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Latin America

S. Korea vows to speed up trade talks with Central, South America in 2021
29-Jan-2021 Yonhap News Agency
South Korea’s trade ministry vowed to make more progress in expanding trade pacts with counterparts from Central and South America this year, in line with its efforts to diversify its export portfolio amid the growing protectionism around the globe.
The status of investor-state arbitration in Latin America in 2021
28-Jan-2021 Lexology
Last year saw a wave of cases against Latin American states, driven in particular, but not exclusively, by a large number of claims filed against Peru, Colombia and Mexico. This wave is likely to continue in 2021.
Biden’s top trade official should work to protect governments from the rising number of corporate lawsuits
16-Dec-2020 Inequality.org
In 2020, foreign investors filed at least 51 known cases demanding huge sums from governments struggling to fight a historic pandemic.
Juggling crisis
24-Aug-2020 TNI
Latin America’s battle with COVID-19 hampered by investment arbitration cases.
EU’s “Frugal Five” blocking of recovery plan, anticipates difficulties to finalize accord with Mercosur
20-Jul-2020 MercoPress
The emergence of the so-called “Frugal Five” led by Austria and Netherlands, has blocked so far the European Union recovery plan, with a massive injection of funds, and forebodes hard times to finally reach the implementation of an EU trade agreement with Mercosur.
The remarkable life and legacy of indigenous leader Berta Cáceras
22-Jun-2020 Salon
Honduran environmental activist Berta Cáceres was a strong voice against free trade and fought for the Lenca people’s right to live on their sacred land.
Corporate lawsuits could devastate poor countries grappling with Covid-19
2-Jun-2020 In These Times
Wealthy corporations may use trade courts to keep public health measures from cutting into their profits.
Silent expansion
15-Apr-2020 CEO
Many countries, particularly in the global south, are in the process of joining the Energy Charter Treaty despite the sweeping powers it grants to foreign investors.
Guatemalan water protectors persist, despite mining company threats
27-Mar-2020 Inequality.org
The hard work of protecting water and land from the long-term harms associated with gold and silver mining takes place daily on the frontlines of tenacious struggles throughout Latin America and around the world.
Mining companies use excessive legal powers to gamble with Latin American lives
13-May-2019 Inequality
In more than two-thirds of the mining-related lawsuits against governments in the region, communities have actively organizing against the mining activities.
New report exposes mining companies suing Latin American countries where communities defend land and environment
2-May-2019 Mining Watch
We analyzed 38 multi-million dollar claims brought by the mining industry using ISDS and other investment protection laws; in over half, communities are fighting to protect Indigenous territory, water, and more.
The battle for Latin America: How the US helped destroy the “pink tide”
23-Apr-2019 Counter Punch
After sponsoring juntas until well into the 1990s, the US went after Central and South America with “free trade” deals before once again working with extremists.
China’s construction binge spreads to Americas, rattles US
4-Apr-2019 AP
China’s expansion in Latin America of its Belt and Road initiative to build ports and other trade-related facilities is stirring alarm in Washington over Beijing’s ambitions in a region that American leaders since the 19th century have seen as off-limits to other powers.
Winners and losers
23-Feb-2019 New Internationalist
How the Global South is affected by the current trade turmoil – and old patterns of power.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative and its two Latin American gateways
18-Feb-2019 Clyde & Co
Chile and Panama offer China two important physical entry points into Latin America. Chile features an attractive legal framework for the protection of Chinese investments in the country. Panama is following suit. A ripple effect in the region is foreseeable.
Conflicts between Latin American countries and transnational corporations: The challenges of the region in the face of asymmetrical investment treaties
8-Aug-2018 IISD
Facing multimillion dollar claims, many Latin American states have become critical of investment arbitration. A group of researchers building a database of legal and policy tools aims to change this.
Deported Mexicans: From exploited and precarious workers to forced migrants of return
30-Apr-2018 ALAINET.ORG.
Forced migrants, refugees and deportees are an irrefutable and undeniable example of the world as a chronically unequal and structurally inequitable scenario. In the era of globalization, human rights are not met or respected.
Peru: Final statement from the people’s summit
17-Apr-2018 News Click
The representatives of social and popular organizations of Peru, Latin America and the Caribbean, met in Lima, Peru from April 10 to 14, 2018 to discuss the political, social and economic reality of Our America.
Indonesia turns to Latin America to diversify trade portfolio
23-Feb-2018 Oxford Business Group
After achieving a foreign trade surplus last year on the back of strong demand for minerals and agricultural products, Indonesia is looking to sustain growth by building ties with new markets, as well as deepening relationships with existing partners.
China willing to negotiate signing of free trade agreements with Uruguay
25-Jan-2018 Xinhua
China is willing to negotiate step by step free trade agreements with Uruguay and other countries in South America.