The Americas Quarterly Podcast

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/)

The results of Chile's constitutional convention election shook markets and left many wondering what it all meant for the country just as a presidential campaign begins to heat up. Many are hopeful, while others, like this week's guest, Patricio Navia, have concerns. The political scientist joins AQ's Brian Winter to discuss possible pitfalls of the new constitution, and why he is still optimistic about Chile's long-term future. Guests:- Patricio Navia is a contributing columnist for Americas Quarterly, professor of liberal studies at NYU and professor of political science at Diego Portales University in Chile.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental Reading:"Chile’s Big Gamble Just Got Riskier" by Patricio Navia(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/chiles-big-gamble-just-got-riskier/)"Chile’s Riots: Frustration at the Gate of the Promised Land" by Patricio Navia(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/chiles-riots-frustration-at-the-gate-of-the-promised-land/)"Trapped: What If Chile Ends Up Like Argentina?" by Eduardo Levy Yeyati(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/trapped-what-if-chile-ends-up-like-argentina/)

Kids in Latin America have lost an average of 158 days of face-to-face schooling, with more students out of the classroom than any other region in the world. In Argentina, the debate over when to send kids back to school has gone all the way to the Supreme Court, further polarizing a country reeling from a second wave and the worst inflation in 18 months. Economist Eduardo Levy Yeyati joins the podcast to discuss what’s at stake and give an update on politics and the economy in an election year.Guests:- Eduardo Levy Yeyati is the dean of the School of Government of Universidad Torcuato Di Tella and a nonresident senior fellow at The Brookings Institution. He is a member of the editorial board of Americas Quarterly.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental Reading:"Back to the 1960s? Education May Be Latin America’s Most Lasting Scar from COVID-19" by Nora Lustig, Guido Neidhöfer and Mariano Tommasi.(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/back-to-the-1960s-education-may-be-latin-americas-most-lasting-scar-from-covid-19/)"Changing Argentina’s Inertia: Is it Possible?" by Eduardo Levy Yeyati.(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/changing-argentinas-inertia-is-it-possible/)

Cuba’s political regime took a step into unknown territory on April 16, when Raúl Castro announced he was stepping down as head of the ruling party. The change comes as the government faces headwinds from an economic crisis worsened by the pandemic, an artist-led protest movement, and a new administration in the U.S. But how much will things really change? Political scientist Javier Corrales joins the AQ Podcast to look ahead at what’s to come.Guests:- Javier Corrales is a professor of political science at Amherst College and a member of the editorial board of Americas Quarterly.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental Reading:"Cuba’s Racial Reckoning, and What It Means for Biden" by Javier Corrales. (https://americasquarterly.org/article/cubas-racial-reckoning-and-what-it-means-for-biden/)

What’s driving an outbreak of violence on Venezuela’s border with Colombia? What does it say about Nicolás Maduro, who appears stronger than he was six months ago despite a worrying second wave and few vaccines in sight? The International Crisis Group’s Phil Gunson joins the AQ Podcast from Caracas to weigh in on the complex panorama.Guests:- Phil Gunson is the Caracas-based senior analyst at the International Crisis Group.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.

On April 11, Peruvians will head to the polls to elect their fifth president in less than four years. An unpopular, crowded field of candidates adds to the election’s unpredictability. Could the country’s unstable politics finally catch up to its long-resilient economy? Peruvian political analyst Andrea Moncada joins AQ’s Brian Winter to preview the vote – and the risks it entails. Guests:- Andrea Moncada is a political analyst and coordinator of the opinion section of El Comercio. She also teaches politics and international relations at ESAN University in Lima.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental Reading:"Meet the Candidates: Peru" (https://americasquarterly.org/article/meet-the-candidates-peru/)

A surge in migrants at the US-Mexico border has become the first big test for President Joe Biden's migration policy. It's also giving new urgency to a $4 billion aid package that he has proposed to tackle the root causes of migration from Central America. But just "throwing money at problems does not solve them," says former Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís, citing problems on the ground such as corruption and democratic backsliding. On this week's episode of the AQ Podcast, Solís offers his ideas on how Washington can work with regional leaders and ensure efforts don't come up short. Guests:- President Luis Guillermo Solís is a former president of Costa Rica and the interim director of the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental Reading:"Can More U.S. Money Really Help Central America’s Northern Triangle?" By Luis Guillermo Solís(https://americasquarterly.org/article/can-more-u-s-money-really-help-central-americas-northern-triangle/)"It’s Not Just El Salvador. Democracies Are Weakening Across Central America." By Patricio Navia and Lucas Perelló(https://americasquarterly.org/article/the-bigger-reason-to-worry-about-nayib-bukele-and-el-salvador/)"The Pandemic’s Big Winner? Organized Crime" an AQ special report(https://americasquarterly.org/article/new-aq-the-pandemics-big-winner-transnational-crime/)