Explore every episode of the podcast Latin America in Focus
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LatAm in Focus at 200: What Do We Know about Electoral Trends in the Americas? | 29 Aug 2024 | 00:41:25 | |
Our latest edition of Latin America in Focus marks a major milestone: episode 200. Over the past eight years, we’ve covered a range of topics—and asked a lot of questions, including in our episode titles. For this episode, we decided to revisit three of those questions to see how we would answer them now. Half the world is going to the polls in 2024, so we focus on elections. Americas Quarterly Editor-in-Chief and AS/COA Vice President of Policy Brian Winter tells us why Latin America’s anti-incumbency trend may be coming to a close. Pew Research Center’s Director of Race and Ethnicity Research Mark Hugo Lopez covers how Latino voters view the high-stakes U.S. presidential competition between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. And, AS/COA Online Editor-in-Chief Carin Zissis shares what to watch for in Mexico, where Claudia Sheinbaum is preparing to take the presidential reins in Mexico. Speaking of elections, check out AS/COA’s 2024 guide for more about this year’s votes. www.as-coa.org/2024
The music in this podcast is “Galopada” by Itiberê Zwarg, performed for Americas Society. 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. | |||
| On the Ground and Online: Venezuela's Electoral Battle | 18 Jul 2024 | 00:31:55 | |
Since he came to power 11 years ago, Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro has been stacking the decks in his political favor. But will he hit a wall in the July 28 election? The regime disqualified popular rival candidate Maria Corina Machado, yet a unified opposition is leading the polls. “[The Maduro government] could try to do a mega fraud, but the political costs, even within the ruling coalition, could be very high,” journalist and political analyst Tony Frangie Mawad tells AS/COA’s Guillermo Zubillaga in an on-the-ground view of the electoral competition. The fight to govern Venezuela is being played out online as well. Mariví Marin Vázquez, founder and executive director of digital observatory ProBox, explains why the country’s voters have turned to social media to get news. She told AS/COA’s Carin Zissis how the regime exploits social media algorithms as it seeks to soften Maduro’s image, even as online tools offer an opportunity for independent news sources and civil society to share information. Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.org Learn more about Venezuela’s elections at: www.as-coa.org/2024 Read ProBox resources on Venezuelan social media use (t.ly/y7bh3) and the Maduro regime’s use of online tools (t.ly/Kk1NG). Read an Americas Quarterly article by AS/COA’s Board Chair Andrés Gluski and President/CEO Susan Segal about why this electoral round may be different: t.ly/NDCxh This is the seventh episode in our 2024 election series. Prior episodes covered what comes next for Mexico after Claudia’s Sheinbaum’s electoral win, how Latin America figures into the Trump-Biden battle, the Dominican Republic’s unique political culture, the economic agenda for Panama’s next president, the youth vote in Mexico, and Nayib Bukele’s global reach. Find this content and more in this year's election guide at: www.as-coa.org/2024 The music in this podcast is “Nos volveremos a encontrar,” performed by Venezuelan singer-songwriter Geraldyn García and cuatro player Daniel Molina for Americas Society. 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. | |||
| How Courts Can Make or Break Latin America's Corruption Battle | 08 Feb 2024 | 00:22:05 | |
When it comes to corruption perceptions, Latin America is stagnating. And what’s one major obstacle to improvement? Judiciary independence, explains Transparency International’s Luciana Torchiaro. In this episode, she dives deep into how the region fared in her organization’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index, released in January 2024, and tells AS/COA Online’s Luisa Leme why attempts to weaken the judiciaries in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Honduras are hindering the battle against corruption. But the news isn’t all bad. She explains how steps taken in the Dominican Republic serve as a model, and why Chile has an opportunity to restore its standing as a regional transparency leader. Access the Transparency International 2023 report: http://t.ly/nvrSP Read Luciana Torchiaro’s analysis on the challenges to independent judiciaries in Latin America: http://t.ly/1Q3ZW AS/COA also monitors corruption progress in Latin America. See our 2023 Capacity to Combat Corruption Index, published in partnership with Control Risks: https://www.as-coa.org/CCC2023 The music in this episode is “Compay” by Ártemis Duo. Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRxcjm2Sia4 Find out about upcoming concerts at: www.musicoftheamericas.org Check out other episodes and subscribe to Latin America in Focus on your preferred platform via: www.as-coa.org/podcast We’d love to hear from you. Share 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. | |||
