Shows / The Americas Quarterly Podcast
The Americas Quarterly Podcast
The AQ Podcast is a conversation on politics and economics in Latin America hosted by Brian Winter, contributing editor for Americas Quarterly
Episodes
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Lula’s Comeback and Challenges Ahead
After a comeback and a win by more than four million votes, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva must now face a hostile Congress, nervous financial…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
The Mexico-U.S. Relationship: Tensions and a Path Forward
Arguably no country has been more exposed to Donald Trump's second term than Mexico. The country sends more than 80% of its exports to its neighboring nation…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Is Latin America Poised for Takeoff?
Latin America is having its best economic outlook since the commodities boom of the 2000s. Record commodity prices, a weak U.S. dollar, a privileged position…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Brazil's Scandal-Plagued Election
Only a few weeks ago, there was a near consensus in Brazil that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was the favorite to win this October’s election over his…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
How Latin Americans Feel About the U.S., Democracy, Their Economies and More
We’re all used to hearing pessimistic headlines about the state of democracy in Latin America and beyond. But the latest edition of the AmericasBarometer…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Colombia: An Early Test for the New Government
On August 7th, Abelardo de la Espriella was inaugurated as Colombia's new president after winning an incredibly tight election. Three days later, a…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Venezuela's Transition Talks
Venezuela's regime and parts of the political opposition are holding a new round of talks that analysts and citizens hope could lead to a democratic…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Keiko Fujimori Takes Power. Can She Keep It?
On July 28th, Keiko Fujimori took office as Peru’s ninth president in ten years. Most of her predecessors’ terms ended in impeachment, resignation, or prison…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Latin America Joins the Space Race
The $75 billion IPO for Elon Musk's SpaceX is just the latest sign of explosive growth in the global space industry, which is forecast to reach $1.8 trillion…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
A New Criminal Landscape in Latin America
Security has become the defining issue in Latin American politics. In Colombia, Abelardo de la Espriella won the presidency on a hardline security platform and…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Cuba: Four Possible Scenarios
Over the past few months, the Trump administration has steadily ramped up pressure on Cuba: indicting senior Cuban officials including former president Raúl…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Trump Wades into Brazil’s Campaign (Again)
Nearly a year after slapping Brazil with a 50% tariff in what looked like a bid to help the Bolsonaro family, the U.S.-Brazil relationship has had several ups…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
The Mexico-U.S. Relationship’s Most Delicate Phase
Ever since Donald Trump took office, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has tried to strike a careful balance: Working with Washington on security matters…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Colombia’s High-Stakes Election
Colombia goes to the polls on May 31 amid some of the worst violence the country has seen in two decades. FARC dissidents have carried out dozens of attacks in…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
The Gray Tide: What a Rapidly Aging Latin America Means
As recently as the 1960s, the average woman in Latin America had six children. Today that number is 1.8. In Chile, it has fallen to 1.1, lower than Japan…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Peru Election: The End of Stability?
For years, Peru has defied gravity. The country has had eight presidents in ten years—a virtual power vacuum at the top of government—and yet the economy kept…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Javier Milei’s Ups and Downs
Until recently, things seemed to be going well for Argentina's President Javier Milei. In October, his party won the midterm elections in a contest many polls…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Understanding Delcy Rodríguez
Nearly three months after the fall of Nicolás Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez is still standing as interim president of Venezuela. The broad feeling, at least for now…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Brazil, Colombia and a Regional Case for Optimism
After seven years covering Latin America for the Financial Times, and a previous post in the 1990s, Michael Stott is leaving the region as an optimist. His…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Cuba on the Brink
For 67 years, many people have been waiting for change in Cuba — and for 67 years, the communist regime has endured. It survived the fall of the Soviet Union…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Rodrigo Paz’s Overhaul of Bolivia
When Rodrigo Paz was inaugurated in early November 2025, he vowed to implement “capitalism for all.” He inherited an economy in rough shape after 20 years of…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
A Defining Moment for Latin America
Latin America has been at the center of the world’s attention in 2026—and not only because of Venezuela. This week, we take a step back to understand the…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
A Realistic Look at Venezuelan Oil
The fate of Venezuela hinges on the country’s once-proud energy sector. Since Maduro’s capture two weeks ago, questions about how the industry could be…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
After Maduro: Risks in Venezuela and Beyond
The capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela was one of the most dramatic developments in U.S.-Latin America relations in more than 30 years. In Venezuela, a…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Risks and Strengths of Latin America’s Economies in 2026
Despite trade tensions and political uncertainty, 2025 was not a bad year for Latin America's economies, with growth of around 2.4 percent, broadly in line…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
What the Trump Doctrine Means for Latin America
2025 has been an extraordinarily active year for U.S. policy in Latin America. With the release of President Donald Trump’s new National Security Strategy…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
A New Rightward Wave in Latin America?
Right-wing candidates are gaining victories across Latin America. Chile will likely turn right in the upcoming second round of elections, Javier Milei made…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
A Right Turn in Chile?
