Latin America in Focus (AS/COA Online)
Explore every episode of Latin America in Focus
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Feb 2025 | What Brazil Can Teach the Americas About Immigration | 00:43:53 | |
Migration 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 Jarochinski Silva of the Federal University of Roraima to get the rundown of Latin America’s efforts to receive the region’s migrants. We zoom in on a special program in Brazil, Operation Welcome, as an example, however imperfect, of how to regularize and integrate people who have left their home countries. Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org. Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Share your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society. https://www.as-coa.org/memberships/engage-americas-society 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/newsletters | |||
| 19 Apr 2023 | The China-Taiwan Tussle in the Americas | 00:28:01 | |
With 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 conversation with AS/COA’s Carin Zissis. Learn more about upcoming elections with AS/COA’s 2023 guide: www.as-coa.org/2023 Read our guest’s research: The music in this episode is “El Choclo” performed by Sergio Reyes and Emilio Teubal for Americas Society. Watch the performance: https://youtu.be/czRjMxxM_eM Find out about upcoming concerts: musicoftheamericas.org This episode was produced by Jon Orbach. Luisa Leme is the executive producer. Carin Zissis is the host. Learn more about and subscribe to Latin America in Focus: www.as-coa.org/podcast Send us feedback at ascoa.online@as-coa.org or via Twitter @ASCOA. 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/newsletters | |||
| 14 Sep 2023 | How Women Won Political Parity in Mexico—and What Comes Next | 00:27:27 | |
With 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 gain political roles across Mexico—also explains the next steps, saying: “What needs to happen is that women not only become governor or president, but that they really have their power.” Learn about Mexico’s elections at: www.as-coa.org/2024 Find out about AS/COA’s Women’s Hemispheric Network at: www.as-coa.org/women The music in this episode was performed by La Bruja de Texcoco at Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.org This podcast was produced by Luisa Leme. Carin Zissis is the host. Check out other episodes and subscribe to Latin America in Focus on your preferred platform via: www.as-coa.org/podcast We’d love to hear from you. Share feedback at: latamfocus@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/newsletters | |||
| 27 Mar 2024 | What's on the Economic Agenda for Panama's Next President? | 00:32:45 | |
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 the second episode on Mexico’s youth vote. See our Panama election poll tracker at: www.as-coa.org/panama-polls Get election coverage in our guide at: www.as-coa.org/2024 Visit www.as-coa.org/podcast to subscribe at your preferred platform and so you don’t miss future episodes. The music in this podcast is "Cadenza con pajarillo,” performed by Eddy Marcano & Trío Acústico for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.org Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 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/newsletters | |||
| 17 Apr 2025 | Bonus Episode: Remembering Mario Vargas Llosa | 00:41:33 | |
On 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/podcast Listen to Beyond the Boom—Latin American Writing in Translation, a previous episode in which translators discuss the state of Latin American letters in English and honor the legacy of Edith Grossman. The music in this podcast is by Pedro Ximénez de Abrill Tirado. It was composed in the 1820s in Arequipa and was performed by Eybler Quartet for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at 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 newsletters: as-coa.org/newsletters | |||
| 12 Jul 2023 | Michael Reid on This EU-Latin American Moment | 00:22:19 | |
The 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=slc6K5cE44o Learn more about and subscribe to Latin America in Focus: www.as-coa.org/podcast Send us feedback at: latamfocus@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/newsletters | |||
| 05 Apr 2023 | What the SVB Collapse Signals for Latin America | 00:19:41 | |
Latin 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.
