The Americas Quarterly Podcast

Fake news is a problem everywhere. But many believe Brazil will be the epicenter in 2022, as President Jair Bolsonaro, facing a difficult reelection bid, is determined to protect his supporters’ “freedom of speech.” This week, Brazilian fact-checker Cristina Tardáguila breaks down how Brazil became a fake news hotbed - and looks for reasons for optimism.Guests:Cristina Tardáguila is senior program director at the International Center for Journalists. She founded Brazil’s first and largest fact-checking agency, Agência Lupa.Brian Winter is AQ’s editor-in-chiefSupplemental Reading:"Inside Brazil's Dangerous Battle Over Fake News," by Mariana Palau(https://americasquarterly.org/article/inside-brazils-dangerous-battle-over-fake-news/)

With a month to go before the November 14 vote, Argentina's legislative election has already turned the ruling coalition upside down and thrown a wrench into ongoing talks with the IMF. What is the government's strategy? And what should investors know about the election? Bloomberg's Carolina Millán joins the podcast to break down the stakes of the election.Guests:Carolina Millán is the Buenos Aires bureau chief for BloombergBrendan O'Boyle is the senior editor of Americas Quarterly

Optimism can feel like it’s in short supply in Colombia. An IPSOS poll in September found that 89% of Colombians believed the country was “on the wrong track” – more than any other country polled. As elections approach next year, there are fears the discontent may empower more radical options. In his new book, and in his latest column for AQ, former finance minister Mauricio Cárdenas offers some ideas on how to channel desire for change in a constructive way, while weighing in on some of the major issues shaping the country today.Guests:Mauricio Cárdenas is a distinguished visiting fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and was Colombia’s finance minister from 2012 to 2018.Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas QuarterlySupplemental reading:"How to Avoid a Caudillo in Colombia (and Elsewhere)" by Mauricio Cárdenas(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/how-to-avoid-a-caudillo-in-colombia-and-elsewhere)

As a series of crises challenges Latin America’s democracies, health systems, economies and more, Washington appears more engaged in finding solutions than it has been in recent years. But what are the Biden administration’s priorities? And how is it engaging with countries like Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador? Juan Gonzalez, President Biden’s top aide on Latin America, joins the Americas Quarterly Podcast for a special episode.Guests:Juan Gonzalez is senior director for the Western Hemisphere at the National Security CouncilBrian Winter is AQ’s editor-in-chiefSupplemental Reading:"The Silent Partner," by Brian Winter(https://piaui.folha.uol.com.br/materia/the-silent-partner/)

Change is in the air in Chile, with presidential and congressional campaigns heating up just as a constitutional convention gets to work rethinking the country’s political system. What can we expect from the November general election? And do the candidates promise radical change – or gradual reform? Adolfo Ibáñez University's Isabel Aninat joins this week’s podcast from Santiago.Guests:-Isabel Aninat is the dean of the law school at Adolfo Ibáñez University and director of the Chilean Society for Public Policy-Brian Winter is AQ’s editor-in-chiefSupplemental Reading:"Meet the Candidates: Chile"(https://americasquarterly.org/article/meet-the-candidates-chile/)"Today’s Young Leftists Care More About Chile than Cuba" by Oliver Stuenkel(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/todays-young-leftists-care-more-about-chile-than-cuba/)

Negotiations between Venezuela's dictatorship and opposition leaders are set to begin in Mexico - the latest in a long series of such talks. Is this time different? What opportunities really exist for progress? Is the opposition in a position to seize them? Political scientist Maryhen Jiménez Morales joins the podcast to discuss what's really at stake.Guests:- Maryhen Jiménez Morales is a postdoctoral research associate at the Latin American Center at the University of Oxford.- Brian Winter is AQ’s editor-in-chief.Supplemental reading:"Venezuela’s Negotiations Won’t Get Rid of Maduro. So What’s Next?" by Maryhen Jiménez Morales.(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/what-venezuelas-negotiations-wont-change/)

On Aug. 1, Mexico will hold its first national referendum, understood by many as a vote on whether to put past presidents on trial. Some have questioned the need for such a referendum and the messages it sends. But despite calling for the vote, the president “wants the referendum to fail,” says political analyst Denise Dresser, who spoke about the president’s motivations for the referendum and the problems – from COVID to crime – it may distract from. Guests:- Denise Dresser is a political analyst, writer, activist and professor at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México. - Brian Winter is AQ’s editor-in-chief.Supplemental reading: "Mexico’s Farcical Referendum," by Denise Dresser.(https://americasquarterly.org/article/mexicos-farcical-referendum/)

Over a month after Peru's presidential runoff election, Pedro Castillo is expected to be officially confirmed as the country's president-elect in the coming days, just in time to take office on July 28. In recent weeks, the former teacher and union leader has sent mixed signals about the kind of government he’ll lead, some of which have encouraged investors and critics. Law professor and journalist Andrés Calderón joins AQ’s Brendan O’Boyle to discuss what we’ve learned about Castillo and what he can expect to face early in his term.Guests: - Andrés Calderón is chair of the academic law department at the Universidad del Pacifico and is a columnist at El Comercio. - Brendan O’Boyle is Americas Quarterly’s senior editor.Supplemental Reading:"What to Expect from Pedro Castillo" by Andrea Moncada.(https://americasquarterly.org/article/what-to-expect-from-pedro-castillo/)"The “Shadowy Figure” Behind Peru’s Likely Next President" by Brendan O'Boyle.(https://americasquarterly.org/article/the-shadowy-figure-behind-perus-likely-next-president/)

A congressional inquiry, a slow vaccine rollout and renewed threat of impeachment have put Jair Bolsonaro under intense pressure. But Brazil’s president could still rebound thanks to support in Congress and a potential economic recovery, says Patrícia Campos Mello. The acclaimed journalist says Bolsonaro’s fate will hinge on complicated set of factors, including the performance of his likely 2022 election opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.Guests:- Patrícia Campos Mello is an award-winning reporter and columnist at leading Brazilian newspaper Folha de S. Paulo.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental Reading:"Bolsonaro’s Turmoil Could Be the Amazon’s Gain," by Oliver Stuenkel.(https://americasquarterly.org/article/bolsonaros-turmoil-could-be-the-amazons-gain/)

Illegal and unregulated economies are helping drive a spike in deforestation of the Amazon. Is an economic model possible that keeps the forest standing and provides sustainable opportunities for locals? That’s the question AQ poses in its latest special report, and it’s the topic of this new conversation between Editor-in-chief Brian Winter, Managing Editor Cecilia Tornaghi, and special guest Denis Minev, a CEO and investor from Manaus, Brazil.Guests:- Denis Minev is the CEO of Bemol and an angel investor in sustainable Amazon projects.-Cecilia Tornaghi is the managing editor of Americas Quarterly.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental Reading:"The Case for Sustainable Development in the Amazon" a special report.(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/new-aq-the-case-for-sustainable-development-in-the-amazon/)"The Amazon’s Big Cities Need Green Jobs Too. It’s a Challenge" by Monica Prestes.(https://americasquarterly.org/article/the-amazons-big-cities-need-green-jobs-too-its-a-challenge/)