Protests in Mexico
Reuters

The coronavirus outbreak has greatly impacted economies in almost all parts of the world. This has been significantly experienced by businessmen and investors in countries where there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 that, until now, continue to rise.

Latin America is not at the center of the infectious virus. However, the region is not immune to infection. The region is already struggling to cope with its economic problems and political unrest even before some countries in the region were hit by the virus.

There are things that everyone should know aside from the health problems that COVID-19 is bringing. It is always a common assumption that the country's economy reflects the status of the living and lifestyle of people living in the country. These things will be negatively affected due to the impacts brought by the virus.

Latin America has an estimated 500 million people. These people will be affected economically due to the impact that COVID-19 will bring in the local and national economies.

According to a recently published article, here are the four possible outcomes of COVID-19 in Latin America:

1. Anger Over Inequality

Protests have been raging in countries of Latin America since last year. People were asking for more improved and equal access to services most especially in healthcare.

The worst-case scenario here will be seeing middle-class families suffering in long lines in the government's already overwhelmed hospitals while the rich are getting the best access in private hospitals. This will surely outrage its people.

It can be remembered that it has been reported since last year that one of the reasons why a country in Latin America did a mass protest because of the lack of access to the government's healthcare service. An example of this is in Brazil where the government's healthcare service is a more pressing issue compared to corruption and unemployment.

2. A Rougher Year for Economies

There are countries in Latin America that are struggling to cope up with its economic problem. Most especially in countries like Argentina and Brazil where their steel production has been already affected even before these countries were infected with the virus.

China has been the long economic trade partner of some Latin American countries like Brazil, Chile, Peru, and several others. However, these countries were more affected since the virus began. It is projected that they will be severely affected. Brazil, the number one producer of steel and copper in the world, had its 10 percent down in January and its oil production is also affected since Monday.

3. Changing Values in Politics

Some politicians in some countries in Latin America have been dysfunctional in some ways. It is not a surprise anymore why there were mass protests since last year. These are just few of the reasons why investors are hesitant to invest in some countries.

In the recent article, it was mentioned that the military government in Latin America is back. It is just a projection that might be put into reality if countries in Latin America cannot provide the basic medical supplies in the country like surgical masks, medical gloves, and disinfectants like alcohol.

During the 1980s and 1990s, militaries in the government in Latin America were very prominent because they helped to stabilize the country. If the effect of COVID-19 will not be controlled in the region, then there is a great possibility that militaries will again take over the government.

4. More Discrimination Against Migrants

Latinos and Hispanics were already discriminated in the United States even before the country was hit by the virus. This is expected to become more significant within the countries in Latin America.

There were 5 million Venezuelans who moved to Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and somewhere else in Latin America. However, 69 percent of the Colombians have an unfavorable opinion of Venezuelan migrants, 68 percent of people in Peru do not trust the Venezuelan migrants.

The discrimination among the Latin Americans is expected to spike most especially Latinos and Hispanics who came from countries who have confirmed cases of COVID-19.