Pandemic spurs Latin American corruption scandals

Corruption scandals have added to Latin America’s challenges in dealing with the coronavirus. In Ecuador, prosecutors identified a criminal ring that colluded with health officials to sell body bags to hospitals at 13 times the normal price, and many others are accused of price-gouging for other medical supplies.

The former Bolivian health minister is under house arrest awaiting trial on corruption charges, government officials in seven Brazilian states are under investigation for misusing public funds, and the Colombia inspector general is investigating reports that more than 100 political campaign donors were awarded contracts to provide emergency supplies. Peru’s police chief and interior minister resigned after subordinates bought diluted sanitiser and inadequate face masks for police officers, more than 11,000 of whom became infected.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/20/world/americas/coronavirus-latin-america-corruption.html

Writer: Natalie Kitroeff and Mitra Taj
Publication: New York Times
Publication date: 2020-06-20