The COVID-19 crisis that brought a global health threat has revealed the deep economic and social divide in Latin America.


Impact of COVID-19 to Developed Countries

COVID-19 has challenged not only the healthcare system of every country across the globe but the economy as well.

Even developed countries, like the United States, have become vulnerable to the impact of this virus. The federal government had to release trillions worth of stimulus aid to support its citizens, including migrants who have processed their social security numbers.

This also led to many individuals being laid off from their jobs. Recently, millions of American citizens and migrants applied for unemployment statuses in the hopes that they will receive their stimulus checks. 

It is evident that even a developed country is hardly hit by this infectious and deadly virus, which until now continues to infect millions of individuals and claimed thousands of lives across the globe.


The Catastrophic Reality in Latin America

In Latin America, where most of the countries have weaker economic and social structures, the risk of catastrophe is raised. The virus that slowly undermined the region has exceeded the capacity of the government to respond.

The number of COVID-19 cases around the globe has now reached more than 3 million and claimed the lives of more than 200,000 patients.

This situation has overwhelmed most countries in Latin America. Hospitals are turning away patients due to lack of ventilators and beds, dead bodies are being abandoned, and medical healthcare workers are attacked. But how does the government respond to these problems?

Brazil, for example, has more than 67,000 COVID-19 cases and a death toll of more than 4,600. The government's refusal to impose quarantine has led the country to have an average of more than 400 deaths per day. Aside from this, the government also fired its health minister.

Peru has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases in Latin America. At present, the country has more than 28,000 cases and a death toll of 782. The increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country has overwhelmed healthcare services, and now, hospitals have become saturated.

Among the countries in Latin America, Ecuador has the most devastating situation. At present, the country has more than 23,000 cases and with a death toll of more than 600. Last week, it was reported that police officers counted and collected more than 800 dead bodies on the street.

This means the number of unreported dead bodies in Ecuador is eight times higher. Due to this scenario, the present situation is described as "one of the worst outbreaks in the world." 


Economic Effects of COVID-19 in Latin America

In a region where a group of countries depends their economy on oil, copper, and zinc, the global pandemic threatens to destroy the region's economic foundation. 

Some members of the media said: "Foreign investment is heading for the exits. Commodities demand is evaporating as the world economy grinds to a halt. Domestic currencies are losing traction against the dollar, and the cost of imported goods is rising rapidly."

The recent months have indeed been challenging for countries in Latin America.


Read related articles: