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:
- In a pledge to restore public trust, new CDC director Rochelle Walensky ordered a review of public health guidance released during the Trump administration. The analysis has revealed multiple questionable recommendations that downplayed the severity of the virus and pandemic. [WaPo]
- Chile is leading COVID-19 relief in Latin America. Over 25% of the population has already received their first vaccine dose, which is significantly high, especially in comparison to surrounding countries. Officials cite early interest in vaccine producers and support in clinical trials as a vital step. [AP]
- The Biden administration has instructed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help process a number of children and teenagers who are filling up detention facilities at the southwest border. FEM normally provides financial assistance during natural disasters. In a statement, the agency spokesman said FEMA will help find shelter space and provide “food, water and basic medical care” to thousands of young migrants. [NYT]
- Germany and France temporarily suspended the use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. They join several other countries that worry the vaccine might be tied to blood clots, although millions of people have received the vaccine without experiencing blood clotting issues. [NYT]
- Despite some comments from Pope Francis that have been interpreted as him being more open-minded toward gay marriage, he approved a decree through he Vatican on Monday that says priests cannot bless same-sex unions. The decree describes such relationships as “not ordered to the Creator’s plan” and says “the blessing of homosexual unions cannot be considered licit.” [WaPo]
- More than 1,500 gathered in the Guatemalan town of Comitancillo to mourn and remember 16 migrants who were murdered and whose bodies were found near the U.S.-Mexico border last January. Twelve Mexican police officers have been arrested over the killings. [BBC]
- An international court will decide for the first time whether El Salvador’s laws making abortion completely illegal, even in circumstances of rape or incest, violates the human rights of Salvadoran women. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights heard arguments in Manuela and Family v. El Salvador, a case involving a 33-year-old mother of two who suffered a stillbirth in 2008. [AP]