Hello, and welcome to the Latin America Weekly newsletter! In this issue: Violence crisis adds turmoil to Ecuador. Argentina split between superpowers. And how Peru’s social unrest has evolved into a diplomatic crisis.
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Violent spree plunges Ecuador into deep uncertainty
President Guillermo Lasso declared a state of emergency in Guayaquil and neighboring districts following a new riot within the prison system — the latest episode in a wave of violence that has plagued the 18 million-people nation in recent months.
- Besides prison massacres, kidnappings, and episodes of terrorism, at least five different journalists received envelopes containing explosive devices disguised as memory sticks in newsrooms in Quito and Guayaquil. One television presenter had minor injuries.
- The case led the country’s Prosecution Office to investigate the attempt to “silence journalists.” The person responsible for sending all the five letter bombs was reportedly identified one day later.
Warning. Problems regarding freedom of press extended to news outlet GK Ecuador, which made public on March 24 that reporter Karol Noroña had to be sent abroad after...