The pandemic for the rich and poor: spending inequality in Latin America

The public accounts of sixty Latin American municipalities reveal inequalities in the spending priorities during the Covid-19 health crisis, according to an investigation by the Latin American Journalists' Network for Transparency and Anti-Corruption (Red Palta). While the poorest municipalities prioritized financial support and food baskets, some of the richer governments allocated a high proportion of their budget to the upkeep of green spaces, treatment of solid waste and sporting activities. Although some resources were redeployed to tackle the pandemic, very often these were insignificant. The investigative team also unearthed cases of direct procurement of public works and failures on the delivery of those works.