Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Paraguay

Uruguay

Europe

Economics

Politics

The EU-Mercosur free trade agreement entered provisional application on May 1, following more than 25 years of negotiations, Euronews reported the same day.

EU, Mercosur: Free Trade Agreement Enters Provisional Application

United States

Military & Security

Bolivia's Vice Minister of Social Defense and Controlled Substances Ernesto Justiniano said during an interview that Bolivia and the United States have resumed joint anti-drug trafficking investigations for the first time since 2008, when a diplomatic spat halted cooperation, AFP reported on April 1.

Bolivia, U.S.: Countries Resume Joint Anti-Drug Investigations

Chile

Costa Rica

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

El Salvador

Guyana

Honduras

Panama

Trinidad and Tobago

The United States hosted the "Shield of the Americas" summit in Doral, Florida, during which U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation launching a coalition to combat drug cartels, The Guardian reported on March 7.

U.S., Latin America: Shield of the Americas Summit Establishes Coalition To Combat Cartels

Americas

Guatemala

Peru

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed a deal with military officials from 19 Latin American and Caribbean countries ideologically aligned with President Donald Trump's administration to fight narcoterrorist groups, Reuters reported March 5. 

U.S., Latin America, Caribbean: U.S. and Allies Agree on Aggressive Approach Against Latin American Drug Trafficking 

France

Poland

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that the European Union will provisionally apply its trade agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc before full ratification, Euractiv reported on Feb. 27.

EU, Mercosur: Brussels Moves To Provisionally Apply Mercosur Trade Deal Before Full Ratification

The European Parliament voted on Jan. 21 to request a legal opinion from the EU Court of Justice on whether the EU-Mercosur trade agreement complies with EU treaties, a step that pauses the ratification process within the bloc, Politico reported the same day.

EU, Mercosur: European Parliament Refers EU-Mercosur Trade Deal to EU Court of Justice

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz's government came to an agreement with protesting unions and activists to repeal Decree 5503, which declared an economic emergency, while maintaining the measures related to the removal of the fuel subsidy, DW reported on Jan. 11.

Bolivia: Government To Repeal Controversial Economic Decree, With Subsidy Cuts Remaining

Venezuela

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Dec. 18 that the bloc's trade deal with Mercosur would not be signed as previously scheduled on Dec. 20, with the approval delayed until January 2026, Politico reported on Dec. 18. 

EU, South America: EU Announces Delay to Mercosur Trade Agreement

Assessments

Environment, Science & Technology

Global Trade

The Geopolitics of Natural Resources

Science & Technology

Argentina, Bolivia and Chile are poised to benefit from the expected rise in lithium demand in the coming years, but they are unlikely to see a substantial surge in wealth without a more monumental market change.

The Outlook for the Lithium Triangle Amid the Global Energy Transition, Part 2

Argentina, Bolivia and Chile have had varying degrees of success in developing their lithium production capacity, with Chile achieving the greatest success of the three, and Bolivia lagging behind.

The Outlook for the Lithium Triangle Amid the Global Energy Transition, Part 1

Snapshots

Supporters of Bolivia's presidential candidate for the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Rodrigo Paz, listen to him speak during a campaign rally in El Alto, Bolivia, on Sept. 30, 2025. 

Global Elections

With two right-wing candidates facing off in the Oct. 19 runoff, Bolivia is set for a significant policy shift toward austerity at home and a pro-Western foreign policy.

Bolivia Set for Swing to Right in Presidential Runoff Vote

Canada

Lebanon

United Arab Emirates

Indonesia

Japan

Singapore

South Korea

Vietnam

The Geopolitics of Trade

Mercosur is increasingly opening its markets in pursuit of free trade agreements with partners around the world, particularly as U.S. protectionism shifts global trade dynamics.

The Geopolitics of Trade: What Changing Trade Dynamics Mean for Mercosur

Israel

Palestinian Territories

China

Russia

India

An aerial view shows a campaign poster of Bolivian presidential candidate Samuel Doria Medina and his supporters marching during a rally in La Paz, Bolivia, on Aug. 12, 2025.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Bolivian Elections, a Controversial Israeli Settlement Plan 

Bolivia's presidential candidates participate in a presidential debate in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on Aug. 1, 2025.

Bolivia heads toward a political shift as voters prepare to oust the ruling left-wing MAS party amid economic woes, with right-wing candidates leading the polls ahead of pivotal August elections.

