Latin America in Focus

Hear some of the uncovered stories of the year. Sofía Ramirez Aguilar of México ¿Cómo Vamos? details why Mexicans, who long had one of the lowest vacation rates in the world, got some good news in time for the holiday season. Claudio Ruiz of Derechos Digitales explains Chile's moves to be a digital rights pioneer. And journalist Simeon Tegel talks about the controversial Mayor-elect of Lima Rafael López Aliaga, who has his eyes on the presidency. The music in this podcast is Eric Kurimski Quartet performing “Ya.” Watch the video: https://youtu.be/PbrXlWnGtFo Learn more about Latin America in Focus at: www.as-coa.org/podcast

It could cost up to $6 trillion a year to finance the transition away from a carbon-intensive economy. That's triple the current yearly global commitment. What would it take to rapidly expand the amount of financing available for decarbonization, sustainable infrastructure, and compensation for the effects of climate change? The UN's Juan Carlos Monterrey Gómez and Marsh McLennan's Amy Barnes explains how the public and private sector are funding decarbonization and the transition to a green economy. Listen to the music included in this episode performed by Alejandro Escuer: http://y2u.be/ARW3j2Vyslw.

The U.S. dollar is stronger than it's been in decades against currencies around the world. But that's not true across Latin America where, in some cases, smart policies by governments and central banks have helped keep domestic currencies steady. XP Investment's Alberto Bernal tells AS/COA Vice President Randy Melzi which countries have been successful and which are at risk. This episode features a quiz! Get the answers to the lightening round of currency trivia at: www.as-coa.org/podcast The music featured in this episode is "Adiós Fulana" (A.M. Peñaloza) performed by La Manga for Americas Society. Watch the video:  https://youtu.be/bP7pC7Fd_XU Learn more at:  https://musicoftheamericas.org

In January, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will start a third term as Brazil's president two decades after he began his first—and in a remarkably changed world. In this episode, former U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Thomas Shannon tells Executive Producer Luisa Leme what Lula's comeback means for Latin America, U.S. relations, China, and the world. To learn more about this year's Latin American elections, visit: www.as-coa.org/2022 The music in this episode is "Tarde de Chuva" by Paulo Moura, performed by Cliff Korman Ensemble for Americas Society. Learn more at: www.musicoftheamericas.org

In September, a group of hacktivists known as Guacamaya sparked reverberations across much of Latin America when it released millions of documents and emails from the military and police forces of Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, and Peru. In this episode, UC San Diego's Cecilia Farfán Mendez explains the impact of the leaks in Mexico, which accounts for six of the 10 terabytes of data released. And Cybersecurity expert Juan Pablo Castro explains why Latin America's militaries were so susceptible to attacks and whether the identity of Guacamaya matters at all. Learn more about Mexicans' views of their military: t.ly/9SG1 Hear a recent Latin America in Focus episode about how cyber attacks in Costa Rica expose a regional threat. https://bit.ly/3zoFZuq Listen to the music included in this episode performed by Julio Cobelli https://youtu.be/ER52AFZct5E and Trio Miramar https://youtu.be/8lWSqRZjkmo

On October 2nd, Brazilians split the ballots—and the country—between former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. Quaest pollster Felipe Nunes talks about whether the polls got the first round wrong, how Lula and Bolsonaro are now dueling for the battleground state of Minas Gerais, and why Lula needs to fight against voter abstention to secure a win in the October 30 runoff. For a Brazil runoff poll tracker and more on this year's Latin American elections, visit: www.as-coa.org/2022 The music in this episode is “Galopada” by Itiberê Zwarg, recorded for Americas Society. Learn more at www.musicoftheamericas.org.

