Coronavirus

Latin America Covid-19 Roundup: April 1, 2020

The main Covid-19 headlines in Latin America today:

?? Ecuador. With 70 percent of the country’s infections, the big city of Guayaquil is facing one of the worst-case scenarios in Latin America: corpses are being found on the streets, as local authorities collected bodies from people’s houses (The Brazilian Report)

?? Argentina. President Alberto Fernández issued a decree prohibiting the mass layoffs for 60 days. The decision came after construction group Techint fired 1,500 people. (Clarín, in Spanish)

?? El Salvador. Salvadoran gangs Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio-18 threatened people who disobey quarantine orders. According to gang leaders, even local bribes won’t be collected during the pandemic. (El Faro, in Spanish)

?? Colombia. The National Liberation Army, known as the last active guerrilla in Colombia, declared a unilateral ceasefire during the Covid-19 pandemic. The armed group has up to 2,500 soldiers and it’s the last Marxist force since the peace agreements between the government and the Farc. (El País, in Spanish)

?? Venezuela. Health authorities plan to test prisoners for Covid-19, fearing a massive spread in overcrowded prisons. (El Pitazo, in Spanish)

Lucas Berti

Lucas Berti covers international affairs — specialized in Latin American politics and markets. He has been published by Opera Mundi, Revista VIP, and The Intercept Brasil, among others.

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