Lula and the Revival of UNASUR and CELAC
For either CELAC or UNASUR to succeed in the longer term, Lula must help move them away from their ideological roots. Given their histories, this is no easy task, but neither is it impossible.
How the U.S. Midterm Elections Impact Florida and Latin America policy
The 2022 U.S. midterm election results cement a trend that impacts U.S.-Latin American policy—hardline positions are largely bipartisan in Florida… a key question is whether Biden is willing to risk alienating elements of his own party to make changes in his foreign policy toward Latin America.
USAID in Central America: Less Is Better
Policymakers argue that more aid money will reduce the incentive to emigrate, while remaining stubbornly oblivious to the fact that past money did not fulfill its promise to do the same.
It’s No Joke: Bukele’s Authoritarian Language
Bukele has responded to critics with derision, even changing his Twitter bio to “Dictator of El Salvador.” He leaves just enough doubt to say, “I was only joking.” But it’s not a joke.
U.S. vaccine diplomacy in Latin America is failing
At a decisive time, the U.S. chose to complain about China rather than offer leadership to solve Latin America’s COVID-19 crisis.
The debate over immigration is saying all the wrong things
Immigrants are not coming to the U.S. because they are attracted by President Joe Biden’s inclusive language, and they were not repelled by former President Donald Trump’s use of racist imagery. Such a narrow focus may provide clickbait for media outlets but facilitates no concrete policy progress. Real understanding and positive change in the migration debate can only come by keeping structural factors at the forefront of any discussion.
AMLO’s threat to Latin American democracy
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) has defended his silence following the U.S. presidential election based on non-intervention, but his rhetoric highlights a growing transnational notion that no election can necessarily be trusted, a trend that undermines democracy and will be a headwind that the Biden administration must confront as it assumes office.
A promotion for Trump’s man at the OAS: What Carlos Trujillo’s nomination means for U.S.-Latin American relations
As Carlos Trujillo’s nomination to head Western Hemisphere Affairs moves ahead in the senate, what does this mean for U.S.-Latin American relations?
Bolton’s Bay of Pigs Anniversary speech: Tough talk, election politics and failed policies
The Trump administration has doubled down on a failed policy on Cuba, while
talking tough on socialism. Unpopular and ineffective, Cuba policy prescriptions aside, the
venue, policies and rhetoric were focused more on the 2020 elections.
AMLO’s cautious foreign policy
AMLO’s foreign policy is far from the populist, anti-American rhetoric of his campaign and much of his political life. Nevertheless, his make-no-waves position is fraught with contradictions.