Every election cycle, both Democrats and Republicans are reminded of the power of the Latino voter—who are now the second largest demographic group in the electorate. However, is either party's approach to this group effective? And are Latinos really a cogent voting bloc? Two experts, Clarissa Martinez-De-Castro of UnidosUS and Sabrina Rodriguez of The Washington Post, discuss Latinos' top issues, how to perform effective outreach to this group, and how the landscape of Latino politics changes between South Florida and Texas. UnidosUS national poll of Latino voters: t.ly/Jv7W AS/COA Online Latino vote tracker: t.ly/8IxE Access reporting by Sabrina Rodriguez via The Washington Post: t.ly/SxFn Music by Quinteto Latino for Americas Society: https://youtu.be/jBQn-DwzMPs

From the presidential state of the union to Independence Day, September in Mexico is a politically momentous time. This year, it saw President Andrés Manuel López Obrador usher through a deepening military control over public security just in time for independence celebrations. In this episode, political analyst Carlos Bravo Regidor talks with AS/COA Online's Carin Zissis about AMLO's military moves, the building of his legacy, and how it all relates to a 2024 presidential race that's already well underway. Listen to a prior episode with Bravo Regidor about AMLO's first 100 days in office: t.ly/BFOZ Hear other episodes and subscribe to Latin America in Focus at: www.as-coa.org/podcast The music in this episode is Cantos de México by Carlos Chávez performed by Orquesta Pasatono for Americas Society.

Pollster Felipe Nunes talks with AS/COA Online about swing votes, electoral issues, and what's at stake for the Lula and Bolsonaro presidential campaigns ahead of the October 2 presidential election. In addition, John Hopkins University's Beatriz Rey explains why Congress matters more than ever to the next president of Brazil. Access polls and learn more about the Brazilian election at: www.as-coa.org/2022 The music in this podcast was “Sarará” by Yamandu Costa performed for Americas Society. Watch the video of “Sarará.” https://youtu.be/xI2oMLOkUbI Learn more about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.org.

Latin America in Focus is taking a break to recharge and we're reissuing one of our favorite episodes this year. We hope you get a chance to take time off and that you can join us for new episodes soon about Brazil's elections, Chile's constitutional vote, and more. Demand for lithium is expected to keep growing exponentially in the race to ensure we can power our smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. That could be a boon for Latin American economies, home to the lithium triangle countries of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. But of course, things aren't always that simple. Luna Lithium's Emily Hersh talks with AS/COA's Carin Zissis about statist approaches, environmental worries, community concerns, and prospects for a lithium OPEC. The music featured in this podcast is “Labyrinth” (Pinna) by Franco Pinna for Americas Society En Casa series. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/HlgK96H9zLU

Starting in April, Costa Rica experienced a debilitating cyberattack that crippled the government and the private sector's ability to operate. It also served as a warning to countries across Latin America about how high the stakes are on digital crimes. On the podcast, AS/COA Online's Chase Harrison talks to Belisario Contreras, the former head of cybersecurity for the Organization of Americas States, about how prepared the region is to protect its digital assets. The music in this episode is Costa Rica's Manny Oquendo performing at the Americas Society. Learn more at: musicoftheamericas.org

As economies around the world face inflationary pressures, they may want to check the Latin American playbook. Otaviano Canuto, fellow at the Policy Center for the New South and former World Bank president, talks about why the region is positioned to avoid the runaway inflation woes of the past. But he also warns of social unrest on the horizon amid a shift toward populist leaders who make promises they just can't keep. Also in this episode, AS/COA Vice President Brian Winter covers the results of the 2022 Capacity to Combat Corruption Index and why Latin America's anti-corruption drive is alive and well. Access the CCC Index https://www.as-coa.org/ccc2022 The music featured in this episode is “Mamãe Oxum,” recorded by Alexandre and Douglas Lora, and “Tarde,” performed by the Cliff Korman Ensemble. Watch the videos of "Mamãe Oxum" https://youtu.be/b7CXYzQNoLw and "Tarde" https://youtu.be/c_BT3ud-V88

Colombians dealt a blow to the political status quo by picking two anti-establishment candidates to face off in the second round of their 2022 presidential election. The Washington Post's Bogotá Bureau Chief, Samantha Schmidt, tells AS/COA Online's Jon Orbach who they are, what they're proposing, and tales from a recent trip to one of their hometowns. Election guide: www.as-coa.org/2022 Runoff poll tracker: https://bit.ly/3H7VgT4 The music in this episode is Nilko Andreas Guarín performing “Guitar Prelude No. 4 (H. Villa-Lobos)” for the Music Program at Americas Society. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/UIcEcfAXK8U

