Covid-19 Death toll slowly rises in Latin America
Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador experienced an increase in the number of Coronavirus related deaths this week, raising the total to 65 in Latin America, with more than 4,400 people infected.
Brazilian health authorities confirmed on Sunday that deaths increased from 18 to 25, while infections jumped from 1,128 to 1,546. In Chile, more than infections were reported, with numbers rising to 632. In response to the outbreak of positive cases, President Sebastian Piñera's government ordered a night-time lockout to contain the pandemic. In Peru, authorities reported five deaths and at least 363 cases of COVID-19, making it the third most affected country in the region.
Argentina also reported at least four deaths and the number of infected cases to 266. Breaking coronavirus quarantine in Argentina could mean jail time as the country's president has announced that anyone who is required to be under quarantine must follow it, or face criminal prosecution.
In El Salvador, more than 250 people have been arrested since the government decreed an official quarantine on March 21. Journalists and human rights activists from El Salvador have announced more than 250 arrests after official Nayib Bikele, Salvadoran President, decreed an official quarantine. Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic reported a total of three deaths and a significant increase in the number of people infected from 112 to 202.
The Mexican authorities indicate two deaths and a further increase in the number of infected persons, with 65 new cases confirmed, to a total of 316. However Mexico's government is under pressure over coronavirus response as experts say the real numbers could be much higher due to limited testing for the virus. Health experts also warn that the country is sorely underprepared to cope with widespread transmission of the disease amid an already severely underfunded and overstretched health system.
Cuba reported no deaths but registered a jump in the number of infections from 21 to 35 this weekend. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Saturday announced that his country is sending a medical brigade to combat the Covid-19 Pandemic in Jamaica, a Caribbean country that has been going through a severe economic and political crisis for the past years. They have also sent fleets of Doctors to Venezuela and Europe to share their medical expertise and help where possible.
Trouble in Colombian and Brazilian Prisons
After the deaths of 23 inmates in a Colombian prison on the 22nd March, an official investigation has been launched. La Modelo, in Bogota, saw riots after inmates died in clashes with prison authorities over the weekend after what prisoners described as protests against officials for not doing enough to control the spread of coronavirus. However, governmental officials are currently classing these riots as an attempted escape.
Hundreds of prisoners have escaped from four semi-open prisons in São Paulo state in the south-east of Brazil. Due to Coronavirus, visiting hours and leisure time were cut down causing a riot and ultimately the escape of inmates. Videos showed dozens of prisoners fleeing down a street and flooding across a beach to get away. Officials are working to hunt down those still at large.
The Importance of US Latino Voters
A study by Latino Decisions, a polling firm known for their independent analysis of Latino public opinion in the US, analyzed the impact of Spanish-language political ads in state-based media. The firm looked at Spanish-language ads from previous elections, and noted that using such political ads more frequently could lead to an increase in Latino voter turnout, primarily if they are deployed early enough in an election cycle. With the US elections in November, candidates will be looking to carry out such tactics in order to do more and secure Latino votes.
Bears make a comeback
Finally some good news! Deep in the Maquipucuna forest, approximately two hours drive from Ecuador's capital, Quito, rare Andean bears come together for a few weeks each year to feast on the wild avocados ripening atop trees. According to ecologists, this small community is growing, going against the trend of a vulnerable species in decline across South America.
J Balvin Releases New Album
Colores is now available for streaming exclusively on Spotify and presented as a visual album dubbed the Colores Experience. For each of the 10 songs, all named after colours, Balvin himself leads a guided meditation that channels the colour and explains its relationship to the music. Meanwhile...Latin Stars Encourage Fans To Stay At Home: Ricky Martin, J Balvin, Daddy Yankee & other Latin artists encouraged fans to stay home amid Coronavirus. They have been using their platforms to motivate the public to stay indoors, on social media such as Instagram. Becky G told her fans "now is not a time for panic but to ground yourself. Our current state of the nation is not something to take lightly."
Ronaldinho detained in Paraguay
A judicial scandal that involves former Brazilian soccer player Ronaldinho and his brother Roberto Moeira has taken place in Paraguay.. Both were arrested last Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at the border for trying to enter the country carrying false passports. Meanwhile...Brazilian Football teams help fight Coronavirus: With football in the country suspended until further notice, more than half of the 20 teams in Brazil's Serie A have given up their stadiums as spaces to help treat patients, as authorities in densely populated Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro seek to expand hospital capacity to deal with the crisis.
