Can Latin America Lead the Global Critical Minerals Market?

Can Latin America Lead the Global Critical Minerals Market?

Critical minerals are becoming central to the global economy, underpinning everything from electric vehicles and renewable energy to advanced manufacturing and national security. Latin America possesses some of the world's largest reserves of copper, lithium and other strategic minerals, placing the region at the centre of an increasingly competitive global landscape.  But resource wealth alone is no guarantee of long-term prosperity. Can Latin American countries strengthen governance, attract investment and capture greater value from the energy transition while managing environmental and social challenges?  In this episode of The LatinNews Podcast, Richard McColl speaks with Professor Cynthia Sanborn, Director of the Centro de Estudios sobre China y Asia-Pacífico (CECHAP) at the Universidad del Pacífico in Peru.  Together, they examine the region's critical minerals sector, the governance challenges surrounding resource development, China's growing role in Latin America, and what will determine whether the region can become a global leader in the industries of the future.  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.

Can Peru Finally Achieve Political Stability?

Keiko Fujimori has secured the presidency at the fourth time of asking, bringing an end to one of the country's longest-running political stories. After years of presidential impeachments, institutional confrontation and economic uncertainty, expectations are high that her government could usher in a period of greater stability. But significant challenges remain. Can Fujimori build the political consensus needed to govern? Will her administration revive investor confidence and unlock Peru's mining potential? And how will Lima navigate an increasingly competitive international environment shaped by both Washington and Beijing? In this episode of The LatinNews Podcast, Richard McColl speaks with Dr John Crabtree, Research Associate at the Latin American Centre at the University of Oxford and editor of Mining and the Peruvian State: Social and Environmental Sustainability. Together, they examine the election result, Peru's political outlook, the prospects for economic reform, the future of the mining sector, and what a Fujimori presidency could mean for Peru's place in Latin America and beyond. 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.

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.