| Reissue: Carlos Bravo Regidor on the Start of AMLO's Presidency | 26 Dec 2019 | 00:44:39 | |
As Andrés Manuel López Obrador rounds out his first 100 days in office as president of Mexico, CIDE’s Carlos Bravo Regidor talks with AS/COA's Carin Zissis about his popularity, use of corruption as a political weapon, “omnipresence” through message control, and nostalgia. “He has this fantasy that he’s going to be able to choose his place in posterity,” says Bravo Regidor. Follow Carlos Bravo Regidor on Twitter: twitter.com/carlosbravoreg Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Reissue: Nayib Bukele on His Plans for El Salvador | 20 Dec 2019 | 00:29:20 | |
He’s 37, a social media maven, and he won El Salvador’s presidential election without the backing of the country’s two main parties. Nayib Bukele, an ex-mayor of San Salvador, isn’t exactly a political newcomer. But his June inauguration will end 10 years of the leftist FMLN in power. Bukele spoke with CNBC’s Michelle Caruso-Cabrera our COA’s 49th Washington Conference about U.S. ties, Venezuela, China, and an ambitious promise on immigration. The #2019WCA conference lineup included U.S. VP Mike Pence, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, and Colombian VP Marta Lucía Ramírez. See what they had to say: www.as-coa.org/wcarecap Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| The Role of Chilean Women in a New Constitution | 13 Dec 2019 | 00:30:48 | |
After a month of protests, the Chilean government agreed to a major demand of reform-minded protestors: one for a new constitution. Now the challenge is to figure out not only what that constitution will look like, but who will be at the table to write it. In this episode, constitutional lawyer Claudia Sarmiento talks with AS/COA Online’s Luisa Horwitz about the importance of female participation in drafting a new magna carta. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| President AMLO’s Scorecard One Year In | 03 Dec 2019 | 00:39:16 | |
One year into his presidency, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, or AMLO, is riding a wave of popularity. But the country’s homicide rate keeps going up while economic growth slows, raising questions about whether AMLO’s approval could take a hit. Pollster Jorge Buendía and IMCO’s Alexandra Zapata explain what could challenge AMLO’s popularity. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| How Asia-Brazil Trade Shifted Bolsonaro’s China View | 06 Nov 2019 | 00:36:41 | |
President Jair Bolsonaro’s warming to China can be explained by the strong economic ties Brazil has with Asia, but there’s still a learning curve for the Sino-Brazilian partnership. Political scientist Maurício Santoro talks about the growth of Chinese investment in Brazil, the impact of the U.S.-China trade war on Latin American economies, and what Asia ties mean for issues like the Amazon and Mercosur. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Argentina’s 2019 Election Brings in a New President | 30 Oct 2019 | 00:38:49 | |
Argentina’s 2019 presidential competition ended on October 27, when Alberto Fernández and running mate ex-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner won in the first round, unseating President Mauricio Macri. Buenos Aires-based Special Advisor to AS/COA Juan Cruz Díaz talks with AS/COA Online’s Luisa Horwitz about Macri’s legacy, the importance of the presidential transition, and the future of Argentine foreign relations. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Behind Uruguay’s Presidential Vote | 17 Oct 2019 | 00:32:53 | |
Uruguay’s 2019 race might not yield major political shifts, but the next president will still face unknown territory, says American University’s Arturo Porzecanski. With the first-round vote on October 27, the professor and international economist tells AS/COA Online’s Luisa Leme what is driving voters’ desire for change, how a new right-wing party entered the scene, and steps his country should have and could still take to become a Singapore-style success story. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Marie Arana Talks Silver, Sword, and Stone | 10 Oct 2019 | 00:23:53 | |
Marie Arana’s Silver, Sword, and Stone takes the readers from pre-Columbian times through the region’s conquest, independence movements, dirty wars, and right down to the present. In doing so, the book explores three driving forces in the region’s history: mining—and particularly mining, violence, and religion through the tales of three contemporary Latin Americans. In this episode, the award-winning author tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis why she wrote this sweeping history now. Find out more about her work at www.mariearana.net. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Can International Law Save the Amazon? | 20 Sep 2019 | 00:40:02 | |
