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Latin America in FocusCould the 2026 Vote Be Peru’s Political Reset?Peru has cycled through seven presidents in the last 10 years. Four of them were impeached or resigned before they could be. The country’s current president, Dina Boluarte, even with a 4 percent approval rating, has been able to finish her term with elections scheduled for April 12, 2026.With one year to deliberate, what will be top of mind for Peru’s jaded electorate?In this episode, electoral analyst Javier Albán breaks down the institutional factors that have contributed to Peru’s political morass and the types of candidates he expects to emerge from the 43 registered politica...2025-04-2434 minLatin America in FocusBonus Episode: Remembering Mario Vargas LlosaOn April 14, Latin American letters lost a giant. Mario Vargas Llosa, the prolific Peruvian writer, passed away in Lima at the age of 89. Vargas Llosa was a frequent visitor to Americas Society over the years and even served on Americas Society’s Literature Advisory Board. This bonus episode brings you an English-language conversation between Vargas Llosa and legendary translator Edith Grossman, recorded at Americas Society in 2012. Learn about the author’s reading habits, Faulkner’s influence on his writing, and more.Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcastSend us feedba...2025-04-1741 minLatin America in FocusTop Mexican CEOs on the Depth of U.S.-Mexico IntegrationIn 2024, more than $800 billion dollars worth of goods were traded between Mexico and the United States, making the two countries each other’s largest trade partners. But beyond the goods moving across the border, there’s also investment running in both directions. In this episode, top Mexican CEOs detail the scale and scope of Mexican investment in the United States, which has been north of $5 billion per year for the last four years. What does this financing look like on the ground?This podcast episode is an edited version of a panel hosted by the Council of the...2025-04-1036 minLatin America in FocusTrade and Tensions—Latin America Braces for Trump's TariffsApril 2 is a date that looms large for Latin America. It’s the day that the Trump administration will initiate reciprocal tariffs globally and tariffs on automobiles. This is after the application of 25% tariffs on many goods coming from Mexico and Canada in March. What will this changing trade landscape mean for Latin America? Kellie Meiman Hock, a senior counselor at McLarty Associates, explains the main drivers behind this shift in U.S. trade policy and what Trump’s new tariffs mean for the countries across the region.Read more about the Trump administration’s approach to trade...2025-03-2726 minLatin America in FocusDrugs, Guns, and Dollars: Unpacking the Implications of Cartels' FTO DesignationThe Trump administration recently named six of Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, or FTOs. The new designation widens who can be charged for supporting these groups. What effect might this have? Pablo Zárate of FTI Consulting looks at how business operating in Mexico will have to revamp compliance with increased risk. And Cecilia Farfán-Méndez of ITAM explains the complexity of the drug trade and spotlights how this action may impact the bilateral relationship.Read more about the FTO designation:AS/COA Explainer: Which Cartels and Groups Is Trump Designating as Foreign Ter...2025-03-1341 minLatin America in FocusWhat Brazil Can Teach the Americas About ImmigrationMigration management has surged to the top of the policy agenda in the region due to unprecedented numbers of Latin Americans on the move in recent years. With the new administration in the United States—the Western Hemisphere’s leading destination for migrants—cracking down on immigration, how have other host countries in the Americas been coping with hundreds of thousands of new arrivals from places like Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Ecuador?AS/COA Online speaks with Diego Chaves-González, senior manager of the Latin America and Caribbean Initiative at the Migration Policy Institute, and Professor João Jaroch...2025-02-2843 minLatin America in FocusThe Durability of Mano Dura in EcuadorEcuador, once among the safest countries in Latin America, now faces an insecurity crisis with the incursion of international criminal groups. President Daniel Noboa, now facing a reelection fight, is attempting to convince voters his hardline mano dura approach is one of the reasons to stay the course. Vanda Felbab-Brown, a security expert at Brookings Institution, explains what caused a perfect storm of insecurity in the country, what Noboa’s approach has been so far, and why the success of Nayib Bukele of El Salvador may be tough to replicate in Ecuador. Access other episodes of Latin Ame...2025-02-1328 minLatin America in FocusBorders, Bargains, and Bluster: Did Trump's Day One Set the Tone for Latin America?President Donald Trump broke tradition at his second inauguration, inviting world leaders, including from Latin America, to attend. But his day-one executive orders initiated a bumpy ride for the region in 2025. What can Latin American countries expect of "America First?" On this episode, three AS/COA experts—Carin Zissis, Brian Winter, and Juan Cruz Díaz—discussed Trump's initial moves on the border and migration, possible Mexico tariffs, the Panama Canal, and his Latin American allies. Listen to the editor-in-chiefs of AS/COA Online and Americas Quarterly, as well as the managing director of Cefeidas Group, on how Trump's second pres...2025-01-2336 minLatin America in FocusThe Soft Power of Latin American MusicFor many Latin America enthusiasts, music serves as a gateway for understanding the cultural contours of the region. Sebastián Zubieta, Music Director at Americas Society, understands this profoundly. In conversation with Luisa Leme, Zubieta outlines his approach to striking an emotional chord with audiences while showcasing a mix of music and musicians that define and defy the musical traditions of the Hemisphere.Plus, ahead of the 60th anniversary of Americas Society in 2025, Zubieta provides a sneak peek of what’s to come with Music of the Americas in 2025. And the AS/COA Online staff gives a Lat...2024-12-1240 minLatin America in FocusLula, Sheinbaum, and Milei on a Shifting Global StageIt’s been a stuffed season of summits. October and November saw BRICS in Russia, APEC in Peru, and the G20 in Brazil. But with Trump’s reelection, leaders are adjusting their strategies and outlooks for the future of global forums. What does this mean for Latin America?We’ve convened a G3 of speakers from the region’s three G20 members. On this episode of Latin America in Focus, Francisco Resnicoff of Argentina, Cecilia Tornaghi of Brazil, and Brenda Estefan of Mexico speak about how each administration is approaching its international relations, what Trump’s return means for...2024-11-2031 minLatin America in FocusLatin America’s Companies of Tomorrow, TodayLatin America is known worldwide for its entrepreneurship. With unicorns, new ecosystems, and investments back to pre-pandemic levels, what's the region's secret sauce? Three of the Latin America's most successful business visionaries—Francisco Alvarez-Demalde of Riverwood Capital, Sebastian Mejia of Rappi, and Mariano Gomide de Faria of VTEX—sat down with long-time Americas investor Susan Segal of AS/COA for a conversation about how the region has an edge on creating the companies of tomorrow. In this conversation recorded at the 2024 COA Symposium in Miami this October, they discuss what it takes to build billion-dollar companies, Latin America's promising tech...2024-11-0736 min
