Students in Latin America missed more school because of the pandemic than any other part of the world. What will this mean for the region's long-term prosperity? Fernando Reimers, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and co-editor of Learning to Build Better Futures for Education, joins AQ to discuss the toll COVID has taken on Latin American education – and what businesses, policymakers and educators can do to avoid another "lost decade."

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A Lost Generation? The Crisis in Latin American Schools.

It's been six months since Pedro Castillo was sworn in as Peru's president. But despite the threat of impeachment and a crisis in the mining sector, he has yet to offer a clear view of how he wants to govern. Andrea Moncada, a Peruvian journalist, analyst and contributing columnist to AQ, joins the podcast to examine Castillo's political isolation and uncomfortable relationship with power thus far. Guests: Andrea Moncada, a contributing columnist to Americas Quarterly, is a Peruvian journalist and political analyst currently based in the UK. Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly. Supplemental reading: Pedro Castillo Isn't Out of Danger by Andrea Moncada (https://americasquarterly.org/article/a-reprieve-not-a-release-for-pedro-castillo/) Correction: This podcast incorrectly stated Fitch’s Peru GDP forecast for 2022. It should have said that Peru’s government expects 4-5% growth, while many private forecasts are for significantly less, including Fitch’s revised forecast for a 2.5% expansion.

The Mystery of Pedro Castillo, Peru's President

Latin America’s transition away from oil and gas is well underway, with green energy investments bearing fruit in countries including Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. The region has a chance to be a leader, although unpredictable politics and this year's elections may get in the way, energy analyst Luisa Palacios says. Guests: -Luisa Palacios is a senior research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. -Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly. Supplemental reading: "The Huge Risk Facing Latin American Oil Companies" by Luisa Palacios and Francisco Monaldi (https://americasquarterly.org/article/the-huge-risk-facing-latin-american-oil-companies/)

Latin America’s Promising Green Energy Transition

Jair Bolsonaro and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva are early favorites in Brazil's presidential election next October. Can a "third way" candidate defy expectations, or is the country headed for a showdown between two divisive figures? Thomas Traumann, a journalist and consultant, joins AQ to look at the contenders' strategies – and whether any of them can end Brazil’s decade-long malaise. Guests: Thomas Traumann is a journalist and independent consultant, and was Brazil's communications minister from 2014-2015 Brian Winter is AQ's editor-in-chief Supplemental reading: Lula Is Back. But Which Lula? by Thomas Traumann (https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/lula-is-back-but-which-lula) Why Lula vs. Bolsonaro Leaves Little Room for Others by Oliver Stuenkel (https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/why-lula-vs-bolsonaro-in-brazil-leaves-little-room-for-others) Have Brazilians Given Up on Bolsonaro? by Brian Winter (https://americasquarterly.org/article/has-bolsonaro-suffered-his-hurricane-katrina-moment)

Brazil's Polarized Presidential Election

Many Latin American economies bounced back strongly this year. Still, 2022 is likely to provide a reality check, says economist Alberto Ramos in this “from 30,000 feet” survey of what to expect. The outcome will have consequences for elections in Brazil and Colombia, as well as social stability everywhere. Guests: Alberto Ramos is the chief economist for Latin America at Goldman Sachs Brian Winter is AQ's editor-in-chief. Supplemental Reading: "Could the U.S. and China Spoil Latin America’s Rebound?," by Otaviano Canuto (https://americasquarterly.org/article/could-the-u-s-and-china-spoil-latin-americas-rebound/)

Trouble Ahead? A 2022 Preview of Latin America's Economies

After jailing his opponents, Daniel Ortega won an election on November 7, extending his hold on power. On this episode, Nicaraguan journalist María Lilly Delgado weighs in on what’s next for independent voices like herself in a consolidating dictatorship. Former Panamanian Vice President Isabel Saint Malo also joins the episode with a message for the international community. Guests: María Lilly Delgado is an independent journalist and co-founder of the Huellas de la Impunidad journalistic project. Isabel Saint Malo de Alvarado is the former vice president and foreign affairs minister of Panama and a member of AQ’s editorial board. Brian Winter is AQ’s editor-in-chief. Supplemental reading: "Nicaragua’s Sham Election Is Over. What Should the World Do Now?" by Isabel Saint Malo de Alvarado (https://americasquarterly.org/article/nicaraguas-sham-election-is-over-what-should-the-world-do-now/) "Another 5 Years for Daniel Ortega?" (https://americasquarterly.org/article/another-5-years-for-daniel-ortega/)

