Economics, Trade & Development Archives - Page 20 of 42

A region reacts as Secretary Blinken departs San José

Global Americans convened a panel of regional experts and analysts to weigh in on the implications of Blinken’s visit to Central America, seeking to answer the following questions: What can Costa Rica teach its Central American neighbors with respect to economic stability and transparent governance? How should the U.S. balance its hemispheric national security priorities with the thorny quandary of calling out democratic vulnerabilities and shortcomings? And, generally, which way forward for U.S.-Central American relations once Secretary Blinken has departed San José?

admin June 3, 2021

The dramatic Latin American crisis

The projections of all international organizations and private analysts indicate that Latin America’s economy will only partially recover in 2021. As economic growth during the quinquennium prior to the current crisis was close to zero, the region is immersed in a new lost decade.

José Antonio Ocampo June 2, 2021

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.

Greg Weeks May 27, 2021

Private sector involvement is key for Colombia to meet its environmental goals

The Colombian government has hinted at its interest in attracting the private sector to collaborate on its plans for energy transition, green growth, and environmental protection, but has not yet spent the time and political capital that will be necessary to get industrial interests on board. Will President Duque seize the moment? And will the private sector take the lead or take a backseat, waiting until Colombia’s political environment changes?

Sergio Guzman May 20, 2021

Capitalizing on COVID-19’s digital potential in Latin America

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the future is digital. As a result, it has highlighted the transformative power of technology for Latin America and the Caribbean, and accelerated its digital transformation, not only in leading start-up markets like Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, but throughout the entire region.

admin May 17, 2021

Mission impossible? A look at Colombia’s proposed tax reform

After several months of waiting, the Colombian government unveiled a tax bill intended to address the fiscal and social crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the proposed bill has not been well-received, and the following verdict has been almost unanimous: the proposal punishes the Colombian middle-class and jeopardizes economic recovery. Unless an agreement is reached in Congress in the coming months, Colombia could risk its post-pandemic socioeconomic recovery.

admin April 29, 2021

Brazil’s rising oil production

Brazil produced an average of 2.94 million barrels of oil per day in 2020. The South American country is now the seventh-largest crude oil producer in the world, and the largest in Latin America, with current trends indicating further growth for Brazil’s oil industry.

admin April 21, 2021

Communist party congress in Cuba: After the end of the Castro era, what?

When Cuba’s Communist Party convenes in Havana from April 16-19 for its 8th Party Congress, Raúl Castro, at the age of 89, will step down from center stage. The long, long Castro era is coming to an end. What lies ahead and what remains, however, is more uncertain than ever.

admin April 15, 2021

China’s advance in Panama: An update

This piece examines the evolution of China’s position in Panama under the Cortizo government. It finds that China’s advance has suffered significant, if not necessarily enduring, setbacks under Cortizo, reflecting a combination of enhanced legal scrutiny, problems inherent to the Chinese projects themselves, and the adverse effects of the pandemic and corruption on the commercial and administrative environment in the country.

Evan Ellis April 14, 2021

Saber-rattling and high stakes in Guyana’s geopolitical neighborhood

The Essequibo territory remains a point of contention between Guyana and Venezuela, and the stage is now set for the ICJ to step in and render a judgment.

admin April 8, 2021