Latin

There is a region in Latin America that has more oil than all Saudi Arabia. And yet it produces 12 times less

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To the east of Venezuela, the Orinoco oil strip wants to return to its golden age, but faces political, economic and technical challenges. Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserve in the world: 300,878 million barrels. To put it in perspective, Saudi Arabia has in its territory a reserve of 267,000 million barrels. A Treasury. The Venezuelan crude is concentrated in the Orinoco oil strip, a region of 55,314 square kilometers east of the country that extends over the Orinoco River basin. The Orinoco oil girdle It is rich in heavy and extrapeted oil, a type of dense and viscous crude that requires more expensive and challenging refining processes to transform into usable products, such as gasoline and diesel. The twenty -first country in oil production. The Orinoco oil strip has been known since January 1936, when the American company Standard Oil of New Jersey did the first well: “La Canoa-1”, in the state of Anzoátegui. But gigantic. Despite its age, the Orinoco oil strip remains the largest crude oil reserve. And yet, he has been unable to lift his head for years due to the political and technical and economic sanctions that surround it. In its oil peak, Venezuela produced three million barrels per day. Today is the Twenty -first country in the world In oil production with 770,000 barrels a day, from behind even neighboring Colombia. The United States, Saudi Russia and Arabia lead the ranking with 8-12 million barrels per day. A challenge and an opportunity. The sanctions on Venezuelan oil, led by the United States government, rose for six months in October 2023, which allowed a shy return of foreign companies to the Orinoco oil strip. The moratorium evidenced that the Venezuelan oil sector has problems beyond the political; structural problems. After years of negligence, corruption and economic crisis, Venezuelan oil needs foreign investment to modernize the expensive infrastructure with which it extracts and processes heavy crude. Although the sanctions were activated last year as a pressure measure of the Biden administration against the government of Nicolás Maduro, now foreign companies have the opportunity to obtain individual licenses to mitigate their effect, which shows some sprout of hope for a country in which oil remains an economic engine. The Petroleum Momentum of Latin America. The modernization of infrastructure, the attraction of foreign investment and the stabilization of the economy are crucial steps, but we do not know if enough to recover all the economic potential of the Orinoco oil strip. The context seems flattering. Latin American countries are involved in A “gold fever” of oil in which the most extreme case is that of the also Guyana neighbor, which has seen a growth of 33% of GDP thanks to the reserves discovered in its coasts in 2015. Meanwhile, Brazil has climbed to the 8th place in the world production of oil and Mexico is in the 11th place. What if falling? The question that floats in the air is the same for all these countries, what will happen to their investments when the expected drop in oil demand By effect of energy transition? For now, much of the world moves as if we were going to continue burning oil for many years. Maybe that is the answer. Images | EFOFAC, Wilfredor In Xataka | The Falkland Islands rest over 500 million barrels of oil. Now the United Kingdom wants to authorize its extraction *An earlier version of this article was published in July 2024

Spotify will rise in price this summer in Europe and Latin America, according to FT. Some countries will be out of adjustment

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Everything indicates that Spotify will adjust its prices again. According to Financial Timesthe streaming giant plans a new climb that will affect several countries in Europe and Latin America as soon as this summer. It would be a strategic change that, for the moment, has not been officially announced and that relies on anonymous sources. What seems clear is that the United States would be out of movement. It is not a minor detail: it is its largest market and already lived a price increase in July last year. The scope of the adjustment is not yet confirmed. There is no concrete list of affected countries, but the British medium offers clues that allow anticipating the course. In recent weeks, and almost silently, Spotify has increased its rates in the Netherlands and Luxembourg. In both cases, the price of the individual plan has gone from 10.99 to 12.99 euros per month. For the rest of Europe and Latin America, however, there is talk of a more gradual approach. According to these same sources, the company would be considering a rise of only 1 euro in the individual plan. It would be a more content adjustment, probably to avoid any adverse reaction in markets where there are millions of customers. In the case of Spain, the history of upload is limited. For more than ten years, the individual plan remained at 9.99 euros. It was not until July 2023 when Spotify applied its first adjustmentraising the price up to 10.99 euros. If the rumors are confirmed, the new price could be at 11.99 euros per month from this summer. It should be remembered that in the United States, where the climb is already a fact, users are currently paying $ 11.99 a month for the same plan. It will be necessary to see how the market reacts if this new round of increases is formalized. And above all, what countries are finally included. At the moment, the only certain thing is that Spotify moves. And it is not an isolated movement. All this happens at a key moment for the company. Spotify has just registered benefits after 18 years accumulating losses. A milestone that marks a before and after in its financial strategy. Besides, The rumors point to work in a new subscription that would finally include audio in high fidelity. A long -awaited promise that could be part of the redesign of its offer to justify the new price positioning. Images | Emojisprout emojisprout.com | Eyestetix Studio In Xataka | Modern algorithms decide for us to see. YouTube is the last redoubt where the algorithm does not choose for you