It's been a bumpy road to the June 2022 Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, which comes as the hemisphere faces challenges like pandemic recovery, spiking inflation, and waning support for democracy. In this episode, AS/COA Senior Director Steve Liston, former U.S. deputy national coordinator for the Summits of the Americas, compares this round to its historic predecessors, explains what distinguishes the event from other summits, and covers what's needed to make future ones a success. Read Americas Quarterly's Special Report on the Summit: t.ly/-gD8 Get the who, what, where, when, why of the Ninth Summit: t.ly/UOn7 Check the guest list: t.ly/C9By The salsa music in this podcast was recorded by Uzzo Ismael for Americas Society. Watch him perform “Descarga Gandinga, Mondongo y Sandunga” on YouTube. https://youtu.be/28MeIwqw4y4

In her first 100 days, Honduran President Xiomara Castro has taken some steps forward on campaign pledges, but her leadership has been overshadowed by two former presidents: her outspoken husband and Juan Orlando Hernández, who was extradited the United States on charges of narcotrafficking. Can she take control of the reins? AS/COA Online's Chase Harrison spoke to journalist Jeff Ernst, who covers Honduras. The music in this episode is Aurelio Martínez performing at the Americas Society. Watch a video of his performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAZav1XOz7w

The choice of a running mate gives a presidential hopeful a chance to widen the net, solidify a profile, or win over a rival's supporters. What can we glean from vice-presidential choices in Brazil and Colombia, both of which hold game-changing elections in the coming months? In this episode, we hear from Colombia Risk Analysis' Sergio Guzman on VP choices for the top three candidates, as well as how Gustavo Petro's running mate Francia Márquez reframed the race. Then Fundação Getulio Vargas' Thomas Traumann explains Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's vice-presidential play for the center and why incumbent Jair Bolsonaro's ticket is all about him. For polls and more on this year's Latin American elections, visit: www.as-coa.org/2022 The music in this episode is Danilo Brito performing Madrigal Merencório for Americas Society. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/KTjGiMJQn9o

One year ago, Guillermo Lasso beat the odds to capture Ecuador's presidency. After some early successes, Lasso finds himself struggling to work with a fragmented Congress, as security problems mount. What's the path forward for the business-friendly leader? Paolo Moncagatta of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito explains Lasso's options. See AS/COA's Brazil elections poll tracker: https://bit.ly/3v2H2NU The music featured in this podcast is Santiago Del Curto "Three Smiles for Tracey" by A. Hailstork for Americas Society. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/UeAaxFk-LrE

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has long pledged that voters would get to decide whether he should finish his six-year term. One constitutional reform and millions of signatures later, they'll get to do just that in a recall vote on April 10. But, given that all signs point to voters of all stripes agreeing he should finish his time in office, why hold it? Journalist and political analyst Fernanda Caso of Gatopardo and Latitud 3°12 shares answers with AS/COA Online's Carin Zissis. See AS/COA's tracker of AMLO's approval: t.ly/mH9E Find out about other Latin American votes in our 2022 election guide: https://as-coa.org/2022 Hear Caso on Gatopardo's weekly podcast: t.ly/Lzyw The music featured in this podcast is Mexico's Ónix Ensamble performing Charles Halka's “Por la fuerza las tierras” for Americas Society. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/jWsPOXVYS8I

Jair Bolsonaro drew criticism for meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow a week before Russia invaded Ukraine. Why would the Brazilian president take such a questionable step? One big reason was fertilizer imports that power his country's agricultural sector, but it looks like the trip did little to stem rising food prices. In this episode, Samantha Pearson, São Paulo-based correspondent for The Wall Street Journal tells AS/COA Online's Chase Harrison how the conflict in the Ukraine is being felt economically and politically in Latin America. The music in this episode is “Menino das Laranjas" performed by Jamile Staevie and Saul Cosme. Watch the video: https://bit.ly/3CFe61S Read Pearson's coverage of how the conflict is affecting Brazilian agriculture: https://on.wsj.com/3CAMgUu

