The initiative seeks to coordinate regional efforts against criminal organisations and transnational threats. Fujimori said the growing reach of criminal groups required countries to work together across borders.

"This criminality does not respect borders, and hence the need to join efforts with other countries," she said.

Rubio said Washington viewed the expansion of criminal organisations as a threat to security across the hemisphere and pledged US support for participating countries.

"We are going to help you in every way possible ... because it is also in our national interest not to have criminal gangs operating with impunity across the hemisphere," Rubio said.

He described the Shield of the Americas as an alliance aimed at confronting criminal and terrorist groups, some of which he said had acquired resources and capabilities exceeding those of national armed forces. Rubio said 14 countries were currently participating and expected the initiative to expand.

"It was an idea I initially had through localisation and telephony, and then I integrated it with a neural network," he said.

The system uses multiple drones equipped with different technologies, including thermal cameras that detect changes in temperature and humidity and tools designed to analyse conditions beneath the surface. The drones work together to identify and mark possible locations under collapsed buildings.

Villarreal said the technology was also adapted as bodies decomposed, with the system trained to identify indicators including bones, tissue, hair and nail residue.

According to Villarreal, his team has made more than 1,900 markings across affected buildings and may have helped locate hundreds of bodies, potentially approaching 2,000 by his own estimate.

Once a possible location is identified, volunteers and professional rescuers remove the rubble to verify the finding. "We have recovered family members and that has become a hope for many," Villarreal said, adding that the work is carried out voluntarily and families are not charged.

The team conducts much of its work at night, when reduced noise and interference are said to make some detection efforts easier.

Protester Carlos Enrique Fernandez Chacon said the demonstration was aimed at rejecting Rubio's presence and what he described as US interference in the region. "We do not ally with any imperialism, and we do ally with the peoples oppressed by them," he said.

Other demonstrators accused Washington of seeking control over natural resources and criticised US policies towards Iran and Venezuela . Protester Alejandra Cuentas also called on social organisations to continue opposing what she described as US imperialism.

The protest came ahead of Rubio's scheduled meeting with Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori on Thursday. Their agenda includes security , transnational organised crime, defence, investment, trade and cooperation in responding to the El Nino phenomenon.

"This base will make us the most important logistics hub in the South Atlantic and will be fundamental for Argentina's geopolitical projection," Milei said, adding that he would urgently send a national sovereignty bill to Congress.

The president also announced faster sanctions under Law 26,659 against companies involved in oil extraction in areas Argentina considers to be under British occupation.

"The Falkland Islands are Argentine by history and by right. There is no discussion about it," Milei said, reaffirming that his government would continue pursuing the claim through diplomatic and legal means.

The Falkland Islands, around 500 kilometres off Argentina's coast, remain at the centre of a longstanding sovereignty dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom. The dispute led to a 74-day war in 1982, in which 649 Argentine service members, 255 British personnel and three islanders were killed.

Petro delivered the lecture, titled Capital in the 21st Century: Political economy of the climate crisis, at UNAM's Alfonso Caso Auditorium.

He also criticised Argentine President Javier Milei's prominence at the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying he stopped attending the event after Milei was presented as a "hero."

"That day I stopped going to Davos and obviously they will never invite me again," Petro said.

The Mexico trip was Petro's first international visit since leaving office on August 7. Under Colombia's Constitution, former presidents require Senate authorisation to travel abroad during the year after leaving office, and Petro obtained permission before the trip.

During his stay, Petro met Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the National Palace and also agreed with writer Paco Ignacio Taibo II on the publication of his next book for the Spanish-speaking world.

Beens said he began training Tsunami after developing a close bond with the dog following the death of his previous operational canine. "He is my companion, he is part of my life. Tsunami changed my world ," Beens said.

Tsunami has also taken part in international rescue missions. In 2023, he was deployed to Syria and Turkey following devastating earthquakes , where Beens said he helped locate nine people alive beneath the rubble.

The dog was later deployed following this year's earthquakes in Venezuela, where rapid response helped search teams locate 26 people . "Forty minutes after the earthquake we were already entering the rubble," Beens said.

The trainer credited Tsunami's abilities partly to the intelligence and problem-solving skills of Border Collies.

Beens now plans to retire Tsunami from rescue operations as two Border Collie puppies prepare to join the K-SAR ECID team.

Carlos Navarrete, Tarapaca's regional transport official, said authorities were working to clear the Marinero Desconocido road, a key route for freight traffic heading to the port of Iquique.

Zofri General Manager Enrique Montealegre said the financial impact was still being assessed and insurance procedures had begun. "Today, we are focused on restoring operations," Montealegre said.

Alamgir Butt, president of an automotive business association in the Zofri Industrial District, estimated losses to the sector at one billion Chilean pesos, around $1.08 million.

He also criticised what he described as a lack of communication from Zofri following the emergency.

Chile's National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response ordered evacuations in Zofri, the Industrial District and Marinero Desconocido areas due to the risk of further mudslides.

Textile worker Oriana Fernandez said she had been unable to service her debt for more than a year. "Wages are not enough, pensions neither. Unfortunately we have to turn, obviously, to the Government so that it can give us a solution, an answer," she said.

Another worker, Vaneza, said she had fallen into debt trying to pay for electricity and food as her wages failed to keep pace with the cost of living.

Fernando Moyano, president of an organisation representing indebted people, said the problem affected generations from pensioners borrowing to buy medication to young people taking loans to purchase bicycles or motorbikes for work.

