Latin America in Focus

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/yvr7p5n3Read an Americas Quarterly issue on water: https://tinyurl.com/ytt3xkmzRead WMO’s recent report on the State of the Climate in Latin America and the Caribbean 2023 https://tinyurl.com/2kpptghkGet other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.orgThe 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/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ascoa 

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-mexicoGet other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.orgThe 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/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ascoa 

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/W2I7VThis 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/2024Fabrizio 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=uVJ57F2TPl4Find 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/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ascoa 

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.This is the fourth episode in our 2024 election series. Prior episodes covered the economic agenda for Panama’s next president, the youth vote in Mexico, and Nayib Bukele’s global reach. Get this content and more electoral insight in this year guide at www.as-coa.org/2024. Access a poll tracker for the Dominican presidential race.We will host President Abinader at the 54th Washington Conference on the Americas. Learn more about the May 8, 2024 event: https://www.as-coa.org/wca2024Read an Americas Quarterly profile of the president: https://americasquarterly.org/article/the-rare-popular-incumbent/Jon Orbach produced this episode. Maria Despradel contributed reporting. 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.orgThe music in this podcast is "Pacholí” performed by Pedro Martínez for Americas Society. Watch the full performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIwKjvpkzN8Find out about upcoming concerts at: www.musicoftheamericas.orgOpinions 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/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ascoa 

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/healthcareVisit 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. Find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.orgOpinions 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/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ascoa 

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-pollsGet election coverage in our guide at: www.as-coa.org/2024Visit 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 "Cadenza con pajarillo,”  performed by Eddy Marcano & Trío Acústico for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.orgOpinions 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/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ascoa 

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/BrianNichols2024Visit 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.orgOpinions 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/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ascoa 

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  Get more election coverage in our guide at: www.as-coa.org/2024  See our Mexico election poll tracker at: http://t.ly/NPtozVisit 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 was performed by Ernest Ranglin at Americas Society. Watch the performance: t.ly/9wmDJ  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/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ascoa 

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/nvrSPRead Luciana Torchiaro’s analysis on the challenges to independent judiciaries in Latin America: http://t.ly/1Q3ZWAS/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/CCC2023The 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.orgCheck out other episodes and subscribe to Latin America in Focus on your preferred platform via: www.as-coa.org/podcastWe’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/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ascoa 

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/2024Read our Explainer: El Salvador's 2024 Presidential and Legislative ElectionsThis podcast was produced by Executive Producer Luisa Leme with support from Jon Orbach. Carin Zissis is the host.The music in this podcast is “Receitas de Samba” by C4 Trio and  was recorded for Americas Society.Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at: www.as-coa.org/podcast  Send us feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.orgShare 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.  Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 📧Sign up for our newsletters: as-coa.org/newslettersFollow us on social media:Twitter/X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ascoa