Latin America In Focus

Artificial intelligence may spark job loss fears across the Americas, but businesses and people in the region are increasingly adopting the technology. Ángel Melguizo, partner at Argia and Latin America advisor to UNESCO on ethics and AI, outlined what countries need to do to benefit from the AI revolution without leaving people behind. He also covers the urgent need for a “coalition of the good” in terms of AI regulation, and where Latin America stands on the matter.Learn more about the AS/COA Tech Series: www.as-coa.org/tech  Hear our previous episode with Melguizo about the China Belt and Road initiative.https://bit.ly/3KvWjPVThe music in this episode is "Thakita” by Ganesh Anandan, performed by Alejandro Escuer and Felipe Perez Santiago for Americas Society. Learn more about upcoming concerts: musicoftheamericas.org This episode was produced by Executive Producer Luisa Leme. Carin Zissis is the host. Learn more about and subscribe to Latin America in Focus: www.as-coa.org/podcast  Send us feedback at lata

The second half of 2023 will see Spain take over several EU leadership posts, and Madrid has pledged to deepen its  focus on EU-Latin American relations. Could this lead to aflourishing regional relations? Ahead of the EU-CELAC summit in July, author Michael Reid explained the roadblocks to trans-Atlantic integration. From Ukraine to a Mercosur-EU free trade agreement to Venezuela, Reid explains how a lack of a unified Latin American front affects  its relationship with Europe and beyond.The music in this podcast is “La pollera colorá” by Carlota Santana for Americas Society. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slc6K5cE44oLearn more about and subscribe to Latin America in Focus: www.as-coa.org/podcastSend us feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.org Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 

In a world struggling with geopolitical uncertainty, how can North America offer a secure environment and economic stability? In this episode, conducted in collaboration with the U.S.-Mexico Foundation (USMF), we explore the answer to this question and more. USMF Managing Director Enrique Perret interviews AS/COA’s Susan Segal about how Canada, Mexico, and the United States can build on 30 years of free-trade ties to drive exponential trade growth. The conversation emphasizes the need to eliminate North American barriers to labor mobility, how the 2026 World Cup gives the region the chance to amplify cultural relations, and how 2024 elections in both the United States and Mexico offer a chance to reframe the discussion around bilateral ties.Susan Segal is co-chair of USMF’s North Capital Forum this year, taking place in Mexico City in October 2023. Learn more: https://www.northcapitalforum.com/The music in the intro and outro of this podcast was recorded for Americas Society. For more about upcoming concerts,

Guatemalans head to the polls June 25 with their country’s democracy at a crossroads. Despite nearly two dozen presidential candidates on the ballot, three key contenders were eliminated and dozens of the country’s corruption-battling prosecutors and journalists face exile or imprisonment. What does this mean for the election? What is the U.S.’s role? How do Guatemala’s youth see their country’s prospects? Veteran journalist Juan Luis Font, a radio anchor with ConCriterio covering his country’s politics in exile, talks with AS/COA’s Carin Zissis,Learn more about Guatemala’s elections.Poll tracker: t.ly/aBnKfAS/COA’s election explainer: t.ly/YW6gGuide to 2023 Latin American Elections: www.as-coa.org/2023 The music in this episode is "El arpómetro de Carlos," by P. Coulon and H. Martínez, performed by Ángel Tolosa for Americas Society. Learn more about upcoming concerts: musicoftheamericas.orgThis episode was produced by Executive Producer Luisa Leme and Associate Producer Jon Orbach. Carin Zissis is the host.

Ecuador’s Guillermo Lasso chose to do something unprecedented on May 17, invoking a constitutional clause that dissolved the National Assembly and triggered a new set of elections for the executive and legislative branches. Now that he’s Lasso ruling by decree, what can Ecuadorans expect in this period of uncertainty? And who are the big players ahead of the upcoming election? Atrevia’s Quito-based Carmen Sánchez-Laulhé talks with AS/COA Online’s Chase Harrison about the road ahead as the Andean country heads into uncharted territory.The music in this episode is "Yumbo," by Gerardo Guevara, performed by Ensamble InConcerto for Americas Society. Watch the performance: https://youtu.be/S3Bqxo0hdwgFind out about upcoming concerts: musicoftheamericas.orgRead our recent coverage of Ecuador’s impeachment process https://tinyurl.com/27cwchvz and timeline of events: https://tinyurl.com/y45b4357Stay up on what might come next in our 2023 Election Guide: www.as-coa.org/2023This episode was produced by Jon Orbach. Luisa

Arthur Bispo do Rosario never intended to become an artist. But he’s now recognized as a pioneering force in Latin American art. After experiencing hallucinations at the age of 29, he was checked in to a psychiatric institution where he spent the rest of his life. While there, he heard voices that told him to recreate all existing materials on earth. It’s from this idea that Americas Society drew the name for its exhibition, Bispo do Rosario: All Existing Materials on Earth. In this episode, we hear a conversation with the four curators exploring Bispo’s life, art, influence, and first U.S. solo show.The show is open in New York City at Americas Society through May 20. See images, videos, and a pocket book about the exhibition at: www.as-coa.org/bispoThe music in this podcast was "Sexteto Místico" by Heitor Villa-Lobos, performed at Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at  musicoftheamericas.orgThe voice of Bispo do Rosario you hear in this episode comes from the documentary O Prisioneiro da Pas

