On Wednesday, Oct. 18, the Biden administration announced the softening of its sanction on oil, gas, and gold exports from Venezuela. The deal came one day after Venezuela’s incumbent leadership met with its opposition and agreed to hold democratic presidential elections in 2024.

On Sept. 6, Mexico’s Supreme Court decided to decriminalize abortion nationwide. The nation is now the most populous one in Latin America to provide legal access to corresponding medicines and procedures.

On Oct. 6, Costa Rica announced it would revoke its visa exemption for Honduran nationals. This policy shift incited a mixture of surprise and anger among Honduran officials and the public, and could potentially strain diplomatic relations in the region.

Brazilian Federal police raided ex-President Jair Bolsonaro’s home as part of a probe on his vaccination records.

Chile, a major lithium producer, has recently announced plans to nationalize its lithium industry.

The Cuban National Assembly ratified President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s second five-year term in office.