Democracy in Latin America: Reasons for Hope or Pessimism?

The Bolivian Crisis: Political Agendas and Regional Implications

In this episode, hosts Alberto Souviron, Andrew Thompson, and Julian Seydoux joined renowned Bolivian political analyst, Natalia Aparicio.  The panel unpacked the complex, multi-layered crisis currently gripping Bolivia. They dive deep into President Rodrigo Paz's unexpected shift from a moderate center-right campaign to an ultra-right "Trumpist" agenda, a move that has alienated voters and sparked massive social unrest. The conversation explores the severe economic reality of a country struggling with dollar reserves and bond repayments, while also dissecting the polarized regional reactions from leaders like Colombia's Gustavo Petro and Argentina's Javier Milei.  Furthermore, we pull back the curtain on the hidden actors influencing the chaos, including marginalized Vice President Edmond Lara, the historical grip of organized crime and drug trafficking, and the territorial power still wielded by Evo Morales. Production: Sustainable LatAm Presenters  * Andrew Thompson - International journalist & political-risk analyst with deep LatAm coverage (OBG, EIU, Latin News; ex-Head BBC Learning English). * Alberto Souviron - International journalist and digital comms leader for EM investors; ex BBC/Newsweek/Lloyd’s Register.  * Julian Seydoux - AI-driven finance entrepreneur (FirmView AI, Fast Audit AI); ex-Moody’s/Consilium; cross-border EM & LatAm focus.

The War in Iran: Resilience and Challenges for Latin America

As the global economy grapples with the sharpest energy price hikes seen in a generation, the ripples of the conflict in the Middle East and the war in Iran are being felt deeply across the globe. In this episode of Sustainable LatAm, hosts Andrew, Alberto, and Julian dissect how the Latin American agroindustrial and economic sectors are shifting to meet these unprecedented geopolitical tensions. While Latin America remains a robust global breadbasket—responsible for 19% of global food production but only 8% of global food consumption—it faces severe domestic vulnerabilities. Our hosts break down the indirect impacts hitting the region: severe supply chain disruptions, soaring freight costs, currency devaluations, and the critical strain on fertilizer imports that threatens competitive regional production. Tune in as we analyze how new regional governments must walk a diplomatic tightrope between the United States and China, integrate new technologies like AI to boost farm efficiency, and brace for looming inflationary pressures and social unrest. Production: Sustainable LatAm Presenters  * Andrew Thompson - International journalist & political-risk analyst with deep LatAm coverage (OBG, EIU, Latin News; ex-Head BBC Learning English). * Alberto Souviron - International journalist and digital comms leader for EM investors; ex BBC/Newsweek/Lloyd’s Register.  * Julian Seydoux - AI-driven finance entrepreneur (FirmView AI, Fast Audit AI); ex-Moody’s/Consilium; cross-border EM & LatAm focus.

Elections in Peru: Slow Results and Uncertainty

In this episode of Sustainable LatAm, hosts Alberto Souviron, Andrew Thompson, and Julian Seydoux are joined by Oxford academic and Andean expert, Professor John Crabtree. Together, they unpack the administrative chaos and political uncertainty surrounding Peru's recent first-round presidential elections. The conversation delves into the logistical hurdles of managing 35 presidential candidates, the Trumpian fraud claims led by Rafael Lopez Aliaga, and the nail-bitingly close race to face Keiko Fujimori in the second round.  Beyond the ballot box, the panel explores the surprising resilience of the Peruvian economy amidst a history of frequent presidential impeachments. They discuss how the return to a bicameral Congress might bring much-needed stability to the nation. The episode also analyzes Peru's delicate geopolitical balancing act between the United States and China, highlighting recent tensions over American F-16 fighter jets and the Chinese-built Chancay port. Finally, the discussion tackles the rising concerns over extortion and common crime, alongside the deep-rooted regional and social divides shaping Peru's political and economic future. Production: Sustainable LatAm Presenters  * Andrew Thompson - International journalist & political-risk analyst with deep LatAm coverage (OBG, EIU, Latin News; ex-Head BBC Learning English). * Alberto Souviron - International journalist and digital comms leader for EM investors; ex BBC/Newsweek/Lloyd’s Register.  * Julian Seydoux - AI-driven finance entrepreneur (FirmView AI, Fast Audit AI); ex-Moody’s/Consilium; cross-border EM & LatAm focus.

Elections in Peru and Colombia: What is at Stake?

In this episode of Sustainable LatAm, we unpack the high-stakes elections approaching in Peru and Colombia. Despite severe political instability—highlighted by Peru cycling through eight presidents in a single decade—both nations have managed to sustain surprisingly stable macroeconomies. We explore this fascinating disconnect, breaking down how the fear of crime, targeted social investments, and deep regional divides are driving voters to the polls. Zooming out, we also analyze the massive geopolitical tug-of-war playing out in Latin America, from China’s infrastructure push via Peru's Chancay mega-port to the US's strategic counter-influence in Colombia. Key Takeaways: * The unpredictable nature of Peru's crowded 35-candidate race. * The stark gap between actual crime statistics and public perception. * The driving forces behind Gustavo Petro's polling surge in Colombia. * US vs. China: The battle for strategic influence and infrastructure. * The looming threat of fractured congresses and the necessity of complex coalition-building. Production: Sustainable LatAm Presenters  * Andrew Thompson - International journalist & political-risk analyst with deep LatAm coverage (OBG, EIU, Latin News; ex-Head BBC Learning English). * Alberto Souviron - International journalist and digital comms leader for EM investors; ex BBC/Newsweek/Lloyd’s Register.  * Julian Seydoux - AI-driven finance entrepreneur (FirmView AI, Fast Audit AI); ex-Moody’s/Consilium; cross-border EM & LatAm focus.

Democracy in Latin America: Reasons for Hope or Pessimism?

In this episode of Sustainable Latam, hosts Alberto Souviron, Andrew Thompson, and Julian Seydoux are joined by Gerardo Berthin, President of Freedom House, to discuss the findings of the Freedom in the World 2026 report. The conversation centers on the "growing shadow of autocracy" and a 20-year global decline in freedom, specifically examining the resilience of democracy across Latin America. Gerardo provides a nuanced look at the region, highlighting Bolivia as a new bright spot of freedom while expressing concern over the institutional backsliding in El Salvador and the rise of "unmanageable" organized crime in countries such as Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador. The episode also dives into the "post-truth" political discourse surrounding crime rates, the impact of generative AI on democratic truth, and the complex path forward for a post-Maduro Venezuela. Production: Sustainable LatAm Presenters  * Andrew Thompson - International journalist & political-risk analyst with deep LatAm coverage (OBG, EIU, Latin News; ex-Head BBC Learning English). * Alberto Souviron - International journalist and digital comms leader for EM investors; ex BBC/Newsweek/Lloyd’s Register.  * Julian Seydoux - AI-driven finance entrepreneur (FirmView AI, Fast Audit AI); ex-Moody’s/Consilium; cross-border EM & LatAm focus.