2024 brought natural disasters and turbulent politics to Latin America

2024 brought natural disasters and turbulent politics to Latin America

Snow blanketed Santiago, the Chilean capital, in May 2024 — a rare and stunning sight that marked the coldest month in the city in over 70 years.

The unusual weather event stood in stark contrast to the severe drought that gripped the Amazon rainforest just a few months later, cracking the basins of the Negro River in the Brazilian port of Manaus and allowing people to walk along some parts of the Amazon River in Santa Sofia, Colombia.

Erika Maria Cruz, left, and her husband grieve next to the body of their son Brando Arellano Cruz, fatally shot by police after he failed to pull over in Lerdo de Tejada, Mexico, Jan. 19, 2024. Four municipal police officers were under investigation in relation to the death of the young man after the victim’s neighbors attempted to lynch the officers. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Erika Maria Cruz, left, and her husband grieve next to the body of their son Brando Arellano Cruz, fatally shot by police after he failed to pull over in Lerdo de Tejada, Mexico, Jan. 19, 2024. Four municipal police officers were under investigation in relation to the death of the young man after the victim’s neighbors attempted to lynch the officers. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

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The Associated Press, sensitive to the impact of natural phenomena and disasters, captured the raw power of nature as it ravaged Latin America in 2024, a year marked by extreme weather events and climate change.

High temperatures and drought fueled wildfires across Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.

A snorkeler watches a shoal of fish near a shipwreck off Cubagua Island, Venezuela, Jan. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

A snorkeler watches a shoal of fish near a shipwreck off Cubagua Island, Venezuela, Jan. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season hit Caribbean islands, stirred the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and devastated land in the southern United States, in a year with 11 tropical storms — above the usual average of seven — that left death and destruction in their wake.

Beryl set a new record as the first Category 4 hurricane to form in June, impacting Carriacou, Grenada. Subsequent storms, Helene and Milton, exacerbated the region’s wet season, delivering triple the average September-October rainfall.

Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school dancers carry their high heeled boots to rehearsal where they will practice for Carnival parades in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Paraiso do Tuiuti samba school dancers carry their high heeled boots to rehearsal where they will practice for Carnival parades in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

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Meanwhile, the region underwent historic political change as Mexico elected its first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, and Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro won his third reelection in polls questioned for their lack of transparency.

Two more presidents completed their first year in office facing turmoil in the streets.

Soldiers search women as they patrol the south side of Quito, Ecuador, Jan. 12, 2024, in the wake of the escape of a powerful gang leader from prison and presidential decree of a national state of emergency, suspending people’s rights and mobilizing the military in places like the prisons. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Soldiers search women as they patrol the south side of Quito, Ecuador, Jan. 12, 2024, in the wake of the escape of a powerful gang leader from prison and presidential decree of a national state of emergency, suspending people’s rights and mobilizing the military in places like the prisons. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

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Javier Milei faced demonstrations across Argentina over cuts that suffocated segments of the population that were already overwhelmed by high inflation and the loss of purchasing power. And Daniel Noboa, who is seeking reelection in February, concludes 2024 amidst a severe energy crisis, with power outages lasting up to 14 hours.

Violence continued to grip Haiti and Mexico, with grisly scenes of corpses in Port-au-Prince and Culiacan.

An anti-government protester jeers at police guarding Congress where lawmakers debate a reform bill promoted by Argentine President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

An anti-government protester jeers at police guarding Congress where lawmakers debate a reform bill promoted by Argentine President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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However, 2024 also brought moments of celebration, curiosity and hope to Latin America. A young girl found joy skipping rope at a school for refugees in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince; hundreds gathered in Puerto San Julián, Argentina to witness the annular solar eclipse and Indigenous women in traditional skirts invented a new ball game in the Ecuadorian Andes.

A miniature boat in honor of the African sea Goddess Yemanja floats off Ramirez beach on her feast day in Montevideo, Uruguay, Feb. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

A miniature boat in honor of the African sea Goddess Yemanja floats off Ramirez beach on her feast day in Montevideo, Uruguay, Feb. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

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A resident flees an encroaching forest fire in Vina del Mar, Chile, Feb. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/ Esteban Felix)

A resident flees an encroaching forest fire in Vina del Mar, Chile, Feb. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/ Esteban Felix)

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A reveler performs during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

A reveler performs during the Amigos da Onca Carnival street party in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

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A reveler in a beer and soda cans costume attends the ‘Bloco da Latinha’ street party Carnival parade in Madre de Deus, Brazil, Feb. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

A reveler in a beer and soda cans costume attends the ‘Bloco da Latinha’ street party Carnival parade in Madre de Deus, Brazil, Feb. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

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People transport angel wings on a motorcycle during carnival in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 12, 2024. (A P Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