Latin America in FocusWhat Do Brazil's Municipal Elections Tell About Polarization in Latin America?Local concerns like sanitation, funding for schools, or road repairs were low on the agenda during Brazil’s October 6 municipal elections. Campaigns for mayorships and town-council seats were flashpoints for national fissures of identity politics that are reshaping the traditional left-right spectrum. Thomas Traumann, a journalist and political consultant, discussed the implications of this polarization rippling through politics in the country. He spoke with Luisa Leme on which political blocks made clear progress this year, next steps for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and what these races for Brazilian cities tell us about the 2026 presidential election.Tr...2024-10-1733 min
Latin America in FocusCould a Referendum Rattle Uruguay's Presidential Race?Uruguayans head to the polls on October 27 for what is looking to be a close contest between the incumbent conservative coalition and the leftist Broad Front. But there’s another key player in the race: a constitutional referendum that could reshape the country’s pension system. Nicolás Saldías, a senior analyst for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Economist Intelligence Unit, profiles the major presidential candidates and details what’s on the line economically and politically if the pension reform is approved.Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast...2024-10-0330 minLatin America in FocusWhat Brazil’s Twitter Ban Tells Us about Internet Laws in Latin AmericaOn August 31, users of Twitter/X woke up to a platform devoid of Brazilians. After a protracted fight with CEO Elon Musk, Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered a shutdown of the social media site in his country. Marie Santini, founder of Net Lab, details the timeline that led to the shutdown and how it fits in the Brazil’s larger efforts around Internet regulation. Then, University of Palermo’s Agustina Del Campo gives a regional panorama and explains what’s changing with the approach of countries—and companies—to Internet moderation.Access other episodes of Latin A...2024-09-1932 min
Latin America in FocusLatAm in Focus at 200: What Do We Know about Electoral Trends in the Americas?Our latest edition of Latin America in Focus marks a major milestone: episode 200. Over the past eight years, we’ve covered a range of topics—and asked a lot of questions, including in our episode titles. For this episode, we decided to revisit three of those questions to see how we would answer them now. Half the world is going to the polls in 2024, so we focus on elections.Americas Quarterly Editor-in-Chief and AS/COA Vice President of Policy Brian Winter tells us why Latin America’s anti-incumbency trend may be coming to a close. Pew Research Center...2024-08-2941 min
Latin America in FocusOn the Ground and Online: Venezuela's Electoral BattleSince he came to power 11 years ago, Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro has been stacking the decks in his political favor. But will he hit a wall in the July 28 election? The regime disqualified popular rival candidate Maria Corina Machado, yet a unified opposition is leading the polls. “[The Maduro government] could try to do a mega fraud, but the political costs, even within the ruling coalition, could be very high,” journalist and political analyst Tony Frangie Mawad tells AS/COA’s Guillermo Zubillaga in an on-the-ground view of the electoral competition.The fight to govern Venezuela is being...2024-07-1831 minLatin America in FocusHow Can Latin America Fix Its Water Crisis?Latin America, the biggest source of freshwater in the world, is running dry. Amid record-breaking temperatures, 150 million people live in water-scarce areas and water insecurity is becoming a new normal for many. But solutions exist. World Meteorological Organization’s Rodney Martinez and Acción Andina’s Florent Kaiser cover how Latin American countries can address the region’s water crisis. They talk how science and early warning systems are available for use, that simple solutions can restore water access in dry areas, and how water can be a decisive argument when engaging stakeholders to take action. Read mor...2024-06-2638 min
Latin America in FocusIn Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Won Big. Now What?Claudia Sheinbaum and her Morena party won Mexico’s June 2 election by a landslide, and that means the country’s first woman president is set to have a huge mandate. What will she do with it? On the ground in Mexico City, AS/COA Online spoke to voters and then three experts on concerns and priorities for Sheinbaum’s sexenio. One question kept coming up: How will Sheinbaum differ from her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador? Hear from Oscar Ocampo of the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness on energy and climate, Brenda Estefan of IPADE Business School and Reforma...2024-06-0643 min
Latin America in FocusHow Latin America Fits into the Biden-Trump BattleBuckle up: U.S. politics are headed for a bumpy ride. And the issue of migration, particularly at the U.S. Southern border, will significantly influence this year’s elections. In this episode, AS/COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth moderates a conversation between two top political consultants—a Democrat and a Republican—to get a view of Latin America's impact on the U.S. electoral scenario. Doug Sosnik is senior advisor at The Brunswick Group and served as a political consultant for, among others top Democrats, former President Bill Clinton. Meanwhile, Russ Schriefer, founding partner at Strategic Partners & Media, has ad...2024-05-1636 min
Latin America in FocusHow the Dominican Republic Breaks Latin America’s Election MoldThe Dominican Republic’s Luis Abinader is one of the most popular leaders in Latin America, if not the world, so it may come as little surprise that Abinader appears to be on comfortable footing to win in the first round of the country’s presidential vote on May 19. But then again, the country’s political climate differs from that of the rest of Latin America in that presidents tend to be popular, elections don’t usually go to runoffs, and polarization levels remain low. In this episode, Temple University Professor Emeritus Rosario Espinal talks with AS/COA Online’s Carin Zi...2024-04-2523 minLatin America in FocusIs Latin America Ready for Another Pandemic?An old adversary of Latin America is back: Dengue. The current outbreak of the mosquito-transmitted disease is the worst in years. Across the region, from Argentina to Brazil to Puerto Rico, images of hospitals filled with patients are coming into view. Four years after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, how well-equipped is the region to tackle this one—or those to follow? In this episode, we hear from Dr. Mariangela Simão, the head of the Brazilian Instituto Todos pela Saude and formerly of the WHO. In a conversation with AS/COA Online’s Chase Harrison, she covers the o...2024-04-1127 min
Latin America in FocusWhat's on the Economic Agenda for Panama's Next President?Panama is facing a moment of uncertainty amid an electoral race with eight candidates, droughts affecting the Panama Canal, and fallout over massive 2023 mining protests. But Felipe Chapman, chairman and managing partner of economic and financial advisory firm INDESA, remains optimistic about his country’s future. In a conversation with AS/COA Vice President Randy Melzi, he says Panama’s challenges are “fixable” as he outlines the economic agenda for the next administration.This is the third episode in our monthly series on 2024 elections in Latin America. Listen to the first episode on Nayib Bukele’s global reach and...2024-03-2732 minLatin America in FocusBrian A. Nichols on the Biden Administration's Latin America PolicyJust hours before Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, the State Department’s Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere Brian A. Nichols joined AS/COA in an event covering the state of U.S. policy in the Americas. In a conversation with AS/COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth, Ambassador Nichols laid out the administration’s positions on regional quagmires, such as Haiti’s humanitarian and political crises and the fairness of Venezuela’s July elections. But he also delved into opportunities in the region like partnering on critical minerals and renewable energy with Argentina or deepening already strong eco...2024-03-1333 min