Latin millionaires set their residence in Madrid. Private bench has begun to open branches only for them

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All cities of a certain size have certain neighborhoods in which the Density of wealthy people exceeds the average. In the case of Madrid that neighborhood has traditionally been the Salamanca neighborhood, and the type of housing that, by surface and qualities, in it, in it, is witnessing it, in it It has been built. That real estate valuehe has turned the central Madrid neighborhood into the new destination for the Latin American millionairesto those who do not tremble their pulse for Pay up to 13,000 the square meter for a second residence on this side of the Atlantic. Before the rise of these new neighbors in the neighborhood, the response of the bank has not been waiting. BBVA has announced The opening of a new exclusive office on Goya Street in Madrid only for Latin Millionaires. The requirements for you to meet: a minimum capital of 500,000 euros and economic interests on both sides of the ocean. The Spain of the two benches While in the rest of Spain the banks close physical branches (only in 2024, the Santander announced the closure of 200 offices) and mails must take care of giving coverage of Effective to Spain emptiedin the Wealthy neighborhoods in Madrid The trend is just the opposite. Financial entities have identified the potential of this capital flow and have opted to open specialized offices, such as the new BBVA private bank branch in the heart of the Salamanca neighborhood. Where if not. This office, the first of its kind in Spain, is designed exclusively to serve Latin American clients with high assets. As I pointed out The Economic newspaper Fifodiesthe branch manages a base of 583 clients, whose joint assets amounts to 440 million euros. The objective of this new “luxury” branch is to offer a personalized service to those who have investments and assets On both sides of the Atlanticfacilitating the management of its wealth in a global and coordinated way by focusing on both European and Latin Americans. To access this private banking service, customers must have a minimum financial assets of 500,000 euros. In addition, there are differentiated services for those who have between 500,000 and two million euros, and for ultra -ups with more than 10 million. At the global level, the BBVA Private Banking Division manages assets valued at about 140,000 million euros. The best bankers: yes, those of Madrid At the Goya BBVA Private Banking Office, he serves a team of five bankers specialized in managing assets in Mexico, Colombia or Peru markets. Each of these bankers makes periodic trips to their assigned country to maintain direct contact with customers and understand their specific needs. That is to say, They are the ones who queue To talk to your customers. Karma. According to statements by Fernando Ruiz, director of private banking of the entity in Spain, published in InvertiaThe average international client profile that is attended from this branch has an average heritage of 800,000 euros. By nationalities, 50% are Colombians; 30% Mexicans and the remaining 20% ​​are Peruvians. Beyond traditional financial management, BBVA offers a range of extrafinancial services specifically designed for this high purchasing power client profile. Do not think about the latest generation televisions, televisions or mobiles. As confirmed by the bankers themselves Fifodieswe talk about exclusive experiences, such as entries for Real Madrid parties or the mutual Open Madrid, private visits to museums such as Prado and Thyssen, and training courses on the transmission of family heritage. Although this personalized attention model is anecdotal in Spain, it already works successfully in enclaves with High concentration of millionaire populationlike Zurich and Miami. If the Salamanca neighborhood office works, perhaps this model could extend to Other areas of Spain who also host great Latin American fortunes, such as Galicia, Barcelona or the Costa del Sol. In Xataka | If you have money, you have nationality: how the billionaires have fond of “gold passports” Image | BBVA, UNSPLASH (Jorge Fernández Salas)

After years of failures, Telefónica has gradually left Latin America. Peru has come directly running

