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:
- President Joe Biden is expected to take executive action on Tuesday (May 18) to ensure low-income Americans have access to better legal representation. According to the White House, the administration has been examining the impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on access to justice in both civil and criminal matters. Biden will sign a memorandum restoring the Access to Justice Office and the White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable. services that had previously dwindled during the Trump administration. [AP]
- Rising rivers in the Brazilian Amazon are nearing record levels after heavy rains, flooding nearby towns already hit hard by COVID-19. So far, 52 of the 62 towns and cities in Amazonas state have areas under water. Twenty five have declared a state of emergency, including the capital, Manaus. About 410,000 people have been affected, according to the civil defense service. [BBC]
- With a population of roughly 30 million, it could take up to 10 years to fully vaccinate Venezuela if the country’s slow COVID-19 vaccination rate continues. Venezuela received 1.4 million vaccines from China and Russia, according to its health ministry. Authorities hope to receive enough doses for about 5 million people from the World Health Organization’s Covax system. According to Reuters vaccine tracker, less than 1% of the population have received their first dose. The government has not announced how many people have received the vaccine. [Guardian]
- Ecuador’s National Assembly elected Indigenous Pachakutik Lawmaker, Guadalupe Llori, its president for the next two years. She previously served as a local official in the Amazon region and was jailed during former President Correa’s government on terrorism and sabotage charges after organizing protests against oil companies. [Reuters]
- Havana Club teamed up with French fashion label Pigalle Paris, led by designer Stéphane Ashpool to celebrate Cuban culture with the release of a limited-edition, capsule collection and bottle of Havana 7. The release will consist of a limited edition bottle of Havana Club 7 Years Old, leather jackets, box logo tees, a full tracksuit and accessories. [Hypebeast]