LATAM POLITICS TODAY-U.S. imposes sanctions on two Haitian politicians over drug trafficking

The latest in Latin American politics today:

U.S. imposes sanctions on two Haitian politicians over drug trafficking WASHINGTON - The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on a current and a former Haitian senator, accusing the two politicians of engaging in international drug trafficking, in Washington's latest action against corruption in the Caribbean country.

In a statement, the U.S. Treasury Department said it had frozen the U.S. assets of Haitian senator Rony Celestin and former senator Richard Lenine Hervé Fourcand. "Rony Celestin and Richard Fourcand are two more examples of corrupt Haitian politicians abusing their power to further drug trafficking activities across the region," the Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, said in the statement.

Brazil's Lula mulls U.S. trip before inauguration BRASILIA - Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Friday he might travel to the United States before his inauguration on Jan. 1 to meet with President Joe Biden.

"If I do travel it will be after my certification on Dec. 12," Lula told reporters in Brasilia, adding he would like to discuss topics such as Brazil-U.S. relations and the Ukraine War with Biden. Brazil's Lula needs minimum $29 bln waiver from spending cap to meet campaign promises, says aide

BRASILIA - The transitional government of Brazil's President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hopes to obtain Congress approval for a minimum 150 billion reais ($29 billion) waiver from the constitutional spending cap to meet campaign promises, congressman Reginaldo Lopes said on Friday. The amount represents a significant reduction from the proposal officially filed in Congress to exempt 198 billion reais from the cap for four years starting in 2023, which would cover Lula's entire term.

Peru Congress backs motion to start impeachment against Castillo LIMA - Peru's Congress approved late on Thursday a motion initiated by opposition lawmakers to start impeachment proceedings against President Pedro Castillo, the third formal attempt to oust the leftist leader since he took office last year.

With 73 votes in favor, 32 against and six abstentions, Congress approved the process and summoned Castillo to respond to accusations of constitutional breaches on Dec. 7. (Compiled by Steven Grattan, Editing by William Maclean)

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