Latin America in FocusAs Mexico’s Election Fires Up, a Look at Youth and DemocracyIn Mexico’s 2024 vote, more than a quarter of eligible voters are under 30 and nearly half are under 40. That means younger voters have an opportunity to play a major role in an election not only for president, but one that will see more than 20,000 seats up for grabs. But they have to participate if they want to have an impact. Me Veo, an organization focused on getting out the vote in this election, is seeking to do just that. Its director, Alexandra Zapata, joined the podcast to spells out ways to get Mexico’s young voters engaged. And in the...2024-02-2228 minLatin America in FocusHow Courts Can Make or Break Latin America's Corruption BattleWhen it comes to corruption perceptions, Latin America is stagnating. And what’s one major obstacle to improvement? Judiciary independence, explains Transparency International’s Luciana Torchiaro. In this episode, she dives deep into how the region fared in her organization’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index, released in January 2024, and tells AS/COA Online’s Luisa Leme why attempts to weaken the judiciaries in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Honduras are hindering the battle against corruption. But the news isn’t all bad. She explains how steps taken in the Dominican Republic serve as a model, and why Chile has an opp...2024-02-0822 min
Latin America in FocusOnline Reach and Expat Votes in El Salvador’s Election2024 will be a big year for Latin American elections, and the first one takes place in El Salvador. Popular President Nayib Bukele is likely to win a race that showcases his regional—and global—influence. Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas’ Roberta Braga explains how Bukele’s social media strategy spreads beyond El Salvador’s borders and calls for a rethink of how online disinformation. Virginia Commonwealth University’s Michael Paarlberg delves into how that message is being received in the large Salvadoran diaspora, which is expected to vote in record numbers this year.This episode will be the first...2024-01-2539 minLatin America in FocusTen Years in, What's the Future of Mexico's Morena Party?2024 doesn’t just mark Mexico’s biggest elections ever, but the tenth anniversary since Morena, the party of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, became an official party. And it now faces a test: will it build on its expanding control or find itself reined in by Mexican voters in June 2024? In this episode, long-time pollster Lorena Becerra and CIDE political scientist Javier Aparicio cover whether Morena could become a hegemonic party akin to the PRI, the challenges for López Obrador’s chosen successor Claudia Sheinbaum and the opposition’s Xóchitl Gálvez, and where Mexico sits in Latin...2023-12-1436 minLatin America in FocusBeyond the Boom: Latin American Writing in TranslationEarlier this year, Latin American literature lost a champion when Edith Grossman, one of the foremost Spanish language translators, passed away. Grossman not only translated some of the region's master writers, but she advocated for her profession and for the value of reading in translation. In this episode, two acclaimed translators, Megan McDowell and Esther Allen, speak about her legacy, the titles grabbing attention in the United States, the role of women authors in a current Latin American boom, and the connection between books in translation and events in the region today. Below is a list of a...2023-11-3040 minLatin America in FocusDid Colombia’s Local Elections Spell Problems for Petro?On October 29, Colombians voted for mayors and governors across the country, and President Gustavo Petro’s candidates fared poorly in an election that many say served as a referendum on his leadership. Sergio Guzmán, director of Colombia Risk Analysis, talks with AS/COA Online’s Jon Orbach about what we can learn from mayoral races in Bogotá and Medellín, how the overall results provide a window into the mood in Colombia, and why Washington should pay attention to the country’s domestic politics. This podcast was produced by Jon Orbach. Carin Zissis is the host. Luisa Leme...2023-11-0917 minLatin America in FocusVenezuela’s Energy Sector Primes for a ThawOctober was a busy month for Venezuela. The United States eased sanctions on the country’s oil sector, the opposition and the Maduro regime sketched out an electoral roadmap, and María Corina Machado triumphed in the opposition primary. What does all this mean for the country’s energy sector? "I estimate that instead of getting half a billion dollars per month, they will be getting closer to a billion dollars per month. So, it's a very important amount of money that Maduro could use to improve his electoral chances by spending money for electoral purposes," says Franci...2023-10-2631 minLatin America in FocusCan Carbon Markets Finance Brazil’s Green Transition?As the world falters in its 2015 Paris Agreement goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Brazil is helping turn the tide. As the country’s Senate approved a bill that would regulate companies releasing more than 10,000 tons of CO2 per year, it looks to start making a profit on emissions too. In this episode, the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro’s Emilio La Rovere talks to Luisa Leme about the benefits of putting a price on emissions, Brazil’s comparative advantage, and why Latin America needs to work with industrialized countries to get the world closer to a net-ze...2023-10-1226 minLatin America in FocusDollarization, Inflation, and Voter Frustration in ArgentinaArgentines face a three-horse race when they vote for a president on October 22. Each contender has distinct ideas for resolving the country’s economic and security woes. One of those candidates— libertarian Congressman Javier Milei—has brought back the idea of dollarizing the country’s economy. Are voters open to the idea? In this episode, Reuters Correspondent Anna-Catherine Brigida speaks from Buenos Aires about how each candidate is pitching themselves to voters and the interplay between their supporters. “There is a break from some of the traditional parties and left-right,” she told Chase Harrison.Learn about Argentina’s 2023 vote wi...2023-09-2822 minLatin America in FocusHow Women Won Political Parity in Mexico—and What Comes NextWith Mexico’s two main political alliances selecting Claudia Sheinbaum and Xóchitl Gálvez as their 2024 contenders, it’s looking likely that the country’s next president will be a woman. But already in Mexico, women hold a range of top political seats and have achieved gender parity in Congress. In this episode, Mónica Tapia talks with Carin Zissis about the history of how Mexican women carved a path to rising political representation, the role of a resurgent women’s movement, and the two women competing for the presidency. Tapia—co-founder of Aúna, an accelerator that helps women ga...2023-09-1427 minLatin America in FocusWhat AI’s “Tectonic Change” Means for Latin AmericaArtificial intelligence may spark job loss fears across the Americas, but businesses and people in the region are increasingly adopting the technology. Ángel Melguizo, partner at Argia and Latin America advisor to UNESCO on ethics and AI, outlined what countries need to do to benefit from the AI revolution without leaving people behind. He also covers the urgent need for a “coalition of the good” in terms of AI regulation, and where Latin America stands on the matter.Learn more about the AS/COA Tech Series: www.as-coa.org/tech Hear our previous episode with Melguizo about t...2023-07-2630 minLatin America in FocusMichael Reid on This EU-Latin American MomentThe second half of 2023 will see Spain take over several EU leadership posts, and Madrid has pledged to deepen its focus on EU-Latin American relations. Could this lead to aflourishing regional relations? Ahead of the EU-CELAC summit in July, author Michael Reid explained the roadblocks to trans-Atlantic integration. From Ukraine to a Mercosur-EU free trade agreement to Venezuela, Reid explains how a lack of a unified Latin American front affects its relationship with Europe and beyond.The music in this podcast is “La pollera colorá” by Carlota Santana for Americas Society. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slc6K5c...2023-07-1222 min
