South America News [Closed: South America]

[Aurea]

Election 2019: Basurto holds on amid centrist surge

Marco Basurto is expected to remain as prime minister after his center-right bloc of parties won enough seats to form a majority in the Chamber of Representatives. Although Basurto's center-right Social Democratic Party lost the majority it held alone, its possible conservative and populist partners recovered those losses to secure a narrow majority in the lower house of the imperial federal parliament.

The election was a disappointment for the left bloc. While the green and liberal parties saw their votes dramatically increase, it was at the expense of the left Socialist Party, which won its lowest turnout for more than 20 years. Socialist Party leader Florinda Castelo has said she will evaluate the result and consider what actions to take. Although its possible centrist partners increased their support, together they will not have the numbers to secure a majority.

The central bloc will be in its strongest position for two decades, as a "centrist explosion" occurred in the country. Reacting to the news, the leader of the Democratic Movement repeated a promise of a campaign to work with those who best serve the country. As the results of the Senate arrive, the central bloc is expected to hold the balance of power there. While this does not directly affect the business of the Chamber, it is likely that Basurto - if he does remain the prime minister - probably will moderate his positions to secure support there.

[Veraguay]

Congress Fails to Impeach Valezquez

An opposition motion to Impeach the President through the legislature has failed to pass through the Senate. The governing Colorado Party holds a large majority in the Congress and so the motion was not expected to pass but has highlighted the growing indignation of the public following Valezquez's refusal to accept the Supreme Court ruling a few months ago removing him from power.

As the crisis deepens and the administration bunkers down, street protests continue however police crackdowns have seen numerous opposition supporters arrested. Also yesterday the date for fresh elections as called for by the Supreme Court has now passed and there are now real fears of a fresh wave of violence.


Petrover Scandal Investigation Stalls

Following the Presidents pardons of numerous high ranking Colorado Party officials over their involvement in the Petrover scandal the police investigation has stalled as the country's constitutional crisis continues to develop. However, an independent newspaper has today revealed that contracts for the building of roads in the rural northern regions was handed out to companies with ties to Colorado party members and that numerous South American companies paid bribes in order to obtain lucrative government contracts with the construction of the Aurea-Veraguay dam coming under intense scrutiny.

So far companies in Neragua, Calimera and Amwestheim have been linked however, despite opposition demands, action against the accused has so far been slow and minimal as neighboring nations attempt to limit the damage.

[Rio Cana]

Rio Cana News

Editorial - Finally the Truth is Known

Finally, the truth is known. Has reported by Veraguay news sources, construction companies based in and supported by the so called democratic nations of Neragua, Calimera and Amwestheim have been found to be involved in this Aurea-Veraguay dam contract bribery fiasco. The nations involved instead of investigating are just dragging there feet. Just waiting for this fiasco to disappear. Some also say the Aurean government knew about this and are also involved up to there necks in this major scandal which is rocking the region. The funny thing about all this is that these same nations consider Rio Cana a corrupt nation when in reality it seems they are the corrupt ones. Seems they need to look more often in the mirror. Most of the nations listed above are part of this new Southern economic zone. This economic zone is looking more and more like a den of thieves.

[Aurea]

Election 2019: Basurto shuns rightist majority for centrist supported minority

Marco Basurto secures a second term as prime minister after making a surprise deal with the center parties in the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate. Basurto's decision is a shock to right-wing populist parties hoping to play a role in the next government after a strong coup in federal elections on June 9. The agreement will allow the Social Democratic Party of Basurto to remain in the position as a minority administration, with the centrists' support on a case-by-case basis.

The move will be seen as a way to control growing tensions with the northern neighbor, Rio Cana, and also signal to voters that Basurto is able to hear and change direction. There will be relief in the international community, perhaps, but within the business sector there will be concern, as centrist parties campaigned strongly on environmental issues. Despite this, the Aurean real strengthens in relation to the US dollar with the news, as companies are confident that the business-friendly atmosphere and deregulation of the last 4 years will mostly continue.

[Santa Thereza]

Palace of the Upland in Teresina, Santa Thereza, 10 July 2019

The Triumphant New Era of Therezan Future

Amidst the most eventful start of a presidential term in Santa Thereza's history, the newly elected President of the Republic Antero Silvestre, from the country's reigning party The Tupi's, constantly encourages promising proposals to place Santa Thereza amongst the most influential, powerful and strongly developed nation in the world, but is there any lack of conviction?

