Elections in Ecuador and Jeff Bezos leaves his position at Amazon

Ecuador goes to the polls to elect president

Next Sunday, February 7, and despite the pandemic, Ecuadorians go to the polls to elect the replacement of Lenin Moreno, along with 137 members of the National Assembly and 16 representatives before the Andean Parliament. The more than 13 million citizens eligible to vote will have to choose between 16 candidates. The favorites, according to the polls are: Andrés Arauz (correista candidate) and Guillermo Lasso (Social Christian).

Polling firms predict a runoff between these two candidates, as neither is seen as a clear favorite to get 50% of the vote. If no one gets enough votes, the first two must meet again on April 11.

Mexican courts hit AMLO's energy policy

The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation declared invalid an important part of the provisions of the Reliability, Security, Continuity and Quality Policy in the Cenace National Electric System, published by the Sener (Ministry of Energy) in May last year.

The center of this package of measures sought to give greater power to state energy companies, such as Pemex and the Federal Electricity Commission, but had strong criticism on environmental and free competition matters.

Jeff Bezos steps down as Amazon CEO

The once richest man in the world (currently ranked second), Jeff Bezos, resigned this week from his position at the head of Amazon. According to news agencies, the mogul will appoint Andy Jassy, currently director of Amazon Web Service.

Despite the announcement, the Amazon owner will remain as chairman of the board of directors, but will now focus his time and energy on other projects. At the same time that Bezos announced his retirement, Amazon registered, for the third time in a row, a new record in profits.

Colombia appoints new defense minister

President Iván Duque confirmed Diego Molano as the new Minister of National Defense. Molano, with a career from Uribe, leaves the Administrative Department of the Presidency of the Republic, where Víctor Muñoz will remain. Molano occupies the position left vacant by Carlos Holmes Trujillo, who recently died of coronavirus.

Also read: Deforestation: a constant threat to Latin America

Pope Francis receives second dose against coronavirus

The head of the Catholic Church this week received his second dose of the vaccine developed by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. The 84-year-old pontiff had already received his first injection less than a month ago, on January 13.

According to the EFE agency, the Vatican City Health and Hygiene Directorate reserves 10,000 doses for its vaccination campaign, which includes about 3,000 employees and 800 residents.

A Latino at the head of security in the US.

On Tuesday this week, US President Joe Biden confirmed Alejandro Mayorkas as head of the Department of Homeland Security. The Cuban-American will also address Biden's ambitious plan to grant citizenship to about 11 million undocumented immigrants.