Latin America Brief

A one-stop weekly digest of politics, economics, technology, and culture in Latin America. Delivered Friday.

Maduro and Lula embrace.
Maduro and Lula embrace.

South American Presidents Come to Lula’s Party, but Check His Leadership

In Brasília, leaders weighed how to make continental cooperation more durable after a past attempt sputtered.

Three people hold protest signs with slogans in Spanish denouncing Giammattei. One sign depicts Giammattei with red devil horns.
Three people hold protest signs with slogans in Spanish denouncing Giammattei. One sign depicts Giammattei with red devil horns.

Guatemala’s Anti-Corruption Star Dims

Once a laboratory for U.S.- and U.N.-backed anti-corruption efforts, the country is now backsliding.

Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso speaks during his impeachment trial at the National Assembly in Quito on May 16.
Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso speaks during his impeachment trial at the National Assembly in Quito on May 16.

Lasso’s Last Resort

For the second time in six months, an Andean president has dissolved Congress.

Supporters of Chile’s far-right Republican Party celebrate the victory of their candidates during an election to choose members of a new constitutional council in Santiago on May 7.
Supporters of Chile’s far-right Republican Party celebrate the victory of their candidates during an election to choose members of a new constitutional council in Santiago on May 7.

Chile’s Constitutional Whiplash

Progressives championed a rewrite. Now right-wing parties are in control.

Paraguayan President-elect Santiago Peña celebrates with members of his Colorado Party after winning the Paraguayan presidential election, in the capital of Asuncion on April 30.
Paraguayan President-elect Santiago Peña celebrates with members of his Colorado Party after winning the Paraguayan presidential election, in the capital of Asuncion on April 30.

Paraguay’s Political Machine Triumphs Again

An anti-establishment candidate surged in the polls, but it’s still the Colorado Party’s game.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro speaks during the opening of an international conference on Venezuela held in Bogotá on April 25.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro speaks during the opening of an international conference on Venezuela held in Bogotá on April 25.

Petro Pushes to Restart Venezuela Talks

At Colombia’s urging, the United States gets explicit about sanctions relief to woo Maduro back to the negotiating table.

Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad speaks during a news conference at the Brazilian Embassy in Beijing on April 14.
Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad speaks during a news conference at the Brazilian Embassy in Beijing on April 14.

Brazil Courts China to Boost Tech Ties

Lula believes Beijing can help—not hinder—Brasília’s industrial ambitions.

Argentine Economy Minister Sergio Massa gives a thumbs-up before a group match between Tigre and São Paulo soccer clubs during the 2023 Copa Sudamericana tournament at José Dellagiovanna Stadium in Buenos Aires on April 6.
Argentine Economy Minister Sergio Massa gives a thumbs-up before a group match between Tigre and São Paulo soccer clubs during the 2023 Copa Sudamericana tournament at José Dellagiovanna Stadium in Buenos Aires on April 6.

Argentina and the IMF Agree to Disagree

The fund has shown rare tolerance for the country’s unorthodox economic management.

Then-candidate (and now Brazilian President) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stands with his foreign-policy advisor, Celso Amorim, during a press conference in São Paulo on Aug. 22, 2022.
Then-candidate (and now Brazilian President) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stands with his foreign-policy advisor, Celso Amorim, during a press conference in São Paulo on Aug. 22, 2022.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez greets children as he arrives for the plenary session of the 28th Ibero-American Summit in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on March 25.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez greets children as he arrives for the plenary session of the 28th Ibero-American Summit in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on March 25.

Spain Pitches Closer EU-Latin America Ties

Madrid says the two regions stand to gain from uniting amid U.S.-China tensions.

A woman passes a sign for the Colorado Party’s presidential primary candidate Santiago Peña in Asunción, Paraguay, on Dec. 17, 2022.
A woman passes a sign for the Colorado Party’s presidential primary candidate Santiago Peña in Asunción, Paraguay, on Dec. 17, 2022.

Paraguay’s Rare Toss-Up Election

Anti-incumbent and pro-China sentiments are shaking up the country’s usually predictable political landscape.

Migrants, mostly of Venezuelan origin, attempt to cross into the United States at the Paso del Norte International Bridge in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on March 12.
Migrants, mostly of Venezuelan origin, attempt to cross into the United States at the Paso del Norte International Bridge in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on March 12.

Biden’s Border Policies Face Pushback

Leaders and human rights advocates speak out against new U.S. barriers to asylum.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva talks to his wife, Rosângela “Janja” da Silva, during an event to celebrate International Women’s Day and announce a package of measures to protect and support women at Planalto Palace in Brasília, Brazil, on March 8.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva talks to his wife, Rosângela “Janja” da Silva, during an event to celebrate International Women’s Day and announce a package of measures to protect and support women at Planalto Palace in Brasília, Brazil, on March 8.

The Fight to Elevate Women Inside Brazil’s Government

Brazil trails many of its neighbors in trying to tackle gender parity. Advocates are pushing Lula to change that.

A demonstrator bangs a pot during a protest against the Surinamese government’s economic policies in the capital, Paramaribo, on Feb. 17.
A demonstrator bangs a pot during a protest against the Surinamese government’s economic policies in the capital, Paramaribo, on Feb. 17.

Suriname’s Unrest Is a Warning

The world’s existing mechanisms to help developing countries through debt crises are coming up short.

Attorney César de Castro speaks to members of the media after a verdict was announced at the courthouse where the trial of former Mexican official Genaro García Luna was held in Brooklyn, New York, on Feb. 21.
Attorney César de Castro speaks to members of the media after a verdict was announced at the courthouse where the trial of former Mexican official Genaro García Luna was held in Brooklyn, New York, on Feb. 21.

Mexico’s ‘Trial of the Century’

What a New York court case revealed about the war on drugs.

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Are America and Europe Aligned on China?

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The war in Ukraine has propelled the United States and Europe closer on a variety of foreign-policy issues. But do Washington and Brussels agree on how to deal with Beijing’s growing clout...Show more

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Inside the U.S.-China Tech War

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Over the last few years, the United States has moved to limit China’s technological rise. U.S.-led sanctions have imposed unprecedented limits on Beijing’s access to advanced computing c...Show more

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 24: U.S. President Joe Biden (R) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participate in a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on September 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. President Biden is hosting a Quad Leaders Summit later today with Prime Minister Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide. (Photo by Sarahbeth Maney-Pool/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 24: U.S. President Joe Biden (R) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participate in a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on September 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. President Biden is hosting a Quad Leaders Summit later today with Prime Minister Modi, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide. (Photo by Sarahbeth Maney-Pool/Getty Images)

Is America Making a Bad Bet on India?

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For decades, the U.S. foreign-policy establishment has made the assumption that India could serve as a partner as the United States jostles with China for power in the Indo-Pacific region. B...Show more