Latin American Intersections

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Exploring business, geopolitics, and security in Latin America and the Caribbean. We bring you insights from global leaders and experts from across sectors and industries with a focus on the LAC region. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

Latin America Intersections


    • May 7, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 57m AVG DURATION
    • 22 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Latin American Intersections

    Women & Urban Agriculture in Latin America

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 63:58


    Guests Victoria Brian de Moura & Henry Gordon Smith of Agritecture elaborate on the current status, viability, and future of Controlled Environment Agriculture in Latin America-and how women participating in the sector may be key to unlocking its growth and benefits within food systems.Links:Victoria Brian de Moura https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-bmoura/Henry Gordon-Smithhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hgordonsmith/Michael Scaddenhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mscadden/Women in CEA:https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-cea/Christine Gould: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinergould/Thought for Food LATAM:https://www.instagram.com/tfflatam/Agritecture:https://www.agritecture.com/

    China in Latin America

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 91:07


    A discussion with Dr. R. Evan Ellis, a subject matter expert affiliated with the US Army War College, CSIS, and FIU's Gordon Institute of Public Policy: - Recent developments in the PRC's engagement with Latin American and Caribbean countries - The commercial, social, and strategic implications - Industries and sectors of focus for China's interests - Private sector risk exposure and mitigation - How Chinese interests align with other extra regional geopolitical actors - How the US government, local national governments, and the private sector are responding or could respond to Chinese influence in the region - How local communities or the average person in the region is or could be impacted Support this podcast: https://linktr.ee/ocelotlgroup Connect with Dr. R. Evan Ellis: https://revanellis.com/ https://x.com/REvanEllis https://substack.com/@evanellis Connect with Michael Scadden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mscadden/ https://x.com/mjscadden --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latampodcast/support

    Israeli Diplomacy in Latin America

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 80:43


    Amanda & Michael team up again, this time to discuss Israeli diplomacy and engagement in Latin America with former Israeli diplomat Mike Driquez, who served as Deputy Ambassador to Costa Rica and later Deputy Consul General to several US states including Florida and Puerto Rico. They cover a range of topics in this discussion including: - Historical connections in the region - Technology diplomacy in sectors such as agriculture, cybersecurity, and water resource management - Cultural diplomacy and public perception - Possibility of outreach to Latin American communities with Palestinian, Lebanese, and other Middle Eastern heritage - Diversity of representation in Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to include diplomats of Arab, Druze, and Jewish heritage - Differences in managing diplomatic relations in the US vs Latin America and navigating the uniqueness of Puerto Rico as a US territory Support this podcast: https://linktr.ee/ocelotlgroup Follow & support Great Work with Amanda Peterson: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/greatworkpodcast Connect with ambassador Mike Driquez: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedriquez⁠ Follow Amanda Peterson on X: https://x.com/amandatalks__ Connect with Michael Scadden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mscadden/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latampodcast/support

    Hezbollah in Latin America, with Emanuele Ottolenghi & Amanda Peterson

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 67:46


    Until the recent series of conflicts in the Middle East, the average person in other parts of the world was only vaguely aware of Hezbollah at all. Even now with the organization in the spotlight most people are shocked to learn of its longtime presence in Latin America, and the scope of its activities there. This includes influence operations, terror plots, money laundering, and collaborations with cartels. In this episode, cohosted with the Great Work podcast, we discuss the history, present, and future of Hezbollah in Latin America with Emanuele Ottolenghi. As a leading expert on the topic, Emanuele helps us explore how Hezbollah's activities affect everything from risk exposure for the private sector, to national security interests, to the very real threat of its planned terror attacks on Jewish communities in the region. Support this podcast: https://linktr.ee/ocelotlgroup Follow and support the Great Work podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/greatworkpodcast About Emanuele Ottolenghi: https://www.fdd.org/team/emanuele-ottolenghi/ https://x.com/eottolenghi Follow Amanda Peterson on X: https://x.com/amandatalks__ Connect with Michael Scadden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mscadden/ Additional Resources: Foundation for the Defense of Democracies https://www.fdd.org/ Center for a Secure Free Society https://www.securefreesociety.org/ Gordon Institute for Public Policy https://gordoninstitute.fiu.edu/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latampodcast/support

