The Americas Quarterly Podcast

A congressional inquiry, a slow vaccine rollout and renewed threat of impeachment have put Jair Bolsonaro under intense pressure. But Brazil’s president could still rebound thanks to support in Congress and a potential economic recovery, says Patrícia Campos Mello. The acclaimed journalist says Bolsonaro’s fate will hinge on complicated set of factors, including the performance of his likely 2022 election opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.Guests:- Patrícia Campos Mello is an award-winning reporter and columnist at leading Brazilian newspaper Folha de S. Paulo.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental Reading:"Bolsonaro’s Turmoil Could Be the Amazon’s Gain," by Oliver Stuenkel.(https://americasquarterly.org/article/bolsonaros-turmoil-could-be-the-amazons-gain/)

Illegal and unregulated economies are helping drive a spike in deforestation of the Amazon. Is an economic model possible that keeps the forest standing and provides sustainable opportunities for locals? That’s the question AQ poses in its latest special report, and it’s the topic of this new conversation between Editor-in-chief Brian Winter, Managing Editor Cecilia Tornaghi, and special guest Denis Minev, a CEO and investor from Manaus, Brazil.Guests:- Denis Minev is the CEO of Bemol and an angel investor in sustainable Amazon projects.-Cecilia Tornaghi is the managing editor of Americas Quarterly.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental Reading:"The Case for Sustainable Development in the Amazon" a special report.(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/new-aq-the-case-for-sustainable-development-in-the-amazon/)"The Amazon’s Big Cities Need Green Jobs Too. It’s a Challenge" by Monica Prestes.(https://americasquarterly.org/article/the-amazons-big-cities-need-green-jobs-too-its-a-challenge/)

The results of Chile's constitutional convention election shook markets and left many wondering what it all meant for the country just as a presidential campaign begins to heat up. Many are hopeful, while others, like this week's guest, Patricio Navia, have concerns. The political scientist joins AQ's Brian Winter to discuss possible pitfalls of the new constitution, and why he is still optimistic about Chile's long-term future. Guests:- Patricio Navia is a contributing columnist for Americas Quarterly, professor of liberal studies at NYU and professor of political science at Diego Portales University in Chile.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental Reading:"Chile’s Big Gamble Just Got Riskier" by Patricio Navia(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/chiles-big-gamble-just-got-riskier/)"Chile’s Riots: Frustration at the Gate of the Promised Land" by Patricio Navia(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/chiles-riots-frustration-at-the-gate-of-the-promised-land/)"Trapped: What If Chile Ends Up Like Argentina?" by Eduardo Levy Yeyati(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/trapped-what-if-chile-ends-up-like-argentina/)

Kids in Latin America have lost an average of 158 days of face-to-face schooling, with more students out of the classroom than any other region in the world. In Argentina, the debate over when to send kids back to school has gone all the way to the Supreme Court, further polarizing a country reeling from a second wave and the worst inflation in 18 months. Economist Eduardo Levy Yeyati joins the podcast to discuss what’s at stake and give an update on politics and the economy in an election year.Guests:- Eduardo Levy Yeyati is the dean of the School of Government of Universidad Torcuato Di Tella and a nonresident senior fellow at The Brookings Institution. He is a member of the editorial board of Americas Quarterly.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental Reading:"Back to the 1960s? Education May Be Latin America’s Most Lasting Scar from COVID-19" by Nora Lustig, Guido Neidhöfer and Mariano Tommasi.(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/back-to-the-1960s-education-may-be-latin-americas-most-lasting-scar-from-covid-19/)"Changing Argentina’s Inertia: Is it Possible?" by Eduardo Levy Yeyati.(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/changing-argentinas-inertia-is-it-possible/)

Political scientist Javier Corrales joins to discuss Cuba's future in the wake of Raúl Castro's resignation. He explores the regime's cautious political landscape, the limits of proposed reforms, and the significance of artist-led protests like Movimiento San Isidro. Corrales contrasts Biden's approach to U.S.-Cuba relations with Obama's. The conversation also delves into the impact of monetary reform on everyday Cubans and the viral protest song "Patria y Vida," questioning whether it signifies a substantial shift in Cuban society.

