The conflict in Iran will continue to affect Latin America throughout 2026
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean ( ECLAC ) warned this Friday that the conflict in Iran will continue to impact the region throughout 2026, even if diplomatic progress is maintained.
According to a special report , the crisis has raised oil prices, affected international trade and generated higher logistics costs following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The organization estimates that the average price of crude oil this year will be between 20 and 25% higher than in 2025.
ECLAC identifies six channels of impact, including trade, finance, inflation and monetary policy.
Although energy-exporting countries could reap some benefits, most Latin American nations, which import hydrocarbons, will face greater pressures on their economies, with increases in fuel, food, financing costs and lower economic growth.
Women and girls are among the most vulnerable groups following the earthquakes that devastated north-central Venezuela, UN Women warns in a new report.
The agency emphasizes that the disaster exacerbates a pre-existing humanitarian crisis and increases the risk of gender-based violence, exploitation, human trafficking, and mental health problems.
In addition, the devastation following the earthquakes makes it difficult to access essential health services for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as menstrual hygiene products, contraceptives, and care for survivors of sexual violence.
Many women take on an even greater caregiving burden, which hinders their economic recovery and access to humanitarian aid.
UN Women is requesting three million dollars to support some 15.000 affected women and girls over the next six to twelve months, strengthen their protection and contribute to a more inclusive and resilient recovery.
According to estimates from the Population Fund, around 1,97 million women under the age of 50 and 956.400 young people and girls were in areas that suffered strong ground shaking in Venezuela.
At least one million women and girls have lost access to essential assistance since January 2025 due to cuts in international aid, according to a new report by UN Women.
The study, based on 855 organizations from 52 countries in crisis such as Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo or Haiti , reveals that most can no longer respond to current needs.
“Three-quarters (of the organizations) have been forced to cut staff. And all this is happening at a time when the world is experiencing its highest level of armed conflict in decades. Four out of ten women's organizations working in humanitarian crises expect to close in the next 12 months ,” warned Sofia Calltorp, head of Humanitarian Action at the agency.
All of this, the official added, is despite the fact that more than half of the organizations report people working without pay to maintain services and the increase in gender-based violence in the communities where the organizations operate.
UN Women calls for increased funding for these organizations and emphasizes that they are essential to protecting women and girls in contexts of conflict and humanitarian crisis.
“Every dollar taken away from women’s organizations is a dollar taken away from survivors of conflict-related sexual violence,” the agency lamented.
The World Meteorological Organization warned on Friday that nearly 2000 billion tons of dust enter the atmosphere each year and can travel thousands of kilometers, impacting health, agriculture, transportation, and ecosystems.
Although the phenomenon is largely natural, environmental degradation, drought, and poor water and land management are exacerbating its effects.
In 2025, China recorded its most intense sandstorm in the last decade, while the city of El Paso, on the border between the United States and Mexico, reported 50 days with dust storms, the highest number since 1935.
These storms forced the temporary closure of schools, roads and airports, caused the cancellation of public events and were linked to several fatal road accidents.
“The Bulletin highlights that airborne dust is not only an environmental problem, but also a challenge to health, sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience. We hope the findings can support scientific advances and effective policies,” emphasized Leilani Dulguerov of the WMO during a press conference in Geneva.
The WMO highlighted that the use of artificial intelligence and satellite observations is improving forecasts and reiterated the importance of international cooperation to address a phenomenon that already affects more than 150 countries.