In the pandemic, Latin American countries used every bit of fiscal space to stimulate their economies and aid their populations. Now, says Ilan Goldfajn, the director of the IMF's Western Hemisphere Department, they face the reality of ensuring fiscal responsibility while also increasing the region's growth potential and balancing social demands. In a public AS/COA event, he addressed the region's path forward. The music in this episode is “New Padjanbel," performed by the Jacques Schwarz-Bart Quintet. Watch the video: https://bit.ly/3LTVyis

Colombians could get three chances to cast ballots for the next president this year: in March's interparty consultations, May's first round, and a June runoff. A crowded candidate field ahead of the March elections—which coincide with legislative elections—is indicative of widespread dissatisfaction with the status quo, says Muni Jensen, a former Colombian diplomat now a political analyst with the Albright Stonebridge Group. She gives a rundown of the notable candidates, the mood of voters, and how the new Congress may be reshaped. More coverage at AS/COA's 2022 Election Guide: as-coa.org/2022 The music in this episode is “Las Horas,” performed by Colombian trio Trip Trip Trip. Watch the video: bit.ly/3gJfKoZ

Demand for lithium is expected to keep growing exponentially in the race to ensure we can power our smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. That could be a boon for Latin American economies, home to the lithium triangle countries of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. But of course, things aren't always that simple. Luna Lithium's Emily Hersh talks with AS/COA's Carin Zissis about statist approaches, environmental worries, community concerns, and prospects for a lithium OPEC.

We dive into the under-covered but crucial issues facing the region this year. In this episode: AS/COA's Eric Farnsworth gets into how the high number of U.S. ambassador vacancies can upend Washington's Latin America policy, U.S.-Mexico Foundation's Axel Cabrera and Pedro Casas Alatriste cover why a surge in migration to Mexico could prompt a change to the immigration narrative, and the Panama Canal Authority's Ilya Espino de Marotta explains how supply chain delays and climate change affect the hemisphere's busiest waterway.

The presidential runoff between the right's José Antonio Kast and the left's Gabriel Boric leaves many voters feeling like “orphans” with no political home, raising a fundamental question about what type of democracy Chile wants, says CNN Chile host and La Tercera columnist Paula Escobar Chavarría. In this interview, she talks about what makes a candidate extreme, the ways Kast and Boric risk alienating female voters, and the parallels between Chile's 2021 presidential race and the first vote in which she participated: the 1988 referendum.

At November's COP26 climate conference, countries met to generate stronger action on climate change. In attendance was Institute Talanoa's Natalie Unterstell, a former Brazilian negotiator at climate summits. Unterstell talks to AS/COA Online's Luisa Leme about what happened at COP26, what it means for Latin America, and what more Brazil—the region's biggest contributor to climate change—can do.

November brings with it two tricky electoral tests in Central America—Nicaragua on November 7 and Honduras on November 28. Both will be major tests for the countries democratic systems and for the ability of citizens to make their voices heard. In conversations with AS/COA Online, International Crisis Group's Tiziano Breda explains the electoral scenario for both elections while El Milenio's Juan Pablo Sabillón explains his organization's efforts to battle young voters' discontent with democracy.

October 2021 opened with big shifts in areas high on Mexico's agenda: security and energy. Both issues are, arguably, the most crucial to the country's future course. In conversations with AS/COA's Carin Zissis, UC San Diego's Cecilia Farfán-Méndez covers what's new—and not so new—in an updated U.S.-Mexico security accord while Montserrat Ramiro, former commissioner of Mexico's energy regulatory agency, gets into why a new electricity reform is sparking discord.

We're one year out from Brazil's October 2022 presidential vote, but there are a lot of clues about the shape of the race already. IDEIA Big Data's Mauricio Moura tells AS/COA Online's Luisa Leme how Jair Bolsonaro's approval ratings, the pandemic, technology, and Brazilians' lack of interest in politics could make—or break—the incumbent's reelection plans.