There is no hesitation in assuming that Antero has lived up to the expectations of the people. Only in the first weeks into office in the Therezan capital, Teresina, President Antero had drastically reformed and amended the country's Constitution and Factbook, and joined the WA Alliance and South American Region Congress. After years of corrupt dictatorship which ruled Latin continents, these steps to ensure Santa Thereza's peace and integrity in the international stage really appeased other political leaders around the country.

A sizeable but inefficient economy, worth now over 1.63 trillion Therezan Reais a year (2019), had grounds to provide substantial public transport, develop the industry into a broad base, develop a strong agricultural sector and grow the government. However, in more recent days, while many news outlets praised Santa Thereza for its growth in political freedom and civil rights, others have singled out the Government for being naive against other political threats, inside the country's own borders. Antero had gained influence internationally in Assembly's and Chambers but was deemed weak opposing The Trabalhadores Party, a rising labor group which is contra almost all policies brought into Congress by Antero.

The PT's leader, Luis Inacio da Silva, has been gaining influence in Teresina for the proposed Family Fund Programme, which will help lower the inequality ranks of Santa Thereza, and will provide affordable housing, employment and educational grants for people of disadvantage and secluded Indigenous communities in Santa Thereza to combat poverty. The current attempt of coalition between Tupi's right wing views and pioneer party Partido Novo centrist ideologies, brought forward to compete against Luis's socialist legislations, have divided the country once again.

Antero is under scrutiny and pressure to perform against this intimidation, especially now that Luis Inacio da Silva has stated that he will run for presidency next election. Much evidence claims that Luis will not grow the economy internationally, and rather invest in the country's welfare system and state-owning industries. One step has already been accomplished, when Congress announced that PetroSanta, one of the biggest South American company's had become state-owned. Antero stated he is against a controlled economy, and will legalize private industry. The vote will take place by the end of July in the Federal Senate.

Santa Thereza, 10 July 2019

[Monteverde]

Castillo, husband and 2 others guilty of graft, sentenced to 20 years

SAN FRANCISCO — Jimena Castillo Roldán, former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, has been convicted of corruption and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. A second, lesser charge of embezzlement was dismissed.

Castillo, her former provincial governor husband, Benito García González, and two other business associates, Reynaldo Bautista Ortega and Gabriel Antúnez López, were charged with corruption and embezzlement earlier this year after an investigation ordered by incumbent president Jorge Santiago Solís, to whom Castillo lost last September's presidential election to despite opinion polling to the contrary.

The investigation found that Castillo and her husband invested in the now collapsed Complejo Amarillejo vacation resort development company which bought tracts of land at inflated prices and provided kickbacks to Benito García González' political party.

President Jorge Santiago Solís' press secretary released a statement from the president welcoming the news and saying "justice has been served." Supporters of Castillo claim that the charges have been exaggerated or falsified in order to rid Santiago of a powerful opponent.

[Santa Thereza]

Palace of the Upland protest in Teresina, Santa Thereza, 28 July 2019

Indigenous Lobby of Santa Thereza

Massive celebrations erupted in Santa Thereza in this week's Monday morning as the Official Spokesman of The Palace of the Upland, Persio Patricio, announced that the Santa Therezan legitimate claim to the Northern Venezuelan plain was both supported by leading nation's in South America and approved in Congress, legalizing Therezans to own, claim and sell land making up the 916,445 km² border of Santa Thereza, the now 33rd largest country in the planet, and the world's biggest natural gas and oil reserve.

President of the Republic, Antero Silvestre, paraded through the Cambui neighborhood of Teresina, the country's capital, and presented a speech in the National Auditorium to an estimated crowd of 400,000 Therezans bearing the nation's colours and flags. He was joined by the Presidnet of the Indigenious Lobby, Mayara Nunes, who for more than ten years has fought for the civil rights of traditional tribes of the Northern Venezuelan area. Native of the Tupi Guarani tribe, Thereza's biggest indigenous community, Mayara stated that this is only the start of the long journey the Tupi's have been battling through. Hundreds of years after slavery and the Civil War displaced and murdered tens of thousands of Tupi men and women.

