milei is using the narrative to advance a culture-war conflict and divert attention from falling popularity, unemployment and corruption scandals. The controversy has also revived comparisons with the Argentine dictatorship’s use of claims about an “anti-Argentina campaign” to deflect criticism of human-rights abuses.

US airstrikes against suspected drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have intensified fear and uncertainty among fishers from Colombia’s English-speaking San Andrés and Providencia islands. At least 16 local fishers are reported missing since January, although some may have been involved in trafficking and disappearances have long occurred in the region. Residents and advocates say the strikes have endangered legitimate fishing, obscured victims’ identities and done little to reduce drug flows, while the Colombian government has failed to provide adequate data or support. The crisis compounds longstanding economic marginalization of the Raizal population, whose young people face limited employment opportunities and recruitment by traffickers.

Javier Milei is beginning a Latin American tour focused on relationships with far-right leaders, including Flávio Bolsonaro in Brazil, Keiko Fujimori in Peru, Abelardo de la Espriella in Colombia and Daniel Noboa in Ecuador. Although Milei presents the trip as an effort to expand Argentina’s international trade, analysts interpret it as an attempt to strengthen his position within the region’s growing far-right movement and maintain his close alignment with Donald Trump. Trump’s influence has expanded as rightwing candidates have won recent regional elections, while initiatives such as the Shield of the Americas reinforce US cooperation with aligned governments. Milei remains a favored partner of Trump, but his domestic standing is weakening as reduced inflation has been accompanied by falling purchasing power, higher unemployment, informality and corruption scandals. A Bolsonaro victory in Brazil could significantly reshape the region around a pro-US political axis, but Milei’s influence among other rightwing leaders may remain secondary to Trump’s.

Nicaragua’s Ortega-controlled National Assembly has begun drafting a plan to implement the president’s directive to stop holding elections, though it remains unclear whether the 2027 vote will be cancelled or held with Ortega and Rosario Murillo unopposed. The announcement follows constitutional changes extending presidential terms and a broader crackdown involving violent protest suppression, imprisonment of opponents and forced exile. The United Nations and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the move and urged the international community to defend Nicaraguans’ right to choose their leaders.

Daniel Ortega announced that Nicaragua will no longer hold elections, declaring the move necessary to block opposition groups. The decision marks a significant escalation in the country’s democratic decline under Ortega and Rosario Murillo, described by analysts as consolidating a family dictatorship. Ortega vowed to introduce new laws to prevent perceived threats from political opponents, while critics and international organizations highlighted the regime’s repression, including political imprisonments, the stripping of citizenship, and the closure of NGOs and media outlets. The speech also included accusations against the US regarding the capture of Nicolás Maduro. International bodies continue to attribute recent political violence and rights violations directly to Ortega’s government.

Growing numbers of Latin Americans are backing Spain over Argentina in the World Cup final, driven by recent racist incidents involving some Argentinian fans and intensifying regional football rivalries. Experts note that Argentina’s sustained football success, increased inter‑club competition, and the amplification of xenophobia on social media have deepened tensions. While critics point to racism from Argentinian supporters and controversial remarks by public figures, others argue that Spain’s own record of racist abuse complicates the moral stance. Some Brazilians nonetheless support Argentina out of regional solidarity and admiration for Lionel Messi, showing that attitudes remain divided across the region.

The United States confirmed 25% tariffs on select Brazilian products, prompting Brazil to announce retaliatory measures under its Reciprocity Law. Washington justified the tariffs by citing alleged unfair trade practices, including Pix’s impact on US credit card firms and claims of illegal deforestation. Brazil rejected the allegations as politically motivated and linked them to pressure from former president Jair Bolsonaro’s family. The move follows a USTR investigation initiated after Bolsonaro’s legal troubles and occurs ahead of Brazil’s October election, in which Lula faces Flávio Bolsonaro. Polls indicate the tariffs have strengthened Lula’s position, despite US officials accusing his government of poor‑faith negotiations.

Venezuela’s interim government and the opposition plan formal negotiations aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, backed by the US as part of a broader transition effort following deadly earthquakes and political instability. Dinorah Figuera, recently returned from exile, will represent the opposition instead of María Corina Machado, whose return the US discourages over fears of unrest. The talks, endorsed by key government figures and highlighted by Washington, lack a timeline for new elections as public discontent grows over the government’s handling of the crisis and the disputed 2024 election.