People transport angel wings on a motorcycle during carnival in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 12, 2024. (A P Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

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Jenny Chiroque sits at La Merced Hospital where she is treated for dengue in Paita, Peru, Feb. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

Jenny Chiroque sits at La Merced Hospital where she is treated for dengue in Paita, Peru, Feb. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

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A demonstrator holds up a Haitian flag during protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

A demonstrator holds up a Haitian flag during protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

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Veronica Kutdo holds her salvaged hens after her home burned down in an overnight fire in Bogota, Colombia, March 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Veronica Kutdo holds her salvaged hens after her home burned down in an overnight fire in Bogota, Colombia, March 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

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People push a giant paper-mache bull stuffed with fireworks during the annual festival honoring Saint John of God in Tultepec, Mexico, March 8, 2024. The celebration pays homage to the patron saint of the poor and sick who fireworks makers view as a protective figure. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

People push a giant paper-mache bull stuffed with fireworks during the annual festival honoring Saint John of God in Tultepec, Mexico, March 8, 2024. The celebration pays homage to the patron saint of the poor and sick who fireworks makers view as a protective figure. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

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A child dressed as an astronaut attends an Astronomy Festival that brings together astronomy professionals and enthusiasts to share knowledge about the universe in Villa de Leyva, Colombia, March 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

A child dressed as an astronaut attends an Astronomy Festival that brings together astronomy professionals and enthusiasts to share knowledge about the universe in Villa de Leyva, Colombia, March 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

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Emergency workers carry a 4-year-old girl who was rescued from her home that collapsed under heavy rain in Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, March 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

Emergency workers carry a 4-year-old girl who was rescued from her home that collapsed under heavy rain in Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, March 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado)

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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive on Combu Island, Brazil, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres).

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron arrive on Combu Island, Brazil, March 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres).

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A mob beats a woman they suspect of kidnapping and killing an 8-year-old girl, after dragging her out of a police vehicle, in Taxco, Mexico, March 28, 2024. Police later picked her up and took her away before authorities confirmed she died of her injuries. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

A mob beats a woman they suspect of kidnapping and killing an 8-year-old girl, after dragging her out of a police vehicle, in Taxco, Mexico, March 28, 2024. Police later picked her up and took her away before authorities confirmed she died of her injuries. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

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A sick, elderly woman hugs a relative after a priest blessed her at home as part of the Quasimodo Feast, a celebration paying tribute to the Virgin of Carmen, in Colina, Chile, April 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

A sick, elderly woman hugs a relative after a priest blessed her at home as part of the Quasimodo Feast, a celebration paying tribute to the Virgin of Carmen, in Colina, Chile, April 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

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The body of a man shot dead lies in a pool of blood in the Petion-Ville neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

The body of a man shot dead lies in a pool of blood in the Petion-Ville neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

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A girl plays a jump rope game at a school giving shelter to residents displaced by gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

A girl plays a jump rope game at a school giving shelter to residents displaced by gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

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Young women and their coach cheer at the start of a soccer training session run by the Bola de Ouro social program, at the Complexo da Alemao favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

Young women and their coach cheer at the start of a soccer training session run by the Bola de Ouro social program, at the Complexo da Alemao favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

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Argentine President Javier Milei sings at a promotional event for his new book in Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

Argentine President Javier Milei sings at a promotional event for his new book in Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

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An instructor teaches math to children living at a shelter for families who fled their homes amid gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, May 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

An instructor teaches math to children living at a shelter for families who fled their homes amid gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, May 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

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Vendors set up food stands under a bridge over the Nanay River in Iquitos, Peru, May 27, 2024. The bridge is part of a federal highway project that will connect this city in Peru’s Amazon with the El Estrecho district on the Colombian border. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Vendors set up food stands under a bridge over the Nanay River in Iquitos, Peru, May 27, 2024. The bridge is part of a federal highway project that will connect this city in Peru’s Amazon with the El Estrecho district on the Colombian border. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Anti-government protesters clash with police outside Congress as lawmakers debate a reform bill promoted by Argentine President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires, Argentina, June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

Anti-government protesters clash with police outside Congress as lawmakers debate a reform bill promoted by Argentine President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires, Argentina, June 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

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Fishermen pull a boat damaged by Hurricane Beryl at the Bridgetown Fisheries in Barbados, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Fishermen pull a boat damaged by Hurricane Beryl at the Bridgetown Fisheries in Barbados, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

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Prisoners smoke crack inside the Tacumbu prison in Asuncion, Paraguay, July 8, 2024. Drugs are not allowed but some manage to smuggle them into the jail. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Prisoners smoke crack inside the Tacumbu prison in Asuncion, Paraguay, July 8, 2024. Drugs are not allowed but some manage to smuggle them into the jail. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