The Amazon fires have sparked international calls to curb deforestation, but the nine countries that are home to the region need to make a coordinated effort, says Maria Antonia Tigre, an environmental attorney and doctoral candidate at PACE University. “There needs to be practical guidebook of what [governments] plan and want to do.” Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Colombia at a Crossroads | 12 Sep 2019 | 00:21:29 | |
Half of all peace agreements fall apart within five years. Three years after signing a storied deal, ex-FARC rebels say they’re taking back up their arms. The situation—compounded with election violence and a tense situation with neighboring Venezuela—is sobering, says Muni Jensen of the Albright Stonebridge Group, but Colombia nonetheless has a pragmatic president in office and a relatively solid economy. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Online Reach and Expat Votes in El Salvador’s Election | 25 Jan 2024 | 00:39:54 | |
2024 will be a big year for Latin American elections, and the first one takes place in El Salvador. Popular President Nayib Bukele is likely to win a race that showcases his regional—and global—influence. Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas’ Roberta Braga explains how Bukele’s social media strategy spreads beyond El Salvador’s borders and calls for a rethink of how online disinformation. Virginia Commonwealth University’s Michael Paarlberg delves into how that message is being received in the large Salvadoran diaspora, which is expected to vote in record numbers this year. This episode will be the first in a series exploring the year’s elections and the forces shaping them. Catch the series and learn about 2024 elections via our guide at: www.as-coa.org/2024 Read our Explainer: El Salvador's 2024 Presidential and Legislative Elections This podcast was produced by Executive Producer Luisa Leme with support from Jon Orbach. Carin Zissis is the host. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| What's Keeping Urban Development in Brazil "from Being Free"? | 25 Jul 2019 | 00:34:26 | |
Brazil is a vast country. But how open is it actually? To examine this question, four architects set out to show what is often hard to see, creating a series of ten oversized, interdisciplinary maps in the exhibition, Walls of Air: The Brazilian Pavilion at the 16th Venice Architecture Biennale, on display now at Americas Society. In this episode, architects Laura González Fierro and MIT's Gabriel Kozlowski speak with AS/COA Online's Luisa Leme about the maps, which show how things like immigration, climate change, housing, and more are shaping architecture and urban development in Brazil today. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Explaining Mexico’s National Guard | 17 Jul 2019 | 00:28:23 | |
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador made a campaign pledge to stop using the military for policing. But last month, he inaugurated a National Guard—a force he plans will be 150,000 strong. But does it offer something different from prior security policies? UC San Diego’s Cecilia Farfán-Méndez explains the National Guard to AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Can the Bolsonaro Government Fix Brazil's Economy? | 10 Jul 2019 | 00:36:14 | |
After his first six months in government, Jair Bolsonaro has been more disruptive when it comes to social issues than tackling Brazil stagnant economy. Can he fix the country’s problems? Economist Monica de Bolle of SAIS and the Peterson Institute for International Economics tells AS/COA Online’s Luisa Leme about Brazil’s economic growth problems and explains what’s standing in the way as the new government tries to get the country back on track. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Making Sense of a New U.S.-Mexican Migration Deal | 11 Jun 2019 | 00:31:29 | |
Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Mexican goods is over—for now. The next question is how a U.S.-Mexican deal seeking to stem migration will take shape. Mexico Security Initiative’s Stephanie Leutert tells host Carin Zissis why Mexico might succeed at slowing Central American migration—if only in the short term. Listen to our previous episode with Leutert covering the migrant caravan crisis: https://bit.ly/2yv74wz Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Who’s In and Who’s Out in Guatemala’s Presidential Race | 30 May 2019 | 00:31:23 | |