The strong and benchmark Therezan economy, praised worldwide, has now grounds and support to develop the Santa Therezan countryside, and with the start of the TPT (Transport for All Program), launched by Minister of Transportation Fabio Macedo, aims to grow the standard of commuting within the Indigenous community, which for a long time has been secluded and at the margins of society. The Minority Foundation of Santa Thereza claims that 45,6% of Tupi's do not own a personal vehicle, and rely on makeshift vessels and boats to travel through the Therezan Basin. The study also shows that almost 56,8% of Indigenous community's at the border of the Amazon are illiterate. The building of the National Roadway, the ST55, will allow the Northern and Southern states to have access to cities such as San Marina and Teresina, political and economical hubs of South America.

However, Mayara and her brother Kauan, while strong advocates for legislations to supply Right of Land to the Tupi's, still struggle against the big Commercial Lobby, which will use the new-found border to initiate deforestation works and the building of oil refineries at the height of the Carai river, south of Santa Thereza. The Indigenous lobby, lead by Mayara and Chief Jorge Sanoe, presented to the Chamber of Deputies this week a proposal to establish conservation zones and stricter environmental laws. Jorge claims the Tupi Guarani's are in constant combat against mercenaries deep in the northwestern jungles, and are brutally evicted and abused.

Even though Santa Thereza has a worldwide famous and tourist-attractive environment, and one of the most diverse fauna in the planet, the Antero government has still been labelled as lenient towards the Commercial advances towards the Therezan Forest. Governor of Itaperatinga, Hernesto Gonzales, says that an agreement has to be reached, as the total regulation of Forestry and Fishing will slump heavily the economy. The Governor voted against the proposal, which caused the voting process to be put on hold. As a result, a stream of protests rose across Santa Thereza, with the Indigenous groups blocking roads and marching along the courtyards of Teresina. The voting will resume next week, as 12 other states still have to present themselves to the capital and decided the faith of the Indigenous Zones proposal.

Santa Thereza, 10 July 2019

[Veraguay]

Veraguayan President Is Ousted in Coup


Soldiers entering the Presidential Palace

President Valezquez was ousted by the army on Sunday, capping months of tensions over his efforts to avoid impeachment following the Petrover Scandal.

In the first military coup in South America since the end of the cold war, soldiers stormed the presidential palace in the capital, Santa Cruz, early in the morning, disarming the presidential guard, waking Mr. Valezquez, transporting him to a military airfield and putting him on a plane out of the country and into exile.

Mr. Valezquez, angrily denounced the coup as illegal. “I am the president of Veraguay,” he insisted at the airport, still wearing his pajamas.

The military offered no public explanation for its actions, but the Supreme Court issued a statement saying that the military had acted to defend the law against “those who had publicly spoken out and acted against the Constitution’s provisions.” It would appear that the military, who had propped up Valezquez had decided to switch sides and had acted on the Supreme Courts directive to remove Valezquez.

The arrest of Valezquez was the culmination of a battle that had been simmering for months over a Supreme Court ruling removing the President from office following his governments widespread involvement in a massive corruption scandal engulfing both the nation and the whole continent.

A joint Supreme Court statement said action was required in order to restore democracy to the nation. It went on to say that the Congress has been suspended, that elections are to be held next month and that the current Speaker of Congress Pedro Rojas will be acting President until elections are held.

Opposition leader Guillermo Sánchez has called for calm and for the army to hand control over to civilian powers immediately in order to oversee the transition but even as we write thousands of Colorado Party supporters have taken to the streets to denounce the coup.

These are uncertain times for Veraguay.

[New Catalonia]

.★..El Món.

Divendres, 4 d'octubre de 2019

TOO CLOSE TO CALL AS ELECTION RACE BEGINS

President Sofia Mas i Fabregas has formally dissolved parliament, starting the 2019 general election to be held on 24 November. However, as the leftist and rightist electoral alliances are evenly matched in opinion polls the outcome is uncertain.

Prime Minister Aleix Rudel i Moles of the liberal Democratic Union hopes to be returned to office to continue controversial economic and budgetary reforms and pursue membership of the South American Community but his hopes of doing this with a centrist coalition were dealt a blow when left-leaning Social Democrats announced they would not continue to prop up Rudel's government in the next term. This now means Rudel will need to seek partners on the right of parliament and those partners support his economics but not his enthusiasm for SAC membership.