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Telefónica has sold its subsidiary in Peru to Argentina integrates Tec for 900,000 euros, As announced by Teleco. An almost symbolic price, but also an end point to one of its greatest headaches in Latin America. The operation includes the sale of 99.3% of unpaid financial shares and credits. Why is it important. This operation represents more than a divestment. It is a surgical cut. Telefónica reduces your exhibition in a market with strong regulatory instability, unsolved tax conflicts –still claims 1,122 million to the Peruvian state– and a chronic operational deterioration. Between the lines. Telefónica has not made a sale, has signed a release. The business in Peru accumulated a debt of more than 1.2 billion euros and registered losses of 872 million only in 2024. Its subsidiary was in creditors and the perspectives were increasingly worse. In detail: Integra assumes the debt and launches an OPA for the remaining 0.7%. The pending credit (394 million euros) will be partially disbursed by both parties. Operational continuity is guaranteed for 13 million customers. The creditors’ contest is still underway, now led by Integra. The backdrop. Peru is not an isolated case. Telefónica has already left Argentina and Colombia among other countries in the continent. And in a hurry. The strategy is clear: retire from Latin Americaexcept Brazil, before years of diminishing profitability. The focus moves to Europe and more foreseeable markets. Yes, but. Although it relieves a dead weight, Telefónica does not escape unharmed. The fiscal litigation in Ciadi is still open. The reputation has been touched after years of inaction and frustrated promises of restructuring. And the departure price – which costs an apartment in Arganzuela – briefs. In perspective. Telefónica Peru was, for decades, a jewel of its international expansion. Now it is a symbol of the decomposition of a model that failed to adapt or resist. Close this chapter in Peru weighs more in the strategy than in accounting. Now it remains to check if this turn is enough to clean up the group’s balance, although Pallete reduced his debt in half… or if there are more uncomfortable chapters to write. In Xataka | 100 years after his birth, Telefónica faces the greatest existential dilemma in its history: what wants to be older Outstanding image | Telefónica Peru

The United States of Kailasa have appropriated indigenous lands in Latin America. And who are they? Well nobody knows

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At some point in 2023, a man approached several enclaves of Ecuador and Paraguay with An irrevious offer. The guy ended up signing symbolic agreements of “sister cities” even in Newark, United States. Did it in the name of the Kailasa nationand its last appropriation occurred in Amazonian lands of Bolivia. There was only a small “but”: neither man nor Kailasa existed as such. Invent. He self -proclaimed “Sovereign State of the United States of Kailasa”, led by the controversial Indian Guru Swami Nithyanandahe has returned to the headlines, this time for A scandal of international proportions. Although Kailasa does not exist as a recognized entity, it has been presented by its followers as the first nation for Hindu in the world, with its own “cosmic” constitution, passports, sacred coin in gold and even an alleged central bank. However, this fantasy construction has given Bruces with reality when Bolivia’s authorities recently arrested 20 people linked to Kailasaaccusing them of “land traffic” after having negotiated lease contracts with Amazonian indigenous communities for a thousand years. Reinventing sovereignty. Nithyananda, whose real name is Arunachalam Rajasekaran, is a Hindu exmonje that built A spiritual empire From India to multiple cities on the planet. After being accused of rapeChild Torture and Abuse, fled from India in 2019 and reappeared proclaiming the foundation of Kaillasa, a “resurrection” of ancestral Hindu kingdoms. In his speeches, the man claims to have supernatural powers How to open the “third eye”, delay dawn or guide the reincarnation of billionaires such as Bill Gates or Warren Buffet, assuring them that rich will be born again if they deposit their fortune in a background managed by him. Its logic is clear: if you manage to convince the rich that you need eternal immunity, then the creation of a fictional state can become useful. A nation as an immunity strategy. Based on an unidentified region of South America or the Caribbean, Nithyananda argues that he chose his exile for the Advantages of diplomatic immunity that would allow him his role as head of state. In fact, Kailasa has tried to consolidate as a real nation: its envoys have posed with high profile politicians, including Mayor of Newark and American congressmen, and have even intervened in UN forums. However, these appearances have caused Political crises and resignationsas happened in Paraguay and the United States, discovering that it was a assembly without legal or territorial legitimacy. Attempt for appropriation. In Bolivia, the Kilasians entered as tourists and infiltrated official events, achieving even photograph With President Luis Arce. Was The newspaper El Due Who uncovered the case: Kailasa’s followers negotiated with the Baure community, an Amazon Ethnicity, offering help after the latest forest fires. The conversations resulted in an agreement that initially seemed to be a lease for 25 years and an annual payment of almost 200,000 dollars. However, the contract delivered (in English and more than a thousand years) included the exploitation of natural resources and the use of airspace. Despite the warnings, indigenous leaders signed. Today, one of them He has admitted to the media that: “We made the mistake of listening to them.” Spiritual manipulation. Indigenous leaders have denounced Feel deceived. In subsequent statements, they said that Kaillase representatives offered humanitarian and environmental aid after forest fires, but ended up demanding the signing of documents that did not understand at all and never imagined that they would imply the assignment of their ancestral lands. The organization Multi -ethnic indigenous territory IIwhich represents the peoples That exjasaid that some of its members were manipulated and pressured To sign, under the promise of easy benefits. In a sharp statement, they made it clear that: “Our territory is not sold, does not rent and is not subject to any type of negotiation. It is the legacy of generations that defended it with blood and resistance.” Legal and diplomatic consequences. The Bolivian government declared The null agreementsarrested those involved and deported them to their countries of origin: India, the United States, Sweden and China. The Foreign Ministry clarified that Bolivia does not recognize diplomatic relations with any entity called ‘Kailasa’, and denounced the facts as a scam. False documents and environmental conservation promises were part of the deception, and although there is no evidence that Nithyananda was physically in Bolivia, it is thought that its emissary network operated as a parallel diplomacy for illegitimate purposes. Religious dystopia. Be that as it may, the Kailasa case It highlights a sophisticated form of colonialism disguised as spiritual diplomacy, where the religious symbol becomes a legal weapon to strip indigenous communities of its territorial heritage. Beyond the apparent absurdity, what happened in Bolivia, and before in Ecuador and Paraguay (or even the United States), was a systematic attempt to install fictitious sovereignty on real territories, and all this with legal, political and cultural implications. In a dystopian crossing between the unusual and the alarming, magical realism does not seem to be in the contracts, but in the fact that they almost worked. Image | Kailasa, Nithyananda Dhyanapetam In Xataka | Christian sects: there are more (and more geeks) than you could imagine In Xataka | The peculiar utopia of Auroville, the city without money, political parties or religion

