Politics, Business & Culture in the Americas

Brazil

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is seeking a diplomatic balance amid the Israel-Hamas War. As Brazil presides over the UN Security Council this month, the president has an opportunity to reassume a role as global diplomat.
Lula’s Quest for a Diplomatic Balance Amid Israel-Hamas War

As Brazil presides over the UN Security Council this month, the president has an opportunity to reassume a role as global diplomat.

Ecuador

SANTA ELENA, ECUADOR - OCTOBER 15: Newly elected President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa of Acción Nacional Democrática coalition (R) speaks next to his wife Lavinia Valbonesi (L) after winning the presidential runoff at Olon coast on October 15, 2023 in Santa Elena, Ecuador. According to official results, Daniel Noboa of Accion Democratica Nacional has 52,28% of the votes and Luisa Gonzalez of Revolucion Ciudadana has 47,72%, with 91,05 of the voting counted. Noboa will complete the 2021-2025 period after President Guillermo Lasso applied the "cross death" to dissolve parliament a call for early elections. (Photo by Franklin Jacome/Getty Images)
REACTION: Daniel Noboa Wins Presidency in Ecuador

Noboa will lead the country through May 2025 amid rising violence and economic uncertainty.

Venezuela

Cautious Hopes for a Breakthrough in Venezuela

As the government and the U.S. near an agreement on sanctions ahead of opposition primaries and 2024 elections, what will it take to transition to democracy?

Chile

Chilean President Gabriel Boric will be pragmatic and economically focused on his first visit to China, with the energy transition on top of his to-do list with Xi Jinping.
Boric Needs to Tread Smartly on First Visit to China

The Chilean president will be pragmatic and economically focused, with the energy transition on top of his to-do list with Xi Jinping.

Podcast

AQ Podcast: Making Sense of Venezuela’s Elections

Another crossroads in Venezuela, as Maduro negotiates with Washington on conditions for elections in 2024.

Uruguay

Using a referendum to reform Uruguay's constitution for partisan ends poses a significant and growing risk to the nation’s democracy.
Uruguay’s Challenge: Populism Without Populists

Plebiscites to reform the Constitution for partisan ends pose a growing risk to the nation’s reputation for policy stability.

Mercosur

Will This Be the Year Mercosur Breaks?

Multiple threats, including a deadline for a deal with the EU, menace Latin America’s longest-lived regional bloc.

Argentina

How a Faded 1980s Party Explains Argentina’s 2023 Election

All three leading candidates have ties to the “Ucedé,” which has pushed a free-market agenda for decades.

Venezuela

Un Puente Dorado para el Gobierno de Maduro 

Quienes detentan el poder necesitan incentivos para participar en una posible transición democrática. Las investigaciones penales sobre corrupción y otros delitos conexos pueden proporcionarlos.

Podcast

AQ Podcast | Bolivia: The Return of Evo Morales?

The longtime president wants to run again in 2025. What does it mean for the Andean nation?

Venezuela

A Golden Bridge for the Maduro Government

Those in power need incentives to engage in a potential democratic transition. Criminal investigations into corruption and related crimes can provide them.

Guatemala

Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arévalo speaks to supporters.
Guatemala: A Strategy to Protect Bernardo Arévalo

International support will be key to ensuring Guatemala’s president-elect takes office, despite corrupt forces working against him.

Trade

On Trade, Petro Should Emulate Lula, AMLO

A former Colombian planning minister writes that instead of revising trade agreements, his country and others should focus on solving market and government failures.

Podcast

AQ Podcast: Who’s Who in Ecuador’s Election

A look ahead to the runoff on October 15. What can we expect from the candidates and what is at stake?

Foreign Policy

Republican Threats on Mexico Could Carry a Huge Cost

Even if it’s just rhetoric, Republican candidates’ discussion of military force against Mexican cartels risks souring relations across the region.

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