Iván Cepeda conceded Colombia’s presidential election to Abelardo de la Espriella after the official vote count confirmed the far‑right lawyer’s narrow victory. Cepeda and President Gustavo Petro had initially withheld recognition, citing concerns about foreign interference, including public backing of De la Espriella by Donald Trump. Petro announced the start of the transition while criticizing the US influence. De la Espriella plans to align Colombia with the Trump-backed Shield of the Americas bloc and revive a full‑scale military offensive against armed groups once he takes office in August.

Abelardo de la Espriella’s narrow presidential victory in Colombia has raised fears among analysts and activists about potential threats to democratic institutions due to his far‑right rhetoric, promises of extensive executive decrees, harsh security measures, and regressive positions on civil rights. His admiration for leaders such as Donald Trump, Nayib Bukele, and Javier Milei shapes his agenda, which includes aggressive anti-crime policies, major state reductions, and withdrawal from human rights frameworks. Critics highlight his history of misogynistic and discriminatory rhetoric, legal attacks on journalists, and a governance approach seen as capable of undermining institutional safeguards.

Abelardo de la Espriella narrowly won Colombia’s presidential runoff against Iván Cepeda, signaling a sharp political shift to the right after Gustavo Petro’s term. Cepeda and Petro alleged irregularities and refused to recognize preliminary results, prompting protests in several cities. De la Espriella vowed to govern for all Colombians and pursue an aggressive security agenda, including building maximum‑security prisons and intensifying military operations against criminal groups. His victory follows a regional rise in far‑right leaders and has drawn support from Donald Trump and other conservative Latin American presidents. The incoming administration will face a polarized electorate and a minority in congress.

Colombians vote in a pivotal presidential runoff that could reverse the country’s post‑2016 conflict strategy. Far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella leads polls with promises to abandon President Gustavo Petro’s negotiation‑based “total peace” approach in favor of military confrontation with armed groups. His opponent, Iván Cepeda, Petro’s ally and architect of the peace plan, seeks to continue the policy with adjustments but faces difficulty attracting centrist voters after losing the first round. The election unfolds amid rising violence, voter concerns over security, and a regional trend toward far‑right victories. Petro has questioned the preliminary vote count process, while voters express sharply contrasting views on both candidates’ approaches to security, governance, and social issues.

Colombia’s presidential runoff features Iván Cepeda and Abelardo de la Espriella, two candidates whose lives have been shaped by the country’s history of paramilitarism. Cepeda, a leftwing senator and human rights activist, seeks continued negotiations with armed groups, while De la Espriella, a rightwing lawyer and Trump supporter, promotes a hardline security stance. The campaign has been marked by accusations over ties to paramilitary groups, rising violence, and voter concerns about crime. Expert assessments highlight the enduring influence of drug trafficking networks and the legacy of the AUC, whose successors remain active across the country.

A community in Rio de Janeiro’s Vila Cruzeiro favela repainted Saint Luke’s Square in bright World Cup colors months after a deadly police raid killed 122 people. Led by artist and former footballer Luan Medeiros, residents sought to reclaim the space from the trauma associated with the operation. Volunteers, including families and local artists, contributed murals and messages of support for Brazil’s national team. The initiative reflects a broader revival of Brazil’s tradition of decorating streets for the World Cup, driven partly by social media and renewed national enthusiasm. Authorities continue to investigate the raid, with several officers facing charges.

A 38‑year‑old Brazilian woman, Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, has been charged in Santa Catarina with fraud and false identity after allegedly posing as a 12‑year‑old to live with a couple for more than a year. Investigators say she created a fictitious identity and manipulated the family emotionally, and similar accusations have surfaced from other states dating back to the late 2000s. Her alleged deception ended when a relative grew suspicious and linked her to earlier cases. Her lawyer has requested a psychiatric evaluation, and proceedings are paused while her fitness to stand trial is assessed. She remains in custody.

A Brazilian judge ruled that Ruben Dario da Silva Villar will face jury trial as the alleged mastermind behind the 2022 murders of journalist Dom Phillips and activist Bruno Pereira in the Amazon. Federal prosecutors cite evidence including extensive phone contact with the accused gunmen and provision of ammunition and legal support. Pereira’s work against illegal fishing operations allegedly harmed Silva Villar’s criminal network, leading to the attack. Three suspected gunmen remain in custody, while Indigenous organisation Univaja expressed confidence in the judicial process.

