In many ways, 2016 was a tumultuous year for Latin America. New leadership took root in Argentina on the promise of an economic break from the past; a drawn-out impeachment fight saw Brazil’s former President Dilma Rousseff removed from office less than two weeks after the Rio Olympics; and a simmering crisis in Venezuela still looks certain to roil the region in the months ahead.
Throughout, AQ sought to illuminate those challenges without losing sight of the people and ideas that give us cause for optimism about the region’s future. Our most popular stories of 2016 reflected that idea. From a set of profiles of the hemisphere’s most inspiring “corruption busters” to a plan for how Latin America could cut its murder rate in half, here are some of the most-read AQ stories of the year (and yes, the “House of Cards” quiz is there, too).
Introducing Latin America’s Top 5 “Corruption Busters”
Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe crackdown on graft sweeping Latin America is historic. Americas Quarterly magazine celebrates the leaders.
Hey World, Let’s Cut Brazil Just a Little Slack
Reading Time: 5 minutesThe same trait that got Brazil into this Olympic-sized mess will also (eventually) lead them out, writes AQ’s editor-in-chief.
Latin America Could Cut Its Murder Rate By 50 Percent. Here’s How.
Reading Time: 3 minutesGovernments in the region should set specific targets to get a homicide epidemic under control.
Venezuelans Lead List of AQ’s Top 5 Latin American Academics
Reading Time: < 1 minute Our list includes two honorees from the region’s most troubled country – plus an astronomer, a mathematician, and a pioneering biotech engineer.
This Man Is Brilliant. So Why Doesn’t Mexico’s Economy Grow Faster?
Reading Time: 8 minutesDespite talented officials like Agustín Carstens, challenges such as rule of law continue to hold Mexico back.
