China has been unrivaled in the lithium market since it adopted a national policy of promoting the energy transition to reduce its dependence on imported fuels and guarantee its energy security. The so-called “white gold” is essential for the lucrative electric vehicle industry, dominated by the Asian giant, as it is used in battery manufacturing. Between 2021 and 2023, demand for lithium increased by 250%, according to data from the International Energy Agency. More than half of the world’s lithium reserves are concentrated in the so-called “lithium triangle,” between Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, which explains why China has set its sights on Latin America, with at least 28 projects linked to the lithium supply chain in five countries, including Mexico and Brazil.

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Bolivian Judge Carlos Oblitas declared former president Evo Morales (2006-2019) in contempt of court on Monday for failing to appear before the Tarija court where he is being tried for human trafficking, specifically for allegedly impregnating a 15-year-old girl while he was president. The court order includes an arrest warrant and a travel ban, as reported to the press by Supreme Court Justice Grover Mita. Morales’ legal team had already announced last week that their client would not appear, considering the case a “political persecution” and alleging irregularities in the criminal proceedings.

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