What’s driving an outbreak of violence on Venezuela’s border with Colombia? What does it say about Nicolás Maduro, who appears stronger than he was six months ago despite a worrying second wave and few vaccines in sight? The International Crisis Group’s Phil Gunson joins the AQ Podcast from Caracas to weigh in on the complex panorama.Guests:- Phil Gunson is the Caracas-based senior analyst at the International Crisis Group.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.

On April 11, Peruvians will head to the polls to elect their fifth president in less than four years. An unpopular, crowded field of candidates adds to the election’s unpredictability. Could the country’s unstable politics finally catch up to its long-resilient economy? Peruvian political analyst Andrea Moncada joins AQ’s Brian Winter to preview the vote – and the risks it entails. Guests:- Andrea Moncada is a political analyst and coordinator of the opinion section of El Comercio. She also teaches politics and international relations at ESAN University in Lima.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental Reading:"Meet the Candidates: Peru" (https://americasquarterly.org/article/meet-the-candidates-peru/)

A surge in migrants at the US-Mexico border has become the first big test for President Joe Biden's migration policy. It's also giving new urgency to a $4 billion aid package that he has proposed to tackle the root causes of migration from Central America. But just "throwing money at problems does not solve them," says former Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís, citing problems on the ground such as corruption and democratic backsliding. On this week's episode of the AQ Podcast, Solís offers his ideas on how Washington can work with regional leaders and ensure efforts don't come up short. Guests:- President Luis Guillermo Solís is a former president of Costa Rica and the interim director of the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental Reading:"Can More U.S. Money Really Help Central America’s Northern Triangle?" By Luis Guillermo Solís(https://americasquarterly.org/article/can-more-u-s-money-really-help-central-americas-northern-triangle/)"It’s Not Just El Salvador. Democracies Are Weakening Across Central America." By Patricio Navia and Lucas Perelló(https://americasquarterly.org/article/the-bigger-reason-to-worry-about-nayib-bukele-and-el-salvador/)"The Pandemic’s Big Winner? Organized Crime" an AQ special report(https://americasquarterly.org/article/new-aq-the-pandemics-big-winner-transnational-crime/)

In the year since President Nayib Bukele marched soldiers into El Salvador’s legislative assembly, his critics say the leader’s threat to democracy has only grown. Now, as legislative elections on Feb. 28 promise Bukele a long-awaited majority, there are fears about what that could mean for checks and balances. In the latest episode of the AQ Podcast, guest host Brendan O’Boyle speaks to lawyer and researcher Claudia Umaña about the election’s stakes, Bukele’s resilient support, and the implications of a new administration in Washington.Guests:-Claudia Umaña is vice president of the Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development (FUSADES)-Brendan O’Boyle is senior editor of Americas QuarterlySupplemental Reading:"Surprise: El Salvador’s Anti-Corruption Commission Is Alive. But Can It Succeed?" by Noah Bullock and Chuck Call(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/surprise-el-salvadors-anti-corruption-commission-is-alive-but-can-it-succeed/)"Behind Nayib Bukele’s 'Shocking' Turn" by Brendan O'Boyle(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/behind-nayib-bukeles-shocking-turn/)"Q&A: Why El Salvador’s Crisis Is Different – and Worrying" by Brian Winter(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/qa-why-el-salvadors-crisis-is-different-and-worrying/)

Colombia reported some good news in 2020: The country’s homicide rate was its lowest in nearly five decades. But continued violence in rural communities – and a pandemic that is emboldening organized crime – has darkened the mood for many. Veteran foreign correspondent John Otis joins the podcast from Bogotá to break down what’s happening in the countryside and the implications for President Duque – and the coming contest to name his successor.Guests:- John Otis reports from Bogotá for NPR and The Wall Street Journal and is a consultant for the Committee to Protect Journalists.- Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.Supplemental Reading:"School’s Out in Most of Latin America. Gangs Are Thrilled." by John Otis(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/schools-out-in-latin-america-gangs-are-thrilled/)"The Urgent Need to Reform Colombia’s Security Policies" by Juan Pappier(https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/the-urgent-need-to-reform-colombias-security-policies/)