On September 7, El Salvador became the first country in the world to adopt a cryptocurrency as official legal tender. But while President Nayib Bukele has grown accustomed to high levels of popularity, citizens marked the country's September 15 bicentennial by protesting his Bitcoin decision. The National Association of Private Enterprise's Leonor Selva tells AS/COA's Chase Harrison about implementation missteps and what other Latin American countries are learning from the experiment.

Luis Rubio, president of México Evalúa, joins AS/COA's Carin Zissis to dig into how President Andrés Manuel López Obrador will work with a newly elected legislature as he shapes his legacy halfway into his presidency, as well as how U.S.-Mexico relations do—and don't—work as a check on the Mexican leader's power.

Acquiring hundreds of millions of vaccines is one thing. Getting them in the arms of hundreds of millions of Latin Americans is another. But partnerships with the private sector, existing vaccination networks, and the potential for boosted domestic production could upgrade the pandemic outlook for a region that could use some bullish pandemic projections. Direct Relief's Thomas Tighe and Dr. Marco Aurelio Sáfadi talk with us about the on-the-ground logistics of vaccine rollout in the region.

Journalist Mitra Taj and legal expert Alonso Gurmendi discuss the bumpy road ahead for Peru's president elect, who faces opposition in Congress and among Lima's elite, but whose presidency could change the face of the country's politics and redefine the left.

In recent years, Latin America's political pendulum has swung from building strong institutions toward electing strong leaders. The shift weakened the region's nascent anti-corruption movement, but that doesn't mean there aren't bright spots. AS/COA Vice President and Americas Quarterly Editor-in-Chief Brian Winter talks with Luisa Leme about the findings of the 2021 Capacity to Combat Corruption Index and explains why the pandemic only heightens the need to strengthen anti-graft mechanisms. Read more: www.as-coa.org/cccindex

The 2021 Copa America kicks off June 13 in an almost empty stadium in Brasília. The tournament was slated to take place in Argentina and Colombia, but a combination of Covid-19 and social unrest forced them to give it up. Still, with Brazil struggling to overcome the pandemic, politicians, players, and fans alike are asking: Is now the time to be hosting a major sporting event? Felipe Cárdenas, staff writer for The Athletic, talks with AS/COA Online's Chase Harrison about the controversies surrounding the Copa.

With Mexicans casting ballots for roughly 21,000 seats nationwide, the June 6 elections give voters a chance to assess President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s political movement nearly halfway through his presidency. El Financiero pollster and ITAM political scientist Alejandro Moreno tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis covers what polls show about shifts in support, the pandemic’s impact, polarization, and more. Learn more about the 2021 Latin American elections at: www.as-coa.org/2021

Chile kicks off its electoral cycle in May with a vote for local, gubernatorial, and constitutional delegates and concludes with the selection of its next president. Isabel Aninat of Universidad Adolfo Ibañez in Santiago joins AS/COA Online’s Luisa Horwitz to discuss what’s at stake in each vote taking place.

The transition to a fully digital world for many Brazilians reaffirmed data protection as a fundamental right. Still, concerns over both data privacy and protection loom large for the country after the recent implementation of a new data protection law and ahead of next year’s general elections. Rafael Zanatta of the Data Privacy Brasil Research Association joins Katie Hopkins to discuss.

Sonarimba, imbaluna, sinusoido, ululante. Joaquín Orellana’s musical sculptures have unusual names, formed by mixing words to describe the sounds they create. Co-curators Sebastian Zubieta and Diana Flatto tell us about the career of Guatemalan composer and artist featured in The Spine of Music. Learn more about the exhibition: https://www.as-coa.org/orellana Watch and listen to Efluvios y puntos: https://youtu.be/TZpeCMolCAk

Ecuadorans were hoping for something new. Peruvians simply want a government that will work. In both countries, which hold elections on April 11, voters are largely unenthused by traditional politics—but have few viable alternative options. We preview both countries’ April 11 elections in conversations with Professors Alonso Gurmendi and Grace Jaramillo.

