"Glaring gaps" in access to COVID-19 vaccines are partially to blame for increasing infection rates in Peru, Argentina, Brazil and many other Latin American and Caribbean countries .

Facing backlash, Brazil's leaders now say they'll make a decision whether to host the popular soccer tournament on Tuesday. The country remains one of the world's worst pandemic hot spots.

The seven charged allegedly left the soccer legend in a worsening state following brain surgery in November, according to investigators.

The nation has been hard hit by the pandemic. The president vowed to start a vaccination campaign by the end of 2020. That did happen — but not exactly as they'd hoped.

Argentina will legalize abortion following a successful vote in the Senate early Wednesday. The decision could send shock waves throughout the heavily Roman Catholic region of Latin America.

"The world is unjust, but the answer is not in our uterus," lawmaker Gabriela Cerruti said of the vote in Argentina's Chamber of Deputies.

Police in Argentina seized information tied to Maradona's treatment and medical history from his doctor, Leopoldo Luque, after questions over the former soccer player's death were raised.

Plus: NPR's Latino staffers share their memories of the Argentine soccer legend.

Thousands of fans lined up from the early hours on Thursday to file past Maradona's wooden casket in the presidential palace. Argentina's beloved soccer star died on Wednesday.

The former president crossed the border from Argentina and was welcomed by a large group of supporters, just a day after his former economy minister, Luis Arce, was sworn in as president.

Nine months after the first reported fatality in China last January, the world has hit a sobering milestone.