The latest in Latin American politics today:
United States and Canada seek talks on Mexican energy policies WASHINGTON/MEXICO CITY – The United States has requested dispute settlement consultations with Mexico under a regional trade agreement on Mexican energy policies which they see as discriminatory and say “undermines” American businesses and energy produced in the United States.
The request, announced by the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, marks the most serious dispute between Washington and Mexico since the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal went into effect two years ago. . If left unresolved, it could ultimately lead to punitive US tariffs. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador later said in a regular press conference “there is no problem” and that his government was acting in accordance with Mexican laws, but they will analyze the complaint.
Canada also said it would launch its own consultations with Mexico on the matter. Colombian Congress begins new session with ambitious reform agenda
BOGOTA – Colombia’s congress opens its new session today, with a slate of ambitious tax and spending laws and other laws on the horizon under President-elect Gustavo Petro aimed at tackling poverty and inequality . Petro, a 62-year-old economist and longtime senator, will take office on August 7 and be the first leftist president to lead the Andean country, where nearly half the population lives in poverty. Tax reform designed to raise $11.6 billion a year to fund social programs will be the legislature’s top priority, Senator Roy Barreras, who will lead Congress next year, told Reuters.
Turkey postpones President’s visit to Mexico Turkey has postponed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Mexico scheduled for the end of July, the Mexican Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement today.
Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard first announced the visit earlier this month, calling the planned meeting between Erdogan and his Mexican counterpart, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, an opportunity to strengthen ties around the trade and tourism. Fired minister accuses Castillo of obstructing justice
A former Peruvian cabinet member, who was abruptly fired on Tuesday night after just two weeks in the post, has accused Peruvian President Pedro Castillo of obstructing corruption investigations of close allies. Mariano Gonzalez served as interior minister, overseeing the national police, and recently appointed a special police team to step up efforts to investigate and capture Castillo’s political allies over allegations of corruption. (Compiled by Steven Grattan; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
(This story has not been edited by the Devdiscourse team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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