Politics, Business & Culture in the Americas

El Salvador

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 14: U.S. President Donald Trump meets with President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador in the Oval Office of the White House April 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump and Bukele were expected to discuss a range of bilateral issues including the detention of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who has been held in a prison in El Salvador since March 15. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
What Bukele Wants from Trump

The Salvadoran president’s controversial deals with the U.S. are calculated to preserve his reputation at home as the economy stumbles and evidence of a gang truce mounts.

U.S. Policy

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez in Beijing on April 24. Why the U.S. Should Engage with Venezuela: The Trump administration is holding talks with Iran and turning its back on Maduro. Continued isolation will deepen Caracas’ reliance on U.S. adversaries.
Why the U.S. Should Engage with Venezuela

The Trump administration is holding talks with Iran and turning its back on Maduro. Continued isolation will deepen Caracas’ reliance on U.S. adversaries.

U.S. Policy

How U.S. Policy Toward Latin America May Backfire: Tariffs will pressure regional trade and economies, and could drive the region to more meaningful engagement with China, an expert writes.
How U.S. Policy Toward Latin America May Backfire

Tariffs will squeeze the region’s economies and trade, and could drive deeper engagement with China, an expert writes.

Cultura

The Mysterious Last Days of the “Lieutenant Nun”

A real-life Spanish nun turned conquistador is the focus of a new novel by an Argentine writer.

Cultura

When Everything Was Possible in Puerto Rican Film

A new documentary looks back at the remarkable cinema that came out of the island’s midcentury moment of optimism.

Long View

The Long Shadow of Mexico’s War Over Catholicism

A century ago, the Cristero war pitted Catholics against the state—and left a lasting impact on the country’s left, still visible today.

AQ Q&A

Q&A: Eugene Zapata-Garesché on the Future of Latin American Cities

An expert on urban issues discusses trends to watch and argues cities are where the region’s political future is being forged.

One Year Later

A New Stage in the Race to Develop Latin America’s Ports

A year after AQ’s report on port infrastructure, Chile’s far south has hit a few roadblocks as investment interest continues.

Cultura

Pope Francis, In His Own Words

The late pontiff’s autobiography provides a rare window into the inner and outer life of a beloved and complicated man.

Latin America

Latin America’s Deadliest Threat Is Made in the U.S.

The region’s organized crime groups source much of their arsenal from the U.S., two experts write.

Podcast

AQ Podcast | Cuba’s Unprecedented Crisis  

What’s next for the Cuban regime as the country faces economic turmoil, an exodus of people and a hostile administration in the White House.

Venezuela

Henrique Capriles at the launch of a new opposition alliance, DECIDE, in Caracas on April 2.
Maduro’s Grand Strategy Sows Opposition Disarray – Again

Venezuela’s regional and legislative elections, set for May 25, are fracturing the opposition’s coalition.

Ecuador

Ecuador's President and Presidential candidate Daniel Noboa thumbs up as he talks to supporters next to his wife Lavinia Valbonesi in Olon, Santa Elena province, Ecuador on April 13, 2025. Ecuador's election authority declared incumbent Daniel Noboa the winner of the presidential runoff vote, after the 37-year-old leader defeated his leftist rival by a bigger-than-expected margin. (Photo by Raul ARBOLEDA / AFP) (Ph
REACTION: Noboa Wins Ecuador’s Runoff Election

Center-right incumbent Daniel Noboa defeated Correa-backed Luisa González by a wide margin.

Industrial Policy

Failed Protectionism: What Trump Can Learn from Latin America
Failed Protectionism: What Latin America Can Teach Us

The region’s failed experiment with import substitution industrialization (ISI) offers a stark warning: embracing it may breed inefficiency, corruption, and stagnation.

Chile

Chile Has Bold Tech Ambitions. Far from Silicon Valley, Chile aspires to create a digital niche.
Chile Has Bold Tech Ambitions

Far from Silicon Valley, a digital niche is taking shape, with AI-driven initiatives and a data center boom.

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