Latin America in Short: A year Without Maradona and Pedro Castillo in Trouble Again

In Latin America, this week marks a year without Maradona and the Peruvian president is once again in trouble due to the resignation of his presidential secretary. In Europe, the migratory crisis is exacerbated by a tragedy that took place in La Mancha; protests against measures to prevent a new wave of COVID-19 continue; and France bans the sale of animals in pet stores. All the most relevant news told and summarized in our weekly summary.

Pedro Castillo's secretary is found with US $ 20,000

A new blow for the Peruvian president. Without having served, not even 6 months since his election, Pedro Castillo loses another important member of his environment. It is about Bruno Pacheco, presidential secretary.

Agents from the Public Ministry of Peru found $ 20,000 hidden in a bathroom in Pacheco. The official explained that the money was part of his savings and what he receives from his salary, and he would have promised to prove it. However, in the midst of the scandal over an investigation into an alleged influence peddling, the secretary decided to resign on Friday (although he continued in office until Tuesday, when he was replaced), which represents a new blow for Castillo, having already lost to his prime minister and his ministerial cabinet.

Tragedy in La Mancha

A group of migrants traveling on a boat between France and the United Kingdom was shipwrecked. This event resulted in the death of at least 27 people, according to French authorities. Among the victims, 3 minors and a pregnant woman were registered. RTL radio reported that 2 survivors (one Somali and one Iraqi) are being treated in a hospital on French territory.

The authorities report that they have captured, to date, 5 people involved in human trafficking. This is, so far, the greatest tragedy to occur at this step in recent history.

France bans sale of cats and dogs at animal stores

From 2024 the law that prohibits buying dogs and cats in pet stores in the European country will govern. The measure was announced by Julien Denormandie, minister of agriculture, who assured that companion animals are "neither toys, nor goods, nor consumer products."

The law was taken over in part because of the high abandonment rates on the part of those who buy these types of animals. Each year approximately 100,000 of these animals are abandoned. Although the measure targets physical establishments, the French government also seeks to regulate online sales. Likewise, it is expected that in two years the wild animals that are used in the entertainment industry, specifically in traveling circuses, will cease to be exhibited and that in seven, their purchase will be prohibited. This decision is historic since the sale of dogs and cats is still very socially accepted.

Protests in the face of restrictions due to COVID-19

Several countries in Europe have taken restrictive measures in response to the new wave of COVID-19, which threatens to endanger the lives of millions of people. Given this, the protests have not been long in coming, thousands of people have been summoned to protest against it. The protests have been mostly violent and have sparked clashes between protesters and police from different countries.

Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, Croatia and Italy are some of the countries currently experiencing the demonstrations, which have largely been called by far-right groups. The measures they most disapprove of is the requirement for a vaccination card to access public places and the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine.

Also read: Molnupiravir Pill: Alternative to COVID-19 Vaccine?

One year has passed since Maradona's death

Diego Armando Maradona, Argentine soccer legend and controversial figure, has been dead for a year this week. On November 25, the networks were flooded with messages remembering the extraordinary talent of the player. Maradona died at 60, a week after undergoing brain surgery. In Buenos Aires, the heirs of the star submitted a request to the City Legislature to create a memorial in his honor. It would be "a place of eternal rest where it can be visited and receive recognition from the people who express it daily" according to the document delivered to the entity.