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/newsletters | |||
| 28 Sep 2023 | Dollarization, Inflation, and Voter Frustration in Argentina | 00:22:28 | |
Argentines 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 with our election guide at: www.as-coa.org/2023 Check our Argentina poll tracker at: as-coa.org/ARGpolls The music in this podcast was performed by Alejandro Brittes Baroque Ensemble for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.org. Watch the performance for Americas Society. This podcast was produced by Luisa Leme. Carin Zissis is the host. Check out other episodes and subscribe to Latin America in Focus on your preferred platform via: www.as-coa.org/podcast We’d love to hear from you. Share feedback at: latamfocus@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/newsletters | |||
| 07 Nov 2024 | Latin America’s Companies of Tomorrow, Today | 00:36:27 | |
Latin 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 technology prospects, and the future of the region’s entrepreneurial businesses. Learn more about the 2024 COA Symposium in Miami and the BRAVO Business Awards. Subscribe to the BRAVO Leadership Forums podcasts for conversations with business leaders shaping the region: www.as-coa.org/BRAVO The music in this podcast is performed by “Ya,” by Eric Kurimski Quartet, for Americas Society. Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org. Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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/newsletters | |||
| 13 Mar 2024 | Brian A. Nichols on the Biden Administration's Latin America Policy | 00:33:02 | |
Just 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 economic ties with Mexico. What will Washington do if the Maduro regime doesn’t allow opposition candidate María Corina Machado to run? How will Mexico’s election affect the bilateral relationship? All this and more are covered in this episode. Watch the video of this event: https://www.as-coa.org/BrianNichols2024 Visit www.as-coa.org/podcast to subscribe at your preferred platform and so you don’t miss future episodes. Send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org or via X at @ASCOA. The music in this podcast is Arrecife Urbano, performed by Cuarteto de Guitarras de Costa Rica for Americas Society. Watch the performance: https://youtu.be/jUHzWiavG1o?si=0gUQiE_jmUjeNZ8g Find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.org Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 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/newsletters | |||
| 03 Oct 2024 | Could a Referendum Rattle Uruguay's Presidential Race? | 00:30:03 | |
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 and send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org. Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. The music in this podcast is “Three Points of View" performed by Gustavo Casenave for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.org Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 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/newsletters | |||
| 13 Mar 2025 | Drugs, Guns, and Dollars: Unpacking the Implications of Cartels' FTO Designation | 00:41:51 | |
The 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:
Get all the analysis on the Trump administration’s actions toward Latin America: www.as-coa.org/trump Share your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society. Becoming a member gives you preferential access to music performances, art gallery, book events, our magazine Americas Quarterly, and more. https://www.as-coa.org/memberships/engage-americas-society Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org. Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. A previously released version of this podcast included information that fentanyl deaths are rising. In fact, the latest complete data from the CDC shows that from September 2023 to September 2024, overdose deaths fell by 24 percent.
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/newsletters | |||
| 29 Aug 2024 | LatAm in Focus at 200: What Do We Know about Electoral Trends in the Americas? | 00:41:25 | |
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’s Director of Race and Ethnicity Research Mark Hugo Lopez covers how Latino voters view the high-stakes U.S. presidential competition between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. And, AS/COA Online Editor-in-Chief Carin Zissis shares what to watch for in Mexico, where Claudia Sheinbaum is preparing to take the presidential reins in Mexico. Speaking of elections, check out AS/COA’s 2024 guide for more about this year’s votes. www.as-coa.org/2024
The music in this podcast is “Galopada” by Itiberê Zwarg, performed for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at: 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 newsletters: as-coa.org/newsletters | |||
| 26 Oct 2023 | Venezuela’s Energy Sector Primes for a Thaw | 00:31:16 | |
October 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 Francisco Monaldi, a fellow and the director of the Latin American Energy Program at Rice University’s Baker Institute. He spoke with AS/COA Venezuela Working Group Director Guillermo Zubillaga about the outlook for the sector and Venezuela's 2024 elections. This podcast was produced by Jon Orbach. Carin Zissis is the host. Luisa Leme is the executive producer. Listen to an Americas Quarterly’s interview with the White House’s Juan Gonzalez that is mentioned in the episode: t.ly/foX6f The music in this episode is “Pasa Mi Padre” performed by Jorge Torres. Watch the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgJUwTOsK1w Find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.org Check out other episodes and subscribe to Latin America in Focus on your preferred platform via: www.as-coa.org/podcast We’d love to hear from you. Share feedback at: latamfocus@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/newsletters | |||
| 30 Nov 2023 | Beyond the Boom: Latin American Writing in Translation | 00:40:38 | |
Earlier 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.
The music in this episode was performed for Americas Society and includes:
Find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.org We’d love to hear from you. Share feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.org Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 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/newsletters | |||
| 12 Oct 2023 | Can Carbon Markets Finance Brazil’s Green Transition? | 00:26:42 | |
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-zero economy. The music in this episode is "Samba do lago" performed by Diego Salvetti: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPAmkg-VTtQ Find out about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.org. https://www.as-coa.org/music This podcast was produced by Luisa Leme and Jon Orbach. Carin Zissis is the host. Check out other episodes and subscribe to Latin America in Focus on your preferred platform via: https://www.as-coa.org/podcast We’d love to hear from you. Share feedback at: latamfocus@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/newsletters | |||
| 23 Jan 2025 | Borders, Bargains, and Bluster: Did Trump's Day One Set the Tone for Latin America? | 00:36:40 | |
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 presidency will shape U.S. relations with Latin America.
Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org. Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. The music in this podcast is "Old Wooden Chair" performed by Nation Beat for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at: 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 newsletters: as-coa.org/newsletters | |||
| 18 Jul 2024 | On the Ground and Online: Venezuela's Electoral Battle | 00:31:55 | |
Since 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 played out online as well. Mariví Marin Vázquez, founder and executive director of digital observatory ProBox, explains why the country’s voters have turned to social media to get news. She told AS/COA’s Carin Zissis how the regime exploits social media algorithms as it seeks to soften Maduro’s image, even as online tools offer an opportunity for independent news sources and civil society to share information. Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.org Learn more about Venezuela’s elections at: www.as-coa.org/2024 Read ProBox resources on Venezuelan social media use (t.ly/y7bh3) and the Maduro regime’s use of online tools (t.ly/Kk1NG). Read an Americas Quarterly article by AS/COA’s Board Chair Andrés Gluski and President/CEO Susan Segal about why this electoral round may be different: t.ly/NDCxh This is the seventh episode in our 2024 election series. Prior episodes covered what comes next for Mexico after Claudia’s Sheinbaum’s electoral win, how Latin America figures into the Trump-Biden battle, the Dominican Republic’s unique political culture, the economic agenda for Panama’s next president, the youth vote in Mexico, and Nayib Bukele’s global reach. Find this content and more in this year's election guide at: www.as-coa.org/2024 The music in this podcast is “Nos volveremos a encontrar,” performed by Venezuelan singer-songwriter Geraldyn García and cuatro player Daniel Molina for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at: 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 newsletters: as-coa.org/newsletters | |||
| 02 Feb 2023 | Will the Anti-Incumbency Wave Reach Argentina and Guatemala? | 00:32:51 | |
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 will play a role in the outcome. For more on this year's Latin American elections, visit our guide: www.as-coa.org/2023 The music in this podcast is: Learn more at: 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 newsletters: as-coa.org/newsletters | |||
| 12 Dec 2024 | The Soft Power of Latin American Music | 00:40:05 | |
For 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 Latin America in Focus holiday list of recommendations. Music of the Americas performances mentioned during the interview:
AS/COA Online Holiday list:
Share your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society. Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org. Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. The music featured in this podcast is “Me gusta soñar”, by the C4 Trio. Find out about upcoming concerts at: 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 newsletters: as-coa.org/newsletters | |||
| 24 May 2023 | Life after “Crossed Death” in Ecuador | 00:21:02 | |
Ecuador’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 Guevara, performed by Ensamble InConcerto for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts: musicoftheamericas.org Read our recent coverage of Ecuador’s impeachment process https://tinyurl.com/27cwchvz and timeline of events: https://tinyurl.com/y45b4357 Stay up on what might come next in our 2023 Election Guide: www.as-coa.org/2023 This episode was produced by Jon Orbach. Luisa Leme is the executive producer. Carin Zissis is the host. Learn more about and subscribe to Latin America in Focus: www.as-coa.org/podcast Send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org or via Twitter @ASCOA 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/newsletters | |||
| 08 Feb 2024 | How Courts Can Make or Break Latin America's Corruption Battle | 00:22:05 | |
When 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 opportunity to restore its standing as a regional transparency leader. Access the Transparency International 2023 report: http://t.ly/nvrSP Read Luciana Torchiaro’s analysis on the challenges to independent judiciaries in Latin America: http://t.ly/1Q3ZW AS/COA also monitors corruption progress in Latin America. See our 2023 Capacity to Combat Corruption Index, published in partnership with Control Risks: https://www.as-coa.org/CCC2023 The music in this episode is “Compay” by Ártemis Duo. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRxcjm2Sia4 Find out about upcoming concerts at: www.musicoftheamericas.org Check out other episodes and subscribe to Latin America in Focus on your preferred platform via: www.as-coa.org/podcast We’d love to hear from you. Share feedback at: latamfocus@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/newsletters | |||
| 13 Feb 2025 | The Durability of Mano Dura in Ecuador | 00:28:59 | |
Ecuador, 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 America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org. Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Get more insights on what’s driving voters in Latin America in this year's 2025 Election Guide: www.as-coa.org/2025elections The music in this episode is Jasper String Quartet performing Vivian Fung’s “Insects and Machines” for Americas Society. 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/newsletters | |||
| 19 Sep 2024 | What Brazil’s Twitter Ban Tells Us about Internet Laws in Latin America | 00:32:39 | |
On 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 America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org. Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. The music in this podcast is "Caiboaté" performed by Alejandro Brittes and Baroque Ensemble for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at: 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 newsletters: as-coa.org/newsletters | |||
| 20 Nov 2024 | Lula, Sheinbaum, and Milei on a Shifting Global Stage | 00:31:29 | |
