Latin America News Dispatch
Planned Opposition Protests in Cuba Flop
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez called the protests an “absolute failure” in an interview on Tuesday. He also criticized U.S. President Joe Biden for not yet addressing the embargo and continuing with Trump-era policies that have exacerbated the country’s shortage of basic goods.
Chilean President Sebastián Piñera Impeached
Chile’s lower house on Tuesday impeached President Sebastián Piñera over alleged financial misconduct revealed in the Pandora Papers. Seventy-eight of the 155 members voted to move forward with the charges.
Daniel Ortega Set to Secure Re-Election in Nicaragua
Daniel Ortega sought his fourth presidential term in Sunday’s Nicaraguan elections. With more well-known challengers sitting in jail, Ortega stood a greater chance of winning.
Mass Protests in Ecuador After Hike in Fuel Prices
Thousands of demonstrators marched in Ecuador on Tuesday and Wednesday to protest the increase in fuel prices and President Guillermo Lasso’s economic policies. At least 37 demonstrators were arrested and eight police officers injured in demonstrations that blocked roads and highways in five of Ecuador’s 24 provinces.
New Migrant Caravan Moves Through Mexican Blockade Heading Toward U.S.
More than 2,000 migrants left on Saturday from Tapachula, Chiapas in southern Mexico hoping to reach the U.S. border. Most of the migrants come from Central America and Haiti, including families with small children.
Latin American and Caribbean Women Demonstrate in Support of International Safe Abortion Day
Women took to the streets across Latin America and the Caribbean on Tuesday in recognition of the Global Day of Action for access to legal, safe and free abortion. Large demonstrations took place in Mexico, El Salvador, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Chile.
US Envoy to Haiti Resigns Over Biden Administration’s Handling of Haitian Migrants at the Border
Daniel Foote stated in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the deportation policy would exacerbate the already dire situation in Haiti and in turn, drive more migrants to the border.
Regional Leaders Debate Future of Cooperation Amidst Tensions
The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) convened its VI Summit of Heads of State and Government in Mexico City on Saturday.
Shining Path Leader Abimael Guzmán Dead at 86
Guzmán left his job as a professor of philosophy in 1980 to lead Shining Path in what would become the deadliest civil conflict in Peru’s history as an independent country.
Bolivia Ex-Prez Áñez Charged With Genocide
The charges relate to actions taken by Áñez shortly after being declared president when she issued a decree giving the military responsibility for public security. In the next week, security forces shot 20 people to death and injured dozens of others in two clashes in Cochabamba and El Alto.
Venezuela Begins Talks With Opposition in Mexico
Representatives of the Venezuelan opposition and government have started talks to resolve the crisis facing the country.
Senate Pushes New Sanctions on Nicaragua
The law, called the RENACER Act (Reinforcing Nicaragua’s Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform), would allow the Biden administration to impose targeted sanctions against “Nicaraguan officials who seek to derail the country’s electoral process.”
Guatemalans Protest Firing of Corruption Prosecutor
The firing of an anti-corruption prosecutor has sparked an angry reaction from civil society and demands for the resignations of President Alejandro Giammattei and Attorney General María Consuelo Porras.
A Message From Latin America News Dispatch on the Graduate Student Workers Strike at NYU
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Mexico Will Build 17 Shelters for Child Migrants Near Southern Border
The shelters will be run by the country’s child welfare agency and will be located in different places in the states of Tabasco and Chiapas.
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.