Latin America in Short: Protests in Bogotá, Lima and Buenos Aires

This week the political and social environment was moved in Latin America, as there were protests in Bogotá, Lima and Buenos Aires. On the other hand, rich countries announce the release of 60 million barrels of oil in the face of the crisis in Ukraine. The FAO also took place this week and new priorities were established to combat hunger in Latin America. In China, on the other hand, Omicron infections alert the authorities. Finally, in sports, Maradona's most famous jersey will be auctioned off. The most relevant news of the week summarized here.

Protests in Bogotá, Lima and Buenos Aires

Increase in taxes, rejection of government measures and against the economic crisis are the reasons that fueled the spirit of protest in different Latin American countries.

In Peru, the protests against the rise in the price of gasoline caused transporters and farmers to coordinate blockades in different parts of the country. President Castillo responded by imposing a curfew and a state of emergency in Lima and Callao. This generated even more nonconformity on the part of the population in general and motivated thousands of Peruvians to come out against the national government.

In Bogotá, a measure by the mayor Claudia López that prohibited the parrilleros (companions) on motorcycles caused the rejection of the "biker". The measure was intended to reduce the crime rates reported in the Colombian capital. After several marches against the measure, the mayor now implemented the ban only for the male companion.

In Argentina, the well-known "pickets" returned due to the economic and social crisis that the country is experiencing. The blockades on the main avenues of the Argentine capital are intended to require the government of Alberto Fernández to increase social aid that has left, according to the picketers, about 1.8 million citizens on the outside.

Read also: With Pedro Castillo and a Congress of Enemies, Crisis in Peru Worsens

Rich countries announce release of 60 million barrels of oil

The member countries of the IEA announced that in the coming days they will release an additional 60 million barrels of oil to the market with the intention of lowering fuel prices. In this way, there are now 240 million additional crude oil on the market (including the 180 million announced by the United States) to soften the increase in gasoline due to the war in Ukraine.

China broke the record for daily cases due to the Omicron outbreak

With 20,472 infected on Wednesday, China is facing a new wave of infections that has Shanghai, the economic capital and most populous city, in quarantine, as it is the area where the most cases are reported. The strict confinement measures have made the population and businessmen dissatisfied. In fact, children and babies have been separated from their families if they test positive, to take them to facilities set up to monitor those infected. In addition, the government has announced that it will carry out tests on the nearly 25 million inhabitants of the city.

FAO established 3 regional priorities for Latin America and the Caribbean

After the end of the 37th session of the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, the organization established three strategic priorities for the region that will mark the roadmap for the agri-food system. Building sustainable agri-food systems that guarantee healthy diets for the population, promoting prosperous and inclusive rural societies that combat inequality on the continent, and achieving resilient agriculture adapted to climate change are the three fundamental axes of the strategy. For this, it will be essential to stop deforestation, restore soils and have low carbon emissions.

Maradona's most iconic shirt to be auctioned

A year and so after the death of Maradona, the most important soccer player in Argentina continues to move money with his associated merchandise. This week, for example, it was announced that the shirt he wore at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico would be auctioned. Until recently, the shirt belonged to English midfielder Steve Hodge, who exchanged it after the “hand of God” match. Steve will auction the jacket through an agency called Sotheby's and the initial value is around 4 million euros. The auction will be open from April 20 to May 4.