Next Steps for Nicaragua

Fake news is a problem everywhere. But many believe Brazil will be the epicenter in 2022, as President Jair Bolsonaro, facing a difficult reelection bid, is determined to protect his supporters’ “freedom of speech.” This week, Brazilian fact-checker Cristina Tardáguila breaks down how Brazil became a fake news hotbed - and looks for reasons for optimism. Guests: Cristina Tardáguila is senior program director at the International Center for Journalists. She founded Brazil’s first and largest fact-checking agency, Agência Lupa. Brian Winter is AQ’s editor-in-chief Supplemental Reading: "Inside Brazil's Dangerous Battle Over Fake News," by Mariana Palau (https://americasquarterly.org/article/inside-brazils-dangerous-battle-over-fake-news/)

Fake News, Brazil and Jair Bolsonaro

With a month to go before the November 14 vote, Argentina's legislative election has already turned the ruling coalition upside down and thrown a wrench into ongoing talks with the IMF. What is the government's strategy? And what should investors know about the election? Bloomberg's Carolina Millán joins the podcast to break down the stakes of the election. Guests: Carolina Millán is the Buenos Aires bureau chief for Bloomberg Brendan O'Boyle is the senior editor of Americas Quarterly

Argentina's Frenzied Election

Optimism can feel like it’s in short supply in Colombia. An IPSOS poll in September found that 89% of Colombians believed the country was “on the wrong track” – more than any other country polled. As elections approach next year, there are fears the discontent may empower more radical options. In his new book, and in his latest column for AQ, former finance minister Mauricio Cárdenas offers some ideas on how to channel desire for change in a constructive way, while weighing in on some of the major issues shaping the country today. Guests: Mauricio Cárdenas is a distinguished visiting fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University and was Colombia’s finance minister from 2012 to 2018. Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly Supplemental reading: "How to Avoid a Caudillo in Colombia (and Elsewhere)" by Mauricio Cárdenas (https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/how-to-avoid-a-caudillo-in-colombia-and-elsewhere)

Colombia: Is Radical Change Inevitable?

As a series of crises challenges Latin America’s democracies, health systems, economies and more, Washington appears more engaged in finding solutions than it has been in recent years. But what are the Biden administration’s priorities? And how is it engaging with countries like Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador? Juan Gonzalez, President Biden’s top aide on Latin America, joins the Americas Quarterly Podcast for a special episode. Guests: Juan Gonzalez is senior director for the Western Hemisphere at the National Security Council Brian Winter is AQ’s editor-in-chief Supplemental Reading: "The Silent Partner," by Brian Winter (https://piaui.folha.uol.com.br/materia/the-silent-partner/)

Special Edition: The White House’s Juan Gonzalez

Change is in the air in Chile, with presidential and congressional campaigns heating up just as a constitutional convention gets to work rethinking the country’s political system. What can we expect from the November general election? And do the candidates promise radical change – or gradual reform? Adolfo Ibáñez University's Isabel Aninat joins this week’s podcast from Santiago. Guests: -Isabel Aninat is the dean of the law school at Adolfo Ibáñez University and director of the Chilean Society for Public Policy -Brian Winter is AQ’s editor-in-chief Supplemental Reading: "Meet the Candidates: Chile" (https://americasquarterly.org/article/meet-the-candidates-chile/) "Today’s Young Leftists Care More About Chile than Cuba" by Oliver Stuenkel (https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/todays-young-leftists-care-more-about-chile-than-cuba/)

The Race to Lead the New Chile

Negotiations between Venezuela's dictatorship and opposition leaders are set to begin in Mexico - the latest in a long series of such talks. Is this time different? What opportunities really exist for progress? Is the opposition in a position to seize them? Political scientist Maryhen Jiménez Morales joins the podcast to discuss what's really at stake. Guests: - Maryhen Jiménez Morales is a postdoctoral research associate at the Latin American Center at the University of Oxford. - Brian Winter is AQ’s editor-in-chief. Supplemental reading: "Venezuela’s Negotiations Won’t Get Rid of Maduro. So What’s Next?" by Maryhen Jiménez Morales. (https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/what-venezuelas-negotiations-wont-change/)

Venezuela's Negotiations: What’s on the Table?

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/)

Mexico’s Puzzling Corruption 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/)

Pedro Castillo Prepares for Peru's Presidency

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/)

Jair Bolsonaro Under Pressure

A podcast focused on Latin American politics and economics hosted by Brian Winter, editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly magazine and vice president of Americas Society/ Council of the Americas.

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