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 White House is teaming up with Snapchat to encourage young Americans to get their COVID-19 vaccinations. Users will be able to use an augmented reality lens that features political leaders and health experts answering questions and sharing information about the vaccine. Vaccination rates for those 24 and younger are much lower than those for older adults, and the White House aims to vaccinate 70% of all adults with at least one shot by July 4. [CNN]
The journalism community in El Salvador is speaking out with deep concerns over President Nayib Bukele’s efforts to suppress and disparage the free press. El Faro recently published an editorial covering Bukele’s tax evasion charges and detailed how the president has denied access to public information. Bukele has targeted the media and reporters on Twitter in the past. [LatinoRebels]
Puerto Rico ended its nightly COVID-19 curfew after one year this week. Puerto Rico had been under curfew since March 2020, when their first coronavirus case was confirmed. Vaccinated visitors will be allowed to enter the island without having to present a negative COVID-19 test result. Unvaccinated visitors are still required to present a negative test or promise to offer a result within 48 hours of arrival, or they will face a $300 fine. [NBC]
Shining Path militants killed at least 16, including two children, in a remote region of Peru this week. The region in which the killings took place produces 75% of the South American nation’s cocaine, according to authorities. Pamphlets encouraging locals to refrain from voting in the upcoming presidential election were found at the site of the massacre. [NBC]
The Mexican government has condemned illegal, unauthorized building work being carried out at the ancient city of Teotihuacán. Reports claim owners of nearby plots of land may be trying to turn the land into a sort of amusement park tourist attraction. The site is a Unesco World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. [BBC]
House Democrats are considering having AOC file a restraining order against Marjorie Taylor Greene after Greene confronted and verbally attacked her. According to Politico, Democrats are grappling with the legality of such an order. [Independent]