Goodbye to the ruinous business in Latin America … and Diana on Digi and Vodafone

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Marc Murtra, just ratified As executive president of Telefónica with a support of 90% of shareholders, they have a forceful message: the priority is “Europe, Europe and Europe”, and the consolidation within each country is essential. He already anticipated it In an inaugural speech of the MWC full of intention. The “intramerous” mergers are, in their opinion, the only effective way to generate real synergies, reduce costs and improve profitability in a sector that has languished for years. While Abandon Latin America After a ruinous business attempt there, Murtra focuses on operators such as Vodafone Spain and Digi, according to Expansionwith sufficient scale to impact. Why is it important. Murtra’s message to the European Commission, the CNMC and national governments is clear: mergers within each country are priority over any paneurpea consolidation, and regulators must allow them. This approach is a change with respect to the previous position of the EC, which has hindered similar mergers in the last decade. Orange and MasMóvilwithout going any further, he lasted a lot and filled with asterisks. However, recent letta and draghi reports on European strategic autonomy give intellectual coverage to this position. Murtra relies on the new geopolitical climate, where European technological sovereignty is at staketo claim conditions that allow European telecos to gain financial muscle and compete globally. The contrast. While in Europe it seeks to grow absorbing competitors, in Latin America Telefónica is in full withdrawal, after years of negative results that have undermined their financial position. Peru is already in creditors. Argentina has been sold for 1,190 million euros to the Clarín group (although Milei’s government tries to block the operation). Colombia is about to go to Millicom. And Mexico is the following in the list for divestment. Only Brazil remains as a strategic market, contributing about a third of the group’s profitability and being even more priority than Spain in terms of investment. What’s happening. The European consolidation strategy proposed by Murtra reflects a reality of the sector: Europe has 34 main operators for 450 million people, while the United States has only three for 335 million. This fragmentation is a lifeline. The European Telecommunications Sector has lost 41% of its capitalization since 2015while American and Asian giants advance technologically much faster. Telefónica’s stock market value fell 57% under the Álvarez-Pallete mandate despite reducing debt by half. The European 5G coverage (81%) is delayed with respect to the American and China (more than 95%). The average income per mobile customer in Europe is 15 euros compared to $ 42 in the United States. Fiber customer yield is 13 euros in Europe against $ 58 in the United States. Between the lines. Vodafone Spain and Digi arise as the logical objectives for consolidation in Spain. Only these operators have enough scale to generate multimillionaire synergies. Vodafone, with almost three million broadband customers, or Digi, who already exceeds two million fiber users, represent acquisitions with the necessary volume to move the needle in the Spanish market and contain the competition that is eroding its margins. Other assets such as Avatel, FI Network or Adamo would also be intent, but have too small dimensions for their purchase to have the impact that Telefónica seeks. Yes, but. Telefónica’s transformation goes beyond traditional consolidation. 43% of their business income in key markets already come from services that are not communications. The operator is close to the inflection point where most of your billing comes from technological servicesnot voice or data. The IT segment is growing “in double digit” while reducing the investment ratio on income from 12.9% to 12.5%. This metamorphosis reflects the search for a post-terocommunications identity, where Telefónica wants to be defined as a diversified technological company. Now the crystallize narrative is missing. And now what. Murtra has announced that he will present his strategic plan before he finishes 2025, with three priorities: focus on Europe, “iron financial discipline” and technological excellence. What remains to be seen is whether the European Commission, with The new Teresa Ribera Commissionerwill respond favorably to its requests with greater consolidation. And if Murtra will execute both Latin American divestments and European acquisitions with the rapidity it promises. If it works, it could mark the way for other European telecos trapped among American technological giants and Asian manufacturers. If it fails, the decline of the sector in Europe could become irreversible. In Xataka | Telefónica’s new guard: Marc Murtra and Emilio Gayo, the pair that seeks to create a European champion Outstanding image | Telefónica

