LatinNews Daily - 06 July 2020

Brazil: On 29 June the US Department of State confirmed that the US and Brazil will continue to work together against the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic that has severely impacted both countries. Morgan Ortagus, a spokesperson for the US Department of State, said on Twitter that “friends help friends in times of need. We will be with Brazil as we continue working together to confront the Covid-19 global pandemic.” On the same day, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo highlighted US donations of 200 ventilators to Brazil on 25 June (with a further 800 pledged), as well as 50 to Honduras (25 June), and 250 to Peru (23 June), stating that “[The US] will continue to be a force for good in the global fight against Covid-19.” Previous cooperation between the US and Brazil has included the controversial delivery of 2m doses of hydroxychloroquine to Brazil in May. Hydroxychloroquine has been touted as a cure for Covid-19 by US President Donald Trump and Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro. However, on 17 June the World Health Organization (WHO) suspended trials of the drug, stating that it “does not result in the reduction of mortality of hospitalised Covid-19 patients, when compared with standard care”. Brazil and the US remain the worst hit by the pandemic, with the world’s highest figures for infections and deaths, and nationals of both countries being denied entry to the European Union (EU) until cases subside.

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