With Honduras having switched sides to Beijing in March 2023, only 13 countries worldwide recognize Taiwan over China. More than half are in Latin America and the Caribbean. Why are so many of Taipei’s allies based in the region? What happens after a country chooses China? And what do upcoming elections in Paraguay and Guatemala—the two biggest economies that still recognize Taiwan—mean for the future of this East Asian diplomatic tug of war? Florida International University’s Leland Lazarus, who served in U.S. Southern Command and the U.S. foreign service, answers these questions and more in a conversation with AS/COA’s Carin Zissis.Learn more about upcoming elections with AS/COA’s 2023 guide: www.as-coa.org/2023Hear about elections in Guatemala in a prior episode: t.ly/1vU2qRead about Paraguay’s elections: t.ly/Qhb8Read our guest’s research:Red Flags among Golden Passports—An Analysis of Chinese Influence in Five Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Program at FIU t.ly/iCPXWhat Taiwan Can Learn from Honduras

Latin America’s startups have spent the past three years navigating the tricky macroeconomic environment wrought by the pandemic. Now, they’re fending with high interest rates, a tightening pool of venture capital, and—oh yeah!—the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. AS/COA CEO and President Susan Segal explains why the collapse won’t rattle Latin America’s markets and how the region’s startups can thrive amid uncertainty, and she offers her short-term macroeconomic concerns.  Check out other episodes at: www.as-coa.org/podcastThe music in this podcast is "Las dos milongas" performed by Estefanía Melonio (https://youtu.be/KMu5nVWZlFY) and “Descarga Gandinga, Mondongo y Sandunga” performed by Uzzo Ismael (https://youtu.be/28MeIwqw4y4). Learn more and find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.org  Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 

When thinking about challenges for U.S.-Mexico ties, corn might not be the first thing to come to mind. But a simmering trade dispute over a potential Mexican ban of GMO corn could have enormous consequences for these intertwined economies. In this episode, North American trade expert Diego Marroquín tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis about the potential impact of such a ban and why the case is a “litmus test for Mexico’s commitment to USMCA.”The music in this podcast is performed by Tembembe Ensemble Continuo for Americas Society. Watch the video of this performance: https://youtu.be/MHA33RgI51oFind out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.orgOther music in the podcast was performed by Botellita de Jerez and Nostalgia Huasteca.Learn more about Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 

March 5, 2023 marks 10 years of President Nicolás Maduro’s rule in Venezuela. Maduro has overseen a decade of economic turmoil, democratic backsliding, and a mass exodus of more than seven million Venezuelans. How does the government operate? And what will the 2024 elections bring? Bloomberg journalist Fabiola Zerpa and Amherst College professor of political science Javier Corrales discuss Venezuela’s political history and prospects with AS/COA Senior Director Guillermo Zubillaga.Check out other episodes at: www.as-coa.org/podcastThe music in this podcast is: “Zumba Cum Laude” by C4 Trío. https://youtu.be/F_pdNY_wz5kLearn more at: musicoftheamericas.org Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 

After his phone was hacked with Pegasus spyware four times, El Faro journalist Roman Gressier and 17* colleagues at the Salvadoran outlet decided to sue a software manufacturer in a U.S. court. His lawsuit is part of a growing effort to regulate the exploding market for digital surveillance worldwide. But can anything stop governments from using these tools? Gressier tells AS/COA Online’s Chase Harrison about the case, the role of Pegasus in Central America, and why he is pessimistic about the future of spyware.Check out other episodes at: www.as-coa.org/podcastThe music in this podcast is: “Epílogo para Jazmín” by Monique Fernandez. https://youtu.be/KwI1mtzOOwALearn more at: musicoftheamericas.org*Editor's note: The original version of this podcast stated that there are 22 plaintiffs in the case. The correct figure at the time of publishing was 18. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 

What’s the mood on the ground in Guatemala and Argentina, both of which hold presidential elections this year? Given voter dissatisfaction, will they follow the regional trend of backing the other side and bucking the status quo? Universidad del Valle de Guatemala’s Marielos Chang tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis why voters in the Central American country are frustrated by corruption and a dizzying array of political parties. Meanwhile, Cefeidas Group’s Juan Cruz Díaz talks with AS/COA’s Luisa Leme about what to watch in the race for the Casa Rosada and why runaway inflation will play a role in the outcome.For more on this year's Latin American elections, visit our guide: www.as-coa.org/2023The music in this podcast is:“Descarga Gandinga, Mondongo y Sandunga” performed by Uzzo Ismael “Admonición” performed by Fátima Abramo and Asunción Cantero Learn more at: musicoftheamericas.org Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 

