Las Notis is a daily news column that gets you up to speed on the political, media + other going ons in Latin America and the diaspora—all in one quick digest.
- Here’s your glimpse at what’s going on today:
- The United Nations human rights office raised alarm over the violence towards protesters in Cali, Colombia, after police opened fire on demonstrators, killing and injuring several. Protests have lasted six days so far and were sparked by a proposed tax increase on individuals and businesses that aims to raise over $6 billion. Sixteen protestors and one policeman have been killed in the country, not including the Cali deaths. [AP]
- President Joe Biden is expected to address the nation on Wednesday to discuss the implementation of the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package that Congress passed in March. Aid included $1,400 stimulus checks for eligible individuals, as well as aid to state and local governments. [WaPo]
- Democrats introduced new legislation called The PROTECT Immigration Act to end partnerships between ICE and local authorities. The bill pushes to repeal the controversial 287(g) program, which has allowed state and local law enforcement officers to act as immigration officials. Sen. Cory Booker, who has helped lead the legislation, said the 287(g) program “undermines public safety and results in the racial profiling and harassment of immigrant communities.” [NBC]
- Mexico’s president Andrés Manuel López Obrador formally apologized to the Mayan people for historic abuses since the Spanish conquest on behalf of Mexico. However, some view the timing of the apology skeptically since it comes a month before vital elections and particularly as President López Obrador continues to push forward with his Tren Maya project, a tourist train facing “overwhelming local opposition” that will run through a region called the Riviera Maya. [BBC]
- A senior DEA official told NPR that the U.S.-Mexico efforts to target drug cartels operating inside of Mexico have “unraveled” after a “breakdown of cooperation between law enforcement agencies and militaries in the two countries.” The DEA’s deputy chief of operations Mattew Donahue said that the U.S. is willing to share intelligence with Mexican officials, but Mexican officials are “too afraid to even engage with us because of repercussions from their own government if they get caught working with DEA.” [NPR]
- Latinx artists have taken to social media to express concern over the violence towards protesters in Colombia. J Balvin and Maluma spoke out to urge peace from both the authorities and individuals that are not “peacefully” protesting. Famous Colombians like Shakira, Karol G, Kali Uchis and Carlos Vives also took to their social media platforms to raise awareness about the situation. [Billboard]