It’s become known as the week that changed everything, or at least everything in Guatemala’s presidential race. In mid-May, two of the country’s three leading presidential candidates were disqualified from running. That leaves one woman, Sandra Torres, standing as the frontrunner. But she doesn’t necessarily have it in the bag. Political scientist Marielos Chang tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis who’s in and who’s out ahead of the June 16 vote. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| What’s behind Brazil’s Education Debate | 22 May 2019 | 00:25:44 | |
On May 15, Brazil's new government saw its first national protests since Jair Bolsonaro took office as thousands across the country protested new budget cuts. But the 40-million-students system has challenges that go beyond ideological or budgetary battles. In this episode, Nova Escola’s Leandro Beguoci talks with AS/COA Online’s Luisa Leme and gives a perspective from the ground on how education is becoming part of Brazil’s civil society debate, where performance gaps exist, and lessons from countries that invested in education during periods of economic hardship. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| President-elect Nayib Bukele on His Plans for El Salvador | 09 May 2019 | 00:29:00 | |
He’s 37, a social media maven, and he won El Salvador’s presidential election without the backing of the country’s two main parties. Nayib Bukele, an ex-mayor of San Salvador, isn’t exactly a political newcomer. But his June inauguration will end 10 years of the leftist FMLN in power. Bukele spoke with CNBC’s Michelle Caruso-Cabrera our COA’s 49th Washington Conference about U.S. ties, Venezuela, China, and an ambitious promise on immigration. The #2019WCA conference lineup included U.S. VP Mike Pence, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, and Colombian VP Marta Lucía Ramírez. See what they had to say: www.as-coa.org/wcarecap Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Meet Cuba's Emerging Artist, Cimafunk | 24 Apr 2019 | 00:22:28 | |
From Pinar del Rio to Havana, Paris to New York, Cimafunk is taking his Afro-Cuban sound on the road. AS/COA Online’s Elizabeth Gonzalez sat down with the emerging musician and AS/COA Music Director Sebastián Zubieta to discuss the evolution of Cimafunk’s sound at home and abroad. Hear more Cimafunk at www.cimafunk.com. Learn more about upcoming Americas Society concerts at www.musicoftheamericas.org. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Ambassador Feeley on Daniel Ortega's Flagging Grip on Nicaragua | 18 Apr 2019 | 00:40:34 | |
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega running down his political and economic capital, says former U.S. Ambassador John Feeley in this conversation with AS/COA Online’s Holly K. Sonneland on the one-year anniversary of when civil unrest first broke out in the Central American country. The ex-diplomat also talks about his firsthand experience of the diplomatic tug-of-war between Taiwan and China in the Central America. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Jair Bolsonaro's First 100 Days | 04 Apr 2019 | 00:44:10 | |
Viewed as the outsider candidate in Brazil’s election last year, President Jair Bolsonaro took office January 1 with promises to address some of the country’s biggest problems: economic growth, corruption, and security. But running as an outsider and governing are proving to be two very different things. AS/COA Brazil experts Brian Winter and Roberto Simon take stock of Bolsonaro’s performance negotiating pension reform with Congress, warming up to the United States, and fighting crime and corruption. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Ten Years in, What's the Future of Mexico's Morena Party? | 14 Dec 2023 | 00:36:20 | |
2024 doesn’t just mark Mexico’s biggest elections ever, but the tenth anniversary since Morena, the party of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, became an official party. And it now faces a test: will it build on its expanding control or find itself reined in by Mexican voters in June 2024? In this episode, long-time pollster Lorena Becerra and CIDE political scientist Javier Aparicio cover whether Morena could become a hegemonic party akin to the PRI, the challenges for López Obrador’s chosen successor Claudia Sheinbaum and the opposition’s Xóchitl Gálvez, and where Mexico sits in Latin America’s anti-incumbency arc. “Morena’s Achilles’ heel is for them to become part of the old party system at some point,” Becerra tells AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis. “And that can happen if they don't prove to be different.” This podcast was produced by Executive Producer Luisa Leme. Carin Zissis is the host. Check out our poll tracker at: https://www.as-coa.org/articles/poll-tracker-contenders-mexicos-2024-presidential-vote This podcast was produced by Luisa Leme. Carin Zissis is the host.