There may be few silver linings to the pandemic, but accelerated financial inclusion in Latin America is one of them. In this episode, Luz Gomez and Arturo Franco of Mastercard’s Center for Inclusive Growth tell AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis how COVID-19 compressed a decade’s worth of financial inclusion achievements into one year, and why the progress is crucial in a region that has long battled informality.

“I hate to say this, but democracy is not in good shape at the moment,” says former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, in conversation with ex-White House Chief of Staff Mack McLarty. In light of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, the two discuss their thoughts on how the United States can repair its leadership image in the Western Hemisphere, with moderator Eric Farnsworth of AS/COA. Watch the full video of the discussion: t.ly/mmx6

Joe Biden pledged a shift from Donald Trump’s policies when it comes to Central America, particularly on issues like migration, democracy promotion, and corruption. In this episode, we speak to Salvadoran journalist Nelson Rauda of El Faro about the differences between the two presidents' approaches to the region and how that will impact domestic politics in countries like El Salvador and Honduras.

February marks a year since the first coronavirus cases were confirmed in Latin America. Now the pandemic has entered a new phase, one in which countries are trying to roll out vaccines as quickly as they can even as variants threaten to undermine the protection those vaccines offer. In this episode, COVID-19 researcher Dr. Roselyn Lemus-Martin covers vaccine rollout in the region while Doctors Without Borders’ Pierre Van Heddegem gives a ground-level view of a variant-fueled outbreak in Brazil’s Amazonas.

From tensions over the U.S. investigation against a Mexican general to reversing the Trump administration's immigration policy, there are plenty of pressing topics on the U.S.-Mexico agenda. COMEXI President and Mexico’s ex-Deputy Minister for North America Sergio Alcocer tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis how bilateral relations could shake out in 2021 and beyond.

From an absent president to illegal fishing to agro-tech, AS/COA Online dives into under-covered—but important—issues facing Latin America in a year of competing headlines. In this episode: AEI’s Ryan Berg talks about the deepening crackdown on Nicaragua’s opposition, Pew’s Dawn Borg Costanzi covers what the region can do to slow illegal fishing, and Frubana’s Carlos Upegui Echavarría gets into how the pandemic has accelerated change for the region’s food businesses. Read more: t.ly/mYQn

Latin America should use the current crisis to “push for a greener, digital, and more inclusive future for the region,” said International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. In this conversation with AS/COA President and CEO Susan Segal, the economist outlined the structural reforms the region must undertake to avoid stagnation.

With growing climate change concerns and the rising cost of oil extraction and production, governments around the world are considering reactivating their economies with more sustainable and less fossil fuel-reliant investments. IHS Markit’s Steven Knell and Escopo Energia’s Lavinia Hollanda explain what it takes to spur the development of renewable energy in Latin America.

If there isn’t quality, factual content on a topic, trolls and bots will be there to fill the gap with disinformation on online platforms. Claudia Flores-Saviaga, a Facebook fellow and PHD candidate at West Virginia University, tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis what that meant for Latino voters in the 2020 U.S. election and for Spanish speakers overall, as well as ways to stop the spread of disinformation.

Unrest, a pandemic, polarization, and an election. In 2020, we could be referring to a number of countries. But in this episode, we’re talking about Chile’s transformational year, beginning with an October 2019 protest against a transit-fare hike that sparked a movement to rewrite the country’s dictatorship-era constitution. Santiago-based journalist John Bartlett gives an on-the-ground view of what it’s been like to cover the country through it all.

Most Latin American countries have yet to reopen schools as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. What does it mean for Latin America’s present and future human capital development? Brookings Institution’s Emiliana Vegas and Tinker Foundation’s Caroline Kronley cover the problems, but also the silver linings, of the disruption in schooling.

Remittances help pay medical bills and keep people fed in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In Latin America, where many work informally and don’t have access to government assistance, the cash migrants send to their loved ones can even boost political stability and provide a buffer for national economies. In this episode, we hear about remittance trends in pandemic times from Creative’s Manuel Orozco, NYU’s Roy Germano, and Remitly’s Matt Oppenheimer.