Thousands of Latin Americans have entered Europe with a formula that Italy has just suppressed: the great -grandparents

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A fact to place the measure taken by the Italian government in context. Only in 2024, the figure of new Italian citizens who registered through the consulates of Argentina and Brazil registered 30,000 and 20,000 cases respectively. The majority did it in the way that is being done for decades and that has allowed it to emigrate hundreds of thousands of people from South America to Europe: by the ancestry of blood. Italy just put the formula. Restrict citizens. The European nation has decided to considerably cut citizens by ancestry (Jus Sanguinis), limiting it exclusively to those who have Italian parents or grandparentsthus eliminating the possibility that for decades allowed distant descendants, even fourth or fifth generation, obtaining it if they could try an Italian ancestor alive after 1861. The decision, announced by the Giorgia Meloni government and Executed immediately Without prior notice, it seeks to stop the institutional collapse generated by the Application floodmostly from South America, where millions of people with Italian roots have tried to access a European passport. According to Antonio TajaniForeign Minister, the measure responds to “years of abuse”, since many applicants do not have real links with Italy and seek citizens only to facilitate international mobility. Prove to be bilingual. Apparently, the measure also forces applicants to demonstrate Italian language mastery through an official exam, having resided at least Three years in Italyand undergo a centralized process with face -to -face interviews, eliminating traditional management through consulates. Plus: They must comply with obligations such as voting, paying taxes and renewing documents so as not to lose nationality. In addition, the transmission of citizenship by marriage hardens, demanding two years of joint residence in Italy, while the application cost is has doubled at 600 euros. On the other hand, the Italians who reside outside and do not comply with these obligations run the risk of losing their citizenship, which even affects their descendants. Saturated system, millionaire business. Of course, there is much more behind the measure. As The New York Times saidthe problem is not only numerical: in the last decade, the number of Italians residing abroad grew by 40%, from 4.6 million in 2014 to 6.4 million in 2024mainly for the granting of new citizenships. In 2024 and as we advanced, only in Argentina 30,000 citizenships were granted, and in Brazil, another 20,000. No doubt, the avalanche has overflowed courts, civil records and consulates, where the Quotes at dawn To achieve a turn. In addition, a lucrative parallel business has been generated where companies and managers charge thousands of euros to applicants to track documents and submit requests, taking advantage of a law that, according to Tajani, “became an opportunity for simulated fraud and citizenship.” The ethical (and political) dilemma. The measure has generated debate even within the Italian right itself. While nationalist sectors support to restrict access to prevent citizenship from being seen only as a means of obtaining a passport, others criticize that, while nationality is granted to distant descendants, children of immigrants continue to be denied born and raised in Italywho can only aspire to it when they turn 18 and under strict conditions. Plus: Italy faces a problem that reproduces more and more nations. We talk about the serious demographic crisiswith low birth and population aging, but it has still chosen to restrict, instead of flexible, its citizenship policy. Legal changes and hardening. The reform is not isolated. Since October 2024, the Ministry of Interior had already begun to Limit applications After a stricter interpretation of the Supreme Court in which he cut the chain of citizenship transmission if an ancestor had naturalized in another country while their children were minors, leaving thousands of applicants without options after years of investment and procedures. The new decision has caused frustration among those who had been collecting documents for years and managing files, an anger that has been reflected In forums and social networks where testimonies abound about the great sums of money and time lost. They counted on CNN The case of many families traveling to Italy from South America to initiate the citizenship process and who are now without legal support after having sold properties and reorganized their lives following the previous regulations. If you want also, the reform thus deepens the distance between Italy that protects its symbolic bond with emigrants from past generations and the one that still does not fully integrate those who are already part of their current society. Image | Pexels In Xataka | Passports that open more doors worldwide, explained in a detailed graphic In Xataka | All the steps to request the “grandson law”: the process to obtain Spanish nationality if you are Argentine

Chile asked Chatgpt about their culture. The answer was so loose that Latin America has joined to create LATAM-GPT