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Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado waves a Monagas state flag as she greets supporters during a campaign rally for presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, in Maturin, Venezuela, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado waves a Monagas state flag as she greets supporters during a campaign rally for presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, in Maturin, Venezuela, July 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Corinthians soccer fans cheer in Neo Quimica arena during a Brazilian soccer league match between Corinthians and Flamengo in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Corinthians soccer fans cheer in Neo Quimica arena during a Brazilian soccer league match between Corinthians and Flamengo in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

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Exiled Nicaraguans released from a Nicaraguan jail wave from a bus after arriving at the airport in Guatemala City, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo, File)

Exiled Nicaraguans released from a Nicaraguan jail wave from a bus after arriving at the airport in Guatemala City, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo, File)

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Mexican National Guardsmen cover a body found lying on the side of a road in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Mexican National Guardsmen cover a body found lying on the side of a road in Culiacan, Sinaloa state, Mexico, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

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Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador unveils his portrait at the National Palace after giving his last morning press conference, “La Mañanera,” in Mexico City, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador unveils his portrait at the National Palace after giving his last morning press conference, “La Mañanera,” in Mexico City, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

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Claudia Sheinbaum waves from the vehicle taking her to Congress where she will be sworn in as Mexico’s first female president in Mexico City, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

Claudia Sheinbaum waves from the vehicle taking her to Congress where she will be sworn in as Mexico’s first female president in Mexico City, Oct. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

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People watch an annular solar eclipse in Puerto San Julian, Argentina, Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

People watch an annular solar eclipse in Puerto San Julian, Argentina, Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

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People fish next to drainage that flows into the Paraguay River in Asuncion, Paraguay, Jan. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

People fish next to drainage that flows into the Paraguay River in Asuncion, Paraguay, Jan. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

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Venezuelan migrant Jackson Vargas holds his daughter along the shore of Necocli, Colombia, Oct. 14, 2024. Vargas said he is saving money to cross the Darien Gap. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuelan migrant Jackson Vargas holds his daughter along the shore of Necocli, Colombia, Oct. 14, 2024. Vargas said he is saving money to cross the Darien Gap. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Fans of former One Direction singer Liam Payne grieve outside Casa Sur Hotel where the British pop singer fell to his death from a hotel balcony, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Fans of former One Direction singer Liam Payne grieve outside Casa Sur Hotel where the British pop singer fell to his death from a hotel balcony, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

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People walk through a part of the Amazon River that shows signs of drought in Santa Sofia, on the outskirts of Leticia, Colombia, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

People walk through a part of the Amazon River that shows signs of drought in Santa Sofia, on the outskirts of Leticia, Colombia, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ivan Valencia)

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Children ride in a wagon-stroller along the Huixtla highway in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, Oct. 22, 2024, as part of a group of migrants hoping to reach the country’s northern border and, ultimately, the U.S. (AP Photo/Edgar H. Clemente)

Children ride in a wagon-stroller along the Huixtla highway in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, Oct. 22, 2024, as part of a group of migrants hoping to reach the country’s northern border and, ultimately, the U.S. (AP Photo/Edgar H. Clemente)

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Protesters practice using slings as they block a road in support of former President Evo Morales and against President Luis Arce’s handling of the economy, in Parotani, Bolivia, Oct. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Juan Karita, File)

Protesters practice using slings as they block a road in support of former President Evo Morales and against President Luis Arce’s handling of the economy, in Parotani, Bolivia, Oct. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Juan Karita, File)

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A masked, armed gang member poses for a photo at the National Cemetery during the Fete Gede festival celebrating Day of the Dead to honor the Haitian Vodou spirits Baron Samedi and Gede in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

A masked, armed gang member poses for a photo at the National Cemetery during the Fete Gede festival celebrating Day of the Dead to honor the Haitian Vodou spirits Baron Samedi and Gede in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Nov. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

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An anti-government protester confronts police during a demonstration on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Guadalupe Pardo)

An anti-government protester confronts police during a demonstration on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Guadalupe Pardo)

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A person with a poster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro walks through foam sprayed for an event celebrating University Student Day in Caracas, Venezuela, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

A person with a poster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro walks through foam sprayed for an event celebrating University Student Day in Caracas, Venezuela, Nov. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

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Family members accompany the coffin of Mexican actress Silvia Pinal during a memorial service at the Fine Arts Palace in Mexico City, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

Family members accompany the coffin of Mexican actress Silvia Pinal during a memorial service at the Fine Arts Palace in Mexico City, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Aurea Del Rosario)

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Footprints create the shape of a heart in a snow-covered rugby field in Santiago, Chile, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Basualdo)

Footprints create the shape of a heart in a snow-covered rugby field in Santiago, Chile, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Basualdo)

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Publish date : 2024-12-19 16:33:00

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