Ecuador on Alert After Fleet of Vessels Spotted Near Galapagos Islands

July 30, 2020
Ecuadorian Defense Minister Oswaldo Jarrin told reporters last week that the country was monitoring a fleet of Chinese fishing vessels off the Galapagos Islands (Reuters). Vessels like these pose a threat to the marine life of the Galapagos Islands, and species such as sharks, manta rays and tuna (El Universo). Patrols are currently surrounding the […]

U.S. Seeks Arrest of Venezuelan Chief Justice

July 27, 2020
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that sanctions were being imposed on Venezuelan Chief Justice Maikel Moreno (Reuters). In addition, Pompeo announced a $5 million reward for any information leading to Moreno’s arrest or conviction (Reuters). Pompeo accused Moreno of accepting bribes to influence the outcomes of criminal proceedings in Venezuela (El […]

New French PM Vows to Aid COVID-19 Hit French Guiana

July 15, 2020
During a visit to French Guiana over the weekend, new French Prime Minister Jean Castex vowed to aid the territory in its coronavirus response (AP). French Guiana accounts for roughly 25% of France’s total number of coronavirus cases, despite containing 0.5% of the French population (AP). Lockdowns were recently reimposed in French Guiana, despite the […]

Bolsonaro Tests Positive for Coronavirus

July 13, 2020
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced Tuesday that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus (Guardian). Bolsonaro, who had been experiencing flu-like symptoms, was tested for the virus and underwent a lung x-ray on Monday afternoon (Rio Times). Bolsonaro assured supporters in Brasilia Monday night that all was well, and that his lung scan came […]

Powerful Earthquake Hits Southern Mexico

July 1, 2020
A deadly earthquake hit southern Mexico near Oaxaca on Tuesday, killing at least six people (Reuters). The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (NPR). Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced that 147 aftershocks had occurred before noon (NPR). Additionally, a 4.9 magnitude earthquake hit Mexico in the same […]

Chilean Health Minister Resigns Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

June 23, 2020
Chilean Health Minister Dr. Jaime Mañalich resigned Saturday amid criticism over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic (NYT). Mañalich has come under fire over the Chilean Health Ministry’s inconsistent methodology for reporting the spread of COVID-19 (Al Jazeera). Mañalich’s resignation coincides with Cipher, an investigative website, reporting that virus deaths could be much higher in […]

Brazil Limits Release of COVID-19 Data

June 11, 2020
On Saturday, the Brazilian Health Ministry removed the data from a website that offered information about the progression of the virus throughout the country (Reuters 1). Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro stated via Facebook that the cumulative data did not reflect Brazil’s current situation (BI). The page was taken down Friday and reloaded Saturday, reflecting only […]

‘Express Burials’ in Nicaragua Hide Scale of Pandemic

June 8, 2020
Doctors in Nicaragua have warned of a looming crisis in the country as the result of the coronavirus pandemic (Al Jazeera). Victims’ families claim that the government is ordering “express burials” to suppress case numbers (Al Jazeera). These burials are held in the middle of the night, with few family members and within hours of […]