The Americas Quarterly Podcast

Chileans head to the polls this Sunday, November 16. In the last election cycle, Gabriel Boric won following the massive 2019 protests that shook the nation to its core. At the time, it seemed Chile was set for sweeping structural change: the classic poster child for neoliberal economic policy in Latin America appeared ready to build a stronger welfare state and elect leaders from the left. Six years later, some change has occurred, but not nearly as dramatic as many expected. Efforts to rewrite the constitution were aborted twice, and the young leftist president, Gabriel Boric, is leaving office with an approval rating of just 30%. Chileans have turned their attention to other issues, especially crime, which has worsened notably over the past decade. The widespread expectation is that voters will opt for a change in power, and that Chile will join several other Latin American countries swinging to the right.In this episode, we speak with Patricio Navia, a Chilean political scientist, about what this could mean for Chile’s economy and strategic alliances. Navia is a professor at both New York University and Universidad Diego Portales.

Ryan Berg, director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, delves into the U.S. military buildup in the Southern Caribbean under the Trump administration. He explores the real motives behind the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford and whether it targets drug cartels or pressures Maduro. Berg highlights the complexities within the Venezuelan military and the risks of military action, including potential unintended consequences and impacts on U.S.-Colombia relations. He also touches on the rising influence of China in the region.

Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum has hit the one-year mark of her presidency. In that time she has had to balance three key relationships: with President Donald Trump, with her still-powerful predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador and with the Mexican public. She faced skepticism, but has surprised many. Sheinbaum’s approval rating is at 73%, and a plurality of Mexicans said in a recent poll that her government is off to a better start than AMLO’s. Challenges loom, from fragile security gains and economic uncertainty to political dispute within her party and the ever-volatile dynamic with Washington. To assess her first year in office and what lies ahead we speak with Brenda Estefan, professor at IPADE Business School and columnist for Reforma and Americas Quarterly.

Juan Cruz Díaz, a political risk consultant and Managing Director at Cefeidas Group, dives deep into Argentina's current political landscape under President Javier Milei. He discusses how a crucial $20 billion U.S. swap line could stabilize Milei's administration amid turmoil. Key topics include Milei's recent tone moderation, the challenges posed by domestic political constraints, and social unrest dynamics. Díaz also evaluates the implications of upcoming elections and the potential for coalition-building that could define Argentina's economic recovery.

Latin America is entering a packed election season, with Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru and Brazil all set to elect presidents in the next 13 months. This is happening just as organized crime reaches unprecedented power. In several of these countries, crime is showing up in polls as the number one political issue. Security expert Lucía Dammert explains how booming cocaine production, money laundering and criminal infiltration of formal economies are reshaping politics across the region. Dammert has a unique perspective as someone who has worked in both academia and government across the region. She has a new book out, Anatomía del poder ilegal: Violencia, crimen organizado y corrupción en América Latina.

A landmark trial is underway in Brazil: former President Jair Bolsonaro, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, stands accused of trying to overturn the 2022 election. Alongside military officials and ex-ministers, Bolsonaro faces charges that could reshape Brazil’s political future — and reverberate globally. The U.S. has recently launched a campaign against Brazil’s judiciary in a show of support for Bolsonaro. Journalist Patricia Campos Mello joins us to unpack the case, the international stakes, and how both the right and left in Brazil are reacting to this pivotal moment.

Bolivia's long-dominant MAS party has suffered a historic defeat, with its presidential candidate winning just 3% of the vote. The result reflects deep frustration over the country’s economic crisis and political infighting. In a surprise outcome, Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira led the first round, followed by former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga. The two will be in a runoff on October 19. In this episode, we speak with Bolivian journalist Raúl Peñaranda about what sets these candidates apart, the future of the MAS, and whether the next president can revive the economy while navigating the country’s deep social and regional divisions.

In this special mid-year episode, we take a step back for a look at where the region’s economies stand, and the picture is better than many expected. We evaluate the impact of Trump’s new tariffs, the short- and medium-term prospects for Mexico's economy, as well as positive indicators like falling inflation in Argentina and resilient growth in Brazil. Our guest is Ernesto Revilla, Chief Economist for Latin America at Citigroup, who returns to share insights on what to watch in the months ahead. 

A major confrontation is brewing between the United States and Brazil, driven by the return of Donald Trump to the White House and the deepening legal troubles of his close Brazilian ally, former president Jair Bolsonaro. As Brazil’s judiciary pursues charges against the former president for attempting to overturn the 2022 election, Trump has retaliated with threats of steep tariffs and revoked visas for Brazilian Supreme Court justices. Meanwhile, the U.S. has launched an investigation into Brazil’s trade practices and electronic payment services, further straining relations. In this episode, we speak with Chris Garman, managing director for the Americas at the Eurasia Group, to unpack what’s at stake for both countries, why tensions are escalating, and what a way forward might look like.

As Gustavo Petro spars with Donald Trump, violence is surging in Colombia ahead of next year’s elections. The attempted assassination of conservative presidential candidate Miguel Uribe in June set off alarm bells all over Latin America. Since then, there have been other causes for concern, including a series of car bombs in Cali and news of a plot against another right-wing candidate. In this episode, political analyst Sergio Guzmán, director of Colombia Risk Analysis, joins us to explore why the security situation in Colombia has deteriorated, what’s ahead for the country’s economy and its relationship with the U.S., and which candidates seem best positioned ahead of the elections.