The Americas Quarterly Podcast

Jeanine Áñez ascended to Bolivia's presidency on a promise to hold elections that could move the country out of a bitter political crisis. Seven months later, uncertainty lingers over when voters will choose a new government. To get some clarity on the state of things, AQ's Editor-in-chief Brian Winter speaks with award-winning journalist Raúl Peñaranda.Guests:- Raúl Peñaranda is the director of the Bolivian news portal Brújula Digital, recipient of the coveted Maria Moors Cabot prize and a Nieman fellowship at Harvard University. - Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Background reading:"Four Urgent Questions on Bolivia’s Election," by Brendan O'Boyle (https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/four-urgent-questions-on-bolivias-election/)"The Cost of Delayed Votes in Chile, Bolivia and Beyond," by Leonie Rauls and Emilie Sweigart (https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/the-cost-of-delayed-votes-in-chile-bolivia-and-beyond/)

Scenes of rioting and police brutality in the U.S. are a reminder of the deepening crisis across the Americas. Pressures on civil liberties are already high across the region, with fears that leaders may be using the pandemic as a pretext for harsh policies. To discuss the state of human rights in the Americas at this tense time, AQ's Editor-in-chief Brian Winter speaks to Human Rights Watch's José Miguel Vivanco.Guests: José Miguel Vivanco is the Americas director at Human Rights Watch.Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.

For the third time in just two decades, Argentina finds itself on the brink of defaulting on its foreign debt. As the government rushes to reach a deal with creditors, AQ's Editor-in-chief Brian Winter speaks to the Woodrow Wilson Center's Benjamin Gedan about the implications of a default on Argentina's fragile economy and rocky political landscape. Guests: - Benjamin Gedan is the deputy director the Wilson Center's Latin American Program and the director of its Argentina Project. - Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.  Background Reading:"Argentina Can Stop Its March Toward Default," by Arturo Porzecanski (https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/argentina-can-stop-its-march-toward-default/)

As it tears through Latin America, the coronavirus has highlighted both the impact of smart governance, as well as the toll of the region’s inequality. On the Americas Quarterly Podcast, Editor-in-chief Brian Winter speaks to doctors on the frontlines of the crisis about what they’re seeing, what they’ve learned about prevention, and how they envision a more equitable healthcare system.Guests:Dr. Enrique Boloña is the director of the intensive care unit at Clínica Guayaquil.Dr. David Acuña is an emergency room doctor at Hospital Clínico de la Universidad Católica and at Hospital Sótero del Río in Santiago, Chile.Dr. Sidney Klajner is a surgeon and president of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo, Brazil. Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.

The resignation of Brazil's popular Justice Minister Sérgio Moro shook Brazilian politics on April 24, but its ripples are still being felt. Political analyst Thomas Traumann joins AQ's Brian Winter to discuss the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that may have led to Moro's demise. They'll also assess the likelihood of impeachment and the future of Finance Minister Paulo Guedes, whose motivations for staying on the job seem less clear than they did a month ago.Guests:- Thomas Traumann is a Rio de Janeiro-based political analyst and author of O Pior Emprego do Mundo (“The Worst Job in the World”), a book about Brazilian finance ministers.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly. Background reading:"The Key to Bolsonaro’s Survival," by Brian Winter (https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/key-bolsonaro%27s-survival)

Colombia and Peru have taken in more Venezuelan migrants than any other country. But as the coronavirus spreads, the story of their warm welcome threatens to become one of xenophobia and exclusion. What are governments doing to prevent that? How is the pandemic changing life on the ground for migrants in Colombia and Peru? AQ's Editor-in-chief Brian Winter discussed the challenging situation with Feline Freier, a migration expert in Lima, and Lala Lovera, a migrant advocate in Bogotá.Guests:Lala Lovera is the founder of the Fundación Comparte por una Vida ColombiaLuisa Feline Freier is a migration expert and an assistant professor at the Universidad del Pacífico in LimaBrian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas QuarterlyBackground reading:- "NEW AQ: The Urgent Effort to Integrate Latin America's Migrants" (https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/migration-leader)"For Migrants in Latin America, Public Health Risks Go Beyond the Coronavirus," by Luisa Feline Freier (https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/risks-public-health-migration)- "The Backlash to Venezuelan Migration Is Here," by Brian Winter (https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/explosive-politics-migration)

As other Latin American governments pass big stimulus packages to fight the COVID-19 outbreak, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has opted for austerity. Why? Is there any chance he changes his mind? Vanessa Rubio Márquez, a senator and Mexico's former undersecretary of finance and public credit, spoke to AQ's Editor-in-chief Brian Winter about the response so far - and a different path forward.

China was instrumental in helping Latin America weather the last global financial crisis. Can it do so again? The coming recession could offer the superpower a new opportunity to build influence in Latin America. But this isn't 2008, says China-Latin America expert Margaret Myers, and the regional relationship is a lot more complicated. Myers joined AQ's Editor-in-chief Brian Winter to discuss what China wants in Latin America, and what the pandemic changes.Guests:Margaret Myers is the director of the China and Latin America program at the Inter-American Dialogue.Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas QuarterlyBackground reading:"Could China Be a White Knight Again for Latin America?" by Margaret Myers and Kevin P. Gallagher (https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/could-china-be-white-knight-again-latin-america) "The Reasons for China's Cooling Interest in Latin America" by Margaret Myers (https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/how-beijing-sees-it)

Governments across Latin America are urgently trying to find the right balance between protecting jobs and protecting public health. Perhaps nowhere has the debate been as contentious as in Brazil, where the president has said the country needs to protect jobs, not practice social distancing. But is this a false choice? Brazilian economist Monica de Bolle joins AQ's Editor-in-chief Brian Winter to discuss how Brazil can contain the virus, as well as the economic fallout.  Background reading:- "How to Think About the Lockdown Decision in Latin America," by Eduardo Levy Yeyati and Andrés Malamud (https://bit.ly/3aCyW2R)- "Bolsonaro Faces His Biggest Crisis - And Is Struggling" by Oliver Stuenkel (https://bit.ly/2JEQRKl)

The coronavirus has sent a devastating shock throughout the global economy. How vulnerable is Latin America? Which countries are best prepared to handle it? AQ's Editor-in-chief Brian Winter discusses the region’s response with the Council on Foreign Relations' Shannon O'Neil. Background reading:1) "Latin America, With Few Bullets to Spare," by Eduardo Levy Yeyati (shorturl.at/HKNV0)2) "Latin America 'Needs Fiscal Stimulus Today,' Mauricio Cárdenas Says," by Leonie Rauls (shorturl.at/FTW04) 3) "Is Mexico Prepared to Confront Coronavirus?" by Nathaniel Parish Flannery (shorturl.at/ADGJ9)