Latin America in FocusEmpowering North American GoalsIn a world struggling with geopolitical uncertainty, how can North America offer a secure environment and economic stability? In this episode, conducted in collaboration with the U.S.-Mexico Foundation (USMF), we explore the answer to this question and more. USMF Managing Director Enrique Perret interviews AS/COA’s Susan Segal about how Canada, Mexico, and the United States can build on 30 years of free-trade ties to drive exponential trade growth. The conversation emphasizes the need to eliminate North American barriers to labor mobility, how the 2026 World Cup gives the region the chance to amplify cultural relations, and how 2024 el...2023-06-2832 minLatin America in FocusGuatemala's Electoral CrossroadsGuatemalans head to the polls June 25 with their country’s democracy at a crossroads. Despite nearly two dozen presidential candidates on the ballot, three key contenders were eliminated and dozens of the country’s corruption-battling prosecutors and journalists face exile or imprisonment. What does this mean for the election? What is the U.S.’s role? How do Guatemala’s youth see their country’s prospects? Veteran journalist Juan Luis Font, a radio anchor with ConCriterio covering his country’s politics in exile, talks with AS/COA’s Carin Zissis,Learn more about Guatemala’s elections.Poll tracker: t...2023-06-0728 min
Latin America in FocusLife after “Crossed Death” in EcuadorEcuador’s Guillermo Lasso chose to do something unprecedented on May 17, invoking a constitutional clause that dissolved the National Assembly and triggered a new set of elections for the executive and legislative branches. Now that he’s Lasso ruling by decree, what can Ecuadorans expect in this period of uncertainty? And who are the big players ahead of the upcoming election? Atrevia’s Quito-based Carmen Sánchez-Laulhé talks with AS/COA Online’s Chase Harrison about the road ahead as the Andean country heads into uncharted territory.The music in this episode is "Yumbo," by Gerardo Gue...2023-05-2421 minLatin America in FocusThe Story of Unlikely Art Genius Bispo do RosarioArthur Bispo do Rosario never intended to become an artist. But he’s now recognized as a pioneering force in Latin American art. After experiencing hallucinations at the age of 29, he was checked in to a psychiatric institution where he spent the rest of his life. While there, he heard voices that told him to recreate all existing materials on earth. It’s from this idea that Americas Society drew the name for its exhibition, Bispo do Rosario: All Existing Materials on Earth. In this episode, we hear a conversation with the four curators exploring Bispo’s life, art, influe...2023-05-0415 minLatin America in FocusThe China-Taiwan Tussle in the AmericasWith Honduras having switched sides to Beijing in March 2023, only 13 countries worldwide recognize Taiwan over China. More than half are in Latin America and the Caribbean. Why are so many of Taipei’s allies based in the region? What happens after a country chooses China? And what do upcoming elections in Paraguay and Guatemala—the two biggest economies that still recognize Taiwan—mean for the future of this East Asian diplomatic tug of war? Florida International University’s Leland Lazarus, who served in U.S. Southern Command and the U.S. foreign service, answers these questions and more in a conver...2023-04-1928 minLatin America in FocusWhat the SVB Collapse Signals for Latin AmericaLatin America’s startups have spent the past three years navigating the tricky macroeconomic environment wrought by the pandemic. Now, they’re fending with high interest rates, a tightening pool of venture capital, and—oh yeah!—the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. AS/COA CEO and President Susan Segal explains why the collapse won’t rattle Latin America’s markets and how the region’s startups can thrive amid uncertainty, and she offers her short-term macroeconomic concerns. Check out other episodes at: www.as-coa.org/podcastThe music in this podcast is "Las dos milongas" performed by Estefanía Melonio (https...2023-04-0519 min
Latin America in FocusCould a Clash over Corn Upend U.S.-Mexico Trade Ties?When thinking about challenges for U.S.-Mexico ties, corn might not be the first thing to come to mind. But a simmering trade dispute over a potential Mexican ban of GMO corn could have enormous consequences for these intertwined economies. In this episode, North American trade expert Diego Marroquín tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis about the potential impact of such a ban and why the case is a “litmus test for Mexico’s commitment to USMCA.”The music in this podcast is performed by Tembembe Ensemble Continuo for Americas Society. Watch the video of this pe...2023-03-1521 min
Latin America in FocusA Decade of Nicolás MaduroMarch 5, 2023 marks 10 years of President Nicolás Maduro’s rule in Venezuela. Maduro has overseen a decade of economic turmoil, democratic backsliding, and a mass exodus of more than seven million Venezuelans. How does the government operate? And what will the 2024 elections bring? Bloomberg journalist Fabiola Zerpa and Amherst College professor of political science Javier Corrales discuss Venezuela’s political history and prospects with AS/COA Senior Director Guillermo Zubillaga.Check out other episodes at: www.as-coa.org/podcastThe music in this podcast is: “Zumba Cum Laude” by C4 Trío. https://youtu.be/F_pdNY_wz5...2023-03-0133 minLatin America in FocusCan a Lawsuit Stem Spyware Use in Central America?After his phone was hacked with Pegasus spyware four times, El Faro journalist Roman Gressier and 17* colleagues at the Salvadoran outlet decided to sue a software manufacturer in a U.S. court. His lawsuit is part of a growing effort to regulate the exploding market for digital surveillance worldwide. But can anything stop governments from using these tools? Gressier tells AS/COA Online’s Chase Harrison about the case, the role of Pegasus in Central America, and why he is pessimistic about the future of spyware.Check out other episodes at: www.as-coa.org/podcastTh...2023-02-1521 minLatin America in FocusWill the Anti-Incumbency Wave Reach Argentina and Guatemala?What’s the mood on the ground in Guatemala and Argentina, both of which hold presidential elections this year? Given voter dissatisfaction, will they follow the regional trend of backing the other side and bucking the status quo? Universidad del Valle de Guatemala’s Marielos Chang tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis why voters in the Central American country are frustrated by corruption and a dizzying array of political parties. Meanwhile, Cefeidas Group’s Juan Cruz Díaz talks with AS/COA’s Luisa Leme about what to watch in the race for the Casa Rosada and why runaway inflation w...2023-02-0232 min
Latin America in FocusSuperpesos? Coldplay Dollars? Inside Latin America's Currency MarketsThe 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. Peñalo...2022-11-1031 min
