The geographic diversity of COVID-19

Conflicts and spatial tensions between indigenous peoples and Latin American nation-states

Abstract

In this paper, an analysis is made of the influence of the monocultural predominance that characterizes Latin American Nation-States on the quality of life of the indigenous population, emphasizing the specificity that this situation acquires in a context of a global pandemic. Some definitions built on the categories that are used throughout the work are outlined, such as territory, scale, region, border and then, through these notions, advance in the understanding of the influence that these exert on the diversified configuration of space. geographical. At the same time, an introduction is made of the origins of the spatial dispute between Latin American states and indigenous populations, culminating in the problems currently evidenced and addressed here. Finally, some examples are recovered, as a case study, of the situations of vulnerability exerted towards indigenous peoples in Latin America that acquire great importance and are exposed during a crisis such as that developed by COVID-19. In parallel, the relationship that exists between this situation of vulnerability and the prevailing monoculturality that determines the territorial actions carried out by the Latin American States is described.