Chileans head to the polls this Sunday, November 16. In the last election cycle, Gabriel Boric won following the massive 2019 protests that shook the nation to…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Understanding Trump’s Military Buildup in Latin America
The recent deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, has intensified speculation about Washington’s true objectives in…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Claudia Sheinbaum's First Year
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…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Argentina: A Potential Lifeline for Javier Milei
Argentina’s President Javier Milei just got a much-needed boost from his ally, U.S. President Donald Trump. The White House has signaled plans for a $20…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
How Crime Is Affecting Latin American Politics
Latin America is entering a packed election season, with Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru and Brazil all set to elect presidents in the next 13…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Brazil: Bolsonaro's Trial
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…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Bolivia’s Game-Changing Election
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…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Resilience Amid Chaos: An Overview of LatAm Economies in 2025
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…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Brazil vs USA: Risks and Possible Ways Out
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…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Colombia Enters a Turbulent Election Season
As Gustavo Petro spars with Donald Trump, violence is surging in Colombia ahead of next year’s elections. The attempted assassination of conservative…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
BRICS and China’s Influence in Latin America
As Brazil prepares to host the 2025 BRICS Summit, questions are swirling about the future of the group, as well as China’s growing presence in Latin America…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Bukele’s Latest Crackdown
The recent arrests of two prominent critics of El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele have sparked renewed concerns about the country's democratic backsliding…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
A Crossroads for Mexico’s Security
On May 20, two top aides to Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada were shot dead in a rare daytime attack, raising questions about security under Mexico’s new…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Javier Milei’s Next Big Challenges
President Javier Milei has made global headlines with his radical economic reforms and bold rhetoric, earning praise from figures like Donald Trump and Silicon…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Guatemala: Arévalo’s Tumultuous First Year
Just over a year after Bernardo Arévalo’s tense but ultimately successful inauguration as president of Guatemala, his administration faces a complex mix of…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Cuba’s Unprecedented Crisis
Cuba is facing its worst crisis in decades, with blackouts and a mass exodus that has seen 20% of the population flee in five years. In this episode, we shed…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Brazil: Bolsonaro on Trial, Lula Under Pressure
With Brazil about a year and a half away from the 2026 elections, political dynamics are shifting once again. The economy is growing at 3%, and employment…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Mexico: Claudia Sheinbaum’s Moment
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum is enjoying remarkable popularity, garnering over 80% approval, while Mexico navigates shifting demands from U.S…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
How Organized Crime Is Evolving in Latin America: 2025 Edition
Organized crime is a persistent and evolving challenge in Latin America. At the moment crime syndicates are seeing unprecedented financial gains, fueled not…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Trump’s Impact So Far on Latin America
A month into Donald Trump’s second presidency, Latin America has become a key focus of his administration. From high-stakes negotiations with Mexico to his…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
The Panama Canal: Past, Present and Future
As Donald Trump returns to the White House, much focus was expected on Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and Cuba, but Panama has surprisingly taken center stage…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
A Critical Election in Ecuador
Nearly a year ago, Ecuador faced a surge of violence when drug gangs took over a TV station and kidnapped police, marking the country's worst security crisis…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Chancay Port and the China-U.S. Battle in Latin America
Peru quickly became one of the first countries in the cross hairs of the incoming Trump administration because of the recently-inaugurated Chancay port, which…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
What to Expect from Latin America’s Economies in 2025
In this episode we look at what to expect from Latin America’s economies in 2025. Ernesto Revilla, chief economist for Latin America at Citigroup, evaluates…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Mexico Under Pressure, Not Only from Trump
Since Donald Trump’s election there have been fireworks between him and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum. President-elect Trump has threatened to impose…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Latin America Prepares for Trump 2.0
Donald Trump’s second presidency will likely bring an even stronger focus on Latin America than his first term did. Trump talked often about Latin America in…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Lula and Brazil’s “Big Center”
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has an approval rating of about 50%. Unemployment in the country is at its lowest level in a decade and the…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Latin America’s “Food Paradox”
Latin America is the world's breadbasket. The region is now the source of more than 60% of the world’s soy, almost half its corn and more than a quarter of its…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
The Conservative Shift in U.S. Latinos
Although Democrats still lead among Latinos, Republicans have grown their share of support among that community in the last two elections. Looking ahead to the…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Mexico: Claudia Sheinbaum and the Shadow of AMLO
Claudia Sheinbaum will take office as Mexico's new president next week, on October 1, 2024. Often described as a technocrat, she also supports some of current…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
An X-Ray of Javier Milei's Argentina
Javier Milei has so far succeeded in making drastic changes to Argentina's economic policies. In this episode we evaluate what has worked and what hasn't, and…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
What Kamala Harris Would Mean for Latin America Policy
The entry of Kamala Harris in the U.S. presidential race has completely transformed the election. In this episode we ask what we can expect from her Latin…
- The Americas Quarterly Podcast
Venezuela: Possible Paths Forward
Since the election on July 28 Nicolás Maduro has unleashed a wave of repression not seen in Venezuela before. The question on everyone's mind is, what now?…