The Covid-19 pandemic contributed significantly to the deterioration of world peace in 2020, by generating violent protests and political instability in a greater number of countries, Prensa Latina publishes.
The report published by the International Institute for the Economy and Peace indicates that last year about 15 thousand violent demonstrations and riots were registered globally, and of these, more than five thousand had as a background the measures imposed to prevent the spread of the illness.
Countries such as India, Chile, Italy, France, Germany and South Africa were among those most affected by the protests against the lockdowns, while the Czech Republic, Estonia, Switzerland, Lithuania, Norway, the Netherlands and Ireland, among others, are in a best position to recover from Covid-19.
The 2020 Global Peace Index also points out that deaths associated with terrorism decreased for the sixth consecutive year, while signs of a reduction in the militarization of society were observed.
By geographical regions, the Middle East and North Africa remain the least peaceful areas, although they registered improvements, while the political instability instilled by the administration of President Donald Trump in the United States caused North America to suffer the worst deterioration, followed through South America, where violent crime and disorder increased.
In Central America and the Caribbean, nine countries fell on the scale, but Nicaragua, Haiti, and Guatemala rose a few seats from the previous report, and Cuba appears 87th on a list led by Iceland as the most peaceful nation, and that ends with Afghanistan as the most unstable.
The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated changes in global tranquility, and while there was a decline in conflict and terrorism in 2020, political instability and violent demonstrations increased, said Steve Killelea, founding Australian businessman and CEO of the Institute for the Economy and Peace.
Killelea also considered that the economic impact of Covid-19 will create even greater uncertainty, particularly in those countries that faced serious difficulties before the disease broke out.
The Institute for Economics and Peace presents itself as an independent, not-for-profit global research institute, examining the intertwined relationships between business, peace, and economic development.
It is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with offices in New York, Mexico City and The Hague.
