Category: Americas

IN-DEPTH: Argentina Starts Allowing Bank Accounts in Chinese Yuan, But Locals Prefer Dollars

The ongoing shortage of U.S. dollars in Argentina has reached a new milestone, and officials are taking drastic steps to refill depleted foreign currency coffers. On June 29, Argentina’s Central Bank announced it would allow residents and businesses to hold accounts in China’s RMB yuan. The historic decision marks a departure from using solely the…


IMF Hints Allowing Countries to Use Chinese Yuan for Debt Repayment

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has hinted that it may accept the Chinese Yuan as a currency for countries to settle their obligations with the IMF following Argentina’s recent debt repayment in yuan. IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack confirmed on Thursday that Argentina had paid off part of its debts—equivalent to $1.1 billion of the $2.7…


Subtropical Storm Don Forms in Open Atlantic Waters and Becomes the Fifth Named Storm of the Year

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico—Subtropical storm Don formed in open Atlantic waters on Friday, posing no threat to land, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph) and was moving north at six mph (nine kph). It was located about 1,165 miles (1,875 kilometers) west-southwest…


A Deadly Bomb Ambush of Police in Mexico Has Endangered Mothers Who Search for the Missing

MEXICO CITY—A drug cartel bomb attack that allegedly used a fake report of a mass grave to lure police into a deadly trap has had devastating collateral damage: It has led some authorities to abandon the volunteers who search for Mexico’s 110,000 missing people. Most of the searchers are distraught mothers looking for the bodies…


At Peru Temple Site, Archaeologists Explore 3,000-Year-Old ‘Condor’s Passageway’

ANCASH, Peru—Archaeologists working in Peru have uncovered a 3,000-year-old sealed corridor dubbed “the condor’s passageway” that likely leads to other chambers inside what was once a massive temple complex pertaining to the ancient Chavin culture. Located around 190 miles (306 km) northeast of Lima, the Chavin de Huantar archeological site is among the culture’s most…


Chinese Money Launderers Are Major Obstacles in Fight Against Fentanyl: US Officials

Law enforcement officials say that America’s drug war is now in cyberspace, and the main antagonists are transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) serviced by Chinese money laundering outfits. “Mexican cartels’ ability to traffic deadly fentanyl into the United States is greatly enhanced by Chinese money laundering,” said Steven Cagen, assistant director of the Countering Transnational Organized…


Chinese Money Launderers a Major Obstacle in Fight Against Fentanyl: US Officials

Law enforcement officials say that America’s drug war is now in cyberspace, and the main antagonists are transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) serviced by Chinese money laundering outfits. “Mexican cartels’ ability to traffic deadly fentanyl into the United States is greatly enhanced by Chinese money laundering,” said Steven Cagen, assistant director of the Countering Transnational Organized…


Roadway Bombs Planted by Drug Cartel in Mexico Kill 4 Police Officers, 2 Civilians

MEXICO CITY—A drug cartel set off a coordinated series of seven roadway bombs in western Mexico that killed four police officers and two civilians, officials said Wednesday. The governor of Jalisco state said the explosions were “a trap” set by the cartel to kill law enforcement personnel. Luis Méndez, the chief prosecutor of Jalisco state,…


Ukraine Leaves NATO With Security Assurances, but No Clear Path to Membership

A day after he called NATO leaders “absurd” for failing to clarify a timeline for Ukraine’s long-deliberated entry into the 32-nation alliance, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was far more upbeat on July 12 as NATO’s two-day summit in Lithuania neared its conclusion. He may not have secured the big win—advancing Ukraine’s stalled 2008 request to…


Ukraine Leaves NATO Summit With Security Assurances, but No Clear Path to Membership

A day after he called NATO leaders “absurd” for failing to clarify a timeline for Ukraine’s long-deliberated entry into the 32-nation alliance, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was far more upbeat on July 12 as NATO’s two-day summit in Lithuania neared its conclusion. He may not have secured the big win—advancing Ukraine’s stalled 2008 request to…