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.
Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Sizing Up the Start of AMLO's Presidency | 07 Mar 2019 | 00:44:19 | |
As Andrés Manuel López Obrador rounds out his first 100 days in office as president of Mexico, CIDE’s Carlos Bravo Regidor talks with AS/COA's Carin Zissis about his popularity, use of corruption as a political weapon, “omnipresence” through message control, and nostalgia. “He has this fantasy that he’s going to be able to choose his place in posterity,” says Bravo Regidor. Follow Carlos Bravo Regidor on Twitter: https://twitter.com/carlosbravoreg Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Can Bolsonaro Get What He Wants from Brazil’s Congress? | 26 Feb 2019 | 00:36:18 | |
In an effort to deliver law and order for voters doubting democracy, President Jair Bolsonaro promised to renew politics in Brasília. The problem with that plan? Brazil’s multiparty system—also known as Congress. Fundação Getulio Vargas’ Carlos Pereira talks with AS/COA Online’s Luisa Leme about the new president’s legislative strategy—and the headaches he faces. For more on the start of the Bolsonaro government, visit: http://www.as-coa.org/bolsonaro100 Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Cuba’s New Constitution and 60 Years of the Revolution | 12 Feb 2019 | 00:37:44 | |
Just as Cuba’s Revolution marks its 60-year anniversary, the country is preparing to vote on the biggest constitutional overhaul since 1976. Cuba analyst Michael Bustamente and Cuba Working Group (CWG) head Alana Tummino sat down with AS/COA Online’s Elizabeth Gonzalez to discuss the changes and the online debate taking place ahead of the February 24 constitutional referendum. Learn more about the AS/COA CWG at as-coa.org/cuba Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| What's Next in Venezuela's Tug of War? | 05 Feb 2019 | 00:43:27 | |
If a crisis was already simmering in Venezuela, in the past month it’s boiled over. Guillermo Zubillaga, head of the AS/COA Venezuela Working Group, talks with Holly K. Sonneland about everything from China’s calculus in the current political standoff, the generosity of Colombia and Canada, and how we might yet be surprised as to how this all ends. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| How Healthy Is Democracy in Latin America? | 17 Jan 2019 | 00:19:22 | |
“Latin Americans are not thrilled with democracy, but there’s very little evidence that…voters prefer any alternative,” says Steven Levitsky, co-author of How Democracies Die. In this interview with AS/COA Online’s Holly K. Sonneland, the Harvard professor talks about Brazil’s election, strategies for the Venezuelan opposition, and the lack of female authoritarians. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| What to Expect from an AMLO Presidency | 29 Nov 2018 | 00:41:49 | |
Since Andrés Manuel López Obrador won the election by a landslide in July, observers have been looking for clues about whether the incoming president, who takes office December 1, will end up being a populist or a pragmatist. Former Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan tells AS/COA’s Carin Zissis why Donald Trump and AMLO have gotten along so far—and what might burst the bubbles. Plus, Speyside Mexico’s Amy Glover explains why AMLO is giving the private sector the jitters, but why we should give the new administration a chance. Follow Sarukhan for commentary: https://twitter.com/Arturo_Sarukhan Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Fact-Checking Brazil’s Misinformation Crisis | 07 Nov 2018 | 00:34:02 | |
Was Brazil’s presidential election the epicenter of fake news crisis? Aos Fatos’ Tai Nalon spoke with AS/COA Online’s Luisa Leme about how misinformation on social media and closed messaging applications such as WhatsApp can interfere with democracy, and what that means on a global scale. Learn more: www.as-coa.org/brazil2018 Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| What a Bolsonaro Win Means for Brazil’s Economy | 29 Oct 2018 | 00:25:09 | |
