Luis Fajardo

Colin Patterson, BBC entertainment correspondent covering film awards; Barman Kalbasi, BBC Persian reporter on Iranian student protests; Luis Fajardo, Latin America crime analyst on cartels. They discuss Mexico's surge of violence after the military killed a major cartel leader, mass student demonstrations in Iran, and wider security and political fallout across the region.

Luis Fajardo, a BBC Monitoring journalist, discusses how social media influencers intertwine with politics in Latin America, revealing controversies in Colombia and Argentina where influencers are contracted by the government. Famega Syavira, head of social media for BBC Indonesia, highlights the rise of paid influencers, dubbed 'buzzers', shaping the political landscape during elections. Additionally, Satish Urugonda talks about the conservation efforts for the critically endangered Jerdon's Courser, showcasing the dedication of forest watchers in India.

Laura García, a journalist from BBC Mundo, and Luis Fajardo, a contributor from BBC Monitoring, discuss the historic election of Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's first female president. They explore the significance of her victory for women's representation and rights amid ongoing challenges like gender-based violence. The conversation delves into Sheinbaum's strategies for navigating crime, her background as a climate scientist, and the complexities of U.S.-Mexico relations. Together, they assess the hopes and concerns surrounding this groundbreaking leadership.

Journalists from Latin America, Russia, and Nigeria discuss the impact of disinformation on their work. Topics include deep fake technology, information laundering, and combatting fake news with verification tools and vigilance.

The podcast covers the gang violence crisis in Haiti, with armed groups taking control and freeing inmates. Women in Bangladesh fight to save the Moyur river from land grabbers. Iraqi women face a ban from a race due to fears of losing their chastity. The podcast also follows the story of the first female mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone.