Politics, Business & Culture in the Americas

Colombia and Iván Duque: An Overview

This article is adapted from AQ’s special report on the Summit of the Americas. Click here for the full list of countries. Backed by former President Álvaro Uribe, Duque entered office in 2018 with plans to modernize the economy. In 2021, a proposed tax reform sparked nationwide anti-government protests that were met with excessive force by the police. Duque’s approval … Read more

Argentina and Alberto Fernández: An Overview

This article is adapted from AQ’s special report on the Summit of the Americas. Click here for the full list of countries. Fernández has tried to navigate a difficult economy while confronting tensions within his Peronist coalition, including pointed criticism from Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Rising poverty and chronically high inflation at around 50% contributed to a setback … Read more

Dominican Republic and Luis Abinader: An Overview

This article is adapted from AQ’s special report on the Summit of the Americas. Click here for the full list of countries. A wealthy former businessman with some of the Americas’ highest approval ratings, Abinader ended the Dominican Liberation Party’s 16-year hold on the presidency when he was elected in 2020. The president has made an anti-corruption push, and authorities … Read more

Ecuador and Guillermo Lasso: An Overview

This article is adapted from AQ’s special report on the Summit of the Americas. Click here for the full list of countries. Lasso narrowly won the 2021 election against a protégé of former President Rafael Correa. A conservative former banker, Lasso is seeking to open up Ecuador’s economy and enact judicial reforms while confronting a surge in criminal violence. He … Read more

Guatemala and Alejandro Giammattei: An Overview

This article is adapted from AQ’s special report on the Summit of the Americas. Click here for the full list of countries. Guatemala has lagged behind its neighbors in COVID-19 vaccinations under the right-wing former physician’s leadership. Organized crime and corruption remain entrenched, and Giammattei has overseen the removal of several high-profile anti-corruption prosecutors and judges, provoking nationwide protests and … Read more

Mexico and Andrés Manuel López Obrador: An Overview

This article is adapted from AQ’s special report on the Summit of the Americas. Click here for the full list of countries. The former mayor of Mexico City has pursued his “fourth transformation” reform agenda, including large-scale infrastructure projects as well as an energy sector overhaul. Concerns about democratic backsliding mounted in 2022 as López Obrador increasingly lashed out against … Read more

Peru and Pedro Castillo: An Overview

This article is adapted from AQ’s special report on the Summit of the Americas. Click here for the full list of countries. Castillo’s lack of political experience has shown since his surprise win in 2021’s tight runoff election. By February, the socially conservative former schoolteacher and member of the far-left Perú Libre party had replaced his cabinet four times. There … Read more

Venezuela and Nicolás Maduro: An Overview

This article is adapted from AQ’s special report on the Summit of the Americas. Click here for the full list of countries. Maduro has consolidated power and repressed critics throughout his years in office, leading more than 6 million Venezuelans to flee the country’s dire humanitarian and security situation. Maduro’s party won key governorships in November 2021’s regional elections, which … Read more

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