German court rules against Peruvian farmer in climate case
May 28, 2025
A German court ruled against a Peruvian farmer in a landmark climate lawsuit — but activists say the ruling opens the door for major greenhouse gas emitters to be held financially liable in Germany, reports the Associated Press.
In a decade-long case, Peruvian Saúl Luciano Lliuya argued that German energy company RWE should help pay to protect his home from flooding linked to glacial melt, because of the energy group’s historical contribution to climate change.
Lliuya had argued that the firm's global emissions contributed to the melting of glaciers in Peru - threatening his hometown of Huaraz with flooding.
“The setback for climate litigators could damp the momentum of related ongoing cases in Europe against big polluters, including Swiss cement company Holcim and French energy company TotalEnergies,” reports the Financial Times.
Nonetheless Germanwatch, an environmental NGO which backed Lliuya's case, celebrated the court's ruling saying that “although the court dismissed the specific claim - finding flood risk to Luciano Lliuya's home was not sufficiently high - it confirmed for the first time that major emitters can be held liable under German civil law for risks resulting from climate change.” (BBC)
Colombia
Colombia’s Senate is close to ratifying a new labor reform bill — after the President Gustavo Petro threatened to put the issue to popular consultation after Congress scuppered his signature reform bill earlier this month, reports La Silla Vacía.
The new bill in the Senate replicates Petro’s main reforms, and will likely undercut a general strike planned for today and tomorrow in defense of Petro’s labor proposals, reports El País.
Regional
The world is facing a new form of climate denial – not the dismissal of climate science, but a concerted attack on the idea that the economy can be reorganized to fight the crisis, André Corrêa do Lago, the veteran Brazilian diplomat who will direct this year’s UN summit, Cop30, told the Guardian. He believes his biggest job will be to counter the attempt from some vested interests to prevent climate policies aimed at shifting the global economy to a low-carbon footing.
Regional Relations
Brazil’s government is battling to stop the U.S. Trump administration from sanctioning Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes, a move Brazilian officials fear will put the two countries on a collision course. Last week U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that sanctions on de Moraes under the Magnitsky Act, which targets foreign officials over corruption or human rights abuses, were “under review now”, adding: “It’s a great possibility that will happen.” The Financial Times reports that Rubio’s remarks came after a lobbying campaign in the U.S. by Eduardo Bolsonaro.
Trump’s administration is attempting to dismiss criminal charges against a top MS-13 leader, Vladimir Antonio Arevalo-Chavez, in order to deport him to El Salvador, – critics say the U.S. president is trying to do a favor for Nayib Bukele who allegedly struck a deal with the gang in 2019. (Guardian)
The U.S. government confirmed it will not renew Chevron’s oil license in Venezuela, confirming a hardline stance towards Nicolás Maduro after conflicting messages from Donald Trump’s cabinet last week, reports the Financial Times.
Last week, Geoff Ramsey and David Goldwyn argued in favor of negotiations: “Rather than returning to a strategy based on heavy-handed sanctions, Trump in his second term should preserve existing space for U.S. energy companies in Venezuela while retaining economic leverage over Caracas to incentivize a democratic opening in the country.” (Foreign Policy)
Haiti
Erik Prince, a private military contractor and prominent Trump supporter, is working with Haiti’s government to conduct lethal operations against gangs that control much of the country. “Haiti’s government has hired American contractors, including Mr. Prince, in recent months to work on a secret task force to deploy drones meant to kill gang members,” reports the New York Times.
Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit suggested that there should be discussions with gangs in Haiti to help end the current crisis in that country. (Dominica News Online)
Honduras
Honduran police officers raided the home of journalist Frank Mejía in Tegucigalpa, beat him, stole personal belongings, and subjected him to “cruel and inhuman treatment,” according to multiple news reports and local press group C-Libre. (Committee to Protect Journalists)
Brazil
Brazilian prosecutors said they are suing Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD and two of its contractors over allegations of using workers in slave-like labor conditions and engaging in international human trafficking, reports the Associated Press.
Mexico
Mexican organized crime groups recruit minors into their ranks by preying on their hunger for status and camaraderie. “In cartel slang they are known as 'pollitos de colores' or 'colorful chicks,' after the fluffy baby chicks sprayed with lurid toxic colors and sold at Mexican fairgrounds. They're cheap, burn bright, and don't live long,” reports Reuters.
Panama
Panama’s government declared a state of emergency in Bocas del Toro after US banana giant Chiquita Brands laid off about 5,000 workers following a strike that had ground its production to a halt, reports AFP.
Argentina
Argentina is being used as a “testing ground” for stripping back abortion rights internationally as it cuts funding for contraceptives and ends the distribution of abortion pills, according to Amnesty International. (Guardian)
Argentine President Javier Milei’s government says that almost 48,000 public sector workers have been let go since he took office 17 months ago. The Deregulation & State Transformation Ministry promised to intensify what is dubbed the “chainsaw approach.” (Buenos Aires Times)
Argentina’s government will issue a five-year bond denominated in pesos that’s aimed at international investors who are allowed to purchase it in U.S. dollars, a move the government hailed as its return to global markets, reports Bloomberg.
It’s the Empanadas, Stupid: Milei and cabinet officials sparred with Eternaut star Ricardo Darín over the price of empanadas. The actor eloquently pointed out that the real issue is high prices, and the climate of fear the government has created for any dissent. (Página 12)
Migration
Police in St. Vincent and the Grenadines said they found a boat beached on the shore of Canouan island carrying the remains of what they believed to be 11 people who may be from Mali, reports Reuters.
Culture Corner
Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Paes backtracked on measures that would have outlawed food and drink sales, chair rentals, loudspeakers and live music in beach kiosks without official permits — critics said the regulations would crimp a dynamic cultural scene and threaten the livelihoods of many musicians and local vendors. (Associated Press)
Two Brazilian nuns have gone viral after dropping an impromptu beatbox and dance session during a Catholic television program - Associated Press.