Brazil elected far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro as president and the markets are rallying. “It is a change in route in the Brazilian economy that is much appreciated, considering that we have been in a recession for a very long time,” says J.P. Morgan’s Emy Shayo of the economic platform proposed by Bolsonaro’s pick for economic minister, Paulo Guedes. Learn about the country’s economic prospects under Brazil’s next administration. Get more information about Brazil’s election at: www.as-coa.org/brazil2018 Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Amid Caravan Crisis, a Look at Mexico's Migration Policy | 22 Oct 2018 | 00:39:25 | |
Thousands in a migrant caravan are making their way on foot, through tear gas, and over rivers to get from Central America to the United States. "They know what they're facing when they hit Mexico, they know what they're facing with the Trump administration…and they keep moving forward," Stephanie Leutert, Mexico Security Initiative director at UT Austin’s Strauss Center, tells AS/COA Online’s Carin Zissis in an episode that takes stock of Mexico’s migration policy as it prepares for a new president. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Why Peru's Political Establishment Is Scared | 11 Oct 2018 | 00:23:24 | |
What worries Peru’s leaders? They don’t want to go to jail, says past and future presidential candidate Julio Guzmán of the Purple Party in this interview with AS/COA Online’s Holly K. Sonneland. Guzmán also talks about the opportunity he finds in everything from the Pacific Alliance, to Peru’s youth, to the reversal of Alberto Fujimori’s pardon. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Beyond the Boom: Latin American Writing in Translation | 30 Nov 2023 | 00:40:38 | |
Earlier this year, Latin American literature lost a champion when Edith Grossman, one of the foremost Spanish language translators, passed away. Grossman not only translated some of the region's master writers, but she advocated for her profession and for the value of reading in translation. In this episode, two acclaimed translators, Megan McDowell and Esther Allen, speak about her legacy, the titles grabbing attention in the United States, the role of women authors in a current Latin American boom, and the connection between books in translation and events in the region today.
The music in this episode was performed for Americas Society and includes:
Find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.org We’d love to hear from you. Share 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. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| A Closer Look at Hurricane Maria’s Death Toll | 26 Sep 2018 | 00:23:37 | |
The Trump administration disputed the Hurricane Maria death toll. We went to the source. AS/COA Online’s Brian Harper interviewed epidemiologist Dr. Ann Goldman, part of the team on the George Washington University report on excess mortality in Puerto Rico after the storm. “Using excess mortality as an indicator in a disaster situation is a good, fast way to start to get a handle on it,” said Dr. Goldman, who herself is from the island. Access the GW report: https://bit.ly/2wwqEqF Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Who Will Win Brazil's Nostalgia Vote? | 20 Sep 2018 | 00:47:11 | |
“This is a country that has been through massive traumas over the last couple of years. And you might say ‘okay, so they’re going to bottom out, things couldn’t get worse.’ Things could get worse.” In this podcast episode, AS/COA Online interviews two in-house Brazilian experts, Americas Quarterly Editor-in-Chief and AS/COA Vice President Brian Winter and new AS/COA Senior Director of Policy Roberto Simon, on what’s at stake ahead of the October 7 first-round vote, candidates’ advantages and disadvantages, and the overlooked congressional elections. Learn more about the Brazilian elections at as-coa.org/brazil2018 Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| The Venezuelan Exodus | 12 Sep 2018 | 00:25:01 | |
For decades, Venezuela welcomed immigrants. Now, it’s Latin America’s time to welcome the 2.3 million migrants who’ve fled the country in the last five years, says Human Rights Watch Senior Researcher Tamara Taraciuk Broner, lead author of the report, The Venezuelan Exodus. She tells AS/COA Online’s Holly K. Sonneland about the report's findings and regional recommendations. Access the HRW report: https://bit.ly/2x17ZnV Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| MORENA Holds the Cards in Mexico’s New Congress | 04 Sep 2018 | 00:28:47 | |
