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:
- As part of negotiations to settle a lawsuit over pandemic-related powers that deny migrants a right to apply for asylum, the Biden administration has agreed to let approximately 250 people through the Mexico border a day to seek refuge in the United States. The administration also committed to stop flying migrant families from Texas to then be expelled to Mexico, although they have reserved rights to resume flights if they deem certain circumstances to warrant it. [AP]
- On Tuesday (May 18), Congress released three lists of Central American politicians found to be corrupt and involved in narco-trafficking. The lists include 16 current and former politicians from the three countries, including the chief of cabinet to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and current lawmakers from Honduras and Guatemala. [WaPo]
- Voting rights organizations and progressive groups in Florida filed a lawsuit this week to block a bill they allege discriminates against Latino and Black voters and amounts to voter suppression. Gov. Ron DeSantis had signed the bill into law in early May at a closed-door event, putting an end to 24/7 ballot drop boxes, establishing that ballots can only be accepted during early voting hours, and making it so that those who would like to vote by mail will have to request a ballot each year instead of every two, among other changes that groups say disproportionately affect communities of color. [NBC]
- Mexico is experiencing a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases. Confirmed COVID-19 deaths have dropped by over 85%. Scientists and government officials say the decline is a result of increasing levels of immunity on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Roughly half of the Mexican population has developed antibodies because the virus circulated so widely throughout 2020. Officials also note that U.S. vaccinations appear to be blocking the southward spread of the virus. [WaPo]
- In their new podcast, “4D With Demi Lovato,” the 28-year-old singer Demi Lovato announced that they identify as non-binary and are changing their pronouns to they/them. Lovato explained that after healing and self-reflecting, changing their pronouns allows them to feel most authentic and true to the person they are and will be. [Billboard]
