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Economist Podcasts

Latin lessons: two contrasting elections

Aug 21, 2023
Su Lin Wong, a Southeast Asia correspondent for The Economist known for her coverage of innovative food trends, joins the discussion on critical elections in Ecuador and Guatemala. She highlights Ecuador's turbulent political climate marked by violence, including the assassination of a candidate, contrasting with Guatemala's hopeful mood after a victorious outsider. The conversation shifts to an intriguing medical topic—the resurgence of leprosy in America—and Singapore's pioneering advancements in alternative proteins, showcasing its leadership in lab-grown food innovation.
21:24

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Guatemala elected a president focused on tackling corruption and violence, while Ecuador faces a run-off election with candidates representing different approaches to addressing corruption and boosting the economy.
  • Leprosy is making a comeback in Florida, but can now be cured with antibiotics, indicating the need for improved diagnostic capabilities and reducing misdiagnosis as a concern for tackling the disease.

Deep dives

Guatemala and Ecuador Elections: Calls for Change Amidst Corruption and Violence

In Guatemala, Bernardo Arevalo won the presidency with a focus on tackling corruption and violence, while Ecuador faces a run-off election with two different candidates. Luisa Gonzales represents the Citizen Revolution Movement and aims to continue the anti-corruption legacy of Rafael Correa, while Daniel N'Boa, a surprise contender, takes an investment-friendly approach to boost the economy. Both countries share issues of corruption and crime, indicating a desire for change among the citizens. However, the results suggest divergent political directions that may lead to different outcomes based on who wins the elections.

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