Peru: Police seized over 42 tons of drugs so far in first half of 2023

LIMA, June 27 (NNN-ANDINA) — The Anti-Drug Directorate (Dirandro) of the Peruvian National Police (PNP) seized 42,678 kg of drugs in the first half of 2023, of which 24,000 kg are cocaine drugs, the Ministry of the Interior (Mininter) reported. Moreover, Dirandro has seized 1 ton of chemical supplies and destroyed 404 clandestine laboratories used to…

Update: At least 31 arrested in controversial Guatemalan elections

GUATEMALA CITY, June 26 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — At least 31 people were arrested Sunday during Guatemala’s presidential elections, which have left no winning candidate and hence the need to hold a runoff in August, according to preliminary reports. According to the Guatemalan Public Prosecutor’s Office, some 208 complaints had been received concerning…

South Africa: Cholera death toll rises to 43

PRETORIA, June 26 (NNN-SANEWS) — South Africa’s Department of Health confirmed that the number of cholera-related deaths has now risen to 43 since the outbreak. According to the department, South Africa has recorded 1,045 suspected cases of cholera in 15 out of 52 districts across five provinces, 197 of which…

Presidential elections: Argentina’s ruling party lines up behind Massa for Dec 10 polls

BUENOS AIRES, June 26 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — Mighty Economy Minister Sergio Massa will be a presidential candidate in Argentina’s Dec 10 mandatory, open, and simultaneous primary (PASO) elections on behalf of the ruling Unión por la Patria (UP) front, with Cabinet Chief Agustín Rossi as his running mate, it was announced…

OAS wants dialogue in Nicaragua

WASHINGTON, June 26 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — The Organization of American States (OAS) asked its 35 members to do their utmost to keep bridges open with the Nicaraguan government to have all political prisoners released and reach an end to human rights violations while allowing international organizations to enter its territory, it…

Synthetic drugs boom fuels illicit markets worldwide: UN

The cheap, easy, and fast production of synthetic drugs has radically transformed illicit drug markets around the world, with “lethal results”, the United Nations said UNITED NATIONS, June 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The cheap, easy, and fast production of synthetic drugs has radically transformed illicit drug markets around the world, with…

Two dead and one missing due to weather condition in Chile

SANTIAGO, June 26 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Two people died and one is missing as a result of the weather system that hit the center-south of Chile, where floods, damage to homes and road closures are reported.     In Santiago, a woman died when a large tree fell on the vehicle she…

Guatemala: Early vote count for presidential election gives no indication of leaders

GUATEMALA CITY, June 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Electoral workers slowly tallied ballots across Guatemala late Sunday, and early counts gave no indication of which two candidates from a huge field of presidential contenders would advance to a runoff. While some isolated incidents interrupted the vote in some localities, voting appeared to…

Water crisis worsens in Uruguay

MONTEVIDEO, June 26 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Water consumption in Montevideo and the metropolitan area decreased, but the fresh water reserve of the San Severino dam that supplies the city decreased even more, so warns a government report released Sunday. In the midst of the water emergency established here due to…

Uruguay: High suicide rate among police officers

MONTEVIDEO, June 26 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — The suicide rate among Uruguayan policemen triples that of the general population, which reflects a problem that the uniformed officers denounced.     In the Police, the suicide rate is 63 per 100,000 inhabitants and the general rate in the country is 21 per 100,000, according…