The Latin American Report # 2

_{Via Deep Dream Generator}

Weekends don't tend to generate much news. The world seems to agree to rest, and even the stock market suspends its activities. But yesterday's events in Ecuador —which is also holding elections today— demand our attention, and then, by the way, we review other recent events.

The problem in Ecuador has to do with a classic issue in Latin America, which is solving the problem of violence, which also has its specificity in terms of its impact on the world of politics, with the murder of social leaders or journalists who get involved in sensitive issues.

_{El Diario}

Ecuador

The president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, condemned the murder yesterday of the left-oriented mayoral candidate for Puerto López, on the eve of the local elections in which the new provincial and municipal authorities will be elected for the period 2023-2027. Days before, Julio César Farachio —candidate for mayor of the city of Salinas— was murdered while carrying out a rally of his electoral campaign for today's elections. Ecuatorians also vote for a government-sponsored referendum to reform the Constitution in terms of security, democracy, institutions, and the environment.

At the time of reporting this, we don't have any news about the capture of those involved in this tragic event. In my opinion, this is even more serious and denotes a very deep incapacity from the institutions in charge.

Perú

The Government of Peru announced this morning a state of emergency in the departments of Madre de Dios, Apurímac, Arequipa, and Moquegua for 60 days and extended for the same period the measure in the regions of Cuzco, Puno, and Tacna due to the protests that have claimed the lives of 69 people.

During Saturday night Peruvians returned to the streets to protest against the government of Dina Boluarte, with a total of 26 people arrested, among them a minor, and 5 people hospitalized. The police used pellet guns, according to the newspaper 'La República'.

_{Protests in Peru (El Pitazo). Credit: EFE/ Antonio Melgarejo}

Brazil

Lula da Silva could exempt workers earning twice the monthly minimum wage —more than $504— from income tax. The measure would partially fulfill one of his campaign promises, increasing the available income of those who earn the least. The Brazilian president has a difficult task managing a polarized country where even some law enforcement agencies were laxly dealing with demonstrations of disrespect for the election results.

And Lula also faces the problem of "friendly fire" because there are leftist forces that don't buy his relationship with conservative sectors, but which has been necessary to bring him back to power. There are many debts to be settled with historical sectors and problems in Brazilian politics, such as the struggle for agrarian reform. So he'll have to perform like a circus tightrope walker to fulfill his campaign promises so much as possible.

Colombia

Colombia reported that a balloon had flown over its territory after the United States announced that a "Chinese spy balloon" had been spotted flying over Latin America.

The Colombian Air Force announced that the device had been identified on Friday morning and monitored until it left national airspace. In a departure from U.S. rhetoric, it also assured that it had never posed a "threat" to the country's security and defense, as well as to aviation.

Chile

Argentina's Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Juan Cabandié, confirmed the dispatch of 64 brigadiers and specialized equipment to help Chile fight a wave of forest fires that are raging in the center-south of the country and have so far left 23 dead.

The President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, also thanked this Sunday the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, for sending a contingent to collaborate in the extinction and control of the fires. He refers to a brigade of the Spanish Military Emergency Unit, which will provide support through analysis and advice on fighting forest fires, and also will reinforce control operations with drones and satellite links.

Sports

Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Curaçao added their second victory yesterday by defeating Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Panama, respectively, on the third date of the Gran Caracas 2023 Caribbean Series. The first four of the current phase qualify for the semifinals.

The Caribbean Series is an event that has been in decline in recent years. We are talking about a tournament with a very strong identity charge for the region, but which depends on the Major Leagues in terms of the players who can participate. This year, moreover, the World Baseball Classic is just around the corner, to be held next March.

On a personal note around yesterday's scores, my Cuban team was really hard beaten by Venezuela, but I sustain they'll advance to the next phase 💪.

This is all for the second one. I have referenced the sources dynamically in the text, and remember you can learn how to follow the LATAM trail news by reading my work here. Have a nice day.