    Puerto Rico, Food Security, & Investment in Controlled Environment Agriculture Entrepreneurship

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2022 63:10


    Hector Pomales, Founder/CEO of Farm in the City PR and Michael Scadden of Ocelotl Group discuss CEA as a key component of food security in island resiliency for the Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and the need for private capital to catalyze the adoption of the technology and the establishment of local entrepreneurship in the sector. Visit Farm in the City PR's website at www.farminthecitynow.com & Ocelotl Group at www.OcelotlGroup.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    Investigative Journalism, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Risk Reduction in Latin America

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2021 33:03


    Hollie McKay, globe trotting journalist and Corporate Social Responsibility consultant, brings us unique insights as she describes her experience in Latin America and around the world. Hollie has also recently published a book title ‘Only Cry for the Living’ a memoir of her experiences in ISIS controlled territories. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    Investing in Island Resilience, A Virtual Panel: Renewables, Agriculture Technology and Doing Business in Puerto Rico & the Caribbean

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2020 130:41


    > Audio from a video panel. Visual aids are explained throughout, and presentations can be made available by the individual panelists. The video recording of the event is also available on Latin American Intersection's and LAI Host Michael Scadden's social media. YouTube link also provided below < A discussion between organizational leaders on investment in island food and energy security innovation in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean: - Opportunities, risks, and incentives - Developing Resilient Systems - Navigating the policy environment - Building collaborations   -Stakeholder outcomes and ROI Panelists: - Rodrick Miller, CEO of Invest Puerto Rico - Yara Nagi, Operations Director of Agritecture - James Ellsmoor, Founder of Island Innovation & Solar Head of State Moderator: - Michael Scadden, Latin America & Caribbean Business and Social Impact Strategist 'After-Panel' with Kendall & Lisa Lang, Entrepreneurs who founded Fusion Farms in Mayaguez Puerto Rico and established a proven business model for Hurricane-Protected Vertical Indoor Aquaponics systems.   Connect with our speakers and their organizations: www.investpr.org www.agritecture.com www.islandinnovation.co & www.solarheadofstate.org www.fusionfarms.ag Latin American Intersections is available on any podcast app   *Apologies for any connectivity issues noticeable in the video **This is the first in a series of conferences, with introduction to the topics by individuals selected for broader experience. Future panels will include a variety of local people, businesses, and policymakers to discuss their challenges and success stories --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    Colombia & Cross Sector Partnerships for Greater Impact After COVID19

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2020 74:30


    Adam Isacson joins us today to help us understand the challenges, successes, and pitfalls of local, US, and international aid and security programs in Colombia. We discuss lessons learned and how leveraging multi sector partnerships (private, government, academic, military, NGO), and developing the right leaders, may improve the results of security and humanitarian aid efforts and accelerate development goals in Colombia and across the region. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    Chinese Influence in Latin America After COVID19

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2020 73:08


    Dr. Evan Ellis joins us again, this time to discuss Chinese influence and investment in Latin America and the Caribbean, and how the COVID19 crisis may accelerate China’s presence given the regions circumstances. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    Venezuela & COVID19 Geopolitics

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2020 38:39


    We return with John Polga and Brian Fonseca to discuss what's new with Venezuela in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic, as the U.S. simultaneously indicts Nicolas Maduro  and offers a road to lifting sanctions in consideration of the health challenges Venezuelans may face. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    COVID19 & Latin America Business: Threats & Opportunities

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2020 57:42


    James McKeigue, Managing Editor of LatAm Investor magazine, joins us from Guayaquil, Ecuador where the UK-based James is currently sequestered as the region faces another in a long line of challenges: COVID19. James shares insights into the region's current status as the world manages the COVID19 outbreak, and leaders at all levels look at ways to manage the economic impacts of worldwide shutdowns. Between the threats, and at the other end of the crisis, there may be opportunities in the Latin America and Caribbean region, for investors and for communities. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    Renewables in the Caribbean