His rival for the premiership is Cesc Alenya i Tarradelles of the left-wing Socialist Party. Although Alenya shares Rudel's support for SAC membership, he is bitterly opposed to UD's economics and has spent his short time as leader of PS denouncing the budget reforms as "hitting the poorest hard". Alenya wants to reserve controversial part-privatizations and tax cuts for businesses saying he will put that money to public services.

The other parties don't have much chance of their leaders becoming prime minister but they will certainly affect the outcome and they will be crucial and deciding who governs next. Despite the name the right-wing conservative Popular Party is facing the anger of voters after many of its members and leadership were prosecuted for their role in the regional "Petrover scandal". They were also the loudest calls for public sector cuts. The Social Democrats may also face backlash because some see them as equally complacent.

Meanwhile the left-wing and populist parties seem likely to gain votes. Eco, the newly established "eco-socialist movement" also looks likely to enter parliament. With a mix of pro and anti SAC supporters, Rudel or Alenya will have to decide which stances they will compromise on.

The opinion polls of the parties (and alliances):
- Socialist Party (Endavant!): 25%
- Democratic Union (Junts pel país): 24%
- Popular Party (Junts pel país): 11%
- National Left: 11%
- Social Democrats: 10%
- United Left (Endavant!): 10%
- Eco: 6%
Endavant! alliance: 35%
Junts pel país alliance: 35%

[Entre Rios]

Voters 'Likely' To Back Sacom — Poll

Oct. 5, 2019 / 6:00 AM

LA PLATA - Voters are 'likely' to back membership of the South American Community in a referendum this November, according to a new poll. Newspaper El Globo asked 1,149 adults "Do you support ER membership of Sacom?" with 46% answering yes and 40% answering no. The rest were undecided.

President Carlos Vega was on the campaign trail on Sunday. In the rural town of Curtina, he told farmers that their businesses would thrive once the country was opened to new markets and investments. The President's message was met with skepticism, however, as one farmer heckled him over Calimera subsidizing its agricultural industries. Despite the concerns, Vega repeated the message that ER opening up to wealthier markets in the Southern Cone would see money flow in, not out, of the country. He also stated that tourism and manufacturing would probably see boosts.

The Liberal Party, which opposes Sacom membership, was also on the campaign trail. Senator Bernardo Sanchez stated that Sacom membership would cost jobs and "only benefit the wealthy." Like the president, Senator Sanchez is also on the campaign trail hoping that voters reject Sacom membership on November 5 and deal a personal blow to President Vega and his Conservative Party's central election promise. Addressing a town hall meeting in a lower income suburb of the coastal resort town of San Carlos, Sanchez insisted that Sacom membership would not bring new investment and that larger employers would be tempted to leave the country altogether. He further expressed concerns about environmental regulations being under threat.

Despite a series of Liberal Party-backed court cases attempting to prevent such, the Conservative majority in the Senate approved Sacom membership by 24 votes to 16 in April. The Liberal majority in the Chamber then passed a bill, however, mandating a popular referendum on Sacom membership. The Senate called their bluff and November 26 was named the date of the referendum.

[New Catalonia]

.★..El Món.

Dissabte, 12 d'octubre de 2019

ALENYA: 4 DAY WEEK, RENATIONALISE RAIL

Socialist Party prime minister candidate Cesc Alenya has said any government he leads will investigate introducing a 4 day working week and will renationalise rail but added neither could be guaranteed in a first term. The remarks come as official reports are published saying that New Catalans have a worse quality of life now than a decade ago.

Alenya has vowed to reverse the decision by the current government to sell off the rail and has said there will be a restoration of all cut services. He said this a day after it was announced that the director of FerroVelo, which bought up large stocks of the old publicly owned rail, was paid millions despite the company cutting rural services.

Current prime minister Aleix Rudel has dismissed the position of Alenya saying, "This was necessary as it lost the government big sums of money. It also prepares us for any foreign investment in the rails under Sacom."

Rudel and others have critiqued Alenya's 4 day week comments saying it would be too expensive for companies. But his potential left wing partners have praised the vision. Alenya himself added, "Thirty years ago the 5 day workweek was called impossible. But the Socialist Party introduced that. Now they call the 4 day workweek impossible."

Meanwhile in the polls the Socialist Party has opened a 6 point lead over the Democratic Union.However it appears at the expense of the smaller leftist parties which have seen slight drops in support. Their success will be crucial to Alenya winning on 24 November ("24-N").

[New Catalonia]

.★..El Món.