It’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 summitry, and what they foresee for the future of U.S.-China competition in the region. Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org. Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. The music in this podcast is "Espinha de bacalhau" performed by the trio Solar for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at: 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 newsletters: as-coa.org/newsletters | |||
| 11 Apr 2024 | Is Latin America Ready for Another Pandemic? | 00:27:53 | |
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 outbreak, the strengths and liabilities Latin America has in battling pandemics, and what advice she’d give Brazil’s president. Learn about AS/COA’s Healthcare Series: https://www.as-coa.org/healthcare Visit www.as-coa.org/podcast to subscribe at your preferred platform and so you don’t miss future episodes. Send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org or via X at @ASCOA. The music in this podcast is performed by Bobby Sanabria and the Multiverse Big Band for Americas Society. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 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/newsletters | |||
| 10 Apr 2025 | Top Mexican CEOs on the Depth of U.S.-Mexico Integration | 00:36:32 | |
In 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 Americas on April 3. You can watch the entire event on our website: https://www.as-coa.org/watchlisten/mexican-investment-united-states-jobs-regional-presence-and-economic-growth and learn more about COA’s activities focused on Mexico at: as-coa.org/mexico Speakers:
Get all the analysis on the Trump administration’s actions toward Latin America: https://www.as-coa.org/content/trump-administration-latin-america Share your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society. https://www.as-coa.org/memberships/engage-americas-society 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/newsletters | |||
| 04 May 2023 | The Story of Unlikely Art Genius Bispo do Rosario | 00:15:02 | |
Arthur 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, influence, and first U.S. solo show. The show is open in New York City at Americas Society through May 20. See images, videos, and a pocket book about the exhibition at: www.as-coa.org/bispo The music in this podcast was "Sexteto Místico" by Heitor Villa-Lobos, performed at Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.org Check out other episodes at: www.as-coa.org/podcast We’d love your feedback! Write us at latamfocus@as-coa.org with comments, questions, and ideas. 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/newsletters | |||
| 15 Mar 2023 | Could a Clash over Corn Upend U.S.-Mexico Trade Ties? | 00:21:37 | |
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. Other music in the podcast was performed by Botellita de Jerez and Nostalgia Huasteca. Learn more about Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast 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/newsletters | |||
| 16 May 2024 | How Latin America Fits into the Biden-Trump Battle | 00:36:09 | |
Buckle 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 advised high-ranking Republicans, such as Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush. The conversation took place at the State Department during COA’s Washington Conference on the Americas on May 7. Watch the panel: t.ly/cUBlx Catch other speakers and panels from the conference: t.ly/W2I7V This is the fifth episode in our 2024 election series. Prior episodes covered the economic agenda for Panama’s next president, the youth vote in Mexico, Nayib Bukele’s global reach, and how the DR election bucks regional political trends. Get this content and more electoral insights in this year's Election Guide at: www.as-coa.org/2024 Fabrizio Ricalde produced this episode. Luis Leme is the executive producer. Carin Zissis is the host. Get other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.org The music in this podcast is "A mis hermanos,” performed by C4 Trio for Americas Society. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVJ57F2TPl4 Find out about upcoming 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 newsletters: as-coa.org/newsletters | |||
| 26 Jul 2023 | What AI’s “Tectonic Change” Means for Latin America | 00:30:23 | |
Artificial 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 This episode was produced by Executive Producer Luisa Leme. Carin Zissis is the host. 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/newsletters | |||
| 17 Oct 2024 | What Do Brazil's Municipal Elections Tell About Polarization in Latin America? | 00:33:50 | |
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. Traumann is co-author of Biografia do Abismo (“Biography of the Abyss”), on polarization in Brazil, and O Pior Emprego do Mundo (“The Worst Job in the World”), about Brazilian finance ministers. Check out Traumann’s past participation in the podcast and the 2022 episodes on Brazil’s presidential elections: How VP Choices Are Shaping Presidential Races in Colombia and Brazil Kingmakers and Key Issues in Brazil's Lula-Bolsonaro Showdown The Battle for Brazil's Divided Electorate Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org. Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. The music in this podcast is is performed by Tiganá Santana for Americas Society. 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/newsletters | |||
| 14 Dec 2023 | Ten Years in, What's the Future of Mexico's Morena Party? | 00:36:20 | |
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 America’s anti-incumbency arc. “Morena’s Achilles’ heel is for them to become part of the old party system at some point,” Becerra tells AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis. “And that can happen if they don't prove to be different.” This podcast was produced by Executive Producer Luisa Leme. Carin Zissis is the host. Check out our poll tracker at: https://www.as-coa.org/articles/poll-tracker-contenders-mexicos-2024-presidential-vote This podcast was produced by Luisa Leme. Carin Zissis is the host.