Emotionally FitWorking Through an Impasse with Co-Founder and CEO of Coa, Alexa MeyerHave you ever tried to make an important decision with a colleague, romantic partner, friend, or family member, but gotten completely stuck? In this Emotional Push-Up, Dr. Emily is joined by her co-founder and Coa’s CEO, Alexa Meyer, to share an effective, proactive tool they’ve used to get through decision impasses.Thank you for listening! Staying emotionally fit takes work and repetition. That's why the Emotionally Fit podcast with psychologist Dr. Emily Anhalt delivers short, actionable Emotional Push-Ups every Tuesday and Thursday to help you build a better practice of mental health. Join us to kick...2022-10-2012 min
Latin America in FocusMexico's March toward the 2024 ElectionFrom 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...2022-09-1330 min
Latin America in FocusKingmakers and Key Issues in Brazil's Lula–Bolsonaro ShowdownPollster 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 musicoftheamer...2022-08-1134 minEmotionally FitHow to Start Meditating with Lead Product Engineer at Coa, Scotty EckenthalGoing from never meditating to becoming a “good” mediator is a bit like going from never lifting weights to becoming a bodybuilder. It takes time and consistency (and lots of reps!) to build the habit. In this Emotional Push-Up with Coa's Lead Product Engineer, Scotty Eckenthal, Dr. Emily explores the process of creating a safe and calm space within oneself through meditation. Tune in and let’s meditate together!Listen to the song Generations by Dear Gravity. Thank you for listening! Staying emotionally fit takes work and repetition. That's why the Emotionally Fit pod...2022-08-0415 minEmotionally FitHow to Avoid an Emotional Hangover with CEO of Coa, Alexa Meyer & CoFounder of StudioPod Media, Julian A. Lewis IIHow much sharing is too much (or too little)? Today, Dr. Emily is joined by Coa CEO, Alexa Meyer, and StudioPod Cofounder, Julian A. Lewis II, to talk about how to avoid an emotional hangover with the help of boundaried vulnerability.Thank you for listening! Staying emotionally fit takes work and repetition. That's why the Emotionally Fit podcast with psychologist Dr. Emily Anhalt delivers short, actionable Emotional Push-Ups every Monday and Thursday to help you build a better practice of mental health. Join us to kickstart your emotional fitness. Let's flex those feels and do some reps t...2022-07-2809 minEmotionally FitHow to Accept a Compliment with Emotional Fitness Instructor at Coa, Karin GoldIt can be hard to accept a compliment. Perhaps we’ll come across as conceited if we do. Or maybe we’re so tough on ourselves that compliments don’t resonate or feel genuine. In this Emotional Push-Up, Dr. Emily is joined by Emotional Fitness Instructor at Coa, Karin Gold and shares a step-by-step method to help us all get a little more comfortable accepting compliments. Thank you for listening! Staying emotionally fit takes work and repetition. That's why the Emotionally Fit podcast with psychologist Dr. Emily Anhalt delivers short, actionable Emotional Push-Ups every Monday and Thursday to help...2022-07-1811 minEmotionally FitEnvy, Pie, & Supporting the Success of Others with Emotional Fitness Facilitator at Coa, Pallavi YeturSupporting the success of others might be tough at times, but not because we don't care. In this Emotional Push-Up, Coa’s own Pallavi Yetur sits down to talk with Dr. Emily about scarcity mentality and how to replace it with solidarity, elevating others, and paying it forward - because it's more fun and fulfilling when everyone is at the top together!Thank you for listening! Staying emotionally fit takes work and repetition. That's why the Emotionally Fit podcast with psychologist Dr. Emily Anhalt delivers short, actionable Emotional Push-Ups every Monday and Thursday to help you build a...2022-07-0410 minEmotionally FitBe a "Yes, And" Person with Class Operations Lead at Coa, Kailey ThompsonWhen was the last time you really played? In this Emotional Push-Up with Coa Class Operations Lead, Kaily Thompson, Dr. Emily explores the benefits of play and of taking a ‘yes, and’ approach to your work and relationships. Tune in to learn how you can incorporate more play in your life, and hear Dr. Emily and Kailey play one of their very favorite games.Thank you for listening! Staying emotionally fit takes work and repetition. That's why the Emotionally Fit podcast with psychologist Dr. Emily Anhalt delivers short, actionable Emotional Push-Ups every Monday and Thursday to help you...2022-06-3009 min
Latin America in FocusHow Latin America Is Fighting InflationAs 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 an...2022-06-2334 minEmotionally FitWhy Food is Love with Head of Emotional Fitness at Coa, Dr. Vaneeta SandhuIn this Emotional Push-Up, Dr. Emily is joined by the Head of Emotional Fitness at Coa Dr. Vaneeta Sandhu, to explore the idea that our relationship with food may offer some insights into how we were loved and how we love now. Listen in to hear about how we can be more intentional about the food we eat and the ways we show and share love.Thank you for listening! Staying emotionally fit takes work and repetition. That's why the Emotionally Fit podcast with psychologist Dr. Emily Anhalt delivers short, actionable Emotional Push-Ups every Monday and Thursday...2022-06-2316 min
Latin America in FocusColombian Voters Buck the Presidential Status QuoColombians 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.
Editor's note: The introduction to this podcast indicates the Mexican political party know as the PRI will, following 2022 gubernatorial inaugurations, control two of 32 governorships. However, it will control three of 32.
Election guide: www.as-coa.org/2022
Runoff...2022-06-0925 min
Latin America in FocusWhy Is Mexico Holding a Presidential Recall Vote?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
...2022-03-2329 min
Latin America in FocusThe Elections of Colombia's DiscontentColombians 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 musi...2022-02-1528 min
Latin America in FocusWhat Happened to Latin America's Anti-Corruption Push?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
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the A...2021-06-2332 min
Latin America in FocusA Pre-Midterm Pulse Check on the Mexican ElectorateWith 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
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sig...2021-05-2732 min
Latin America in FocusHow Business Schools Adapt in Times of CrisisThe pandemic is upending education as we know it. But even before COVID-19 hit, political unrest sparked by economic and social inequality proved the desire for a conscientious approach to business. In this episode, Joanne Li of FIU Business and Ignacio de la Vega of Tecnológico de Monterrey’s EGADE tell AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis how their programs are adapting to both COVID-19 and the drive for compassionate leadership.
Watch the deans’ participation in an AS/COA panel on business schools in the Americas:
www.as-coa.org/bizeducation
Opinions expressed in this podc...2020-09-1635 min
Latin America in FocusPutting Women at the Center of Latin America's COVID-19 ResponseWomen were already struggling to achieve gender equity in Latin America. Then along came COVID-19, threatening jobs and bringing new burdens at home. PepsiCo’s Monica Bauer and Think Olga’s Juliana de Faria talk about the hurdles, as well as the opportunities arising for women in the region during the pandemic.
Learn about the AS/COA Women’s Hemispheric Network at as-coa.org/women.
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newsletters: as-coa.org/newsletters2020-08-2637 min
Latin America in FocusThe Strange Case of El Salvador's Plummeting Homicide RateWas President Nayib Bukele’s tough-on-crime approach the reason behind El Salvador’s murder rate dropping 60 percent during his first year in office? International Crisis Group’s Tiziano Breda tells AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis there’s more to the story.
