The Americas Quarterly Podcast

Oliver Stuenkel, visiting scholar at the Carnegie Endowment and Latin America analyst. He discusses recent conservative electoral gains across the region. They explore whether this is a lasting rightward shift or anti-incumbent backlash. Conversation covers crime and security politics, evangelical influence, U.S. partisan effects, and what 2026 contests might mean.

Patricio Navia, political scientist and professor at NYU and Universidad Diego Portales, breaks down Chile’s election moment. He discusses how rising crime and rapid immigration are reshaping voter priorities. He explains why law-and-order politics help the right, profiles contenders across the spectrum, and outlines the economic and diplomatic tradeoffs Chile faces going forward.

Ryan Berg, director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, delves into the U.S. military buildup in the Southern Caribbean under the Trump administration. He explores the real motives behind the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford and whether it targets drug cartels or pressures Maduro. Berg highlights the complexities within the Venezuelan military and the risks of military action, including potential unintended consequences and impacts on U.S.-Colombia relations. He also touches on the rising influence of China in the region.

Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum has hit the one-year mark of her presidency. In that time she has had to balance three key relationships: with President Donald Trump, with her still-powerful predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador and with the Mexican public. She faced skepticism, but has surprised many. Sheinbaum’s approval rating is at 73%, and a plurality of Mexicans said in a recent poll that her government is off to a better start than AMLO’s. Challenges loom, from fragile security gains and economic uncertainty to political dispute within her party and the ever-volatile dynamic with Washington. To assess her first year in office and what lies ahead we speak with Brenda Estefan, professor at IPADE Business School and columnist for Reforma and Americas Quarterly.

Juan Cruz Díaz, a political risk consultant and Managing Director at Cefeidas Group, dives deep into Argentina's current political landscape under President Javier Milei. He discusses how a crucial $20 billion U.S. swap line could stabilize Milei's administration amid turmoil. Key topics include Milei's recent tone moderation, the challenges posed by domestic political constraints, and social unrest dynamics. Díaz also evaluates the implications of upcoming elections and the potential for coalition-building that could define Argentina's economic recovery.

Lucía Dammert, security expert and academic who has worked in government across Latin America, discusses how booming cocaine production, money laundering and criminal infiltration are reshaping politics. She describes four structural shifts in regional crime. She explains criminal governance inside the state, the Amazon as a criminal hub, and why policing alone will not solve these problems.

A landmark trial is underway in Brazil: former President Jair Bolsonaro, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, stands accused of trying to overturn the 2022 election. Alongside military officials and ex-ministers, Bolsonaro faces charges that could reshape Brazil’s political future — and reverberate globally. The U.S. has recently launched a campaign against Brazil’s judiciary in a show of support for Bolsonaro. Journalist Patricia Campos Mello joins us to unpack the case, the international stakes, and how both the right and left in Brazil are reacting to this pivotal moment.

Bolivia's long-dominant MAS party has suffered a historic defeat, with its presidential candidate winning just 3% of the vote. The result reflects deep frustration over the country’s economic crisis and political infighting. In a surprise outcome, Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira led the first round, followed by former President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga. The two will be in a runoff on October 19. In this episode, we speak with Bolivian journalist Raúl Peñaranda about what sets these candidates apart, the future of the MAS, and whether the next president can revive the economy while navigating the country’s deep social and regional divisions.

In this special mid-year episode, we take a step back for a look at where the region’s economies stand, and the picture is better than many expected. We evaluate the impact of Trump’s new tariffs, the short- and medium-term prospects for Mexico's economy, as well as positive indicators like falling inflation in Argentina and resilient growth in Brazil. Our guest is Ernesto Revilla, Chief Economist for Latin America at Citigroup, who returns to share insights on what to watch in the months ahead. 

A major confrontation is brewing between the United States and Brazil, driven by the return of Donald Trump to the White House and the deepening legal troubles of his close Brazilian ally, former president Jair Bolsonaro. As Brazil’s judiciary pursues charges against the former president for attempting to overturn the 2022 election, Trump has retaliated with threats of steep tariffs and revoked visas for Brazilian Supreme Court justices. Meanwhile, the U.S. has launched an investigation into Brazil’s trade practices and electronic payment services, further straining relations. In this episode, we speak with Chris Garman, managing director for the Americas at the Eurasia Group, to unpack what’s at stake for both countries, why tensions are escalating, and what a way forward might look like.