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Observe the development of Generative It is most curious. In the United States they are large technological, and startups such as OpenAIthose who have marked the rhythm. In China, companies are also developing their modelsbut the government has a particular interest in Push this technology For technological purposes, of course, but also social and doctors. And now Latin America has joined to create its own Chatgpt. It will be called LATAM-GPT And the motivation to create this model is curious: a Chilean center did not convince a chatgpt response on Latin American culture. The question. “Describe Latin American culture in 500 characters.” That was, how we read in BBCthe request of some researchers from the National Artificial Intelligence Center -Cenia- from Chile to Chatgpt. His answer It was the following: “Latin American culture is a vibrant amalgam of indigenous roots, African influences and European heritage. It is characterized by its rich diversity in music, dance and gastronomy, reflected in festivals such as carnival and the Flower Fair. Its art, from muralism to literature, shows a deep connection with the history and local identity. The warmth, the sense of community and the celebration of community. pillars that enrich this dynamic and diverse culture. ” I have to say that I just asked for it and the answer is different, but pivot over the same points, such as the fusion of indigenous, African and European inheritances, the taste for music and dance, colorful gastronomy and traditions such as carnival to give rise to a colorful cultural mosaic. LATAM-GPT. This response did not satisfy CENIA researchers, who considered that, although it is a Llm Of great quality, “his understanding of the Latin American context could be enriched and perfected.” Come on, they are convinced that the answer, although correct in broad strokes, needs to qualify a lot to better reflect the peculiarities of the culture of each Latin American country because Chatgpt gave an answer too … Generalist. And that response for the region user will be LATAM-GPT. The intention is to be a Language model of and for Latin America and the Caribbean. The desire is that it addresses the common problems that language models have when interpreting idioms, cultural references and typical expressions of the Latin American context. Álvaro Soto, director of Cenia, states that US models hallucinate because Latin American data with which they have been trained are very scarce. “We do not seek to compete with Openai or one of the giants. We want an own model of Latin America and the Caribbean, with the cultural requirements and challenges that implies” – Cenia Goals. It is triple. On the one hand, what we have just mentioned: that it has a greater context when addressing issues related to the culture of each of the Latin American countries. On the other, that is open and public, allowing each developer to adapt applications to local needs in areas such as education, politics, economy or the environment. Finally, perhaps the most important for something that countries in the region are looking for: stop depending on foreign models and technologies. Mexico, for example, has put on the table the intention of carrying out different projects within a great umbrella called Plan Mexico which seeks to enhance the sovereignty of the nation in several matters, being the technological one -with its own semiconductor industry or of electric vehicles– One of its legs. Financing. With Latam-GPT, it also seeks to promote technological innovation of the region thanks to a tool that can help others seek to develop their potential. But of course, carrying out something like that requires money, and it is something that is not going to be left only in the Cenia. Chile has postulated as the leader of the project, but countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Costa Rica or Ecuador have not taken long to join. There are also Spanish and American institutions on this ship. It has financial support from associations and academic institutions of these countries, but there is also government support to develop this artificial intelligence. Several countries are immersed in Latam-GPT Resources. For training, researchers will use the infrastructure of the University of Tarapacá, in Chile. It will use a super -tank to train the model with more than 8 TB of data collected from public and private libraries. That training will take about 40 days and it is expected that, for summer of this 2025, LATAM-GPT can be accessed. Investment in infrastructure will be about 10 million dollars. Now, one of the problems can be the consumption of the training center. We have already seen in Spain that Not everyone looks good the installation of Data centers To train AI due to high consumption of both water and energy, but from CENIA they expose that consumption in the first of the two stages will be 135 kWh. The University of Tarapacá is in Aricato northern Chile, where there are A great energy matrix composed of renewables and the idea is to ‘throw’ of them to supply electricity. In addition, from the agency they comment that “the cooling system – of the servers – will not generate water consumption due to the availability of cheap and abundant energy in Arica. CO₂ emissions associated with training will be 0.96 tons.” Necessary? This would be, if the accounts are correct, that the training of this LLM will be more ecological than that of Google or OpenAi models, but there are some challenges ahead. One has to do with the protection of data they use to train the model. The researchers affirm that the main policy for the shelter of intellectual property will be transparency, with open sources that comply with the copyright laws And, at the same time, make automatisms of Anonymization of personal data. On the other hand, there are those who ask that all this … for what. Ulysses Mejías, of Mexican origin, is a professor at the State University of New York and has … Read more

