LATAM POLITICS TODAY-Peru gets new prime minister in cabinet shuffle

Left-wing legislators denounced the appointment, blaming him for the protest-related deaths that prompted the resignation of two ministers, all triggered by the removal from office and subsequent arrest of leftist former President Pedro Castillo on Dec. 7. Boluarte's new government is also embroiled in a diplomatic tussle with Mexico due to the Mexican president's public support for Castillo.

The latest in Latin American politics today:

Peru's defense minister named PM in Cabinet reshuffle LIMA - Peru's President Dina Boluarte promoted the country's defense chief to the prime minister's job as part of a shuffle of her 11-day-old Cabinet, a move that followed protests this month that have left roughly two dozen people dead.

Alberto Otarola was named prime minister, and four others entered the cabinet. Alex Contreras and Oscar Vera were kept as ministers of the economy, and energy and mines, respectively. Left-wing legislators denounced the appointment, blaming him for the protest-related deaths that prompted the resignation of two ministers, all triggered by the removal from office and subsequent arrest of leftist former President Pedro Castillo on Dec. 7.

Boluarte's new government is also embroiled in a diplomatic tussle with Mexico due to the Mexican president's public support for Castillo. Venezuela opposition seeks Guaido ousting, control of Citgo

CARACAS - Venezuelan opposition parties are seeking to block Juan Guaido's interim government from extending its mandate by another year and gain control of boards supervising Citgo Petroleum, the country's most important asset abroad, according to spokespeople from the main opposition parties. Acting as congress chief and interim president following Nicolas Maduro's disputed re-election as president, Guaido in 2019 appointed the board of Houston-based refiner Citgo, a subsidiary of state oil firm PDVSA.

While Washington still recognizes Guaido as interim leader instead of Maduro, Guaido's failure to reach a deal with Maduro's Socialist administration on new elections and his reliance on U.S. sanctions to keep pressure on Maduro have seen him fall out of favor elsewhere in the world and with opposition groups at home. Guaido has called for a special session of Venezuela's congress to take place on Thursday in order to extend the mandate of his interim government by another year, largely to maintain control over Citgo and other state assets held abroad.

Brazil lawmakers pass bill to raise spending cap BRASILIA - Brazil's lower house approved a constitutional amendment to increase the government spending cap to maintain welfare payouts to poor families next year, a centerpiece campaign pledge by the country's incoming president.

In a major victory for leftist President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the chamber voted to pass the bill that would raise the spending cap by $28 billion for one year to fund payments under the Bolsa Familia welfare program. The bill now heads to the Senate for a second vote.

U.N. leader urges countries to send armed force to Haiti Deputy U.N. chief Amina Mohammed urged countries to urgently consider Haiti's request for an international specialized armed force to help restore security in the Caribbean island nation and alleviate the humanitarian crisis as gang violence rages.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in October proposed that one or several countries send "a rapid action force" to help Haiti's police remove a threat posed by gangs. He was not suggesting the force be deployed by the United Nations. But to date, no country has offered to lead such a force, though the Bahamas has said it could send troops or police if asked to do so. Diplomats have also said some African countries were ready to offer support. (Compiled by Steven Grattan and Sarah Morland; Editing by Chris Reese)

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