Latin America News Dispatch
After Castro Steps Down, Díaz-Canel Becomes New Head of Cuba’s Communist Party
Miguel Díaz-Canel was named the new head of Cuba’s Communist Party on Monday after Raúl Castro announced on Friday that he would be stepping down as the party’s leader,
Conservative Lasso Wins Ecuador Election
Conservative businessman Guillermo Lasso beat out leftist Andrés Araúz in presidential elections on Sunday and will be the next president of Ecuador.
Mexican Soldier Arrested for Checkpoint Shooting of Guatemalan Citizen
According to his family, the victim, identified as Elvin Mazariegos, had driven to Mexico in a pickup truck to make purchases and was returning to his country when he was stopped at a checkpoint and asked for identification, which he could not produce.
Coronavirus Cases Rise Across South America Despite Vaccination Advances
On March 24, Brazil became the second country to surpass more than 300,000 deaths from COVID-19, after a record-breaking 3,251 deaths in one day on Tuesday.
CBP Reports February Increase of Border Apprehensions
Since Joe Biden’s inauguration, the number of people encountered at the southern border has increased, particularly with families and unaccompanied minors.
Bolivia Ex-Prez Áñez Arrested for Role in 2019 Coup
Several other members of the interim government have also been arrested, including former General Williams Kaliman.
Paraguay Ministers Resign as Calls Grow for President’s Ouster
On Friday, the health minister resigned over the issue, and protests against the lack of medicine and mismanagement turned into riots in Asunción.
Party of El Salvador President Nayib Bukele Wins Landslide
This election was the first test for the Nuevas Ideas party, which was founded by Bukele in 2018 but didn’t obtain official status in time for the election of that year.
Ecuador Heads to Presidential Runoff With Correa Ally Leading
After weeks of uncertainty, the first-round Ecuadorian election results are in: Andrés Arauz will face Guillermo Lasso in the second round of Ecuador’s presidential election on April 11.
Haitian President Moïse Confronts Judiciary as Unrest Continues
Haiti’s protracted political crisis passed a milestone last Sunday, February 7 as President Jovenel Moïse stayed in office past the day the Supreme Court and opposition leaders claimed his term should have ended
Mexico Failed to Provide Human Rights Training to Armed Forces
Of all the institutions consulted, the organization found that the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena), the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) and the National Guard did not have “complete evidence to evaluate the outcome of the training that was carried out.”
Senior El Salvador Official Resigns Amid Cover-Up Allegations
The resignation came just as lawmakers were to vote to strip Mauricio Arriaza Chicas of immunity.
Record Number of Colombian Leaders Were Killed This Year
According to the Institute for Peace and Development Studies (Indepaz), 287 social leaders have been killed so far in 2020.
U.S. Extends Temporary Migration Status for Honduras After Deadly Hurricanes
President Juan Orlando Hernández said returning Hondurans to the Central American country would have a “double negative effect,” as the United States would lose a labor force and they would not be able to send remittances to Honduras.
Maduro Claims Victory in Venezuela Elections Boycotted by Opposition
The elections flipped the National Assembly, the last opposition-controlled branch of government, to Maduro’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela and allied parties.
Ecuador and the United States to Begin Commercial Relationship
President Lenín Moreno had announced the accord on November 16, explaining that it was “an excellent step” to reach a final agreement with the United States in the future.
Cuban Security Forces Detain Artists Who Organized Protest
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Claudia Genlui Hidalgo and Iliana Hernández were detained for allegedly attempting to destabilize the government via their San Isidro Movement.
Mexican Officials Aren’t Reporting COVID-19 Cases in Migrant Detention Centers
Mexico’s National Immigration Institute (INM) has dodged questions regarding the number of COVID-19 cases at its detention facilities.
Brazil Reports Record Amount of Deforestation
Over 2.7 million acres were cut down in 2020, a 9.5% increase compared to the previous year.
Maradona’s Doctor Is Under Investigation Following the Football Star’s Death
Argentine police searched Leopoldo Luque’s home on Sunday and seized some medical records, computers, hard drives and cellphones.
Former President of Panama Will Face New Trial
Justices Donaji Arosemena and Yiles Pittí argued that the testimonies by protected witness Ismael Pittí and Júbilo Grael, an agent who participated in the wiretapping, indicated the existence of illegal activities.