America

The release of over 200 political prisoners after disputed elections by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is seen as a positive gesture toward US President-elect Donald Trump

Suriname and China signed a Supplemental Finance Agreement to complete the first phase of restructuring Suriname's bilateral debt, paving the way for renewed financing after resolving debts with other creditors

State contractor Gravel & Concrete is working alongside the Project 500 promoted by the Dickona Mitchell-led Congress administration to provide more housing units for the people of Grenada

4.000 school and book grants for current school year will be handed out in early 2025, following the 20.200 grants disbursed in fiscal 2024; grants requests were 26.967, of which less than 10% didn't match requirements

Non-governmental organisations Justicia 11J and Cubalex on X denounced the arrests of citizens in the context of demonstrations protesting against electricity blackouts, describing them as 'arbitrary' and the result of 'persecution'

A Mass Casualty Management training for emergency responders has been completed upon initiative of the Guyana Ministry of Health; it enhanced skills in disaster coordination, resilience, and inter-agency response through simulations and strategic planning

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum ruled out tax reforms for 2025, focusing instead on improving tax collection, customs revenue, and reducing administrative burdens, while pledging austerity measures to address a projected 3,2% fiscal deficit

Bishop Carlos Herrera, president of the Episcopal Conference, was expelled to Guatemala amid escalating repression against the Catholic Church; Nicaragua's authorities have expelled over 50 clergy since 2018

Persistent rains in Panama have caused significant damage to over 8.000 hectares of crops, primarily affecting rice, coffee, and plantains, with provinces like Veraguas and Chiriquí hardest hit, as authorities assess losses and measures for farmers

Paraguay and Italy, through the EU-backed "El PacCto 2.0" program, held a key meeting to enhance cooperation against transnational crime, focusing on anti-money laundering, organized crime, and prison intelligence

Colombia has approved the export of surplus energy to Ecuador, which is facing a supply crisis, following a recovery in the country's reservoir levels due to recent rains; the exports are expected to be in two weeks

Thousands of protesters in Quito demanded the resignation of President Daniel Noboa, citing frustration over the ongoing energy and economic crisis, with unions and social movements criticizing the government's "inability" to address key issues