The latest in Latin American politics today:
Court begins review of high-stakes El Salvador abortion case
SAN JOSE/SAN SALVADOR – The Inter-American Court of Human Rights began hearing the historic case of a Salvadoran woman who was denied an abortion in 2013 despite doctors’ calls to terminate her high-risk pregnancy.
The case of the woman, a domestic worker known only as Beatriz, became a symbol of El Salvador’s blanket ban on abortion, which punishes with prison time those who undergo the procedure and those who perform or assist in it.
Experts say the court’s ruling at the end of the year could have far-reaching implications on reproductive health across the continent.
Norway backs Brazil’s efforts to draw donors to Amazon Fund
BRASILIA – Norway pledged its support for Brazil’s efforts to attract additional donor countries for the Amazon Fund that it helped to set up to fight deforestation and spur sustainable development.
The fund, launched in 2009, was frozen in 2019 by former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro who abolished its governing board and action plans, as he advocated the development of natural resources in the Amazon rainforest.
It was re-activated by the government of leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on day one of his new term in office which began in January. He previously served from 2003 to 2010.
Cuba rips Miami for ‘vile’ treatment of its baseball players
HAVANA – Cuba slammed Miami authorities and baseball officials for allowing what it called “vile and organized” attacks against its players at the semi-final of the World Baseball Classic last week.
Sunday’s game matched the U.S. team against Cuba at LoanDepot Park in Miami, a city that is home to the largest population of Cuban Americans in the United States, as well as many of the most vocal opponents to Cuba’s communist-run government.
Cuba’s foreign ministry in a statement hailed the performance and professionalism of the U.S. team, which beat the Cubans in a 14-2 blowout, but said hazing of its players had put Cuba at an unfair disadvantage.
“With the clear purpose of destabilizing our players, repeated acts of various kinds were carried out against them, against the delegation that accompanied them, and against fans in the stadium,” the statement said.
Colombia sends pension reform to Congress to expand coverage
BOGOTA – Colombia’s government sent a pension reform bill to Congress that would strengthen the state pensions administrator in an effort to give benefits to more people, although some Wall Street bank analysts say it could pose a risk to capital markets and public finances.
The bill is one of a raft of social reforms pushed by the government of leftist President Gustavo Petro and follows hot on the heels of other health and labor reform proposals.
Petro’s coalition has a majority in Congress, though the health reform has caused friction with some legislative allies and led to the exit of one member of Petro’s cabinet. (Compiled by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Rashmi Aich)