Argentine President Javier Milei (from left), Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña pose for a family photo during the Mercosur summit in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Dec. 6.
Argentine President Javier Milei (from left), Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña pose for a family photo during the Mercosur summit in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Dec. 6.

Latin America’s Year in Review

In 2024, the region secured trade deals, held key elections, and saw some economic surprises.

Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro march during a rally in Caracas on Dec. 1.
Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro march during a rally in Caracas on Dec. 1.

Trump Prepares to Shake Up U.S. Venezuela Policy—Again

The two countries’ near-simultaneous inaugurations could lead to change.

Police officers from Kenya arrive in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on July 16.
Police officers from Kenya arrive in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on July 16.

Haiti’s Crisis Sparks a Rethink of U.N. Peacekeeping

Top international organizations are calling for a different approach.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives for a meeting with Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Dec. 5.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives for a meeting with Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Dec. 5.

Mercosur Nears Completion of EU Trade Deal

Amid government collapse in France, a long-elusive agreement appears poised for approval.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and other world leaders pose for a group photo after the first session of the G-20 Leaders’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Nov. 18.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and other world leaders pose for a group photo after the first session of the G-20 Leaders’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Nov. 18.

Brazil Puts a Global South Spin on the G-20

The summit in Rio made progress on addressing economic inequality, but Trump’s shadow loomed over the proceedings.

An aerial view of the megaport in Chancay, Peru, on Oct. 29.
An aerial view of the megaport in Chancay, Peru, on Oct. 29.

Peru Unveils Chinese-Backed Megaport

The BRI-funded project may further help the country out of a recession, but it worries Washington.

A supporter of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and former U.S. President Donald Trump is seen outside the Casa Rosada presidential palace on Argentine President Javier Milei’s inauguration day in Buenos Aires on Dec. 10, 2023.
A supporter of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and former U.S. President Donald Trump is seen outside the Casa Rosada presidential palace on Argentine President Javier Milei’s inauguration day in Buenos Aires on Dec. 10, 2023.

How Latin America Sees Trump’s Win

The Republican’s victory has already reverberated in Mexico, Brazil, and more.

Inger Andersen, the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, and Colombian Environment Minister Susana Muhamad attend a press conference at the U.N. Biodiversity Conference, or COP16, in Cali, Colombia, on Oct. 25. Muhamad serves as the president of COP16.
Inger Andersen, the executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, and Colombian Environment Minister Susana Muhamad attend a press conference at the U.N. Biodiversity Conference, or COP16, in Cali, Colombia, on Oct. 25. Muhamad serves as the president of COP16.

Conservationists Convene in Colombia

The U.N. biodiversity summit showcased South America’s green finance ambitions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, on Oct. 22.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, on Oct. 22.

Brazil Tries to Hold Sway Within BRICS

As the group expands, one founding member may see its influence diminish.

Employees of a shipyard walk over a makeshift bridge to cross the Tarumã Açu River, a tributary of the Rio Negro, which is at a very low level due to a severe drought, in Manaus, Brazil, on Sept. 25.
Employees of a shipyard walk over a makeshift bridge to cross the Tarumã Açu River, a tributary of the Rio Negro, which is at a very low level due to a severe drought, in Manaus, Brazil, on Sept. 25.

Brazil’s Post-Disaster Vote

After months of drought, fire, and flooding, climate change was virtually absent from local elections. Why?

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum raises the ceremonial staff she received from Indigenous peoples during her inauguration ceremony, at Zócalo Square in Mexico City on Oct. 1.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum raises the ceremonial staff she received from Indigenous peoples during her inauguration ceremony, at Zócalo Square in Mexico City on Oct. 1.

In Mexico, ‘It’s Time for Women’

Claudia Sheinbaum took office on Tuesday as the country’s first female president.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva speaks during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 24.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva speaks during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Sept. 24.

Latin America Goes to UNGA

The full range of regional politics was on display at the annual United Nations summit in New York.

Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa takes part in a ceremony to deliver rifles to the National Police at the Community Surveillance Unit in Duran, Ecuador, on Aug. 6.
Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa takes part in a ceremony to deliver rifles to the National Police at the Community Surveillance Unit in Duran, Ecuador, on Aug. 6.

Ecuador Goes All-In on New Security Pact

The country has raised its hand to help found a regional alliance backed by the Inter-American Development Bank.

Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes speaks in Brasília on June 18.
Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes speaks in Brasília on June 18.

Why Brazil’s Supreme Court Took On Elon Musk

The country’s judiciary has played an unusually large role in the fight against disinformation.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness (center) and Finance Minister Nigel Clarke (far left) attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Sandals Dunn’s River resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on May 19, 2023.
Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness (center) and Finance Minister Nigel Clarke (far left) attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Sandals Dunn’s River resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on May 19, 2023.

Jamaica’s IMF Success Story

How the Caribbean country went from “rock bottom” to poster child for the fund.

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