Latin America in Focus

For decades, Bolivia’s abundant reserves of lithium, thought to be the largest in the world, have been touted as the country’s ticket to economic prosperity. But time and again, the sector has run into political hurdles, social resistance, technical issues, and a lack of investment. As newly inaugurated President Rodrigo Paz enters office under a promise of “Capitalism for all,” what will it take to get Bolivia’s lithium sector off—and out from under—the ground?In this episode, political scientist Dr. Diego von Vacano of Texas A&M University, unpacks Bolivia’s decades-long struggle to advance its lithium industry, how it compares with Chile and Argentina—the other two points of the “lithium triangle,”  and prospects for Paz to attract the foreign investment needed to develop critical technological infrastructure while attending to social and environmental concerns.Learn more about Bolivia’s 2025 election https://www.as-coa.org/articles/explainer-bolivias-2025-elections and other votes across Latin America this year. https://www.as-coa.org/content/guide-2025-latin-american-electionsThe music in the podcast is "Octubre" by Carla Derpic and Mauricio Copa for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.org.  Share your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society. https://www.as-coa.org/memberships/engage-americas-societyBecoming a member gives you preferential access to music performances, art exhibitions, 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.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

After two failed constitutional rewrites, Chileans return to the polls to pick their new president. And like those referendums, this year’s vote will be compulsory. In this episode, international lawyer and columnist Paz Zárate covers what the mandatory vote could mean for the outcome of the first-round presidential vote. How are voters who typically don’t cast ballots approaching a contest where four right-wing candidates are polling in the double digits? From political platforms to infighting to foreign policy, Zárate gives a panorama ahead of the November 16 election.This episode was produced by Chase Harrison with Executive Producer Luisa Leme. 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 the podcast is “Sobre tu playa” by Inti-illimani performed for Americas Society: https://tinyurl.com/2p9nk4c8Find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.orgShare your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society. Membership gives you preferential access to music performances, the 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.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

Colombia has long been considered Washington’s greatest ally in Latin America. But the Trump administration’s decertification of Colombia as a partner in the war on drugs and its revocation of the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro have brought tension to the once ironclad relationship. On this episode, Sergio Guzmán, director of Colombia Risk Analysis, talks with host Carin Zissis in a conversation that takes stock of the bilateral relationship as Petro’s term draws to an end. With presidential elections scheduled for May, Guzmán also covers Bogotá’s relations with Beijing, Colombia’s role in regional security matters, and what the future might hold for the country’s politics.This episode was produced by Chase Harrison with Executive Producer Luisa Leme. Additional production support was provided by Rafael de Osma.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 the podcast is “Acrílicos en la sonrisa” by Jacarandá Dúo and Angélica Achury for Americas Society: https://tinyurl.com/2p9nk4c8 Find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.orgHear more of Guzmán’s commentary on Latin America in Focus episodes on Colombia’s 2023 midterms tinyurl.com/ew32zsnz and 2021 election tickets. https://tinyurl.com/yc77zy4sShare your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society. Membership gives you preferential access to music performances, the 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.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

Things are heating up in the southern Caribbean. Recent U.S. military strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels from Venezuela have compounded escalating tensions between Venezuela and its much smaller neighbor, Guyana, an emerging energy powerhouse, over the oil-rich Essequibo region. In this episode, former U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch talks with AS/COA’s Carin Zissis about U.S. interest in securing Guyana’s energy future, as well as the Amazonian territory’s rising geopolitical profile.Then, Dr. Francisco Monaldi, director of the Latin America Energy program at Rice University’s Baker Institute, contextualizes Guyana’s "unbelievable story” of oil-powered economic transformation. Looking just across Guyana’s borders, he draws lessons from Trinidad and Tobago, a regional LNG pioneer now in decline, and maps out what’s ahead for future oil producer Suriname.Learn more about Guyana’s September 2025 elections: https://ow.ly/IEAc50X4GaU  Listen to a past episode featuring Dr. Monaldi on Venezuela’s oil sector: https://ow.ly/g0vE50X4Gea  The music in the podcast is by Vin Gordon and the Original Wailers’ Horn Section for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.org.  Share your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society. https://www.as-coa.org/memberships/engage-americas-societyBecoming a member gives you preferential access to music performances, art exhibitions, 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.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

On July 9, President Donald Trump threw 200 years of diplomatic relations with Brazil for a loop. Latin America’s largest economy got hit with the highest tariff in the region—a whopping 50 percent. But what truly got President Lula’s administration riled up was the U.S. government’s justification for the additional rate.“Talking with U.S. officials, they insisted that Brazil should give amnesty to the members of the attempted coup of January 8. Nobody told them that even if Congress passes that, it would be unconstitutional,” says Welber Barral, an international trade advisor and former foreign trade secretary.In this episode, the second part of our two-part kickoff of the Latin America in Focus season, Barral discusses the impact of Bolsonaro’s trial on the bilateral relationship, information gaps impeding progress on trade negotiations, possible paths to reconciliation, and steps Brazil’s government has taken to protect its exporters in the meantime.Don't forget to listen to part one. In it, Kenneth Smith Ramos, a partner at Agon and Mexico’s former chief USMCA negotiator, analyzes the delicate balancing act that Mexico has to maintain in tariff talks with its most important trading partner as the USMCA review process unfolds. Listen to Part 1 of this episode, on Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum government's delicate balancing act to protect bilateral trade ties.This episode was produced by Executive Producer Luisa Leme, along with host and AS/COA Online Editor-in-Chief Carin Zissis, and Associate Producer Khalea Robertson.Read about the Trump administration policies in the Americas to keep up on trade, migration, security, and more: www.as-coa.org/trumpThe music in the podcast is “Me gusta soñar” by the C4 Trio for Americas Society. And if you like the soundtrack of this podcast, find out about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.orgShare your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society. Becoming a member gives you preferential access to music performances, the 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.Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

