Latin American News Roundup May 24

Regionwide– Trump Tariff Court Case

Latin American nations are closely watching the appeals process after a New York federal court blocked Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, which imposed duties of 10% to 54%. Currently suspended for 90 days, Latin American countries only face the base 10% rate. A separate tariff targeting Mexico was also struck down. The Trump administration has appealed.

Cuba – Havana Blackouts

Havana now faces daily blackouts lasting over four hours amid Cuba’s worsening energy crisis. The capital’s outages reflect months of nationwide power failures caused by fuel shortages, economic turmoil, and natural disasters. As summer heat intensifies, the fragile electric grid remains overwhelmed, highlighting the government’s ongoing struggle to resolve the deepening emergency.

Ecuador – President Noboa Re-elected

Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, 37, was sworn in on May 24th for a new four-year term. Known for his crackdown on armed violence, he pledged to continue fighting corruption, drug trafficking, and crime. Noboa also promised reforms and vowed to boost job creation and investment through collaboration with Ecuador’s private sector.

Panama – Strikes Over Pension Reforms

Panama has declared a state of emergency in Bocas del Toro after Chiquita Brands laid off 5,000 workers amid a month-long strike protesting pension reforms. The strike halted banana production and blocked roads. Construction workers nationwide have also joined the protests, intensifying pressure on the government over the controversial reforms passed by Congress.

Venezuela – Parliamentary Elections Questioned

Venezuela’s ruling party, PSUV, claims a sweeping victory in regional and parliamentary elections, winning 23 of 24 governorships and over 82% of Assembly votes. The opposition, which largely boycotted the vote, denounced it as a “farce.” Opposition leader María Corina Machado claimed voter turnout was below 15%, disputing the legitimacy of the results.