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 Department of Homeland Security has launched a system that would gather and analyze intelligence about security threats from public social media posts. DHS officials have said the goal is “to build a warning system to detect the sort of posts that appeared to predict an attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 but were missed or ignored by law enforcement and intelligence agencies.” Legally, law enforcement and intelligence analysts can examine what is said openly on social media, but civil liberties groups tend to say this risks infringing on free speech. [NBC]
- Political leaders in El Salvador and Guatemala have forced out several senior judges known for their independence and anti-corruption focus. Human rights groups have been warning of “democratic backsliding” in the region. The move highlights the difficulties facing the Biden administration’s Central America policy, which centers around anti-corruption that U.S. officials argue is hurting Central American economies and driving citizens to attempt to migrate to the United States. [WaPo]
- Misinformation is reaching remote villages in the Brazillian Amazon via WhatsApp. In one incident, a helicopter stocked with COVID-19 doses and healthcare workers traveled to an indigenous Jamamadi village near Labrea, located in the southern region of the Amazon. The villagers greeted the helicopter armed with bows and arrows, demanding that it leave. False news regarding vaccines prompted them to want reassurances from a religious missionary, not healthcare workers. Eventually, the helicopter left without administering any of the doses. Sources of misinformation include Brazil’s politicians such as president Jair Bolsonaro. [BBC]
- Deadly protests caused by economic inequality and police brutality continue in Colombia. Dozens, mostly protestors, have died. According to Sergio Guzman, co-founder and director of the Colombia Risk Analysis political consultancy, the COVID-19 pandemic added to the country’s tension, where unemployment is now at 14.2% and tax reform has outraged many. [NPR]
- The Global Citizens: Vax Live concert exceeded its goal, raising roughly $302 million. On Sunday (May 9), Global Citizen announced that the funds helped bring about more than 26 million doses to people. Political leaders and celebrities gathered at the event on Sunday in Inglewood, California and it was one of the largest concert gatherings in the area since the pandemic began. [Billboard]
- Cardi B unveiled her new sneaker collaboration with Reebok. The footwear collection she’s calling Mommy and Me was inspired by her two-year-old daughter Kulture. [WWD]