Domestic Politics
Argentina's President, Alberto Fernandez, announced a mandatory country-wide quarantine until March 31 to contain the spread of the coronavirus. He also integrated the Federal cabinet with the provincial governments to jointly coordinate the country's response to the pandemic. [Merco Press]
International Relations
Uruguayan Luis Almagro was re-elected as the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States, winning 23 out of 33 votes. The assistant Secretary-General will be Nestor Mendez of Belize. Almagro was congratulated by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. [Merco Press]
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that he was collaborating with his Mexican counterpart, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard, on implementing “travel restrictions that balance protecting our citizens from further transmission of #COVID19” by limiting cross-border exchanges to commerce and trade.
Economy
Argentina unveiled a $10 billion stimulus package to limit the economic fallout from the coronavirus crisis in order to avoid shortages of food and medical supplies, and support companies and workers through this period. The government will offer payments amounting to $5.5 million to unemployed workers, pensioners, and welfare recipients, while also suspending social security payments for the most hard-hit companies. [Merco Press]
Governor Wanda Vázquez of the US territory Puerto Rico announced a $787 stimulus package to offset the economic damage caused by the coronavirus, alongside bonuses for nurses, police, and other emergency and medical workers. She said public sector employees will continue to be paid, and also offered handouts for small and medium-sized businesses and self-employed workers. [Associated Press]
Health
Venezuela has reported 70 cases of the coronavirus. The embattled nation is very poorly prepared for this pandemic, with a healthcare system that lacks the infrastructure and resources to treat even 'basic diseases'. With soaring inflation, there were already shortages of food, and household and medical supplies. These problems have been amplified further during this pandemic, and been further worsened by continued US sanctions. [Al Jazeera]
Society
After coronavirus cases in Chile rose past 600, there were noticeably fewer protestors on the streets of Santiago. In recent months, tens of thousands of Chileans have taken to the street to demand systemic change and the resignation of President Sebastian Piñera. [NBC]
With tensions mounting over fears of the coronavirus spreading in tightly-packed prisons, a riot left 23 inmates dead in a prison in Bogotá, Colombia. While Justice Minister Margarita Cabello says that it was due to an attempted escape, advocates say that the inmates were killed despite staging a peaceful protest. [Associated Press]
Image Source: Voice of America