Hear some of the uncovered stories of the year. Sofía Ramirez Aguilar of México ¿Cómo Vamos? details why Mexicans, who long had one of the lowest vacation rates in the world, got some good news in time for the holiday season. Claudio Ruiz of Derechos Digitales explains Chile’s moves to be a digital rights pioneer. And journalist Simeon Tegel talks about the controversial Mayor-elect of Lima Rafael López Aliaga, who has his eyes on the presidency. The music in this podcast is Eric Kurimski Quartet performing “Ya.” Watch the video: https://youtu.be/PbrXlWnGtFo Learn more about Latin America in Focus at: www.as-coa.org/podcast Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 

It could cost up to $6 trillion a year to finance the transition away from a carbon-intensive economy. That’s triple the current yearly global commitment. What would it take to rapidly expand the amount of financing available for decarbonization, sustainable infrastructure, and compensation for the effects of climate change? The UN’s Juan Carlos Monterrey Gómez and Marsh McLennan’s Amy Barnes explains how the public and private sector are funding decarbonization and the transition to a green economy. Listen to the music included in this episode performed by Alejandro Escuer: http://y2u.be/ARW3j2Vyslw. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 

The U.S. dollar is stronger than it’s been in decades against currencies around the world. But that’s not true across Latin America where, in some cases, smart policies by governments and central banks have helped keep domestic currencies steady. XP Investment’s Alberto Bernal tells AS/COA Vice President Randy Melzi which countries have been successful and which are at risk. This episode features a quiz! Get the answers to the lightening round of currency trivia at: www.as-coa.org/podcast The music featured in this episode is "Adiós Fulana" (A.M. Peñaloza) performed by La Manga for Americas Society. Watch the video:  https://youtu.be/bP7pC7Fd_XU Learn more at:  https://musicoftheamericas.org Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 

In January, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will start a third term as Brazil’s president two decades after he began his first—and in a remarkably changed world. In this episode, former U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Thomas Shannon tells Executive Producer Luisa Leme what Lula’s comeback means for Latin America, U.S. relations, China, and the world. To learn more about this year’s Latin American elections, visit: www.as-coa.org/2022 The music in this episode is "Tarde de Chuva" by Paulo Moura, performed by Cliff Korman Ensemble for Americas Society. Learn more at: www.musicoftheamericas.org Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 

In September, a group of hacktivists known as Guacamaya sparked reverberations across much of Latin America when it released millions of documents and emails from the military and police forces of Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, and Peru. In this episode, UC San Diego’s Cecilia Farfán Mendez explains the impact of the leaks in Mexico, which accounts for six of the 10 terabytes of data released. And Cybersecurity expert Juan Pablo Castro explains why Latin America’s militaries were so susceptible to attacks and whether the identity of Guacamaya matters at all. Learn more about Mexicans’ views of their military: t.ly/9SG1 Hear a recent Latin America in Focus episode about how cyber attacks in Costa Rica expose a regional threat. https://bit.ly/3zoFZuq Listen to the music included in this episode performed by Julio Cobelli https://youtu.be/ER52AFZct5E and Trio Miramar https://youtu.be/8lWSqRZjkmo Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas

On October 2nd, Brazilians split the ballots—and the country—between former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and incumbent Jair Bolsonaro. Quaest pollster Felipe Nunes talks about whether the polls got the first round wrong, how Lula and Bolsonaro are now dueling for the battleground state of Minas Gerais, and why Lula needs to fight against voter abstention to secure a win in the October 30 runoff. Listen to our previous episode with Felipe Nunes on Brazil's first-round vote. https://bit.ly/3yHpJoh For a Brazil runoff poll tracker and more on this year’s Latin American elections, visit: www.as-coa.org/2022 The music in this episode is “Galopada” by Itiberê Zwarg, recorded for Americas Society. Learn more at www.musicoftheamericas.org. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 

Every election cycle, both Democrats and Republicans are reminded of the power of the Latino voter—who are now the second largest demographic group in the electorate. However, is either party’s approach to this group effective? And are Latinos really a cogent voting bloc? Two experts, Clarissa Martínez-De-Castro of UnidosUS and Sabrina Rodríguez of The Washington Post, discuss Latinos’ top issues, how to perform effective outreach to this group, and how the landscape of Latino politics changes between South Florida and Texas. UnidosUS national poll of Latino voters: t.ly/Jv7W AS/COA Online Latino vote tracker: t.ly/8IxE Access reporting by Sabrina Rodríguez via The Washington Post: t.ly/SxFn Music by Quinteto Latino for Americas Society: https://youtu.be/jBQn-DwzMPs Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. 

From the presidential state of the union to Independence Day, September in Mexico is a politically momentous time. This year, it saw President Andrés Manuel López Obrador usher through a deepening military control over public security just in time for independence celebrations. In this episode, political analyst Carlos Bravo Regidor talks with AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis about AMLO’s military moves, the building of his legacy, and how it all relates to a 2024 presidential race that’s already well underway. Listen to a prior episode with Bravo Regidor about AMLO’s first 100 days in office: t.ly/BFOZ Hear other episodes and subscribe to Latin America in Focus at: www.as-coa.org/podcast The music in this episode is Cantos de México by Carlos Chávez performed by Orquesta Pasatono for Americas Society. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.