After seven years covering Latin America for the Financial Times, and a previous post in the 1990s, Michael Stott is leaving the region as an optimist. His argument: that Latin America’s strengths have been systematically underappreciated, and that in an increasingly dangerous and unstable world, what the region has going for it is about to matter more than it has in the past. In this episode, we take stock of the unique moment across the hemisphere: the tightening race between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flavio Bolsonaro ahead of Brazil’s October election, the fragmented right in Colombia and the outlook for their presidential election in May, the uncertain futures of Cuba and Venezuela, and how this White House is likely to continue influencing events in years to come. Our guest is Michael Stott, now the South Asia bureau chief for the Financial Times.
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Guest:
Michael Stott was the Latin American editor for the Financial Times and was based in the region for the past seven years. He is now the South Asia Bureau Chief for the FT.
Host:
Brian Winter is editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly
If you would like to know more:
Why Lula is Struggling by Brian Winter
Brazil: A 2026 Snapshot by Emilie Sweigart
Colombia: Meet the Candidates by Rich Brown
Colombia: A 2026 Snapshot by Emilie Sweigart
Risks and Strengths of Latin America’s Economies in 2026 with Nur Cristiani
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