Latin America in Short: US Allocates Budget to Ukraine | Boric Takes Possession

This week, the United States approves a state budget in solidarity with Ukraine. In Chile, on the other hand, Boric takes possession. In health and science news, the man who would have received the first pig heart transplant in January dies. In sports, finally, Novac Djokovic is excluded from the games in the United States. This and more summarized here.

US approves $13.6 billion transfer to Ukraine

The US Congress approved by a majority and with bipartisan support the federal budget, of which 13.6 billion dollars will be allocated to aid for Ukraine. Additionally, both parties approved a project by President Biden to not allow the purchase of Russian oil and gas. Within the budget allocated to Ukraine, 6.7 billion dollars are divided in humanitarian aid due to the refugee crisis left by the war and 6.5 billion dollars in military support.

Gabriel Boric assumes as president of Chile

The leftist Gabriel Boric assumes the presidency of Chile today. With the assistance of several regional leaders, including the Ecuadorian president, Guillermo Lasso; the King of Spain, Felipe de Borbón; the president of Peru, Pedro Castillo; the president of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader; the president of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou; the president of Colombia, Iván Duque, among others. Boric becomes the sixth Chilean president after the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

Read also: The Challenges Of Gabriel Boric As President Of Chile

David Bennett, the first man to receive a genetically modified pig heart transplant, has died.

This was announced by the University of Maryland Medical Center. This is a 57-year-old man with terminal heart disease, who had received the transplant on January 7. Although the heart functioned for about two months, it is still unknown if the death is due to rejection. It will be essential for science to study the case due to the shortage in organ donation.

Forum of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development

At the Fifth Meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development, 33 countries reaffirmed, on Thursday, March 10, in San José, Costa Rica, their commitment to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development . The strengthening of multilateralism and the better implementation of productive, social and environmental policies were key points. The Escazú Agreement and the Political Declaration on a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Recovery in Latin America and the Caribbean were highlighted as fundamental initiatives for the region.

Djokovic excluded from events in the United States

Novak Djokovic will not be able to participate in events in the United States due to his vaccination status. The world number 2 cannot even enter the country, due to CDC regulations. With that being the case, Novak will miss the BNP Paribas Open, as well as the Miami Open, which will be played later this month. Most likely, he will not be able to play the US Open this year either.