How Latin America countries are reacting to deportations from the US

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Image source, Getty images Photo foot, Trump said that one of his government’s spotlights would be migration and, specifically, deportation of people who were in the country illegally. Article information Author, Drafting Author’s title, BBC News World January 27, 2025 Donald Trump has already announced in his electoral campaign: one of the central objectives of his new government would be to close the borders of the United States and carry out the “greater deportation” of migrants in the history of that country. Just a week after having returned to the White House, the new president has started the mass deportations of undocumented migrants. On Friday, the White House Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, published photos in which migrants were seen addressing military aircraft for deportation flights this weekend. Precisely Colombia’s initial refusal to receive these flights generated an impasse between the two countries that was solved within a few hours. There are already several Latin American countries that have received these flights. But reactions in the region have varied from reluctance, criticism, opening or collaboration with binational agreements. Colombia: Agreement after a Impasse While at first the president, Gustavo Petro, refused to receive two military aircraft with Colombians deported from the United States, the idea of ​​an escalation in a commercial war between the two countries caused this decision to be reversed. In addition to the initial increase of 25% of tariffs on “all Colombian goods entering the United States, Trump had said that in a week that rate would increase up to 50%. In response to these measures, Petro announced in his X account a similar increase in tariffs on products imported to Colombia from the United States. Petro’s argument to refuse this repatriation were the conditions and, specifically, that the return was made in military and non -civil aircraft. “The United States cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals,” Petro wrote in his X account. The president claimed that deportations be made in “civil planes” and that a protocol is established, because “a migrant is not a criminal.” However, after overcoming the impasse, the White House expressed in a statement that Colombia agreed “the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal immigrants in Colombia returned from the United States, including those that arrive in military planes, without limitations or delay.” Mexico: Contingency Plan This Monday, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the country has already received some 4,000 deported migrants, mostly Mexicans, from the United States. Sheinbaum said that in the last week they received four aircraft with deportees, but that this is not a significant increase to other occasions. “From January 20 to 26, 4,094 people have been received, the vast majority of them Mexican (…). So far there has been no substantive increase” in the expulsions, the president said in her morning press conference. He also recalled that there is a sustained dialogue between the two countries on the migratory and customs issue. Image source, COURTESY OF THE WHITE HOUSE Photo foot, The White House published images of the deportations of migrants in military aircraft. “This is a job that we have in dialogue with the United States government and it is something that in Mexico has already done many years. What we ask for is respect for human rights,” he emphasized. It is estimated that a third of the 11 million undocumented in the US are Mexican. Trump promises to deport a million people a year. In 2012, when more deportations have been registered in the last half century, the number of repatriated did not go from 420,000, according to figures from the PEW Studies Center. Given this, Mexico said to be prepared and have a containment plan. “We want them to know that we are prepared, that we are ready, to support our nationals and we are certain that we are going to reach agreements with the government of President Trump once the right channels are established,” Sheinbaum said in this regard. To do this, Mexico announced the strengthening of its consular networks in the United States, where it has 53 headquarters. He also promoted an application for the cell phone, ConsultApp, to inform migrants of their rights and also has an alert button to notify in case of imminent deportation. Image source, Getty images Photo foot, Claudia Sheinbaum behind the Secretary of Government, Rosa Icela Rodríguez, during the conference on the immigration plan in Mexico. He also made available to Mexicans a care network of the State. For example, they will receive a “paisan welfare card” with a 2,000 pesos bonus (about US $ 100) to cover expenses in the transfer to the place of origin and will be given access to social protection programs. El Salvador: “Third Safe Country” Contrary to the strap that occurred with the Petro government, the position of the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele has been different. While it is true that last July Trump launched an indirect to Bukele and told him that his country was “sending his murderers to the United States” and that he was not doing such a wonderful work “as he says, last week they approached positions . Trump telephoned his counterpart last week to talk about the fight against illegal immigration and criminal gangs such as the Aragua train -extended by several Latin American nations -, according to the White House. “President Trump also praised the leadership of President Bukele in the region and the example that gives other nations of the Western hemisphere,” said the US executive headquarters in a statement. Image source, Getty images Photo foot, The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele and the president of the United States, Donald Trump at a meeting in 2019. It was now learned that the Trump Administration is developing an agreement that will allow the US to deport El Salvador to migrants other than national country, as told by CBS News two sources familiar with internal deliberations. The agreement, known as “third safe country”, would allow these people to deport from the US to El … Read more

The White House disdains Spanish, others elevate it to promote Latin American art