On September 1, Mexico witnessed the historic opening session of a new federal Congress. Why historic? Because it represented an upending of the prior party system. With sweeping wins in the July elections, MORENA, the party of incoming President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, holds a solid majority in both houses. Odracir Barquera, who served as a chief of staff in the last Senate, talks with AS/COA’s Carin Zissis about changes in the legislature, who can be a counterweight, and gender parity in Congress. For more on Mexico’s elections, visit: www.as-coa.org/mxelex Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Clandestina's Founders on Building a Fashion Brand in a Shifting Cuba | 21 Aug 2018 | 00:28:09 | |
Cuba’s private sector has made a significant leap since its opening, counting nearly 600,000 micro-businesses owners, or cuentapropistas, today. Among its best-known entrepreneurs are the founders of Clandestina, Cuba’s first independent fashion label. AS/COA Online’s Elizabeth Gonzalez spoke to Idania del Rio and Leire Fernandez about their experience launching their business, the implications of the latest private-sector reforms, and the future of same-sex marriage on the island. This conversation took place at an AS/COA Young Professionals of the Americas event. Find out more at: www.as-coa.org/ypa Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| How Nicaragua Became Latin America's New Crisis | 31 Jul 2018 | 00:36:55 | |
Since protests broke out in April, the number of Nicaraguans killed in clashes between the government and protesters—now over 300—is greater than the number of protestors killed in Venezuela in all of 2017. How did this small Central American country, lauded for having the second-fastest growing economy in the hemisphere, get to this point? Political analyst Javier Arguello tells AS/COA Online’s Elizabeth Gonzalez how President Daniel Ortega systematically consolidated power over the last 40 years and how Washington might in fact be Managua’s best hope these days. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Why There Isn’t and Won’t Be Mass Latino Migration | 12 Jul 2018 | 00:36:57 | |
Net undocumented migration from Mexico to the United States ended a decade ago, says Princeton sociologist Douglas Massey in this interview with AS/COA Online’s Holly K. Sonneland. And even though Central American migration of families is expected to continue, there’s just not the demographic potential for it to become what Mexican migration was, due to smaller populations and lower birth rates. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Millennials’ Big Role in the Mexican Elections | 26 Jun 2018 | 00:36:00 | |
At 64, Mexico’s presidential frontrunner Andrés Manuel López Obrador is the oldest candidate, but that’s not stopping 51 percent of millennials from backing him. Their support matters: They have the potential to account for nearly half of the electorate, explains Nación321’s Pancho Parra. From the Wikipolítica movement to how viral humor has defined the race, we cover how the country’s youth are looking at politics and their futures. For more on the Mexican election go to: www.as-coa.org/mxelex Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Why Mexico's Election Will Redraw the Country's Political Map | 12 Jun 2018 | 00:34:27 | |
The closer we get to Mexico's July 1 vote, the more Andrés Manuel López Obrador's poll lead grows, and some 3,400 seats are up for grabs-about 60 percent more than in the 2012 vote-which helps MORENA, AMLO's political party. "MORENA will have a lot of jobs to offer," pollster Jorge Buendía told AS/COA's Carin Zissis in Mexico City. "And the question here is, then what are going to be the checks and balances on López Obrador?" Check out Oraculus' "poll of polls." https://oraculus.mx/ Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Latin America in the Era of Fake News | 07 Jun 2018 | 00:37:06 | |