Read the report co-authored by Breda titled “Miracle or Mirage? Gangs and Plunging Gang Violence” here: https://bit.ly/3jQMi0n
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newsletters: as-coa.org/newslettersFollow us o...2020-07-2929 min
Latin America in FocusHow Uruguay Got It RightAround the world, tales of pandemic mismanagement abound. But there are success stories as well, such as Uruguay. The country’s PAHO representative, Dr. Giovani Escalante, spoke with AS/COA Online about the country’s quick steps—from voluntary quarantine to an integrated healthcare response—to contain the pandemic.
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newsletters: as-coa.org/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www...2020-07-1626 min
Latin America in FocusShining a Light on Police Abuse In MexicoEarlier this month, as demonstrators across the United States took to the streets to oppose police violence, Mexico was witnessing protests of its own following the extrajudicial killing of a construction worker by police in Guadalajara. Roberto Hernández, a lawyer and co-director of the film Presunto culpable, delves into the findings of World Justice Project report showing the high rate and underreporting of police brutality. As he tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis: “Mexico is using torture and ill treatment as investigative tools.”
Get the WJP report: https://bit.ly/3hDdQW3
Opinions expressed in this...2020-06-1831 min
Latin America in FocusHow Brazil Could Slow Its Coronavirus OutbreakIf Latin America is now being described as the new coronavirus epicenter, then Brazil’s raging outbreak is a major reason why. But that doesn’t mean solutions don’t exist. Marcia Castro is chair of the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard University and a demographer who has done extensive research on malaria and Zika. She tells AS/COA Online’s Luisa Leme that, despite leadership mistakes, “There is still time,” explaining that one answer lies in the country’s teams of community health workers who make up part of Brazil’s universal healthcare system.
Find out more...2020-06-1144 min
Latin America in FocusThe Myth Of The Monolithic Latino Vote“Latino outreach” shouldn’t just be in Spanish. U.S. Latinos are split on deportation policy, and they’re being hit hardest economically by COVID-19. In this episode, AS/COA Online chisels away at the data on the voting bloc with Mark Hugo Lopez of the Pew Research Center.
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newsletters: as-coa.org/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www...2020-05-0734 min
Latin America in FocusHow Is the Coronavirus Changing Brazil?In Brazil, the coronavirus is a crisis that’s piling up on top of a previous recession, deforestation worries, and political polarization. AS/COA Online’s Luisa Leme spoke with three prior Latin America in Focus guests—Mauricio Santoro, Tai Nailon, and Maria Antonia Tigre—to understand the pandemic’s impact on China relations, misinformation campaigns, and the environment.
Past episodes with our guests:
How Asia-Brazil Trade Shifted Bolsonaro's China View
https://j.mp/3bPYcn4
Fact-Checking Brazil's Misinformation Crisis
https://j.mp/3eWtdHM
Can International Law Save the Amazon?
http...2020-04-2944 min
Latin America in FocusQueens of the Migrant Trail“It felt like doing a movie,” says Cuban-American photojournalist Lisette Poole, talking to AS/COA Online’s Luisa Horwitz about her 51-day journey documenting two Cuban women migrating through 13 countries to reach the United States in 2016, before the end of Washington's “wet foot, dry foot” policy.
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newsletters: as-coa.org/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/as...2020-04-1632 min
Latin America in FocusDr. Julio Frenk on the Coronavirus Pandemic in an Age of Populism“We need to understand that health security is national and global security,” says the University of Miami president, a former health minister of Mexico and dean of Harvard University’s School of Public Health who has held decision-making roles during a number of pandemics. Dr. Frenk tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis that, with a fraction of what’s been lost in the stock market during this pandemic, “we could have competent surveillance and preparedness systems. But again, this is the invisible part of the health system. It’s the thing that we only notice when it fails.”
Learn more abo...2020-03-1629 min
Latin America in FocusMexico’s Fight against Femicide Reaches a Boiling PointAbril, Ingrid, Fátima. It’d take seven more names to get to 10—the average number of women killed daily in Mexico. Though the country poured resources into battling the violence, the femicide rate rose 138 percent from 2015 to 2019. And women are taking to the street to demand action. EQUIS Justice for Women’s Ana Pecova talks with AS/COA’s Carin Zissis about why Mexican institutions have failed to stop rising femicide, as well as the changes needed to turn the tide.
Read Pecova’s award-winning piece, “Derechos de papel.” https://bit.ly/2VFTJOC
Opinions expres...2020-03-0337 min
Latin America in FocusReissue: Carlos Bravo Regidor on the Start of AMLO's PresidencyAs Andrés Manuel López Obrador rounds out his first 100 days in office as president of Mexico, CIDE’s Carlos Bravo Regidor talks with AS/COA's Carin Zissis about his popularity, use of corruption as a political weapon, “omnipresence” through message control, and nostalgia. “He has this fantasy that he’s going to be able to choose his place in posterity,” says Bravo Regidor.
Follow Carlos Bravo Regidor on Twitter: twitter.com/carlosbravoreg
Learn more about AMLO’s first 100 days: www.as-coa.org/amlo100
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of...2019-12-2644 min
Latin America in FocusReissue: Nayib Bukele on His Plans for El SalvadorHe’s 37, a social media maven, and he won El Salvador’s presidential election without the backing of the country’s two main parties. Nayib Bukele, an ex-mayor of San Salvador, isn’t exactly a political newcomer. But his June inauguration will end 10 years of the leftist FMLN in power. Bukele spoke with CNBC’s Michelle Caruso-Cabrera our COA’s 49th Washington Conference about U.S. ties, Venezuela, China, and an ambitious promise on immigration.
The #2019WCA conference lineup included U.S. VP Mike Pence, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, and Colombian VP Marta Luc...2019-12-2029 min
Latin America in FocusArgentina’s 2019 Election Brings in a New PresidentArgentina’s 2019 presidential competition ended on October 27, when Alberto Fernández and running mate ex-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner won in the first round, unseating President Mauricio Macri. Buenos Aires-based Special Advisor to AS/COA Juan Cruz Díaz talks with AS/COA Online’s Luisa Horwitz about Macri’s legacy, the importance of the presidential transition, and the future of Argentine foreign relations.
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newsletters: as-coa.org/newslettersFollow...2019-10-3038 min
Latin America in FocusPresident-elect Nayib Bukele on His Plans for El SalvadorHe’s 37, a social media maven, and he won El Salvador’s presidential election without the backing of the country’s two main parties. Nayib Bukele, an ex-mayor of San Salvador, isn’t exactly a political newcomer. But his June inauguration will end 10 years of the leftist FMLN in power. Bukele spoke with CNBC’s Michelle Caruso-Cabrera our COA’s 49th Washington Conference about U.S. ties, Venezuela, China, and an ambitious promise on immigration.
