Domestic Politics
Brazil’s justice and security minister, Sergio Moro, resigned due to “political interference” and a lack of “autonomy” in the federal police after the federal police chief, Mauricio Valeixo, was fired. He accused President Jair Bolsonaro of “breaking the promise of a carte blanche”. Bolsonaro sacked Valeixo as he wanted someone with whom he had “personal contact, whom he could call, ask for information, intelligence reports”. [MercoPress]
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s office began discussions with opposition leader Juan Guaidó amid the COVID-19 pandemic, hyperinflation, and fuel shortages. It is not clear when the talks began, where or how they are taking place, or what is being discussed. [NBC News]
El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, authorized the country’s police and military to use lethal force against gang members after over 53 gang-related murders on the weekend. [NPR]
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro participated in an anti-lockdown protest in Brasilia on Sunday, with some protestors holding up signs reading “military intervention with Bolsonaro in power”. The event was live-streamed on the President’s personal Facebook page. Bolsonaro was seen, once again, openly flouting social distancing measures and not wearing a mask. [CNN]
Chile’s police force violently suppressed protests against President Sebastian Piñera, the police, and human rights violations against those who participated in the October protests. Reports suggest that the demonstrators were wearing face masks and practicing social distancing. [Telesur]
International Relations
Mercosur, the South American trade bloc, announced that Argentina has indicated that it will no longer participate in ongoing trade agreements and future bloc negotiations in order to prioritize its domestic economy. Mercosur is currently negotiating trade deals with Canada, South Korea, and Japan, and is looking to start negotiations with the US. However, Mercosur requires all countries to approve such agreements. [MercoPress]
Mexico has virtually emptied out 65 migrant detention centers across the country, returning 3,653 people to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras in an apparent bid to avoid COVID-19 outbreaks in overcrowded facilities. Mexico began the process on March 21 to comply with policies issued by United Nations agencies. [Associated Press]
Economy
Argentina will be setting a minimum local oil barrel price to protect the domestic industry from the worldwide collapse in oil prices and demand amid the coronavirus pandemic. Argentina has previously invoked its “criollo barrel”, which is the locally set oil price, during periods of global price instability. [Al Jazeera]
Latin America in Review: April 28, 2020
Read more about the latest events from Latin America.
April 28, 2020
Source: Evaristo Sa/AFP/Getty Images