As the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread throughout Latin America and the Caribbean in late spring of 2020, the Center for Latin American Studies at Georgetown University began to follow and evaluate the impact and responses to the pandemic in all countries as well as in six European territories in the region by the public and private sectors, civil society, as well as international and regional organizations. The project came to end in April of 2022.
LACCOM is the result of the work of 32 students (19 undergraduates and 13 graduates) affiliated with the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) who, since the summer of 2020 and until April of 2022, and under the supervision of CLAS’ Director of Academic Affairs, Prof. Angelo Rivero Santos, collected, systematically organized and analyzed data and information under the three rubrics detailed in the map. These rubrics are the core of the Master of Arts and the minor in Latin American Studies in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. We hope that the historical analysis and resources produced and collected serve as an important educational tool for students, researchers, and policy makers around the world interested in the impact and responses to the pandemic in the Latin America and Caribbean region during the period in question.
Both versions of LACCOM, English and Spanish, were updated throughout the duration of the project to reflect the evolution of what was without doubt the most serious public health crisis that has impacted the region in generations.
Meet the Summer 2021 Team:
Alexander Cordovés
Spanish Editor, Contributor, and Web Designer
Alexander is a senior student in the School of Foreign Service with a concentration in International Politics and pursuing a minor in Latin American Studies. Originally from Caguas, Puerto Rico, Alexander is the founder and Executive Director of ‘Sin Límites,’ a Puerto Rico-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing school materials to low-income students and assisting underprivileged communities in disaster recovery. Find Alexander on LinkedIn.
Sydney Gilbert
Contributor
Sydney is a junior in the School of Foreign Service studying Business and Global Affairs with minors in Latin American Studies and Economics. She hopes to pursue a career at the intersection of finance and international affairs. Sydney serves as the Financial Aid Chair for the Georgetown University Student Association, where she advocates for policy changes to help low-income students afford Georgetown. Outside of the classroom, Sydney works as a coordinator for the After School Kids Program and as a leader for the ESCAPE retreat. Find Sydney on LinkedIn.
Valeria Villarreal Martinez
Contributor and Translator
Valeria is a third-year student in the Walsh School of Foreign Service with a concentration in International Politics and pursuing a minor in Diplomatic Studies. Her interests include Latin American history and languages. Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, Valeria is the Training and Global Partnerships Director of Project Olas, a social impact venture that provides women in vulnerable Central American communities with sustainable income opportunities through Spanish teaching. Prior to Georgetown, she participated as Business Ambassador in the APEC “One World, One Classroom” Program. Find Valeria on LinkedIn.