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.
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/newsletters | |||
| 28 Jun 2023 | Empowering North American Goals | 00:32:21 | |
In 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 elections in both the United States and Mexico offer a chance to reframe the discussion around bilateral ties. Susan Segal is co-chair of USMF’s North Capital Forum this year, taking place in Mexico City in October 2023. The music in the intro and outro of this podcast was recorded for Americas Society. Learn more about and subscribe to Latin America in Focus: www.as-coa.org/podcast
Send us feedback and comments at: latamfocus@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/newsletters | |||
| 01 Mar 2023 | A Decade of Nicolás Maduro | 00:33:21 | |
March 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/podcast The music in this podcast is: “Zumba Cum Laude” by C4 Trío. https://youtu.be/F_pdNY_wz5k Learn more at: 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 newsletters: as-coa.org/newsletters | |||
| 27 Mar 2025 | Trade and Tensions—Latin America Braces for Trump's Tariffs | 00:26:47 | |
April 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:
Get all the analysis on the Trump administration’s actions toward Latin America: https://www.as-coa.org/content/trump-administration-latin-america Share your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society. https://www.as-coa.org/memberships/engage-americas-society Becoming a member gives you preferential access to music performances, art gallery, book events, our magazine Americas Quarterly, and more. Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org. Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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/newsletters | |||
| 09 Nov 2023 | Did Colombia’s Local Elections Spell Problems for Petro? | 00:17:55 | |
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 is the executive producer. Learn more about this year’s Latin American elections at: www.as-coa.org/2023 The music in this episode is “Gentil Montaña” performed by the Fabian Forero Trio. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/OsE9ENAq12Y?si=9B4TStMwJNPf3aK1 Find out about upcoming concerts at: www.musicoftheamericas.org Check out other episodes and subscribe to Latin America in Focus on your preferred platform via: www.as-coa.org/podcast We’d love to hear from you. Share feedback at: latamfocus@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/newsletters | |||
| 25 Apr 2024 | How the Dominican Republic Breaks Latin America’s Election Mold | 00:23:01 | |
The 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 Zissis, providing a larger context to this Dominican electoral cycle. 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/newsletters | |||
| 22 Feb 2024 | As Mexico’s Election Fires Up, a Look at Youth and Democracy | 00:28:40 | |
In 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 opening segment, Professor Noam Lupu of Vanderbilt University’s LAPOP Lab explains the latest AmericasBarometer report, which shows Latin America’s young voters may be more committed to democracy than previously thought. Access the 2023 AmericasBarometer report: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/lapop/ This is the second episode in our monthly series on 2024 elections in Latin America. Listen to the first episode on El Salvador’s expat votes and Nayib Bukele’s reach: http://t.ly/H0Lnd Visit www.as-coa.org/podcast to subscribe at your preferred platform and so you don’t miss future episodes. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 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/newsletters | |||
| 24 Apr 2025 | Could the 2026 Vote Be Peru’s Political Reset? | 00:34:37 | |
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 political parties. Then, Bloomberg’s Lima Bureau Chief, Marcelo Rochabrún, discusses the dynamics among the executive, legislative, and judicial powers, and the issues that will define the electoral campaign as well as the next presidential term, such as a rise in violence and extortions that have shaken the country. If you want to learn more about Peru’s elections and economy in the year ahead, check our website www.as-coa.org. Council of the Americas will be in Lima on May 26 to discuss opportunities in the country with leaders of the private and public sectors. Keep up to date on all of the region’s votes this year with our election guide. You will find more podcasts, articles, poll trackers, and expert commentary at as-coa.org/2025elections The music in this episode is “Piano Station”, by Bianca Gismonti Trio for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.org Share your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society. Becoming a member gives you preferential access to music performances, art gallery, book events, our magazine Americas Quarterly, and more. 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/newsletters | |||
| 15 Feb 2023 | Can a Lawsuit Stem Spyware Use in Central America? | 00:21:27 | |
