The Americas Quarterly Podcast

As other Latin American governments pass big stimulus packages to fight the COVID-19 outbreak, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has opted for austerity. Why? Is there any chance he changes his mind? Vanessa Rubio Márquez, a senator and Mexico's former undersecretary of finance and public credit, spoke to AQ's Editor-in-chief Brian Winter about the response so far - and a different path forward.

China was instrumental in helping Latin America weather the last global financial crisis. Can it do so again? The coming recession could offer the superpower a new opportunity to build influence in Latin America. But this isn't 2008, says China-Latin America expert Margaret Myers, and the regional relationship is a lot more complicated. Myers joined AQ's Editor-in-chief Brian Winter to discuss what China wants in Latin America, and what the pandemic changes.Guests:Margaret Myers is the director of the China and Latin America program at the Inter-American Dialogue.Brian Winter is the editor-in-chief of Americas QuarterlyBackground reading:"Could China Be a White Knight Again for Latin America?" by Margaret Myers and Kevin P. Gallagher (https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/could-china-be-white-knight-again-latin-america) "The Reasons for China's Cooling Interest in Latin America" by Margaret Myers (https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/how-beijing-sees-it)

Governments across Latin America are urgently trying to find the right balance between protecting jobs and protecting public health. Perhaps nowhere has the debate been as contentious as in Brazil, where the president has said the country needs to protect jobs, not practice social distancing. But is this a false choice? Brazilian economist Monica de Bolle joins AQ's Editor-in-chief Brian Winter to discuss how Brazil can contain the virus, as well as the economic fallout.  Background reading:- "How to Think About the Lockdown Decision in Latin America," by Eduardo Levy Yeyati and Andrés Malamud (https://bit.ly/3aCyW2R)- "Bolsonaro Faces His Biggest Crisis - And Is Struggling" by Oliver Stuenkel (https://bit.ly/2JEQRKl)

The coronavirus has sent a devastating shock throughout the global economy. How vulnerable is Latin America? Which countries are best prepared to handle it? AQ's Editor-in-chief Brian Winter discusses the region’s response with the Council on Foreign Relations' Shannon O'Neil. Background reading:1) "Latin America, With Few Bullets to Spare," by Eduardo Levy Yeyati (shorturl.at/HKNV0)2) "Latin America 'Needs Fiscal Stimulus Today,' Mauricio Cárdenas Says," by Leonie Rauls (shorturl.at/FTW04) 3) "Is Mexico Prepared to Confront Coronavirus?" by Nathaniel Parish Flannery (shorturl.at/ADGJ9)

Polls show Chile wants to replace its dictatorship-era constitution. But is a new constitution what’s best for Chile? Patricio Navia, an AQ columnist and political scientist at NYU, says it’s not. In the inaugural episode of the Americas Quarterly Podcast, Navia joins AQ Editor-in-chief Brian Winter to talk about the risks of starting from scratch.The Americas Quarterly Podcast is a new production of Americas Quarterly. For more information, check out AmericasQuarterly.orgBackground reading1. Chile’s Riots: Frustration at the Gate of the Promised Land, by Patricio Navia https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/chiles-riots-frustration-gate-promised-land2. Trapped: What If Chile Ends Up Like Argentina? by Eduardo Levy Yeyati (https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/trapped-what-if-chile-ends-argentina)3. Chile Is About to Make a Huge Mistake, by Patricio Navia (https://www.americasquarterly.org/content/chile-about-make-huge-mistake)