Alva Review-Courier -

MIAMI (AP) — Even in a pandemic, there's no slowdown for swindlers in Latin America.

From Argentina to Panama, a number of officials have been forced to resign as reports of fraudulent purchases of ventilators, masks and other medical supplies pile up. The thefts are driven by price-gouging from manufacturers and profiteering by politically connected middlemen who see the crisis as an opportunity for graft.

"Whenever there's a dire situation, spending rules are relaxed and there's always someone around looking to take advantage to make a profit," said José Ugaz, a former Peruvian prosecutor wh...