Dilluns, 25 de novembre de 2019

ALENYA VICTORIOUS, RUDEL TO RESIGN

The Socialist Party of Cesc Alenya has emerged as the largest party in the New Catalan Parliament after yesterday's general election. The incumbent rightist government led by Prime Minister Alex Rudel was resoundingly defeated by his leftist opponents and has announced he will resign.

Speaking to supporters at PSNC headquarters, Alenya said: "After 8 years of putting money over the masses, today New Catalonia voted for change and to put the people first." He said he will consulte with other leftist leaders this week and said: "There is a deal to be done to move this country forward and together we can find it."

Rudel's Democratic Union was punished at the polls, losing votes in every region and a third of its seats. Rudal told crowds gathered that it had "been a bruising night" and thanked them for their support. He said: "New Catalans have chosen another way. We will hold any new government to account and continue to put the country first." He announced at this time he would resign as prime minister and party leader.

The smaller leftist parties all saw gains with the National Left party becoming the third largest in Parliament. The left-wing green Eco party also entered Parliament also. Both have said they are willing to support a socialist minority government.

The result will make unclear the path to SAC membership for New Catalonia. Although Alenya supports membership, his leftist allies oppose the economic liberalism they claim the organization promotes. Alenya had previously suggested a referendum on it may solve the issue.

The President will nominate a new prime minister who will then be voted on my parliament next month. Unexpected outcomes aside, Cesc Alenya i Tarradelles will be the next Prime Minister of New Catalonia.

[Entre Rios]

Sacom: E.R. Says "Yes!"

Nov. 27, 2019 / 4:00 PM

MONTEVIDEO - In a landmark decision, Entrerrians have voted to join Sacom. By a wider than expected margin of 64% for to 36% against, the Southern Cone's smallest nation has chosen to become the newest member of South America's largest trading bloc.

President Carlos Vega enthusiastically welcomed the result. He spoke at a rally late last night when it became clear that 'Yes' had an unassailable lead. "We have taken a step into South America not away from it. We will no longer be on the outside but right at the heart, helping to set the direction. We are no longer actors but directors."

Roberto Alonso de Leon, Speaker of the Chamber of Representatives and lead figure of the 'No' campaign, conceded defeat not long after—although he chose to do so by tweet and written statement than in person at the 'No' rally headquarters. "Entrerrians have chosen a path of high risk in the hope of high reward. I pray our country is not proven wrong in times to come."

Although this will be seen as a personal victory for President Vega, it was nevertheless not universally endorsed by his supporters. The deeply conservative rural heartlands of Entre Rios narrowly rejected Sacom membership. Conversely, liberal inner-city districts strongly backed Sacom.

There has been no public reaction from Sacom leaders in Neragua and Calimera but sources say that the result has been met with "great enthusiasm" in both national capitals.

Although no official timetable on signing and actual membership has been announced, President Vega is expected to meet with Prime Minister Dean Smith of Neragua and President Nicolas Roldan of Calimera before Christmas. One source close to Vega's trade secretary said the view within the Cabinet is to have fully signed up to Sacom membership no later than April 1.

[Rio Cana]

Rio Cana News

Rio Cana reaches deal with the US

The Rio Cana government has reached an agreement on a 25 year lease agreement with the US. The agreement calls for the US to lease two huge blocks of land in SW and SE Rio Cana near the border with the Kingdom of Aurea. The SW block of land will be converted into an air force base while the SE block of land, which is on the coast, will be turned into a naval port. Both bases will revert to Rio in 25 years unless the lease is extended.

The lease calls for payments of $100 million a year for 25 years. Also, the US will build much needed infrastructure in our southern autonomous province of Marina. Has an added bonus, US weapons will be sold at a discount to the Rio Cana military. Joint training between both military's is expected some time in the future.

[Rio Cana]

Rio Cana News

Editorial - SACOM takeover of Entre Rios

It has come to our attention that the so called economic organization SACOM (South American Community) current decision to give membership to our sister nation of Entre Rios is nothing but a ploy to indirectly take control over that strategically located small neutral nation. The requirements to join SACOM are rather strict. So what are the major member nations of SACOM side stepping there own rules and allowing economically disadvantage Entre Rios to join. What are they up too. It is because of this that we call upon all the honest citizens and politicians of Entre Rios to rethink there decision before its too late.

