Latin America in Focus

Apr 10 2025 213 ep. 29 mins 1.4k
Latin America in Focus Podcast artwork

Go in depth on the latest trends in Latin American politics, economics, and culture in this podcast series by Americas Society/Council of the Americas.

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Top Mexican CEOs on the Depth of U.S.-Mexico Integration

Apr 10 2025 36 mins  
In 2024, more than $800 billion dollars worth of goods were traded between Mexico and the United States, making the two countries each other’s largest trade partners. But beyond the goods moving across the border, there’s also investment running in both directions. In this episode, top Mexican CEOs detail the scale and scope of Mexican investment in the United States, which has

Trade and Tensions—Latin America Braces for Trump's Tariffs

Mar 27 2025 26 mins  
April 2 is a date that looms large for Latin America. It’s the day that the Trump administration will initiate reciprocal tariffs globally and tariffs on automobiles. This is after the application of 25% tariffs on many goods coming from Mexico and Canada in March. What will this changing trade landscape mean for Latin America? Kellie Meiman Hock, a senior counselor at McLarty As

Drugs, Guns, and Dollars: Unpacking the Implications of Cartels' FTO Designation

Mar 13 2025 41 mins  
The Trump administration recently named six of Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, or FTOs. The new designation widens who can be charged for supporting these groups. What effect might this have? Pablo Zárate of FTI Consulting looks at how business operating in Mexico will have to revamp compliance with increased risk. And Cecilia Farfán-Méndez of ITAM expla

What Brazil Can Teach the Americas About Immigration

Feb 28 2025 43 mins  
Migration management has surged to the top of the policy agenda in the region due to unprecedented numbers of Latin Americans on the move in recent years. With the new administration in the United States—the Western Hemisphere’s leading destination for migrants—increasing restrictions on immigration, how have other host countries in the Americas been coping with hundreds of t

The Durability of Mano Dura in Ecuador

Feb 13 2025 28 mins  
Ecuador, once among the safest countries in Latin America, now faces an insecurity crisis with the incursion of international criminal groups. President Daniel Noboa, now facing a reelection fight, is attempting to convince voters his hardline mano dura approach is one of the reasons to stay the course. Vanda Felbab-Brown, a security expert at Brookings Institution, explains what c

Borders, Bargains, and Bluster: Did Trump's Day One Set the Tone for Latin America?

Jan 22 2025 36 mins  
President Donald Trump broke tradition at his second inauguration, inviting world leaders, including from Latin America, to attend. But his day-one executive orders initiated a bumpy ride for the region in 2025. What can Latin American countries expect of "America First?" On this episode, three AS/COA experts—Carin Zissis, Brian Winter, and Juan Cruz Díaz—discussed Trump's ini

The Soft Power of Latin American Music

Dec 11 2024 40 mins  
For many Latin America enthusiasts, music serves as a gateway for understanding the cultural contours of the region. Sebastián Zubieta, Music Director at Americas Society, understands this profoundly. In conversation with Luisa Leme, Zubieta outlines his approach to striking an emotional chord with audiences while showcasing a mix of music and musicians that define and defy the mu

Lula, Sheinbaum, and Milei on a Shifting Global Stage

Nov 19 2024 31 mins  
It’s been a stuffed season of summits. October and November saw BRICS in Russia, APEC in Peru, and the G20 in Brazil. But with Trump’s reelection, leaders are adjusting their strategies and outlooks for the future of global forums. What does this mean for Latin America? We’ve convened a G3 of speakers from the region’s three G20 members. On this episode of Latin America in

Latin America’s Companies of Tomorrow, Today

Nov 07 2024 36 mins  
Latin America is known worldwide for its entrepreneurship. With unicorns, new ecosystems, and investments back to pre-pandemic levels, what's the region's secret sauce? Three of the Latin America's most successful business visionaries—Francisco Alvarez-Demalde of Riverwood Capital, Sebastian Mejia of Rappi, and Mariano Gomide de Faria of VTEX—sat down with long-time Americas in

What Do Brazil's Municipal Elections Tell About Polarization in Latin America?

Oct 16 2024 33 mins  
Local concerns like sanitation, funding for schools, or road repairs were low on the agenda during Brazil’s October 6 municipal elections. Campaigns for mayorships and town-council seats were flashpoints for national fissures of identity politics that are reshaping the traditional left-right spectrum. Thomas Traumann, a journalist and political consultant, discussed the implicati