IBOV 183,476.86 ▼ 0.27% IPSA 11,256.80 ▼ 0.38% IPC MEX 64,992.23 ▲ 1.13% MERVAL 2,893,751 ▼ 1.57% COLCAP 2,584.72 ▼ 0.95% BVL PERÚ 59,934.37 ▲ 1.27% USD/BRL5.19▼ 0.12% USD/MXN17.68▼ 0.27% USD/CLP960.63▼ 0.27% USD/COP3,293▲ 0.20% USD/PEN3.39▼ 0.67% USD/ARS1,525▲ 0.30% USD/UYU40.21▲ 3.50% USD/PYG5,870▲ 2.23% USD/BOB12.17▲ 2.05% USD/DOP59.35▲ 0.25% USD/CRC450.87▲ 2.53% USD/GTQ7.64▲ 3.22% USD/HNL26.85▲ 0.31% USD/NIO36.62▲ 2.66% USD/VES853.52▼ 0.13% USD/PAB1.00— 0.00% USD/BZD2.00— 0.00% USD/JMD 157.28 — 0.00% USD/TTD6.77▲ 2.72% EUR/BRL5.91▲ 0.63% BRENT 88.88 ▼ 0.03% WTI 83.11 ▼ 0.11% IRON ORE 161.91 — — COPPER 6.61 ▲ 0.03% GOLD 4,461 ▲ 1.78% SILVER 65.59 ▲ 1.26% SOY 1,184 ▲ 3.20% CORN 480.50 ▲ 10.02% WHEAT 655.00 ▲ 3.93% COFFEE 317.25 ▼ 5.51% SUGAR 16.43 ▼ 1.79% ORANGE JUICE 138.55 ▼ 0.47% COTTON 85.03 ▲ 2.33% COCOA 5,719 ▲ 3.18% BEEF 223.60 ▼ 3.93% CATTLE 339.10 ▼ 3.16% LITHIUM 75.20 ▲ 1.47% PETR4 41.64 ▼ 0.05% VALE3 72.97 ▲ 0.83% ITUB4 38.60 ▼ 1.03% BBDC4 16.85 ▲ 0.36% ABEV3 14.89 ▼ 0.80% BBAS3 19.37 ▲ 0.47% B3SA3 14.26 ▼ 0.21% WEGE3 47.59 ▲ 0.49% PRIO3 59.14 ▼ 0.19% SUZB3 41.33 ▲ 2.35% RENT3 34.68 ▼ 0.09% AZZA3 15.89 ▼ 2.63% CSAN3 3.22 ▼ 1.83% RAIZ4 0.25 — 0.00% PCAR3 2.75 ▼ 0.36% GMAT3 3.65 ▼ 1.08% PSSA3 48.13 ▼ 0.54% CVCB3 1.33 ▼ 2.92% POSI3 3.36 ▲ 2.44% SLCE3 13.34 ▲ 0.30% NATU3 8.14 ▼ 0.73% IBOV 183,476.86 ▼ 0.27% IPSA 11,256.80 ▼ 0.38% IPC MEX 64,992.23 ▲ 1.13% MERVAL 2,893,751 ▼ 1.57% COLCAP 2,584.72 ▼ 0.95% BVL PERÚ 59,934.37 ▲ 1.27% USD/BRL 5.16 ▲ 0.01% USD/MXN 17.06 ▼ 0.24% USD/CLP 913.98 ▲ 0.04% USD/COP 3,140 ▲ 0.03% USD/PEN 3.36 ▼ 0.66% USD/ARS 1,493 ▲ 0.10% USD/UYU 40.27 ▲ 1.24% USD/PYG 5,939 ▲ 1.68% USD/BOB 11.64 ▼ 0.76% USD/DOP 58.34 ▲ 1.25% USD/CRC 445.92 ▲ 0.89% USD/GTQ 7.62 ▲ 2.21% USD/HNL 26.79 ▲ 1.57% USD/NIO 36.62 ▲ 0.69% USD/VES 762.44 ▼ 0.13% USD/PAB 1.00 — 0.00% USD/BZD 2.00 — 0.00% USD/JMD 157.28 — 0.00% USD/TTD 6.70 ▲ 0.61% EUR/BRL 5.95 ▲ 1.01% BRENT 88.88 ▼ 0.03% WTI 83.11 ▼ 0.11% IRON ORE 161.91 — — COPPER 6.61 ▲ 0.03% GOLD 4,461 ▲ 1.78% SILVER 65.59 ▲ 1.26% SOY 1,184 ▲ 3.20% CORN 480.50 ▲ 10.02% WHEAT 655.00 ▲ 3.93% COFFEE 317.25 ▼ 5.51% SUGAR 16.43 ▼ 1.79% ORANGE JUICE 138.55 ▼ 0.47% COTTON 85.03 ▲ 2.33% COCOA 5,719 ▲ 3.18% BEEF 223.60 ▼ 3.93% CATTLE 339.10 ▼ 3.16% LITHIUM 75.20 ▲ 1.47% PETR4 41.64 ▼ 0.05% VALE3 72.97 ▲ 0.83% ITUB4 38.60 ▼ 1.03% BBDC4 16.85 ▲ 0.36% ABEV3 14.89 ▼ 0.80% BBAS3 19.37 ▲ 0.47% B3SA3 14.26 ▼ 0.21% WEGE3 47.59 ▲ 0.49% PRIO3 59.14 ▼ 0.19% SUZB3 41.33 ▲ 2.35% RENT3 34.68 ▼ 0.09% AZZA3 15.89 ▼ 2.63% CSAN3 3.22 ▼ 1.83% RAIZ4 0.25 — 0.00% PCAR3 2.75 ▼ 0.36% GMAT3 3.65 ▼ 1.08% PSSA3 48.13 ▼ 0.54% CVCB3 1.33 ▼ 2.92% POSI3 3.36 ▲ 2.44% SLCE3 13.34 ▲ 0.30% NATU3 8.14 ▼ 0.73%
since 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2026