Our evidence of the economic disadvantages of Entre Rios can easily be seen in the following short video of transportation in Eastern Entre Rios from Tucuarembo to Rivera which is on the Entre Rios - New Catalonian border.

Map - https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... nt_map.jpg\

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5NdKCJlLMU

[New Catalonia]

.★..El Món.

Dimecres 1 de gener de 2020

PRESIDENT: CHALLENGES AHEAD

The President of the Republic, Sofia Mas i Fabregas, has delivered her annual New Year message to the country saying that 2020 will be a "challenging year" and that the country must "move together" . The President, a rightist from the Democratic Union Party, has issued the speech just days after Parliament backed the nomination of leftist Cesc Alenya i Taradelles as Prime Minister of New Catalonia.

President Mas finds herself in the relatively rare circumstance known as "cohabitation" where the president and prime minister are from different parties. In this situation, the constitution states the president's role is reduced to foreign affairs. It means Mas will find herself relatively unable to direct economic and internal policy for the next 4 years with many of her liberalizations being undone. But it also means that the new leftist government will find itself relatively unable to prevent Mas pursuing Sacom membership.

The recently invested Prime Minister of New Catalonia, Cesc Alenya, has delivered his own New Year message via Twitter promising sweeping changes to the social and economic structures of the country. "This will be a year of big changes and big challenges but if we work together we will deliver."

The new year message is always delivered

[New Catalonia]

.★..El Món.

Dissabte 14 de març de 2020

CORONAVIRUS: STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED

President Sofia Mas has declared a national state of emergency as the coronavirus pandemic sweeps New Catalonia. Yesterday, 13 March, saw the largest single day rise of new infections and deaths prompting the government to react drastically.

New Catalonia has experienced one of the fastest growing rates of infection outside of China and Europe and many are worried the state will not be able to cope. Among the new infections are the minister of justice and several other government advisors, as well high profile sports and entertainment personalities.

In her declaration, which enters effect at 00:00 on 15 March, President Mas said everything will be done to ensure public safety and that would mean schools, colleges, and universities closing for one month effective immediately, and all major social gatherings and public events would be cancelled to free up security and medical personnel. The President did not announce an Italy like national quarantine but said it remains an option and is under constant review.

A state of emergency gives the rightist Mas more say over the governance of the country and the president said she will be regularly consulting and working with the leftist government of Cesc Alenya. The two agreed that billions of pessetes of emergency funding would immediately be made available for public health services to cope with the rapid rise in cases.

New Catalonia is considered to have one of the best healthcare systems in South America but it is already showing strain from the number of patients becoming sick with coronavirus. Temporary field hospitals are being set up in carparks to ensure sufferers do not take the highly contagious sickness into main hospitals. Hospital staff and managers are also saying they are running short on vital supplies such as santizers, soaps, face masks, gloves, overalls, and even equipment such as ventilators and beds.

Tens of billions of pessetes have also been wiped off New Catalan stocks as markets free fall and see their sharpest and biggest drops in over 30 years. The President's declaration of a state of emergency also ceases trading of shared and stocks until such time as they can be stabilized.

Prime Minister Alenya announced in a statement yesterday that it would take everyone working together to contain and overcome the spread Covid-19. He encouraged friends, family and neighbors to remain in contact with each other by telephone, email and video calls but stressed that social distancing should always be maintained and self-quarantine should be practiced where symptoms are present.

Several international engagements have also been called off, including a meeting with Sacom leaders later this month.

[Monteverde]

Isolation, closures as gov tries to stop COVID-19 spread

SAN FRANCISCO — The government of Monteverde has announced everyone coming to the country must isolate for 14 days and that schools, universities, and education centers will close for one month from March 23 to April 20 in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus COVID-19.

In a televized address, President Jorge Santiago said, "Monteverde today has a small number of cases relative to other countries but we must plan and prepare for more cases and we must act early and effectively. We must, and will, do everything we can to protect the health of citizens."

The tighter border controls announced during the address by the president enter into force from midnight on March 16 and will apply to citizens, residents and international visitors. It will also mean no cruise ships, the means by which COVID-19 entered the country, will be able to dock in Monteverde until at least June 1. The new measures mean Monteverde will have some of the strongest border restrictions in the region.

Travel restrictions would be reviewed in 14 days, the president said. Santiago also urged Monteverdeans not to travel overseas unless it was absolutely necessary.