On the one hand, Mexico’s President Sheinbaum has won praise for artfully handling relations with Trump administration, as well as standing out among global leaders for winning a 90-day tariff delay. On the other, more is at stake for Mexico than most countries, given that over 80 percent of its exports are U.S.-bound. And soon it will face a new challenge: a potentially turbulent review process of the trilateral USMCA deal. How will Mexico maneuver the treacherous waters ahead?  We turned to a top expert, Kenneth Smith Ramos, for answers. A partner at Agon and Mexico’s former chief USMCA negotiator, Smith Ramos tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis, “ In negotiating with the U.S., we're facing a complex three-ring circus where you have, of course, the trade issues, but [also] immigration and fentanyl issues.” As Mexico tries to juggle these demands, he adds, it’s also taking a more protectionist tone with China and other Asian economies.Mexico may be the top trade U.S. partner, but it’s not the only Latin American giant navigating Washington’s new trade paradigm. Don’t miss the second part of this kickoff to the Latin America in Focus season that looks at the politically charged maelstrom facing Brazil. Listen to international trade advisor Welber Barral unpack the diplomatic hurdles upending U.S.-Brazil trade relations.Read about the Trump administration policies in the Americas to keep up on trade, migration, security, and more: www.as-coa.org/trumpLearn about AS/COA’s programming and content on Mexico.The music in the episode and soundtrack for the podcast is “Me gusta soñar,” by the C4 Trio for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts: musicoftheamericas.orgShare your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society. Becoming a member gives you preferential access to music performances, the 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.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

Mafalda, Quino’s beloved comic strip from Argentina—first published in 1964—has conquered the world, appearing in at least 25 languages. Six decades on, she is finally reaching Anglophone audiences, translated into English for the first time. Award-winning translator Frank Wynne speaks on his experience translating Mafalda into English, noting the challenges of preserving Quino's subtle humor and political commentary across cultures and languages and explaining why the beloved icon remains a perfect companion for today's turbulent times.Read Mafalda: Book 1: https://archipelagobooks.org/book/mafalda-book-one/Read Kamchatka, by Marcelo Figueras: https://groveatlantic.com/book/kamchatka/Read The Mouse and its Child, by Russell Hoban: https://russellhoban.org/1967/01/01/title-the-mouse-and-his-child/The music in this podcast was the classic milonga "El conventillo," performed by the Chúcara Trío. You also listened to Argentine harmonica player Santiago Álvarez. These were performed for the Americas Society “En Casa” series. Visit AS/COA’s YouTube channel to see over 500 videos of music from across the Americas. And if you like the soundtrack of this podcast, find out about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.org and consider becoming a member of Americas Society for preferential access to all concerts at 680 Park Avenue in New York, as well art exhibitions, book talks, and more exciting events.Send us feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.orgSubscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

Tucked inside the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill is a proposed tax of 3.5 percent on remittances that could have major consequences for how much money Latin American immigrants can send home to their loved ones—and how they send it. “Immigrants are going to absorb that tax in order to keep sending money to their families [or] they could change the channels they use,” says René Maldonado, coordinator of CEMLA’s remittances program and consultant for the IDB’s migration unit.In this episode, Maldonado talks with AS/COA’s Carin Zissis about shifting remittance trends in the region, how immigrants have adapted to maintain an economic lifeline, and the potential impact of the current political climate on future remittance flows.  For more of our coverage on the impact of Trump’s policies in Latin America, visit as-coa.org/trump to keep up to date with migration, trade, and more.And to learn more about the IDB’s research on remittances, read the 2024 report co-authored by Maldonado and check out their blog, La Maleta Abierta.The music in the podcast is “Sonora y sus ojos negros” by Suspenso del Norte and “Lamentos do Morro” by Felipe Reis for Americas Society’s “En Casa” concert series. 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. 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.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

Laura Trajber Waisbich, Deputy Director of Programs at the Igarapé Institute, delves into Brazil's influential role in global diplomacy. She discusses how President Lula's administration has repositioned Brazil to tackle climate change and advocate for the Global South. The conversation touches on Brazil's leadership within multilateral organizations like BRICS and the G20, and the nation's strategies for balancing domestic pressures with international responsibilities. Waisbich highlights Brazil's unique challenges and opportunities as it prepares for COP30.

Margaret Myers, Managing Director at the Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs, sheds light on the evolving U.S.-China rivalry in Latin America. She discusses how the Trump administration's policies shifted the balance, influencing regional governments as they navigate economic partnerships. The podcast explores China's appeal through its non-interference strategy versus the U.S.'s transactional approach. Listeners gain insight into the complexities and emerging trends in investment and trade between these superpowers and Latin American nations.