LATAM POLITICS TODAY-Argentina president seeks to impeach Supreme Court chief after clash

Fernandez had rejected a Supreme Court ruling in December to give a larger proportion of state funds to the opposition-controlled city of Buenos Aires, before backtracking and saying that he would comply with the "unfair" ruling. Blinken talks Lula White House visit, Venezuela with top Brazil diplomat BRASILIA - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Brazil's new Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and discussed a trip to Washington by newly sworn-in leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The two governments are working on a convenient date for a visit to Washington by Lula, but no date has been agreed yet.

The latest in Latin American politics today: Argentina president looking to impeach Supreme Court chief after clash

BUENOS AIRES - Argentine President Alberto Fernandez said he would seek to impeach the head of the Supreme Court, after the two powers recently clashed over a court decision to award more state funds to the city of Buenos Aires. Fernandez said in a statement that he had signed, along with various provincial governors, a request for the impeachment of Supreme Court President Horacio Rosatti as well as other members of the top court, escalating a fight with the judiciary.

However, an impeachment vote appears a long shot, given Fernandez's Peronist coalition does not have the two-thirds support needed to oust the officials after being weakened in the bicameral Congress in 2021 midterm legislative elections. Fernandez had rejected a Supreme Court ruling in December to give a larger proportion of state funds to the opposition-controlled city of Buenos Aires, before backtracking and saying that he would comply with the "unfair" ruling.

Blinken talks Lula White House visit, Venezuela with top Brazil diplomat BRASILIA - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Brazil's new Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and discussed a trip to Washington by newly sworn-in leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The two governments are working on a convenient date for a visit to Washington by Lula, but no date has been agreed yet. The two diplomats also talked about Venezuela, ministry sources told Reuters. At a time when the Biden administration is relaxing some sanctions on Venezuela, the new Brazilian government could become a bridge with Caracas due to Lula's good relations with Venezuelan leaders, they said.

Colombia's ELN rebels say they have not agreed to ceasefire BOGOTA - A ceasefire announced over the weekend by Colombian President Gustavo Petro is a proposal to be discussed at peace negotiations and is not in force, the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group said.

Over the weekend Petro, a former guerilla, said Colombia would hold a six-month ceasefire with the ELN and four other armed groups. Petro's government held a first round of peace talks with the ELN in December.

Conservative Peruvian groups march ahead of fresh protests LIMA - Thousands of Peruvians took to the streets calling for peace, a day before a fresh wave of protests are expected following clashes that left almost two dozen dead in December after the ouster of former President Pedro Castillo.

The demonstration, dubbed the "Great March for Peace," was organized by Peru's leading conservative groups. Protests are expected to gear up again Wednesday, with civil groups and unions in 10 regions of Peru's south - historically a left-leaning stronghold - backing the demonstrations to remove the president, shutter Congress, amend the constitution and release Castillo.

Ecuador reaches trade deal with China, aims to increase exports, Lasso says GUAYAQUIL - Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso said the country has sealed a free trade deal with China, an agreement expected to increase exports and boost growth in the South American country's industrial sector.

"Good news to start 2023. The negotiation between China and Ecuador has been successfully concluded," Lasso tweeted. With the deal, Ecuadorean exports will have preferential access to China, and the South American country's manufacturers will be able to acquire machinery and inputs at lower costs, Lasso added. (Compiled by Brendan O'Boyle)

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