Cordova, MiguelFloriani, Dinorá ElieteGonzález-Pérez, Maria AlejandraHermans, MichelMingo, SantiagoMonje-Cueto, FabiolaNava-Aguirre, Karla MariaRodriguez, Carlos AdrianSalvaj, Erica2022-04-042022-04-042021Cordova, M., Floriani, D.E., Gonzalez-Perez, M.A., Hermans, M., Mingo, S., Monje-Cueto, F., Nava-Aguirre, K.M., Rodriguez, C.A. and Salvaj, E. (2021), "COVID-19 and higher education: responding to local demands and the consolidation of e-internationalization in Latin American universities", Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administración, Vol. 34 No. 4, pp. 493-509. https://doi.org/10.1108/ARLA-01-2021-0020http://hdl.handle.net/11447/591019 pandemic by higher education institutions (HEIs) in Latin America. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on information from eight leading Latin American private universities. The data were obtained from official sources such as institutional communications and university administrators. Findings – The authors identify two main issues that HEIs should consider while responding to the pandemic. First, greater attention and resource allocation to the universities’ main local stakeholders can affect traditional internationalization activities. Second, a focus on revitalizing foreign partnerships and strengthening “virtual internationalization” can help maintain and eventually increase international presence. Research limitations/implications – While this study analyses how these Latin American HEIs responded during the initial stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, it is important to conduct follow-up studies to shed light on how HEIs are adapting to the COVID-19 crisis as it continues to unfold. Originality/value – This study is based on unique information gathered from leading private, not-for-profit HEIs in Latin America, which, contrary to state-owned HEIs or other private institutions in developed economies, have exhibited different means and conditions to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. Finally, the authors contribute to the literature on the internationalization of HEIs by discussing the role of a significant disruptive event on the internationalization of higher education and, particularly, business schoolsenHigher education institutionsLatin AmericaCovid-19Global crisisOnline learninge-internationalizationArticle