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/podcast The music in this podcast is: “Epílogo para Jazmín” by Monique Fernandez. https://youtu.be/KwI1mtzOOwA *Editor's note: The original version of this podcast stated that there are 22 plaintiffs in the case. The correct figure at the time of publishing was 18. 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/newsletters | |||
| 06 Jun 2024 | In Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Won Big. Now What? | 00:43:41 | |
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 on the future of Mexican foreign affairs, and Isaac Morales of FTI Consulting on the country’s cybersecurity policy. This is the sixth episode in our 2024 election series. Prior episodes covered how Latin America figures into the Trump-Biden battle, the Dominican Republic’s unique political culture, the economic agenda for Panama’s next president, the youth vote in Mexico, and Nayib Bukele’s global reach. Find this content and more electoral insight in this year guide at www.as-coa.org/2024. Watch Claudia Sheinbaum speak at a COA event in Mexico City in April 2024. https://www.as-coa.org/watchlisten/programa-exclusivo-claudia-sheinbaum-candidata-presidencial-de-mexico Get other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.org The music in this podcast includes “La folia,” “Descarga Gandinga, Mondongo y Sandunga,” and “Llorarás” all performed for Americas Society. Learn about upcoming 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 newsletters: as-coa.org/newsletters | |||
| 07 Jun 2023 | Guatemala's Electoral Crossroads | 00:28:54 | |
Guatemalans 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. This episode was produced by Executive Producer Luisa Leme and Associate Producer Jon Orbach. Carin Zissis is the host. Learn more about and subscribe to Latin America in Focus: www.as-coa.org/podcast 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/newsletters | |||
| 26 Jun 2024 | How Can Latin America Fix Its Water Crisis? | 00:38:03 | |
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 more about this episode: https://tinyurl.com/yvr7p5n3 Get other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.org The music in this podcast was performed by Tiganá Santana for Americas Society. You can catch this concert and others on our YouTube channel. Find out about upcoming concerts at: 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 newsletters: as-coa.org/newsletters | |||
| 25 Jan 2024 | Online Reach and Expat Votes in El Salvador’s Election | 00:39:54 | |
2024 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 in a series exploring the year’s elections and the forces shaping them. Catch the series and learn about 2024 elections via our guide at: www.as-coa.org/2024 Read our Explainer: El Salvador's 2024 Presidential and Legislative Elections This podcast was produced by Executive Producer Luisa Leme with support from Jon Orbach. Carin Zissis is the host. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 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/newsletters | |||
| 16 Mar 2021 | How the Pandemic Boosted Financial Inclusion | 00:26:55 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 30 Mar 2021 | Voter Fatigue in Ecuador and Peru | 00:32:10 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 14 Apr 2021 | The Story behind Joaquín Orellana's Musical Sculptures | 00:35:02 | |
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 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/newsletters | |||
| 29 Apr 2021 | The Push for Data Protection in Brazil | 00:24:16 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 10 May 2021 | Chile’s Busy Electoral Calendar | 00:23:36 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 27 May 2021 | A Pre-Midterm Pulse Check on the Mexican Electorate | 00:32:26 | |
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 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/newsletters | |||
| 11 Jun 2021 | A Complicated Copa América | 00:26:18 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 23 Jun 2021 | What Happened to Latin America's Anti-Corruption Push? | 00:32:38 | |
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 Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newsletters: as-coa.org/newsletters | |||
| 22 Jul 2021 | Pedro Castillo Gets the Keys to Peru’s Castle | 00:31:05 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 05 Aug 2021 | How to Vaccinate a Hemisphere | 00:28:09 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 01 Sep 2021 | The Midway Point for Mexico's AMLO | 00:33:45 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 16 Sep 2021 | El Salvador's Bitcoin Gamble | 00:28:05 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 30 Sep 2021 | What to Expect When Expecting the Brazilian Elections | 00:38:18 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 13 Oct 2021 | Rewriting Mexico’s Security and Energy Agendas | 00:40:02 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 01 Nov 2021 | Democratic Tests in Honduras and Nicaragua | 00:38:43 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 23 Nov 2021 | COP26's Gauntlet for Brazil and Latin America | 00:33:18 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 09 Dec 2021 | The Democracy that Chileans Want | 00:24:27 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 20 Dec 2021 | Three Stories You May Have Missed in 2021 | 00:35:00 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 31 Jan 2022 | Can Latin America Power Up Its Lithium Prospects? | 00:30:18 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 15 Feb 2022 | The Elections of Colombia's Discontent | 00:28:04 | |