Abelardo de la Espriella leads Colombia’s presidential runoff with a hardline security platform inspired by far-right leaders across Latin America, particularly Nayib Bukele. His proposals include mass incarceration, mega-prisons, and aggressive anti-crime tactics, contrasting sharply with Iván Cepeda’s continuation of the government’s peace negotiation strategy. Analysts warn that de la Espriella’s limited congressional support could restrict his ability to emulate Bukele’s consolidation of power but still pose risks to democratic norms and civilian safety. His rise reflects a broader regional anti-incumbent shift, dissatisfaction with political parties, and growing US influence on regional politics.

Abelardo de la Espriella’s unexpected first‑round lead over Iván Cepeda reshapes Colombia’s political landscape as traditional conservatives collapse and right‑leaning voters consolidate behind the far‑right candidate. Analysts attribute the result to Paloma Valencia’s sharp decline and widespread voter frustration. The runoff will center on opposing security strategies as violence rises, with De la Espriella calling for military escalation and Cepeda backing negotiations. Accusations of electoral irregularities by Gustavo Petro and Cepeda draw criticism for undermining democratic trust ahead of the 21 June vote.

Abelardo de la Espriella led Colombia’s presidential election first round with 43.7% of the vote, advancing to a runoff against leftwing senator Iván Cepeda. President Gustavo Petro questioned preliminary results without evidence, prompting pushback from former election officials. Cepeda echoed concerns about possible irregularities. De la Espriella’s campaign centers on a hardline security approach inspired by Nayib Bukele, contrasting with Petro’s negotiation-based policy. Paloma Valencia endorsed De la Espriella after finishing with 6.9%. Despite rising violence in recent months, election day remained peaceful as Colombia moves toward a decisive second round.

Families of victims killed during São Paulo’s 2006 police retaliation continue seeking accountability as most of the more than 500 deaths remain unresolved. Evidence from forensic analyses points to widespread extrajudicial executions, particularly of young Black men, while investigations were hampered by police misconduct and lack of preservation of crime scenes. Only minimal convictions have occurred, with one police officer held responsible. Victims’ families, led by the Mothers of May movement, await a ruling from Brazil’s superior court on long-delayed compensation and demand state apologies and legal reforms amid ongoing concerns over police violence and discrimination.

Colombia heads into a closely contested presidential election amid rising political violence driven by rival armed groups competing over illicit economies. The killing of journalist Mateo Pérez Rueda highlights the ongoing conflict despite the 2016 peace deal. Leftwing candidate Iván Cepeda promotes continuing the government’s “total peace” strategy, while rightwing contenders Abelardo de la Espriella and Paloma Valencia vow a return to hardline security policies. Violence has surged during the campaign, including attacks by Farc dissidents and the fatal shooting of a presidential hopeful. Shifts in polling leave the race uncertain, with a potential runoff looming. Analysts point to uneven implementation of past peace agreements, concentrated regional violence, and external political influences shaping the outlook, while victims’ families call attention to neglected regions still dominated by armed groups.

The United States designated Brazil’s two largest criminal gangs, the PCC and Red Command, as foreign terrorist organizations, triggering strong objections from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who called the move an affront to Brazilian sovereignty and accused the Bolsonaro family of seeking foreign intervention. The designation, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio after meeting far-right candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, is seen as boosting Bolsonaro’s electoral prospects. Lula emphasized Brazil’s ongoing efforts against organized crime and warned against external interference. The decision raised concerns about potential financial repercussions and broader regional pressure tied to the US war on drugs.

A series of racist incidents involving Argentinian tourists in Brazil has intensified scrutiny of Argentina’s self-perception as a European-influenced nation and its ongoing denial of Indigenous and African heritage. Recent arrests of Argentinians for racist behavior in Brazil, including photographing a Black child with derogatory comments and mocking gestures toward Black workers, have fueled public debate as political allies of President Javier Milei defended some accused individuals. Activists argue that racism is embedded in Argentina’s national identity, supported by constitutional language promoting European immigration and persistent marginalization of Indigenous and African-Argentinian communities. Comparisons with Brazil highlight differing but severe racial injustices in both countries. Rising Argentinian tourism and social media attention have further amplified the issue, underscoring continuing tensions around race and identity in the region.

A Rio de Janeiro mural initiative called NegroMuro seeks to counter the scarcity of public monuments honouring Black figures by depicting more than 120 influential individuals across 80 murals. Created by Pedro Rajão and Fernando Sawaya, the project highlights local and historically significant Black personalities while focusing on under-resourced neighbourhoods. Recently recognised as part of the city’s intangible cultural heritage, the project continues to expand through varied funding and community engagement, emphasising beauty and cultural pride rather than historical trauma.