North America Europe and Russia

Biden Clears Ukraine to Strike Russia, Escalates Conflict Before Transition

By · November 18, 2024 · 2 min read

The LatAm Brief

One email, every weekday morning. What moved in Latin American markets, politics and expat life.

Yesterday’s subject line: “The US Army is quietly planning for Cuba”

Free. We send a confirmation link first — nothing arrives until you click it. Unsubscribe with one click in any edition. If you stop opening us for 30 days we stop sending by ourselves, as we assume the interest is no longer there. See our privacy policy. We never share your email.

As his presidency draws to a close, Joe Biden has made a decision that could significantly complicate his successor’s foreign policy.

Biden authorized Ukraine to use American long-range missiles against targets within Russia. This move represents a stark departure from previous U.S. policy and could be seen as a poison pill for the incoming Trump administration.

The authorization allows Ukraine to employ ATACMS missile systems, which have a range of about 300 kilometers. These weapons are intended to strike Russian and North Korean positions in the Kursk region.

This decision comes in response to Russia‘s deployment of an estimated 10,000 North Korean troops to support their war efforts.

Biden’s choice arrives at a critical juncture, just two months before Donald Trump takes office, claiming he can swiftly end the conflict.

Biden Clears Ukraine to Strike Russia,Escalates Conflict Before Transition
Biden Clears Ukraine to Strike Russia, Escalates Conflict Before Transition.
One-stop reference
Company Intelligence
Every listed company in Latin America — financials, ownership and structure for 1,450+ companies across 26 exchanges, in one place.
Browse the directory →
RT
Ask Rio Times
17 years of Latin America reporting, on demand.
Open the full Ask Rio Times →

By allowing these long-range strikes, Biden‘s team may be deliberately creating a more complex situation for Trump to navigate.

Biden’s Controversial Policy Shift

Critics argue that this decision could escalate tensions and increase the risk of Russian retaliation. Some view it as a calculated move to tie Trump’s hands, forcing him to deal with potential fallout from expanded military operations.

In addition, this policy shift might make it more challenging for Trump to pursue his stated goal of quickly resolving the Ukraine conflict.

Supporters of the decision claim it was necessary to bolster Ukraine’s position. They argue that it sends a clear message to North Korea about the consequences of its involvement in the war.

However, skeptics question whether this move truly serves U.S. interests. They wonder if it’s primarily designed to create obstacles for the incoming administration.

As the situation unfolds, observers are questioning the true motivations behind this eleventh-hour policy change. Will it strengthen Ukraine’s position, or will it serve as a diplomatic landmine for the next administration?

Only time will reveal the full impact of Biden’s controversial parting decision on the complex landscape of international relations.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error

Read More from The Rio Times

The Rio Times · Power Map
See who really holds power in Latin America
Click to open the Power Map →

Rotate for Best Experience

This report is optimized for landscape viewing. Rotate your phone for the full experience.