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 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/newsletters | |||
| 23 Feb 2022 | What the IMF's Ilan Goldfajn Sees in Latin America's Economic Future | 00:33:02 | |
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 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/newsletters | |||
| 10 Mar 2022 | From Fertilizers to Fuel—What the Ukraine Crisis Means for Latin America | 00:25:56 | |
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. Read Pearson’s coverage of how the conflict is affecting Brazilian agriculture: https://on.wsj.com/3CAMgUu 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/newsletters | |||
| 23 Mar 2022 | Why Is Mexico Holding a Presidential Recall Vote? | 00:29:33 | |
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 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/newsletters | |||
| 08 Apr 2022 | Guillermo Lasso's Tricky Year | 00:26:24 | |
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 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/newsletters | |||
| 25 Apr 2022 | How VP Choices Are Shaping Presidential Races in Colombia and Brazil | 00:30:39 | |
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 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/newsletters | |||
| 05 May 2022 | Can Xiomara Castro Take Control of Honduras' Reins? | 00:21:53 | |
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 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/newsletters | |||
| 26 May 2022 | The Once and Future Summit of the Americas | 00:21:05 | |
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 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 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/newsletters | |||
| 09 Jun 2022 | Colombian Voters Buck the Presidential Status Quo | 00:25:07 | |
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. 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 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 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/newsletters | |||
| 23 Jun 2022 | How Latin America Is Fighting Inflation | 00:34:40 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 13 Jul 2022 | Cyber Attacks In Costa Rica Expose A Regional Threat | 00:21:05 | |
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 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/newsletters | |||
| 28 Jul 2022 | Reissue: Emily Hersh on Whether Latin America Can Power Up Its Lithium Prospects | 00:30:42 | |
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 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/newsletters | |||
| 11 Aug 2022 | Kingmakers and Key Issues in Brazil's Lula–Bolsonaro Showdown | 00:34:58 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 13 Sep 2022 | Mexico's March toward the 2024 Election | 00:30:43 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 29 Sep 2022 | What Do We Really Know about the Latino Vote? | 00:32:43 | |
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 Martínez-De-Castro of UnidosUS and Sabrina Rodríguez 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 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/newsletters | |||
| 13 Oct 2022 | The Battle For Brazil's Divided Electorate | 00:28:34 | |
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. Listen to our previous episode with Felipe Nunes on Brazil's first-round vote. https://bit.ly/3yHpJoh 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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 26 Oct 2022 | What the Guacamaya Hacks Reveal about Latin American Militaries | 00:26:59 | |
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 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/newsletters | |||
| 03 Nov 2022 | Bonus Episode: Amb. Thomas Shannon on How Lula's Win Resets Brazil's Foreign Policy | 00:23:34 | |
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 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/newsletters | |||
| 10 Nov 2022 | Superpesos? Coldplay Dollars? Inside Latin America's Currency Markets | 00:31:05 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 02 Dec 2022 | Who Will Foot the Bill for Climate Adaptation? | 00:23:41 | |
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. 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/newsletters | |||
| 19 Dec 2022 | Three Stories You May Have Missed in 2022 | 00:38:52 | |
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 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/newsletters | |||
| 01 Mar 2016 | Will Venezuela Default? | 00:08:52 | |
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/newsletters | |||
| 10 Mar 2016 | Crisis Mode: Brazil’s Current Scenario | 00:10:39 | |