Protesters called on President Javier Milei's government to introduce refinancing measures amid rising arrears. According to the Centre for Argentine Political Economy , 20.9 million people have debts within the financial system, with 5.8 million in arrears.

Mud, rocks and debris have covered parts of the road, preventing traffic from moving in either direction. One haulier criticised the response from authorities after spending four days stranded.

"There is no support from anyone, everything is a disaster. We pay tolls; we want a tow truck from the Ministry of Transport or the Atico council to tow us," he said.

Haulier Carlos Ordonez said he had begun selling boxes of fruit at reduced prices before they spoiled. "36 soles per box, so we can at least recover the investment, because we have lost a bit as it has spoiled over time," he said.

Ordonez also complained about uncertainty over when the highway would reopen. "They told us it would be just two days, and now it has been five days, and we are still here," he said.

The blockage affects more than 70 kilometres of the Panamericana Sur, one of southern Peru's main transport corridors.

Morales claimed Cerimedo had knowledge of alleged irregularities within Paz's government and suggested his detention could be connected to that information.

"He knows all the outrages they committed, including the president in his cabinet," Morales said. "They will release him at any moment."

Morales also accused Paz of following the positions of Cerimedo and his ministers and called on the Attorney General to conduct an "immediate, transparent" investigation while ensuring safeguards for Beller.

He further called for investigations into alleged irregularities and corruption that he claimed involved government officials.

Meanwhile, Bolivia's Supreme Court instructed that the case should not be placed under seal and called for proceedings to move quickly so Beller could access information about the investigation.

"This is the room where we are staying these days, while the Mayor's Office gives us assistance for lodging," he said. Pino Cordoba said the Medrano Neighbourhood Community Action Board had registered him as a victim and photographed the damage, but authorities had yet to visit.

"We are waiting for the Mayor's Office to come and see me," he said. He recalled escaping moments before his home collapsed after feeling the earthquake while having hot chocolate and bread.

"When I felt the tremor, I went out," he said. "As I was going up the stairs, I saw the building over there collapse... Thank God I had already got out."

Pino Cordoba said he has since relied on relatives and friends for food and other support while awaiting assistance.

The earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, with its epicentre near San Jose del Palmar in Choco. Authorities say 14 people have died and 139 have been injured in the department, with 468 homes destroyed, Viory reports. Nationwide, 287 people have been killed, 3,975 injured and 378 remain missing, according to the latest government figures.

President Keiko Fujimori led the drill from Lima's Plaza de Armas, presenting a hypothetical assessment of nearly 11,000 deaths, more than 165,000 injuries and around 2.2 million displaced people .

"If this had been real, this would be the report I would have to give," Fujimori said, stressing that the figures were part of the simulation and calling for continued disaster preparedness.

INDECI official Catherine Palacios said the exercise also marked 19 years since the 2007 Pisco earthquake. Fire Brigade official Marcos Pajuelo said the drill was aimed at testing emergency preparedness amid concerns over the prolonged period without a major earthquake along Peru's central coast.

According to the Geophysical Institute of Peru, the area has not experienced a large-magnitude earthquake since 1746, while seismic energy continues to accumulate due to the convergence of the Nazca and South American tectonic plates.

"To clarify, the Secretariat of National Defence rescue brigade was not approved by the Colombian Government ," Sheinbaum said.

"It is not a conflict ; there is no problem," she added, explaining that Colombia had requested food and medicines but required certification for rescue teams.

Mexico is continuing to send humanitarian aid aboard Hercules aircraft, including food and medical supplies requested by Colombian authorities. Sheinbaum said the military rescue brigade remained ready to deploy if authorised, noting that its members had participated in rescue operations in 98 countries.

According to the Mexican government, the brigade comprises 255 personnel from the Army, Air Force and National Guard, along with 20 K-9 teams.

Colombia has limited the entry of international rescue teams, although Mexico's Topos Azteca and two US-provided teams have been authorised. The earthquake has killed at least 265 people, injured 3,494 and left 496 missing, according to the latest figures. More than 25,000 families have been affected.

The president said the emergency would allow the government to establish a "Miracle Fund" to channel domestic and international resources towards rebuilding hospitals, schools , homes, roads and airports damaged by the earthquake.

"I have decided to make use of the economic emergency, a mechanism provided for by our Constitution so that we can face this crisis as appropriate," he said.

De la Espriella said the disaster had struck at a particularly difficult time for Colombia's public finances, citing the country's high level of debt .

The government is also preparing temporary assistance for those affected, including rent subsidies, tax and financial relief, support with utility bills and aid for small businesses and traders.

"It is against the sell-out of Flavio Bolsonaro and his allies, who are simply trying to sell Brazil in exchange for a green card, for support in Donald Trump's elections ," student Luna said.

Demonstrators also criticised Tarcisio's management of education in Sao Paulo state. A survey by the APEOESP trade union association published in April recorded broad opposition within the education community to the state government's policies.

"We are on the streets in defence of our education , in defence of our country," demonstrator Pacu Haddad told Viory.

The protest comes as Brazil's political contest intensifies ahead of the 2026 presidential election, in which Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, is among the main contenders.

This improvement reflects advancements in healthcare, education, and living standards throughout the continent.

The highest life expectancies are found in the southern regions, with Chile leading at 78.9 years, followed by the Falkland Islands at 78.6 years, and French Guiana at 77.2 years.

However, disparities remain, as Bolivia (63.6 years), Guyana (65.7 years), and Paraguay and Suriname (both 70.3 years) record the lowest life expectancies.

These figures highlight ongoing challenges related to healthcare access and economic development, particularly in more remote and less developed areas.