Coronavirus in South America

An employee places bouquets on shelves in Bogotá on Feb. 1, as Colombia prepares to export flowers for Valentine's Day amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

There's A Good Chance Your Valentine's Flowers Come From Colombia

8:01am February 14, 2021

by John Otis

The country is the top flower exporter to the U.S. When the pandemic hit, farmers feared they'd have to destroy flower beds and lay off thousands of workers. Here's why that didn't happen.

A relative prays at the Mártires 19 de Julio Cemetery on the outskirts of Lima, Peru, on Aug. 20. Peru has one of the world's highest per capita coronavirus-related death tolls, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Peru Locked Down Early. Now It Battles One Of The Worst Coronavirus Outbreaks

6:09pm September 08, 2020

by Philip Reeves

Peru's per capita COVID-19 death rate is higher than any nation's except for tiny San Marino. The government's awareness campaign slogan is "COVID does not kill by itself. Let's not be accomplices."

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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro takes a ride on a motorcycle Saturday in Brasilia after he announced he tested negative for the coronavirus. He had tested positive earlier this month.

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Brazil's Bolsonaro Is Accused Of Crime Against Humanity Over Coronavirus 'Neglect'

6:10pm July 27, 2020

by Philip Reeves

The complaint to the International Criminal Court comes as the country registers more than 87,000 deaths and 2.4 million confirmed cases.

Police stand guard during a government order for residents to stay home, to help contain the spread of the new coronavirus, as a resident walks to a food store in Soacha on the outskirts of Bogotá, Colombia, on March 25.

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Colombia Sees Bouts Of Looting As Coronavirus Fallout Puts People Out Of Work

3:59pm July 17, 2020

by John Otis

The most dramatic case occurred earlier this month when a scramble to steal gasoline ended in a hellish fireball. Other recent incidents involved residents pilfering a humanitarian aid vehicle.

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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has repeatedly doubted the severity of the virus since it first found a foothold in Brazil, reportedly in late February.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Tests Positive For Coronavirus

5:22pm July 07, 2020

by Colin Dwyer

The 65-year-old leader revealed the result Tuesday on national TV. Bolsonaro has repeatedly downplayed the virus's dangers, despite Brazil suffering the world's second-largest outbreak.

A Colombian Huitoto man sails on a raft along the Takana river in Leticia, Amazonas department, Colombia, on May 20, during the coronavirus pandemic.

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The Coronavirus Is Spreading Through Indigenous Communities In The Amazon

6:40pm June 14, 2020

by John Otis

The governor of Amazonas, Colombia, says it was impossible to cut the area off from Brazil, even as the virus spiked. Now the Colombian border town of Leticia is a coronavirus hot spot.

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Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, seen greeting supporters late last month in Brasilia, has argued that the economic fallout from stay-at-home orders is worse than the virus itself.

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Brazil Must Be Open With Its Coronavirus Data, Supreme Court Justice Rules

3:39pm June 09, 2020

by Colin Dwyer

Local health officials and journalists condemned President Jair Bolsonaro's administration for recently concealing much of its coronavirus data. Now, a Supreme Court justice has sided with them.

Residents of the Colombian capital Bogotá hang red rags from their windows and balconies to signal their need for help with food during the coronavirus pandemic.

During Colombia's Coronavirus Lockdown, Needy Residents Signal SOS With Red Rags

10:58am May 27, 2020

by John Otis

"It's not just city hall that has to act. You have to promote solidarity among neighbors," says a mayor who encourages residents sheltering in place to hang red rags so others will know to help them.

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A cyclist crosses Plaza de Mayo in the center of Buenos Aires on April 30. Argentina is loosening its strict lockdown but keeping most restrictions in the capital in place.

Argentina Reacted Early And Kept The Coronavirus Largely Contained

1:06pm May 12, 2020

by Philip Reeves

Once there were 100 cases, the government imposed broad confinement measures. More than seven weeks later, with 317 coronavirus-related deaths, Argentina is easing its lockdown outside Buenos Aires.

Venezuelan migrants in Colombia walk toward the border amid the coronavirus lockdown. Colombian officials say 12,000 Venezuelans have taken buses back to their home country since Colombia imposed restrictions to stop the outbreak.

Thousands Of Migrants Head Back To Venezuela To Flee Colombia's COVID-19 Lockdown

1:41pm April 28, 2020

by John Otis

Colombian officials say 12,000 Venezuelans have taken buses back to their home country since Colombia imposed restrictions to stop the coronavirus outbreak. Many other Venezuelans are fleeing on foot.

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