The #2019WCA conference lineup included U.S. VP Mike Pence, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, and Colombian VP Marta Luc...2019-05-0929 min
Latin America in FocusMeet Cuba's Emerging Artist, CimafunkFrom Pinar del Rio to Havana, Paris to New York, Cimafunk is taking his Afro-Cuban sound on the road. AS/COA Online’s Elizabeth Gonzalez sat down with the emerging musician and AS/COA Music Director Sebastián Zubieta to discuss the evolution of Cimafunk’s sound at home and abroad. Hear more Cimafunk at www.cimafunk.com. Learn more about upcoming Americas Society concerts at www.musicoftheamericas.org.
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newslette...2019-04-2422 min
Latin America in FocusSizing Up the Start of AMLO's PresidencyAs Andrés Manuel López Obrador rounds out his first 100 days in office as president of Mexico, CIDE’s Carlos Bravo Regidor talks with AS/COA's Carin Zissis about his popularity, use of corruption as a political weapon, “omnipresence” through message control, and nostalgia. “He has this fantasy that he’s going to be able to choose his place in posterity,” says Bravo Regidor.
Follow Carlos Bravo Regidor on Twitter: https://twitter.com/carlosbravoreg
Learn more about AMLO’s first 100 days: www.as-coa.org/amlo100
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily refl...2019-03-0744 min
Latin America in FocusCan Bolsonaro Get What He Wants from Brazil’s Congress?In an effort to deliver law and order for voters doubting democracy, President Jair Bolsonaro promised to renew politics in Brasília. The problem with that plan? Brazil’s multiparty system—also known as Congress. Fundação Getulio Vargas’ Carlos Pereira talks with AS/COA Online’s Luisa Leme about the new president’s legislative strategy—and the headaches he faces.
For more on the start of the Bolsonaro government, visit: http://www.as-coa.org/bolsonaro100
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.2019-02-2636 min
Latin America in FocusCuba’s New Constitution and 60 Years of the RevolutionJust as Cuba’s Revolution marks its 60-year anniversary, the country is preparing to vote on the biggest constitutional overhaul since 1976. Cuba analyst Michael Bustamente and Cuba Working Group (CWG) head Alana Tummino sat down with AS/COA Online’s Elizabeth Gonzalez to discuss the changes and the online debate taking place ahead of the February 24 constitutional referendum. Learn more about the AS/COA CWG at as-coa.org/cuba
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newslette...2019-02-1237 min
Latin America in FocusWhat to Expect from an AMLO PresidencySince Andrés Manuel López Obrador won the election by a landslide in July, observers have been looking for clues about whether the incoming president, who takes office December 1, will end up being a populist or a pragmatist. Former Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis why Donald Trump and AMLO have gotten along so far—and what might burst the bubbles. Plus, Speyside Mexico’s Amy Glover explains why AMLO is giving the private sector the jitters, but why we should give the new administration a chance.
Follow Sarukhan for commentary: https://twitter.com/Artu...2018-11-2941 min
Latin America in FocusFact-Checking Brazil’s Misinformation CrisisWas Brazil’s presidential election the epicenter of fake news crisis? Aos Fatos’ Tai Nalon spoke with AS/COA Online’s Luisa Leme about how misinformation on social media and closed messaging applications such as WhatsApp can interfere with democracy, and what that means on a global scale. Learn more: www.as-coa.org/brazil2018
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newsletters: as-coa.org/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagr...2018-11-0734 min
Latin America in FocusWho Will Win Brazil's Nostalgia Vote?“This is a country that has been through massive traumas over the last couple of years. And you might say ‘okay, so they’re going to bottom out, things couldn’t get worse.’ Things could get worse.” In this podcast episode, AS/COA Online interviews two in-house Brazilian experts, Americas Quarterly Editor-in-Chief and AS/COA Vice President Brian Winter and new AS/COA Senior Director of Policy Roberto Simon, on what’s at stake ahead of the October 7 first-round vote, candidates’ advantages and disadvantages, and the overlooked congressional elections.
Learn more about the Brazilian elections at as-coa.org/brazil20182018-09-2047 min
Latin America in FocusThe Venezuelan ExodusFor decades, Venezuela welcomed immigrants. Now, it’s Latin America’s time to welcome the 2.3 million migrants who’ve fled the country in the last five years, says Human Rights Watch Senior Researcher Tamara Taraciuk Broner, lead author of the report, The Venezuelan Exodus. She tells AS/COA Online’s Holly K. Sonneland about the report's findings and regional recommendations.
Access the HRW report: https://bit.ly/2x17ZnV
Learn more about AS/COA’s Venezuela Working Group at: as-coa.org/vwg
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas S...2018-09-1225 min
Latin America in FocusMORENA Holds the Cards in Mexico’s New CongressOn September 1, Mexico witnessed the historic opening session of a new federal Congress. Why historic? Because it represented an upending of the prior party system. With sweeping wins in the July elections, MORENA, the party of incoming President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, holds a solid majority in both houses. Odracir Barquera, who served as a chief of staff in the last Senate, talks with AS/COA’s Carin Zissis about changes in the legislature, who can be a counterweight, and gender parity in Congress.
For more on Mexico’s elections, visit: www.as-coa.org/mxelex
...2018-09-0428 min
Latin America in FocusClandestina's Founders on Building a Fashion Brand in a Shifting CubaCuba’s private sector has made a significant leap since its opening, counting nearly 600,000 micro-businesses owners, or cuentapropistas, today. Among its best-known entrepreneurs are the founders of Clandestina, Cuba’s first independent fashion label. AS/COA Online’s Elizabeth Gonzalez spoke to Idania del Rio and Leire Fernandez about their experience launching their business, the implications of the latest private-sector reforms, and the future of same-sex marriage on the island.
This conversation took place at an AS/COA Young Professionals of the Americas event. Find out more at: www.as-coa.org/ypa
Opinions expressed in thi...2018-08-2128 min
Latin America in FocusWhy Mexico's Election Will Redraw the Country's Political MapThe closer we get to Mexico's July 1 vote, the more Andrés Manuel López Obrador's poll lead grows, and some 3,400 seats are up for grabs-about 60 percent more than in the 2012 vote-which helps MORENA, AMLO's political party. "MORENA will have a lot of jobs to offer," pollster Jorge Buendía told AS/COA's Carin Zissis in Mexico City. "And the question here is, then what are going to be the checks and balances on López Obrador?"
Check out Oraculus' "poll of polls." https://oraculus.mx/
Access our Mexico Election Guide. http://www.as-coa.org/mxelex2018-06-1234 min
Latin America in FocusEl sueño americano en Cuba y los desafíos del cuentapropistaIn this special episode of Latin America in Focus, we travel to Cuba to meet with cuentapropistas, Cuban entrepreneurs faced with the challenges of evolving policies in both Washington and Havana. This episode is in Spanish.