Economic Crisis Fuels Political Shakeup in Bolivia

A photo shows the national flags of Mercosur countries waving in the wind.

The South American trade bloc's July 2-3 summit will likely advance two key initiatives: increasing member state autonomy on tariff decisions and finalizing free trade deals with countries seeking to avoid U.S. tariffs.

The Mercosur Summit Will Focus on Advancing Tariff Autonomy and Trade Deals

Belize

Colombia

Cuba

Haiti

Mexico

Nicaragua

Suriname

(L-R) Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique Reina attend a plenary session of the China-CELAC ministerial meeting at the Great Hall of the People on May 13, 2025, in Beijing, China. 

Latin America and the Caribbean will welcome China's increased engagement, but strong ties to the West and China's economic slowdown will limit Beijing's influence in the region.

Despite Stronger Trade Ties, China's Influence in Latin America Will Remain Limited

Morales supporters march against the Arce government and denounce the economic crisis Jan. 13 in La Paz, Bolivia. The crisis will fuel political instability ahead of the country's August presidential election amid shortages of dollars and fuel.

Energy

The crisis will fuel political instability ahead of the country's August presidential election amid shortages of dollars and fuel.

Bolivia's Socioeconomic Crisis Will Spiral Ahead of Its Presidential Election

Ukraine

Moldova

A natural gas distribution hub is seen near Vienna, Austria, on Nov. 16, 2024.

The Weekly Rundown: Poland Assumes the EU Presidency, Russia-Ukraine Gas Transit Deal Expires

Germany

(From left to right) Argentine President Javier Milei, Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Paraguayan President Santiago Pena pose for a photo during the Mercosur summit in Montevideo on Dec. 6, 2024. 

The agreement offers significant market access and diversification opportunities for both trade blocs, but it also faces a complex ratification process and potential political backlash in Europe.

25 Years in the Making: Reviewing the EU-Mercosur Trade Deal

An illustrated map shows Mercosur countries.

Stalled trade deals and dwindling intra-bloc commerce will leave the South American trade bloc in a deadlock, likely resulting in only minor rule changes to prevent Mercosur's dissolution.

Mercosur's Latest Meeting Highlights Its Growing Stagnation

Bolivia is a landlocked country that borders five South American countries: Chile to the west, Brazil to the east, Peru to the north and Argentina and Paraguay to the south. Bolivia's lack of sea access poses a major geographical challenge, as the country struggles to integrate itself into the global economy. As a result, Bolivia's major trade partners are its neighbors, Brazil and Argentina.     Bolivia's history is full of major territorial defeats. The country lost its sea access to Chile after the War of the Pacific, which was fought from 1879 to 1884. Bolivia has also suffered territorial losses to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Peru. While the country has settled its border disputes with most of these countries, it still claims the territory it lost to Chile. Every Bolivian administration has prioritized attempts to gain access to the Pacific Ocean.     Bolivia is extremely divided geographically and ethnically; the Andes mountains divide the   country's lowlands and highlands, making it one of the most politically unstable countries in South America. The highlands are predominantly made up of indigenous groups, mostly the Aymara and Quechua peoples, while lowlands residents are mostly Mestizo. The core of Bolivia's highlands is the La Paz metropolitan area, where the city of El Alto is also located. The core of Bolivia's lowlands is Santa Cruz, which is the country's richest department.     The disconnect between the highlands and lowlands has resulted in strong regionalism in the country. Political groups from the more developed departments located in the lowlands, where most of Bolivia's agricultural and natural gas production take place, have historically demanded more autonomy from the central political authority located in La Paz. 

SITUATION REPORTS

EU, Mercosur: Free Trade Agreement Enters Provisional Application

Bolivia, U.S.: Countries Resume Joint Anti-Drug Investigations

U.S., Latin America: Shield of the Americas Summit Establishes Coalition To Combat Cartels

U.S., Latin America, Caribbean: U.S. and Allies Agree on Aggressive Approach Against Latin American Drug Trafficking

EU, Mercosur: Brussels Moves To Provisionally Apply Mercosur Trade Deal Before Full Ratification

EU, Mercosur: European Parliament Refers EU-Mercosur Trade Deal to EU Court of Justice

Bolivia: Government To Repeal Controversial Economic Decree, With Subsidy Cuts Remaining

EU, South America: EU Announces Delay to Mercosur Trade Agreement

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