Monteverde has fewer than 20 confirmed cases and has, so far, had no deaths. However, the government fears both these numbers could be underreported in the poor country with communication and infrastructure issues, and with capacity to test only 200 or so people per day.

[Rio Cana]

Rio Cana News

Martial law has been declared

It has been confirmed that the persons that have found to have CoV-19 in Rio Cana had contracted the virus in Aurea. Due to this combined with the spread of the CoV-19 worldwide, the government has decided that the best action at this time to stop a possible epidemic in Rio Cana is to declare martial law and a curfew. Thus, no one is allowed on the streets from 9 pm to 5 am. During the day, people are strongly recommended that they stay home. Exceptions being if they need to go to the supermarket, medical appointments or banks. The military will see to it that non-essential businesses are closed for the next 14 days. Also, they will make sure that people during the day do not gather in groups. Failure to comply by the public will result in heavy penalties.

Also, with most of the virus contamination being brought into Rio Cana by Aurean citizens crossing the border, it has been decreed that all Aurean citizens in Rio Cana immediately must report to the nearest military quarantine station for immediate deportation.

In addition, all border crossing are closed with one exception (read below). All seaports are closed except for cargo. Even then, none of the merchant sailors will be allowed off the ships. All airports are closed. Foreign representatives of other nations are not permitted to leave there consult for 14 days. All non-Aurean foreigners in Rio Cana or non-Aurean stranded tourists who choose to leave Rio Cana before the 14 days have two choices to leave Rio Cana. Either, they can leave via any foreign cargo ship currently docked at our ports or they can choose to be transported by the military to the Rio-Aurean border crossing of la vaca from which they can exit Rio Cana.

Remember, working all together we can stop this epidemic from spreading.

[Neragua]

COVID-19: Borders To Close, Billions To Spend

---

From midnight Sunday, 22 March, Neragua will become the latest South American country to close its borders, the Prime Minister has announced.

Addressing the nation this afternoon, Dean Smith also announced a multi-billion dollar "rescue package" designed to boost the public health response and help the country cope with the economic fallout of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Confirming that a fifth person has died from the disease, with a further 32 people diagnosed – the largest single day rise since the first diagnosis on 30 January – Smith said, "These numbers will rise and they will begin to rise fast. Therefore, it's necessary to undertake immediate and drastic action to prevent the spread of COVID-19."

As well as closing the borders, all foreigners arriving in Neragua will be placed in quarantine for 14 days, and personnel and passengers aboard cruise ships and cargo ships would be prevented from leaving. Smith also discouraged unnecessary socialising and public gatherings. "We want people to voluntarily undertake these measures," he said, "but we reserve the option to enforce such if it becomes a necessity."

The Prime Minister also announced South America's largest economic response to the pandemic. Smith announced a $75 billion relief package that includes measures ranging from loan guarantees, supporting business income to subsidising wages. The Prime Minister pledged, "No good business should go bankrupt because of coronavirus, no employee should lose their job." Businesses would also be afforded "tax holidays" of up to a year.

As of the time of publishing, there have been 5 deaths from COVID-19, with 466 people have been diagnosed. Some 34 have recovered so far.

[Entre Rios]

President Vega Declares State of Emergency to Combat Coronavirus Outbreak

Mar. 21, 2019 / 3:00 PM

President Carlos Vega declared a state of national emergency in Entre Rios today, unlocking up to US$5 billion in financial resources to assist Enterrians affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The President also announced an immediate suspension of entry to ER by foreign nationals, and formally asked hospitals to enact their emergency plans.

Vega said rules governing where patients are allowed to be treated in a hospital would be waived, as would rules governing how many hospital beds can be present in one place. He further announced that the administration expects 10,000 tests to be available by next week and another 25,000 available by next month, though the president said that he does not expect the country to need that many.

The President has also been in contact with the legislature concerning a stimulus package for the economy as panic about spreading the virus has resulted in grocery market runs that have left store shelves empty, and markets have entered steep declines.

[Veraguay]

An empty street in Santa Cruz

Newly elected President Guillermo Sánchez today announced a nationwide, 14-day "total quarantine" to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. Sanchez said that Veraguayans should "be at home 24 hours a day" and that only one person per family can leave at a time to go shopping.

Pharmacies, hospitals and health centers will remain open as normal, he said, adding that public and private transport will be suspended and that permits will be given to employees in sectors that remain open as well as government handouts being given to families with children at the start of April.

