The Americas Quarterly Podcast

Latin America’s transition away from oil and gas is well underway, with green energy investments bearing fruit in countries including Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. The region has a chance to be a leader, although unpredictable politics and this year's elections may get in the way, energy analyst Luisa Palacios says.Guests:-Luisa Palacios is a senior research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy.-Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental reading:"The Huge Risk Facing Latin American Oil Companies" by Luisa Palacios and Francisco Monaldi (https://americasquarterly.org/article/the-huge-risk-facing-latin-american-oil-companies/)

Jair Bolsonaro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva are early favorites in Brazil's presidential election next October. Can a "third way" candidate defy expectations, or is the country headed for a showdown between two divisive figures? Thomas Traumann, a journalist and consultant, joins AQ to look at the contenders' strategies – and whether any of them can end Brazil’s decade-long malaise.Guests: Thomas Traumann is a journalist and independent consultant, and was Brazil's communications minister from 2014-2015Brian Winter is AQ's editor-in-chiefSupplemental reading:Lula Is Back. But Which Lula? by Thomas Traumann(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/lula-is-back-but-which-lula)Why Lula vs. Bolsonaro Leaves Little Room for Others by Oliver Stuenkel(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/why-lula-vs-bolsonaro-in-brazil-leaves-little-room-for-others)Have Brazilians Given Up on Bolsonaro? by Brian Winter(https://americasquarterly.org/article/has-bolsonaro-suffered-his-hurricane-katrina-moment)

Many Latin American economies bounced back strongly this year. Still, 2022 is likely to provide a reality check, says economist Alberto Ramos in this “from 30,000 feet” survey of what to expect. The outcome will have consequences for elections in Brazil and Colombia, as well as social stability everywhere.Guests:Alberto Ramos is the chief economist for Latin America at Goldman SachsBrian Winter is AQ's editor-in-chief.Supplemental Reading:"Could the U.S. and China Spoil Latin America’s Rebound?," by Otaviano Canuto (https://americasquarterly.org/article/could-the-u-s-and-china-spoil-latin-americas-rebound/)

After jailing his opponents, Daniel Ortega won an election on November 7, extending his hold on power. On this episode, Nicaraguan journalist María Lilly Delgado weighs in on what’s next for independent voices like herself in a consolidating dictatorship. Former Panamanian Vice President Isabel Saint Malo also joins the episode with a message for the international community. Guests:María Lilly Delgado is an independent journalist and co-founder of the Huellas de la Impunidad journalistic project. Isabel Saint Malo de Alvarado is the former vice president and foreign affairs minister of Panama and a member of AQ’s editorial board. Brian Winter is AQ’s editor-in-chief. Supplemental reading:"Nicaragua’s Sham Election Is Over. What Should the World Do Now?" by Isabel Saint Malo de Alvarado(https://americasquarterly.org/article/nicaraguas-sham-election-is-over-what-should-the-world-do-now/)"Another 5 Years for Daniel Ortega?"(https://americasquarterly.org/article/another-5-years-for-daniel-ortega/)

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/)