Corruption Perceptions Index 2020 - Executive Summary

UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 06:01 CET, 28 JANUARY 2020 AMERICAS With an average score of 43 for the fifth consecutive year, the Americas showcases corruption and the mismanagement of funds in one of the regions most affected by the COVID-19 crisis. 32 43 /100 COUNTRIES ASSESSED AVERAGE REGIONAL SCORE TOP SCORERS BOTTOM SCORERS HAITI URUGUAY NICARAGUA CANADA 77 /100 71 /100 67 /100 22 /100 18 /100 15 /100 VENEZUELA UNITED STATES Canada and Uruguay are consistently top performers, with scores of 77 and 71 respectively, while Nicaragua, Haiti and Venezuela are the worst performers, with scores of 22, 18 and 15 respectively. In a region already characterised by weak government institutions, COVID-19 has highlighted deep social and economic inequalities, with its disproportionate effects on vulnerable populations, including women, girls, 19 indigenous groups, the elderly, migrants and Afro-Americans. Similar to other regions around the world, governments in the Americas took extraordinary measures to fight COVID-19 in the form of various states of emergency 20 that restricted civil rights. These restrictions curtailed freedoms of speech and assembly, weakened institutional checks and balances, and reduced space for civil society. 21 An alarming concentration of power in the executive branches in countries like Colombia 22 (39) and El Salvador 23 (36) has contributed to an explosion in irregularities and corruption cases 24 associated with COVID-19 related procurement. Across the region, citizens struggle to access reliable and up-to-date information on health statistics and emergency procurement. A major challenge facing the region is ensuring that funds and programmes for COVID-19 relief are not lost to corruption and reach the intended recipients. Failure to deliver this aid risks increased social discontent, stokes harmful populism, and creates still greater poverty 25 and inequality. Governments must also guarantee that the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines are transparent and equitable. It is crucial that governments permit civil society organisations and the press to function as watchdogs, holding politicians and businesses to account. TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL 12