The announcement comes as 32 cases of COVID-19 are confirmed in the country, with another 250 suspected. It is feared that the nations severely underfunded healthcare system could not handle a major pandemic and that help in rural areas is rare leading to the actual number of cases being much higher than reported.

Sanchez also announced a ban on all foreign travelers entering the nation from affected regions.

[Neragua]

2020 Election 'Likely' – Sources

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Prime Minister Dean Smith is 'likely' to call a general election this year, sources close to the PM and National Party leadership have said. The news comes as the latest polls show Smith's centre-right Nats with a commanding 10-point lead over the opposition, centre-left Labour Party.

The Opinion8 poll for The Mercury newspaper put National on 44% to Labour's 34%. The numbers suggest Smith would win 142 seats, up 17 on 2016. Despite the gloomy numbers, Labour look steady at 89 seats, making only single-digit losses. The National Party's gains are largely at the expense of the Reform Party, which sees its vote share plummet by 10 points to 3% in the same poll. The Green Party was at 11% with no gains or losses, and others were on 5%.

The sources also stated that the prime minister and the party leadership are expected to make a final decision on a 2020 election this week, with a possible date of 21 September being suggested. An election is not strictly necessary until late-2021, some five years after the last election. However, elections more often than not take place every 4 years so Smith's calling one would not be considered unusual. Presumably, the risk for the Nats is that they come off as taking advantage of a national crisis when they could've reasonably waited another 6 or 7 months.

Labour will desperately be hoping the PM decides against the election this year after leader Lyn Williams was widely considered to have misread the public mood over the coronavirus crisis when she accused the government of negligence. Once considered Labour's best hope for government, there are now open whispers that Williams is a liability and an election next year will buy the party time to replace her and rebuild its 'ready for government' image.

Reform is also hoping for a stay of execution with the Opinion8 poll suggested they would lose most, if not all, of their 16 seats. The socially conservative, economically nationalist Reform Party, led by firebrand Lloyd Owen, stormed into Parliament in 2016 taking many formerly safe National Party seats in the southern provinces. Now, however, as support for Smith surges, they look set for a wipe out.

The Greens, Democrats, and indigenous rights Mapuche Party are all set to retain their seats.

[Santa Thereza]

Santa Marta Favela, Southern Lago Abril, Santa Thereza, 31 July 2020

"Pátria Amada!"

Ensuing José Álvaro Osorio's efforts in the new Therezan election amidst a global pandemic and poorly-received past government, previous President Antero Silvestre has sadly passed away in his Lago de Abril residence in Southern Santa Thereza, at 11:53PM. The infamous Tupi Party candidate was the fifth Therezan president since the abolishment of the Fifth Institutional Act of 1968. Led by ambitious GDP growth proposals and the debt-erasing plan, Antero's state-owned initiative lost traction in the months leading to 2020. Followed by the election of José, the Partido Novo's new term has revived the transportation and immigration policies. The rubber-stamp decree allowed an influx of working immigrants to settle in the big urban areas after weeks of total lockdown.

It has been almost a month since the first anniversary of the Therezan nation being accepted into the region of South America and validated its claim in the eyes of other states, June 27th 2019. The indigenous lobbies have passed the Conservation Act, meaning the three southern states bordering the Amazon Forest will have its issues influenced by Senators Mayara and Chief Jorge, both avid figures in the protection of the environment. Although forestry and mining are being strictly regulated in the South, Therezan international banking figures and economy are still thriving and serving as an example of a successful South American nation being able to overcome its harsh history.

In recent developing, The Policing Act aims to maintain one of the lowest crime rates in the world, despite great numbers of trafficking and black market activity in its borders. The new funding placed by José Álvaro reinstalled the FEST Forces (Forca Especial de Santa Thereza). The document leaked hours before the conference showed strong CIA and FBI links from a previous FEST Platoon in the 1950's, which claim to have overthrown the dictatorship at the time. The favela of Santa Marta was the first community to house the activity of the FEST Military this weekend, when a drug raid was active in the Southern neighborhood.

Santa Thereza, 31 July 2020

[Zarate-Campana]

Demain, la République populaire de Zárate-Campana élira son prochain Premier Ministre. Une participation massive aux urnes est estimée (Nous avons atteint 750 mille habitants)

Tomorrow we'll have elections in Zárate-Campana (i.e. "Follow the Leader" Issue)