Latin America in the Spotlight in 2026

Latin America in the Spotlight in 2026

Author: AS/COA Online December 18, 2025 Duration: 32:13
From the Donroe Doctrine to tariff turmoil a rightward electoral tilt, 2025 was a year of shifts for Latin America. Now, with Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Haiti, and Peru gearing up for presidential votes in 2026, more change is on the way. To make sense of what's to come, this episode of Latin America in focus brings back four of our prior guests from across the region: Venezuelan journalist and political scientist Tony Frangie Mawad, Mexican international affairs expert Brenda Estefan, Brazilian journalist and political analyst Thomas Traumann, and Latino and hemispheric digital democracy expert Roberta Braga. Then, in conversation with host Carin Zissis, the OAS’ director of electoral monitoring, Gerardo de Icaza, draws on over a decade of experience overseeing missions in 27 countries to explain the evolving challenges on the ground for election observers, from being victims of increasing political polarization to finding practical ways to leverage artificial intelligence for stronger election processes—as well as what it all means for democracy in the region.

Latin America in Focus is a production of the Americas Society/Council of the Americas, offering a nuanced look at the forces shaping the region. This podcast moves beyond headlines to explore the interconnected stories of policy, markets, and societal change. Each episode features conversations with policymakers, analysts, and on-the-ground experts, providing context to complex issues like trade agreements, electoral shifts, and cultural movements. Listeners gain a clearer understanding of the business climate, investment opportunities, and the political dynamics influencing daily life from Mexico to Argentina. The discussion is grounded in research and a deep network of regional knowledge, aiming to connect global audiences to the pivotal trends redefining Latin America. Whether examining a new regulatory framework, the impact of a social movement, or the economic prospects of a specific industry, the analysis is both rigorous and accessible. Tune in for a thoughtful and forward-looking perspective that treats the region not as a monolith, but as a diverse collection of nations each with its own narrative. This podcast serves as an essential resource for anyone looking to deepen their comprehension of a rapidly evolving part of the world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Latin America in Focus
Podcast Episodes
Jorge Castañeda on the Frictions Straining U.S.-Mexico Ties [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:47
From Mexico’s Cuba ties to Washington's persistent tariff pledges, points of friction keep coming up between Mexico and the United States, reaching a crescendo last month when the U.S. Department of Justice indicted 10 M…
What Trump and Lula Want from U.S.-Brazil Ties [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:19
After months of tensions, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and U.S. President Donald Trump emerged from a May meeting at the White House smiling for the cameras. The leaders, both facing critical elections,…
Mercosur, EU, and the New Frontiers of Free Trade [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:54
On May 1, a transatlantic trade deal covering 31 countries and a quarter of global GDP comes into effect. Some thought it would never materialize, but after 25 years of off-and-on negotiations, Mercosur and the European…
The Math Behind Cartel Recruitment in Mexico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:44
After a February military operation led to the death of Nemesio Rubén “El Mencho” Oseguera, Mexican authorities searched the cartel leader’s cabin and uncovered logs showing that low-level members of El Mencho’s Jalisco…
What's on the Trade Menu? Beef [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:35
When the United States and Argentina signed a bilateral trade deal in February, one part of the agreement turned heads: Washington would be quadrupling the amount of tariff-free beef it would allow to be imported from th…
What Will It Take to Secure Haiti’s 2026 Elections? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:49
Haiti has been without an elected leader since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and a spiraling security crisis threatens to derail plans to hold elections this August. In this episode, Romain Le Cour-G…
After IEEPA, What Tariff Tools Will Trump Turn to Next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:57
Close followers of trade news were waiting for this moment: On February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 against President Donald Trump’s use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, to slap…
Why the Right Hasn’t Risen in Mexico — Yet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:22
Journalist Alex González Ormerod and historian Gema Kloppe-Santamária explain why Mexico hasn’t joined Latin America’s rightward tilt, and what could change that.
What's ahead for China's Latin America Ties in the Great Power Game? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:50
The Trump’s administration national security strategy was the talk of the foreign policy world late last year, not least of all because it renewed Washington’s focus on the Americas. But a few days later, China released…