Separating fact from fiction is a growing challenge in an era of fake news and "infoxification," given that we consume four times the amount of information that we did in 1986. Moreover, citizens are increasingly turning to peers over leaders, explained Partner and COO of Latin America for Llorente & Cuenca Luisa García. Listen to her conversation with AS/COA's Alana Tummino at a June 2018 Young Professionals of the Americas event in New York. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2sOYsgU Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Did Colombia’s Local Elections Spell Problems for Petro? | 09 Nov 2023 | 00:17:55 | |
On October 29, Colombians voted for mayors and governors across the country, and President Gustavo Petro’s candidates fared poorly in an election that many say served as a referendum on his leadership. Sergio Guzmán, director of Colombia Risk Analysis, talks with AS/COA Online’s Jon Orbach about what we can learn from mayoral races in Bogotá and Medellín, how the overall results provide a window into the mood in Colombia, and why Washington should pay attention to the country’s domestic politics. This podcast was produced by Jon Orbach. Carin Zissis is the host. Luisa Leme is the executive producer. Learn more about this year’s Latin American elections at: www.as-coa.org/2023 The music in this episode is “Gentil Montaña” performed by the Fabian Forero Trio. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/OsE9ENAq12Y?si=9B4TStMwJNPf3aK1 Find out about upcoming concerts at: www.musicoftheamericas.org Check out other episodes and subscribe to Latin America in Focus on your preferred platform via: www.as-coa.org/podcast We’d love to hear from you. Share 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. | |||
| El sueño americano en Cuba y los desafíos del cuentapropista | 29 May 2018 | 00:57:42 | |
In this special episode of Latin America in Focus, we travel to Cuba to meet with cuentapropistas, Cuban entrepreneurs faced with the challenges of evolving policies in both Washington and Havana. This episode is in Spanish. El anuncio de Donald Trump el junio pasado, la suspensión de las licencias para negocios privados en Cuba, el huracán Irma, la reducción del personal en ambas embajadas, son todos parte de la serie de eventos de la segunda mitad del 2017 que culminó con una caída turística devastadora para los cuentapropistas en Cuba. Leani Garcia y Elizabeth Gonzalez de AS/COA entrevistaron a emprendedores durante una visita a la isla. Aprenda sobre el Grupo de Trabajo de Cuba de AS/COA: www.as-coa.org/cuba Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Creating, Rebuilding, and Reinventing Latin American Cities | 23 May 2018 | 00:36:22 | |
Some 80% of Latin Americans live in cities—more than twice 1950’s rate. How did these urban areas become the metropolises we know today? In this two-segment episode, we look at the history and future of Latin American cities. First, 100 Resilient Cities’ Eugene Zapata-Garesché explains how cities are leading public policy today. Then the Getty Research Institute’s Maristella Casciato and Idurre Alonso walk us through The Metropolis in Latin America, 1830–1930, an exhibition running through June 30, 2018, at the Americas Society gallery. Listen to an AS/COA Online podcast with Zapata-Garesché about Mexico’s September 2017 earthquake. https://bit.ly/2DL2TNe Learn more about The Metropolis in Latin America exhibition at http://www.as-coa.org/metropolis and if you can’t make it to the show in New York, check out a video here: https://youtu.be/PAy_1U-2CR8 Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||
| Everything More Important than Venezuela’s Election | 16 May 2018 | 00:46:08 | |
With the May 20 presidential vote unlikely to bring regime change, the international private sector might be more effective than sanctions at putting pressure on Nicolás Maduro, Northwestern University’s Daniel Lansberg-Rodríguez tells AS/COA Online’s Holly K. Sonneland. If and when Venezuela’s recovery comes, he says, it’ll be quicker and more robust than many expect, due in no small part to a highly educated, entrepreneurial diaspora. Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members. | |||