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2019 40:01


    James Ellsmoor, Director of Solar Head of State and Founder of Island Innovation, has a unique way of communicating and promoting the use of renewables on islands around the world: installing solar photovoltaic systems on government buildings and officials’ residences. Listen in as he talks about the progress and opportunities behind the adoption of renewable energy in the Caribbean. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    After Hurricane Maria: The University of Puerto Rico’s Triumphs and Ongoing Challenges

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2019 50:37


    The University of Puerto Rico is a central hub of education, innovation, and community support across the island. Listen in as university Chancellor Wilma Santiago and student council President Angeli Rivera of the UPR Mayagüez campus discuss the university’s role in the ongoing development of Puerto Rico, it’s contributions to the U.S. private and public sector, and the challenges it faces over a year after Hurricane Maria. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    Momentum Against Maduro in Venezuela?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2019 44:27


    Brian, John, and Mike follow up on recent events in Venezuela, and the momentum that may be the downfall of the Maduro Regime... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    2 Presidents: Optimism and Caution for Venezuela

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2019 53:55


    A lot is happening in Venezuela as an opposition leader is recognized as interim president by much of the international community. Listen in as John, Brian, and Mike weigh in with both optimism and caution in this freestyle discussion. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    Investment & Development in Costa Rica’s Renewable Energy Sector with President Luis G. Solis Rivera

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2018 79:59


    Luis Guillermo Solis Rivera, president of Costa Rica from 2014 - 2018, discusses policies and investments that helped shape and promote the development of renewable energy infrastructure in the country. Despite the many challenges Costa Rica produced 98% of its energy from renewables, and now is expanding policies to decrease the use of fossil fuels in transportation. Could Costa Rica’s model be adopted and adapted by other countries, especially in Central America. What are some of the opportunities and challenges for investors interested in the country’s energy sector? Let’s find out... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    China & Venezuela with John Polga & Brian Fonseca

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2018 40:40


    Dr John Polga-Hecimovich, Professor of Political Science at the U.S. Naval Academy and Brian Fonseca, Director of the Jack D. Gordon Institute of Public Policy at Florida International University bring us an update on Venezuela and insights into the China-Venezuela relationship. A big thank you to Kazim Sultan of 5adb0iMusic, who is working diligently to improve our audio as we develop our production techniques. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    Chinese Investment in Latin American Infrastructure with Ambassador Jorge Heine

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2018 64:54


    On this episode of Latin American Intersections we will be discussing Chinese investment in Latin American infrastructure; and to help me explore this topic I’ve asked Dr. Jorge Heine to bring us his insights. Dr. Heine is a Public Policy Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, also referred to as the Wilson Center. He’s also the former ambassador of Chile to China as well as India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. A big thank you to Kazim Sultan of 5adb0iMusic, who is working diligently to improve our audio as we develop our production techniques --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    Central American Immigrants: Refugees and Asylum Seekers with Maureen Meyer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2018 36:44


    Maureen Meyer of the Washington Office on Latin America joins us today to discuss the experiences and challenges of Central Americans that face a grueling journey once they’ve decided to flee their home countries. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    India & Latin America’s Growing Regional Engagement with Dr. Evan Ellis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2018 39:47


    India’s engagement with the LAC region is often overlooked and while much smaller than China’s is growing comparably. Do India’s businesses and government have a larger strategy like China’s? What’s India’s relationship with the Venezuelan oil sector like? Find out all this and more with Dr. Evan Ellis, Latin American Research Professor at the U.S. Army War College and Senior Non-resident Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. A big thank you to Kazim Sultan of 5adb0iMusic, who is working diligently to improve our audio as we develop our production techniques. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    Venezuelan Military, Politics, & Election Results that Surprised No One with John Polga

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2018 40:23


    Dr John Polga-Hecimovich joins us on this episode to talk about Venezuelan politics and the relationship of the Maduro regime with the Veneuelan military. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

    A Quick Introduction to the Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2018 4:43


    Get ready for unique insights and perspectives on Latin America and the Caribbean --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

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