Presidential elections weekend in Latin America and more news

Peru goes to the polls amid a high supply of candidates

Predicting who will be the next Peruvian president is to play at random. Pollsters do not give a clear favorite and more than 5 candidates appear tied in the margin of error, with none with support greater than 20% or, even in some polls, 15%.

You may also be interested: What is at stake in the Peruvian elections?

The safest thing is that the Peruvians will only choose (and with very small differences) the two candidates who will compete in the second round. Among the favorites, according to the polls, are: Yonhy Lescano, Hernando de Soto, Verónika Mendoza, Keiko Fujimori and Rafael López Aliaga. Possibly and in the face of an uncertain outlook, 2 of these candidates will compete again on June 6 in the second round.

Ecuador defines the presidency in the second round

On the same date that Peru elects the president in the first round, Sunday, April 11, Ecuadorians will go to the polls again to define who will be Lenin Moreno's successor, since on February 7 none of the candidates achieved an absolute majority, or 40% of the votes plus 10 points away from his pursuers.

In this second round, the correísta Andrés Arauz, who was the most voted in the first round (32.72%), is emerging as the favorite in most polls, but with a slight advantage that does not exceed (in most cases ) the margin of error. While Lasso could surprise after winning second place to Yaku Pérez for "vote-finish". Lasso obtained 19.74% of the votes and Pérez, 19.39%.

Confinement measures return to Latin America

Just as Europe did a few weeks ago (and which is still maintained and extended today), several Latin American countries and capitals return to confinement due to the increase in cases.

Argentina decreed the prohibition of night driving as of today (Friday, April 9) and until at least 3 weeks. Colombia also strengthens measures in the face of the collapse of health centers in cities such as Medellín. However, the measures are taken by the local governments, and Bogotá will enter confinement again this weekend, and mobility is prohibited from 00:00 a.m. Saturday night and 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 13.

Other countries, such as Chile, had already taken restrictive measures such as the closure of borders for a few days, due to the increase in cases.

Crisis on the borders of North- and South- America

During the Biden administration, problems continue on the southern border of the United States due to the large flow of migrants. On Wednesday of this week, the Mexican president and the North American vice president spoke to continue with the joint work of attention to migrants. However, images of children alone on the border trying to cross to the US side worry the population and governments.

Currently, the border between Mexico and the United States is not the only one in crisis. Colombia and Venezuela have been experiencing moments of tension for several days due to clashes between the Venezuelan Armed Forces and Colombian irregular groups.

The Venezuelan defense minister, Vladimir Padrino López, also confirmed during the week that 8 soldiers died in combat and 34 were wounded. In addition, international organizations such as HRW warned of the increase in Venezuelan migrants to Colombia due to the clashes.