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:
- Allegations of poor conditions in U.S. asylum camps for children that include cold temperatures, sickness, neglect, lice, and lack of sanitation have come to light through a series of interviews with both children and staff. Between March and April, over 36,000 unaccompanied children crossed into the U.S. Many are hoping to reunite with a parent already in the US and more than 80% of them already have a family member in the country, the government says. [BBC]
- The Biden administration pledged $4 billion to address issues reportedly driving Central Americans to the U.S. border, but some programs have struggled even with the aid, including one to reduce homicides in Honduras. The U.S. goal to improve conditions in Central America saw a major setback in 2019 when former President Trump slashed millions of dollars in foreign aid to Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. [NPR]
- The Department of Homeland Security announced it will grant temporary protected status to tens of thousands of Haitian migrants already living in the U.S. without legal status. Those granted protected status will be exempted from deportation for 18 months. The move comes in response to conditions in Haiti that include security concerns, social unrest, an increase in human rights abuses, and lack of resources, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. [WaPo]
- On Thursday, Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez said the country will tighten pandemic lockdown measures to combat a severe second COVID-19 wave. Daily cases and deaths have broken records over recent weeks. Restrictions include closing schools and non-essential businesses as well as the banning of social, religious, and sporting events. The strict measures will go into effect May 22 and last until May 31. [Reuters]
- On Thursday, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega ordered police to raid the offices of two prominent opposition figures, both children of a former president Violeta Chamorro, ahead of presidential elections this November. He accused Cristiana Chamorro of money laundering between 2015 and 2019. Chamorro has publicly announced her intention to run against Ortega, who is trying for a fourth consecutive term in November. [NPR]
- Dominican artist Natti Natasha and Raphy Pina, her fiancé and longtime manager, welcomed their baby girl, Vida Isabelle, on Saturday. In an official statement, the couple expressed their happiness and gratitude over the long-awaited arrival of their baby. [Billboard]
