The LatinNews Podcast

Can Guatemala's Democracy Hold?

In this episode, we explore the complex political and security landscape of Guatemala with expert Tiziano Breda. We discuss recent developments, challenges in governance, gang violence, and the influence of international actors, providing insights into the country's future prospects. When President Bernardo Arevalo took office in 2023, many were hopeful for a fresh start in Guatemalan politics. However, his administration has faced numerous obstacles, including constant legal threats and political maneuvering aimed at undermining his authority. The former Attorney General, Consuelo Porras, has been particularly aggressive in her attempts to nullify the election results and impede Arevalo's legislative agenda.  Tiziano Breda, Senior Analyst for Latin America and the Caribbean for ACLED (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data) speaks to the LatinNews podcast about the deterioration in security in Guatemala, the current government's move to a more hardline stance on crime and the country's relationship with the United States.  Follow LatinNews for  analysis on economic, political, and security developments in Latin America & the Caribbean.  * Twitter: @latinnewslondon [https://twitter.com/latinnewslondon] * LinkedIn: Latin American Newsletters [https://uk.linkedin.com/company/latin-american-newsletters] * Facebook: @latinnews1967 [https://www.facebook.com/LatinNews1967/] For more insightful, expert-led analysis on Latin America's political and economic landscape, read our reports for free with a 14-day trial. Get full access to our entire portfolio.

El Salvador's Security Revolution: Myth or Model?

This episode explores the complex security and political landscape of El Salvador under President Nayib Bukele, featuring insights from expert José Salguero. We discuss the history of gang violence, the security policies implemented, and the implications for democracy and regional influence. Nayib Bukele's rise to power was marked by promises of security and stability. However, as Salguero points out, the current security situation cannot be attributed solely to Bukele's policies. Instead, it is a culmination of various factors, including previous government actions and historical trends. Looking ahead, the question remains: will El Salvador ever exit this state of exception? Salguero suggests that the historical context reveals a pattern in which authoritarian regimes maintain power by manipulating public fear and securing compliance through promises of stability. Hailing from El Salvador, José Salguero is a PhD candidate at the Philipps University of Marburg, a Development Economist and Peace and Security Researcher. Follow LatinNews for  analysis on economic, political, and security developments in Latin America & the Caribbean.  * Twitter: @latinnewslondon [https://twitter.com/latinnewslondon] * LinkedIn: Latin American Newsletters [https://uk.linkedin.com/company/latin-american-newsletters] * Facebook: @latinnews1967 [https://www.facebook.com/LatinNews1967/] For more insightful, expert-led analysis on Latin America's political and economic landscape, read our reports for free with a 14-day trial. Get full access to our entire portfolio.

Why Ecuador Feels Increasingly Unstable

Ecuador is undergoing a profound political and security transformation. Once regarded as one of the more stable countries in Latin America, it now faces escalating violence, institutional strain and growing political tension.  In this episode of The LatinNews Podcast, Richard McColl speaks with Samuele Mazzolini, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellow and researcher at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and FLACSO Ecuador, about the forces reshaping Ecuador under President Daniel Noboa.  The discussion examines the rapid expansion of organised crime, the fragmentation of local gangs, the limits of the government’s security strategy and the broader weakening of state institutions. We also look at Noboa’s increasingly confrontational political style, tensions with Colombia, and the growing role of the United States in Ecuador’s security landscape.  As insecurity spreads beyond the country’s traditional hotspots and public frustration rises, the episode asks a broader question: what has happened to Ecuador’s stability, and where is the country heading next?  Follow LatinNews for  analysis on economic, political, and security developments in Latin America & the Caribbean.  * Twitter: @latinnewslondon [https://twitter.com/latinnewslondon] * LinkedIn: Latin American Newsletters [https://uk.linkedin.com/company/latin-american-newsletters] * Facebook: @latinnews1967 [https://www.facebook.com/LatinNews1967/] For more insightful, expert-led analysis on Latin America's political and economic landscape, read our reports for free with a 14-day trial. Get full access to our entire portfolio.

Mexico Under Pressure: Politics, Cartels and US Indictments

In this episode of The LatinNews Podcast, we explore recent political developments in Mexico, including US indictments of Mexican politicians, the influence of organised crime, and the implications for Mexico-US relations. Guest expert Tony Payan provides deep insights into the complex web of politics, crime, and international pressure. Tony Payan, PhD, is the Claudio X. Gonzalez Fellow in US-Mexico Studies, the Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies, and the executive director of the Claudio X. González Center for the US and Mexico at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. He is also a professor of social sciences at the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. We look at events rapidly unfolding in Mexico and put them into context for President Sheinbaum as the country approaches elections in 2027 and amid signs of strain within the Morena party. Follow LatinNews for  analysis on economic, political, and security developments in Latin America & the Caribbean.  * Twitter: @latinnewslondon [https://twitter.com/latinnewslondon] * LinkedIn: Latin American Newsletters [https://uk.linkedin.com/company/latin-american-newsletters] * Facebook: @latinnews1967 [https://www.facebook.com/LatinNews1967/] For more insightful, expert-led analysis on Latin America's political and economic landscape, read our reports for free with a 14-day trial. Get full access to our entire portfolio.

Understanding Colombia's Upcoming Elections

Colombia's political landscape is gearing up for another crucial election, and with it comes a myriad of questions and debates. Why is this election significant, and how do the political parties stack up against one another?  In this episode of The LatinNews Podcast, we delve into insights shared by Sandra Borda, an esteemed political analyst and Associate Professor of Political Science at the Department of Global Studies and Political Science at the University of Los Andes in Bogota, discussing the current state of Colombian politics and what voters should keep in mind. Colombia's upcoming elections are pivotal yet nuanced. While they present important choices for voters regarding social and public policies, the election may not be as groundbreaking as past ones. We look at the three main candidates of Paloma Valencia and Aberlardo de La Espriella on the right and Iván Cepeda on the left. Follow LatinNews for  analysis on economic, political, and security developments in Latin America & the Caribbean.  * Twitter: @latinnewslondon [https://twitter.com/latinnewslondon] * LinkedIn: Latin American Newsletters [https://uk.linkedin.com/company/latin-american-newsletters] * Facebook: @latinnews1967 [https://www.facebook.com/LatinNews1967/] For more insightful, expert-led analysis on Latin America's political and economic landscape, read our reports for free with a 14-day trial. Get full access to our entire portfolio.