El anuncio de Donald Trump el junio pasado, la suspensión de las licencias para negocios privados en Cuba, el huracán Irma, la reducción del personal en ambas embajadas, son todos parte de la serie de eventos de la segunda mitad del 2017 que culminó con una caída turística devastadora para los cuentapropistas en Cuba. Leani Garcia y Elizabeth...2018-05-2957 min
Latin America in FocusCreating, Rebuilding, and Reinventing Latin American CitiesSome 80% of Latin Americans live in cities—more than twice 1950’s rate. How did these urban areas become the metropolises we know today? In this two-segment episode, we look at the history and future of Latin American cities. First, 100 Resilient Cities’ Eugene Zapata-Garesché explains how cities are leading public policy today. Then the Getty Research Institute’s Maristella Casciato and Idurre Alonso walk us through The Metropolis in Latin America, 1830–1930, an exhibition running through June 30, 2018, at the Americas Society gallery.
Listen to an AS/COA Online podcast with Zapata-Garesché about Mexico’s September 2017 earthquake. https://bit.ly/2DL2TNe
...2018-05-2336 min
Latin America in FocusEverything More Important than Venezuela’s ElectionWith the May 20 presidential vote unlikely to bring regime change, the international private sector might be more effective than sanctions at putting pressure on Nicolás Maduro, Northwestern University’s Daniel Lansberg-Rodríguez tells AS/COA Online’s Holly K. Sonneland. If and when Venezuela’s recovery comes, he says, it’ll be quicker and more robust than many expect, due in no small part to a highly educated, entrepreneurial diaspora.
Learn about our venezuela working group at www.as-coa.org/venezuela and see the latest AQ issue on "Rebuilding Venezuela" at https://bit.ly/2wMskQh.
Opinions...2018-05-1646 min
Latin America in FocusPut a Little Trust in MexicoIt’s election time in Mexico, and that means mudslinging and memes. It also means an unhappy electorate. A study found that Mexicans are more distrustful of their government than people in any of the other 27 countries surveyed, Edelman México’s Mariana Sanz tells AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis. But certain sectors shine in Mexicans’ view and one is civil society. Gabriela Hernández Cardoso of Méxicos Posibles explains a new citizens’ initiative and its hope to tackle the country’s problems of illegality, insecurity, and inequality.
Access Edelman’s 2018 Trust Barometer: https://bit.ly/2GdgNwS
...2018-03-2231 min
Latin America in FocusGiving Women the "Right Space to Thrive"How has the #MeToo movement made 2018 the year of the woman and what does it mean in a Latin American context? We speak with Dr. Felicia Knaul, director of the University of Miami's Institute for Advanced Studies of the Americas, and Susan Segal, president and CEO of Americas Society/Council of the Americas, about how #MeToo has created a space for dialogue about women in the workforce, from being what Knaul calls "passionate professionals" to giving women, particularly in Latin America, "the right space to thrive," says Segal. Both women share insights from their careers in the spheres of...2018-02-1655 min
Latin America in FocusLatin America Has One Foot in China's Belt and RoadJust before taking off on his Latin America tour this month, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned about China's growing engagement in the region. But with the TPP off the table and the future of NAFTA in doubt, there's more room than ever for China to fill the vacuum left by United States. The OECD's head of the Latin America and Caribbean unit Ángel Melguizo speaks with AS/COA Online's Elizabeth Gonzalez about how the region can shape its relationship with Beijing. Listen to our first podcast with Melguizo at as-coa.org/newchina and watch the full A...2018-02-0831 min
Latin America in FocusCosta Rican Voters Are “Blowing in the Wind”On the eve of February 4 general elections, the greatest bloc of Tico voters are still undecided about who they’re going to pick for president. No fewer than six candidates have legitimate chances at making it into the Easter Sunday runoff, say pollsters Felipe Alpízar and Ronald Alfaro of the University of Costa Rica’s Center for Research and Political Studies in this episode with AS/COA Online’s Holly K. Sonneland. A January 9 court ruling on gay marriage is only fueling voter anxieties, especially among conservatives.
Get the background on the election, top candidates, and more on...2018-01-3141 min
Latin America in FocusFrom Elections to Trade, Latin America's Big 2018 StoriesIf 2017 was the year that changed the United States, 2018 will be the year that could change Latin America. A wave of elections will wash across the region, with voters choosing between the status quo and a rising tide of outsiders. All of this takes place as the United States increasingly looks inward, sparking questions about NAFTA’s fate and China’s global role. AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis hosts our first podcast of the year in which Luisa Leme talks with Americas Quarterly’s Brian Winter about the region’s packed electoral calendar, Eric Farnsworth of COA’s Washington o...2018-01-1152 min
Latin America in FocusJulio Borges on Civil Disobedience in VenezuelaIn Venezuela, since the government no longer follows the Constitution, calls to practice civil disobedience in fact seek a return to order, says congressional opposition leader Julio Borges. The Justice First party leader talks with AS/COA Online's Holly K. Sonneland about the recall referendum against President Nicolás Maduro, the September 1 march on Caracas, and telling his young quadruplets why government supporters beat him.
More: http://www.as-coa.org/articles/latam-focus-julio-borges-civil-disobedience-venezuela
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. ...2016-08-1714 min
Latin America in FocusEl rol de las redes sociales en la democracia venezolanaLuz Mely Reyes, cofundadora del medio noticioso comunitario y colaborativo Efecto Cocuyo, habla con Guillermo Zubillaga sobre su carrera, el rol de las redes sociales en la democracia venezolana y por qué su página lleva el nombre de un insecto fosforescente.
Para más del grupo de trabajo sobre Venezuela de AS/COA, diríjase a: www.as-coa.org/venezuela
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newsletters: as-coa.org/newslettersFollow u...2016-04-2313 min
Latin America in FocusPeru's Dramatic 2016 Presidential ElectionHarvard's Steven Levitsky talks with Holly K. Sonneland about Peru's 2016 presidential election, the candidates, and the ups and downs of the race.
For more content from AS/COA, go to www.as-coa.org.
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newsletters: as-coa.org/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.f...2016-04-0711 min
Latin America in FocusCongressman Rick Crawford on U.S. Agricultural Trade with CubaTrade is good business for both the U.S. and Cuban economies, says Arkansas Republican Rick Crawford, who talks with Elizabeth Gonzalez about a bill he introduced that would ease trade restrictions between Washington and Havana.
Get more content on Cuba from AS/COA's Cuba Working Group: www.as-coa.org/cuba
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newsletters: as-coa.org/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInst...2016-04-0409 min
Latin America in FocusWill Venezuela Default?Moody's Jaime Reusche talks with Holly K. Sonneland about Venezuela's upcoming bond payments, its complicated relationship with China, and what oil price will keep the budget in the black.
Get more content on Venezuela from AS/COA here: www.as-coa.org/venezuela
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newsletters: as-coa.org/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asco...2016-03-0108 min