Ricardo Gandour, director of Grupo Estado, speaks with Luisa Leme about the “perfect storm” of events putting Brazil in crisis mode. His proposed solution? A new constitution. Hear what the head of one of Brazil’s largest media companies has to say. 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/newsletters | |||
| 04 Apr 2016 | Congressman Rick Crawford on U.S. Agricultural Trade with Cuba | 00:09:01 | |
Trade 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/newsletters | |||
| 07 Apr 2016 | Peru's Dramatic 2016 Presidential Election | 00:11:13 | |
Harvard'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/newsletters | |||
| 14 Apr 2016 | Mexico’s Evolving Marijuana Laws | 00:10:18 | |
Alejandro Hope, El Daily Post’s security editor, speaks with Carin Zissis about how national-level changes in drug policy in the Americas have an impact on global policy. He predicts a large portion of the legislation that underpins marijuana prohibition in Mexico today will eventually be declared unconstitutional. 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/newsletters | |||
| 23 Apr 2016 | El rol de las redes sociales en la democracia venezolana | 00:13:22 | |
Luz 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/newsletters | |||
| 05 May 2016 | Fixing Brazil's Economy | 00:12:36 | |
The IMF's executive director outlines where economic policy went wrong and draws lessons from Brazil's worst crisis in decades, saying the process could lead to a new relationship between the private and public sectors. 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/newsletters | |||
| 18 May 2016 | Colombia's Post-Conflict Challenges | 00:12:50 | |
Frank Pearl, a negotiator in peace talks between the Colombian government and the FARC and ELN, talks with AS/COA's Adriana La Rotta about what comes next once the peace deal is signed. He addressed how Colombians perceive the peace process and the potential success to reintegrate millions of people affected by the conflict. 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/newsletters | |||
| 31 May 2016 | Argentina's Rocky Road to Growth | 00:10:01 | |
Argentina’s economy will expand 3.5 percent in 2017, but that’s after a few bumps and a recession in 2016. AS/COA Online's Elizabeth Gonzalez spoke to economist Fernando Navajas of the Buenos Aires-based think tank Fundación de Investigaciones Económicas Latinoamericanas about the government's economic agenda ahead of the 2017 midterm elections. 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/newsletters | |||
| 07 Jun 2016 | Josefina Vidal on a Changing Cuba | 00:11:17 | |
As Cuba continues to expand its private sector, AS/COA Online talks with Josefina Vidal, Cuba’s director of foreign affairs with the United States, on the country’s economic reforms. Vidal offers a Cuban perspective on the U.S. presidential elections and bilateral policy priorities, and challenges Cuban-Americans' interpretation of changes on the island. 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/newsletters | |||
| 11 Jun 2016 | Simón Gaviria on Financing Peace in Colombia | 00:04:44 | |
Foreign direct investment in Colombia stands to triple in a post-conflict era. Simón Gaviria speaks with AS/COA Online’s Holly Sonneland about how Colombia's government is financing peace in the anticipation of an agreement with the FARC. 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/newsletters | |||
| 22 Jun 2016 | The Trump Threat to North American Security | 00:23:32 | |
What do you do when a U.S. presidential candidate makes bashing your country a campaign centerpiece? Try to set the record straight. Agustín Barrios Gómez, Mexico Image Foundation president and former Mexican congressman, talks with AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis about the risks involved with damaging the U.S.-Mexican relationship. 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/newsletters | |||
| 27 Jun 2016 | The Agenda for the North American Leaders' Summit | 00:16:22 | |
Days after British voters backed Brexit, the heads of state of Canada, Mexico, and the United States meet for the North American Leaders' Summit. Integration's benefits count as one issue on their full agenda, explains Council of the Americas' Eric Farnsworth to AS/COA Online's Carin Zissis. 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/newsletters | |||
| 15 Jul 2016 | The Intertwined Nature Of U.S.-Mexico Ties | 00:14:07 | |
Diego Gómez Pickering spoke with AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis about the message that Mexico is working to get out about close ties with the United States. “Nowadays we cannot talk of the Mexican economy and the American economy separately,” he says. “If jobs are lost here, jobs are lost in Mexico. If we create jobs in Mexico, jobs are created here in the United States.” 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/newsletters | |||
| 26 Jul 2016 | An On-the-Ground View of Rio’s Olympic Dream | 00:18:28 | |
Getting ready for the Olympics brought big changes to Rio, but the city was already going through a transformation. Rio-based Julia Michaels, author of RioReal blog, talks with AS/COA Online’s Luisa Leme about what cariocas have gained from mega-event preparations, even as Brazil tackles corruption scandals and economic woes. 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/newsletters | |||
