Life in Colombia has been disrupted for a month amid a continuing wave of protests. While initially opposing a tax reform proposal, the protests broadened their scope to focus on poverty and inequality. Ensuing roadblocks and nationwide strikes have led to supply shortages in many regions. As a consequence, the country will no longer host Copa America, South America’s international football tournament.
The 2021 edition was set to be co-hosted by Colombia and Argentina, but on May 20 Conmebol — the region’s football governing body — opted to host matches exclusively in the latter. Now, two weeks from kick-off, the worsening Covid-19 situation in Argentina has put the tournament into yet more doubt.
Argentina is undergoing its worst pandemic phase to date. Cases are rising fast, while vaccine rollout progresses at a snail’s pace. The increasingly unpopular government recently enacted a nine-day lockdown in several regions. However, economic anxieties and pandemic fatigue mean the rules may not be strictly adhered to — which could drive infection rates up further.
Although Argentina has suspended all domestic...
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