The LatinNews Podcast

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.

Brazil's War of Narratives

Brazil's political landscape is fraught with complexities as the elections approach. The Banco Master scandal poses significant challenges for Lula's campaign, even as the economy shows signs of improvement.  Understanding these dynamics is crucial for predicting the outcomes of the elections and the future of Brazilian governance. As developments unfold, it will be essential for voters to critically assess the narratives surrounding the candidates and the implications for the country.  And, polls suggest a tight race, indicating that Flávio Bolsonaro - son of former president Jair Bolsonaro - is neck and neck with Lula as they head into the October elections. This week on The LatinNews Podcast, we talk to André Borges, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Brasilia and one of the editors of: "The Recasting of the Latin American Right: Polarization and Conservative reactions."  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.

Decoding Peru's Election Chaos and Economic Resilience

In the ever-shifting landscape of Peruvian politics, understanding the roots of current instability is crucial. With a staggering eight presidents since 2018, the question looms: how did we get here? In The LatinNews Podcast this week, we explore the historical context, the key players involved, and the implications for Peru's future. Join Richard McColl for an in-depth discussion with Dr. Julio Carrión - specialist in Latin American and Comparative Politics and Professor at the University of Delaware -  on the political instability, history, and economic dynamics of Peru, including the legacy of Fujimori, recent elections, and international influences. 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.