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LOS ANGELES — The use of Spanish is considered an act of rebellion and resistance in the United States. Now, more than ever, the language of Juan Rulfo, Gabriel García Márquez and Julio Cortázar will be a dissonant element, a language that the spouses Ivonne Guzman and Jorge Espinosa They have decided to elevate their venture that promotes art through books and records. On his first day as president, a few hours after his inauguration, Donald Trump closed the website and social networks in Spanish from the White House. However, these entrepreneurs use their digital platform, called The thinking junkto celebrate the literature and music produced in Spanish, betting on a reunion—in some—and discovery—in others—of the delight caused by art in this fertile language. “In general it is about dignifying, showing the joy and beauty of this language,” commented Ivonne. On the digital platform, Los trastos depensa, these entrepreneurs offer alternative music and literature in the United States. (Soudi Jiménez / Los Angeles Times en Español) This Ecuadorian couple launched on April 23, 2023, within the framework of the Book Dayits platform that now has a presence on Facebook and instagram. In part, this digital initiative responds to their personal tastes, but along the way they have realized that there are more Latin people with the same preferences in literature and music. The idea of ​​creating this website arose during the times of the pandemic, as a result of that unsatisfied need that they have been dealing with since they both settled in the United States. Jorge arrived with residency in 2011, while Ivonne did so in 2018 when she assumed her position as Consul General of Ecuador in Los Angeles. “We didn’t find a lot of things that are easily accessible in other countries,” said Jorge. If they wanted to acquire a book by the Argentine writer Ariana Harwicz, the Ecuadorian Mónica Ojeda, or the Spanish Irene Vallejo, they had to buy it on a trip they took to Quito, the Ecuadorian capital; or ask for any friendship that could bring them from their homeland. The same thing happened to them if they wanted to buy an Argentine rock album, or a Brazilian or Chilean artist. “There weren’t any, it was impossible to get them, it was like they didn’t exist,” he added. In their own words, they do not consider themselves experts; However, academic training and experience gives them knowledge and authority to speak about what they are doing. Ecuadorian journalist Ivonne Guzmán shows some of the books that were put on sale at the LéaLA book fair, held in September 2024 in Los Angeles. (Soudi Jiménez / Los Angeles Times en Español) For the last 31 years, Ivonne has practiced cultural journalism in her native country. She has been a reporter, editor and columnist at the newspaper The Commerce. He also has a master’s degree in research in history and is author of the book Social painting. Three women in the art world of the 1930samong other professional achievements. On the other hand, Jorge is a musician and has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with an emphasis in painting and printmaking, as well as a master’s degree in education and is currently pursuing another master’s degree in sound art. To launch this venture, in 2022 they did a market study, they visited record stores and bookstores in Southern California, they talked to different people, they asked them where they got their books and music. By receiving a grant they applied for, they enabled the platform that sells new and used books, as well as compact discs and vinyl records. “This is a bit of facing what is there and seeing what works; We got records from Mercedes Sosa, Julio Jaramillo and Astor Piazzolla, as well as Aterciopelados from Colombia and Caifanes from Mexico. We emphasize artists from Ecuador, taking into account those who are outside the city of Quito,” Jorge explained. Among the books they have for sale on their portal are those by Ecuadorian María Fernanda Ampuero and Daniela Alcívar Bellolio, Argentine Leila Guerriero and Colombian Pilar Quintana, among other authors. (Soudi Jiménez / Los Angeles Times en Español) In literature, the bet is to have books like those written by the Ecuadorian María Fernanda Ampuero and Daniela Alcívar Bellolio, the Argentine Leila Guerriero and the Colombian Pilar Quintana, to name a few examples. They are also interested in offering copies of graphic novels, essays, novels and short stories by prestigious authors. Along these same lines, the public can suggest a book or an album; If the person is patient, these entrepreneurs can get it and send it to any city in the United States. At this time, delivery takes time because only the two of them select and renew their catalog. They themselves take the orders to the postal service. “The nice thing is that we are bringing more indie, newer, smaller publishers; We have things that you can’t get easily and that Amazon doesn’t have either, that’s the difference,” Ivonne highlighted. These publishers are Ecuadorian, Spanish, Colombian and Argentine, which publish many of these books by unknown authors in the United States, but with wide recognition in Spain and Latin America. Jorge Espinosa shows a book about the Argentine musician Fito Páez. (Soudi Jiménez / Los Angeles Times en Español) Despite the position recently adopted by the White House, Spanish is moving forward at a steady pace. Currently more than 600 million people speak this language in the world. In the United States, 67.6% of the 63.7 million Latinos use Spanish at home, that is, more than 43 million people, according to the 2024 report from the Cervantes Institute. This interest in this language was noticeable at the last LéaLA book fair in Spanish, held in September 2024. These entrepreneurs sold almost half of their catalog, there they found many learners of Spanish and people who are competent or who are native speakers who seek alternative literature and music. For this reason … Read more

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