Latin America in Focus

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.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

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.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

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.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

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. Watch the videos of "Mamãe Oxum" https://youtu.be/b7CXYzQNoLw and "Tarde" https://youtu.be/c_BT3ud-V88 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/ 

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 Runoff poll tracker: https://bit.ly/3H7VgT4 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.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

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 Get the who, what, where, when, why of the Ninth Summit: t.ly/UOn7 Check the guest list: t.ly/C9By 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.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

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.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

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.Follow us on social media:X: @ASCOAInstagram: @ascoaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ascoaonline/Bluesky: @ascoa.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASCOA/ 

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 The music featured in this podcast is Santiago Del Curto "Three Smiles for Tracey" by A. Hailstork for Americas Society. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/UeAaxFk-LrE 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/ 

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 Find out about other Latin American votes in our 2022 election guide: https://as-coa.org/2022 Hear Caso on Gatopardo’s weekly podcast: t.ly/Lzyw The music featured in this podcast is Mexico’s Ónix Ensamble performing Charles Halka’s “Por la fuerza las tierras” for Americas Society. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/jWsPOXVYS8I 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/