Sandra Borda on the Figures and Forces behind Colombia’s Presidential Race

Sandra Borda on the Figures and Forces behind Colombia’s Presidential Race

Author: AS/COA Online, Council of the Americas, Americas Society, Carin Zissis June 11, 2026 Duration: 33:35
The Colombian electorate sent a clear message with the two candidates they sent to the June 21 presidential runoff: they are no longer interested in politics as usual. With far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella and leftist Senator Iván Cepeda concentrating 85 percent of the first-round vote, the country’s traditional center and center-right parties have receded to the background. “[Colombia’s] political and ideological spectrum is now wider than it was before,” says Dr. Sandra Borda, a Bogotá-based professor at the Universidad de los Andes, adding that the country’s relatively new left-right divide has brought it closer to polarized political contexts more familiar to the rest of the region. In this episode of Latin America in Focus, the prominent political commentator talks to AS/COA’s Carin Zissis about the influence of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, ex-President Álvaro Uribe, and U.S. President Donald Trump on the current and future political discourse. And with voters focused on security and economic issues, Dr. Borda analyzes the choice between de la Espriella’s mano dura and Cepeda’s promises to carry on Petro’s leftist agenda.

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: 50

Latin America in Focus
Podcast Episodes
Navigating Trump’s Tariff Tests—The Brazil Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:34
On July 9, President Donald Trump threw 200 years of diplomatic relations with Brazil for a loop. Latin America’s largest economy got hit with the highest tariff in the region—a whopping 50 percent. But what truly got Pr…
Navigating Trump’s Tariff Tests—The Mexico Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:45
On the one hand, Mexico’s President Sheinbaum has won praise for artfully handling relations with Trump administration, as well as standing out among global leaders for winning a 90-day tariff delay. On the other, more i…
Mafalda, Argentina’s Feisty Heroine, Now Speaks English [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:21
Mafalda, Quino’s beloved comic strip from Argentina—first published in 1964—has conquered the world, appearing in at least 25 languages. Six decades on, she is finally reaching Anglophone audiences, translated into Engli…
How a U.S. Tax Could Hit Latin American Remittances [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:19
Tucked inside the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill is a proposed tax of 3.5 percent on remittances that could have major consequences for how much money Latin American immigrants can send home to their loved…
What's Behind Brazil's International Game? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:53
“Brazil has historically been a driving force of regional integration,” points out Laura Trajber Waisbich, Deputy Director of Programs at the Igarapé Institute. And under the administrations of President Lula da Silva, t…
The New Era of U.S.-China Competition in Latin America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:38
Competing engagement between Washington and Beijing is nothing new in Latin America, where both countries have sought out economic partnerships. But with a new U.S. administration and shifting macroeconomic conditions in…
Could the 2026 Vote Be Peru’s Political Reset? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:37
Peru has cycled through seven presidents in the last 10 years. Four of them were impeached or resigned before they could be. The country’s current president, Dina Boluarte, even with a 4 percent approval rating, has been…
Bonus Episode: Remembering Mario Vargas Llosa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:33
On April 14, Latin American letters lost a giant. Mario Vargas Llosa, the prolific Peruvian writer, passed away in Lima at the age of 89. Vargas Llosa was a frequent visitor to Americas Society over the years and even se…
Top Mexican CEOs on the Depth of U.S.-Mexico Integration [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:32
In 2024, more than $800 billion dollars worth of goods were traded between Mexico and the United States, making the two countries each other’s largest trade partners. But beyond the goods moving across the border, there’…
Trade and Tensions—Latin America Braces for Trump's Tariffs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:47
April 2 is a date that looms large for Latin America. It’s the day that the Trump administration will initiate reciprocal tariffs globally and tariffs on automobiles. This is after the application of 25% tariffs on many…