Alison Sargent is pleased to welcome Tiziano Breda, Senior Analyst for Latin America and the Caribbean at ACLED. He argues that Peru's chronic instability is rooted as much in institutional weaknesses as in electoral competition. The reintroduction of a bicameral legislature, he notes, may help curb the cycle in which Congress has repeatedly "deposed presidents and reinstated new ones," but neither candidate is likely to enjoy the parliamentary support necessary to govern decisively. Peru's presidential election is unfolding against a backdrop of deep political fragmentation, rising insecurity, and growing public distrust in democratic institutions. 

As preparations for the 2026 World Cup heat up, a massive hiring boom is sweeping across the US service industry. But local businesses are growing increasingly worried that skyrocketing costs and FIFA price hikes could ruin what was expected to be a historic economic celebration.

Tension between the United States and Iran is continuing in sport. Iran's World Cup squad landed in Mexico on June 7 under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic dispute. With some members of the entourage still lacking U.S. visas. The dispute comes just days before the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup on June 11, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The presidential election in Peru to determine the 9th head of state in a decade is too close to call. Right-wing candidate, Keiko Fujimori ran on promises to be tough on crime and is the daughter of the late, former president and authoritarian figure Alberto Fujimori who was convicted of human rights abuses. Left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez, an ally of jailed former president Pedro Castillo, has vowed to address the socioeconomic divide between those living in cities and rural areas. The winner will likely be declared in some days after a full count is completed.

Iran's World Cup squad is expected to arrive in Mexico early Sunday under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row between Tehran and Washington, after the United States refused to issue visas for some team support staff.

Police clashed with anti-government protesters Saturday in eastern Bolivia, with gunfire reportedly wounding four officers, as authorities attempted to clear a road blocked by rural workers demanding President Rodrigo Paz's resignation. A month of heated demonstrations calling for the center-right Paz to step down have paralyzed the Andean nation, with about 100 protest blockades around Bolivia causing severe food and medicine shortages in major cities.

Peruvians will choose on Sunday their ninth president in 10 years, in a tight runoff election between conservative Keiko Fujimori and leftist Roberto Sanchez who are trying to woo voters fed up with political chaos and rising crime. Fujimori, daughter of former autocratic president Alberto Fujimori, is making her fourth bid for the presidency.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to kick off across the North American continent, hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Thando Sibiya, Sports Presenter and Journalist. While the tournament was initially met with great fanfare: an expanded 48-country tournament hosted by three countries, Sibiya warns that the "deplorable issues" and multiple controversies risk "killing the ambiance" and keeping football fans and country supporters away. From exorbitant ticket prices to Donald Trump's hard-line immigration policies, many fans will now be forced to follow their team from their home country. This could very well be 'one of the least anticipated World Cups of this era', laments Sibiya.

⚽ Cabo Verde, #Brazil, South Africa... National teams are beginning to arrive in North America ahead of the 2026 football #WorldCup, due to start on June 11.

Mexican authorities have discovered an illegal tunnel that is 600 metres long on the US border with Mexico. It links Tijuana with the city of San Diego. Its purpose? Possibly the illegal smuggling of drugs. The discovery was the result of a six-month long investigation.

The NBA finals start on June 4 and the San Antonio Spurs, with its star player, Victor Wembanyama, are favoured to take the title. But as the 22-year-old Frenchman told reporters, it's not a done deal yet against the Knicks - who haven't won since 1973 but won 11 consecutive games in the playoffs this year.

US primaries are taking place in six states. The voting will shape the landscape of the midterms in November, as it decides who is going to be on the ballot. Key races to look out for include California, where whoever wins the race for Los Angeles mayor will lead the city during the Olympic Games.

US primaries are taking place in six states. The voting will shape the landscape of the midterms in November, as it decides who is going to be on the ballot. Key races to look out for include California, where candidates will be looking to replace term-limited Gavin Newsom. FRANCE 24's Wassim Cornet, in Los Angeles, and Philip Turle tell us more.

Pro-Trump lawyer Aberaldo de la Espriella pulled ahead as a leader in Colombia’s race for the presidency in the first round of elections over the weekend, capitalizing on a growing appetite for heavy-handed crackdowns on criminal groups across Latin America. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Christopher Sabatini, Senior Research Fellow on the Americas at Chatham House, says that "this is really again a part of what's unfortunately called the 'Donroe' doctrine asserting itself in partisan politics in Latin America".

Oliver Farry is pleased to welcome Michelle MORGAN, Marilyn Monroe biographer. Author of The Seven Year Itch, and the Birth of an Unlikely Feminist. One hundred years after the birth of Marilyn Monroe, the actress remains one of the most recognisable cultural figures of the twentieth century. Yet, as biographer Michelle Morgan argues in this centenary interview, the enduring fascination with Monroe often obscures the complexity of the woman behind the image. Far from being merely the glamorous "dumb blonde" immortalised by popular culture, Monroe emerges as a determined, intellectually curious, and surprisingly modern figure who challenged the limitations imposed upon her by Hollywood and society alike.

Colombians are heading to the polls Sunday. With current president Gustavo Petro stepping down, the search for his successor is seen as a referendum on his leftist social policies and response to growing violence in the country. Left-wing candidate Ivan Cepeda, who says he will continue pursuing peace accords with armed groups, is leading in the polls. But he faces stark opposition from the more hawkish right. Trump-loving millionaire lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella and Paloma Valencia, who comes from one of Colombia's most important conservative dynasties, both favor harsher crackdowns on guerrilla groups. Details by Caroline Baum.

In Peru, hundreds of demonstrators marched through Lima on Saturday to protest against Keiko Fujimori’s candidacy and her family's political dynasty. They fear that, if elected, she will continue her father’s authoritarian regime. Keiko Fujimori came out on top in the first round of the presidential election and will face left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez in the second round on June 7. Details by Eliza Herbert.

Pentagon head Pete Hegseth - has said that Washington could restart the war with Iran at any time if it wanted. His remarks follow days of talks and a two-hour meeting in the White House situation room - that has yet to produce a deal between the US and Iran. Analysis by FRANCE 24 international affairs editor, Shirli Sitbon.

Colombia is going to the polls this Sunday. The presidential election is set to determine Gustavo Petro’s successor. Violence is at the heart of this campaign: armed groups are stepping up their attacks, and each candidate has their own proposals for how to prevent it. Violence is an endemic problem in the country that has been ravaged by conflict for decades. Story by Eliza Herbert and Antoine Fenaux.

Nearly a month of anti-government protests and a blockade of the capital in Bolivia have pushed the country to a "breaking point", said the President, as demonstrators call for his resignation. Details by Antonia Kerrigan.