Javier Milei and the Populist Wave in Argentina
As Argentina embraces a new era, Milei’s ascent reflects a broader trend of populist disruption in the country’s political landscape.
The Advance of China and Authoritarian Populism in Honduras
In Latin America, it is strategically important that the United States distinguish between principled left-oriented democratic regimes versus those which seek to manage the alarm of Washington and Western investors as they pursue a fundamentally anti-democratic, anti-market, anti-U.S. course. It is time for Washington to recognize that the Honduran regime of Xiomara Castro, Mel Zelaya, and their Libre movement, are on the latter path.
Populism, China, and Covid-19: Latin America’s New Perfect Storm
The strategic environment of Latin America is in the early phases of a profound, negative transformation reflecting the combined effects of three of the most powerful global forces of our era: (1) the spread of a new, populist model for capturing democratic states with vulnerable institutions and transforming them into authoritarian regimes with expanded levels of elite-sanctioned criminality; (2) the Covid-19 pandemic’s profound, multi-dimensional, long-term blow to the region; and (3) China’s advances in pursuit of its economic ambitions, which have profound economic and political consequences for its partners.
The economics of populism is failing in Latin America
The spectre of populism – both of the left and right variety – has hung over Latin American politics and economics since the 19th century but, for the last two decades, a new wave of populist movements and leaders has developed as a result of ongoing economic dislocation and popular anger at the political class.
A Global Americans Interview with Will Grant, Author of Populista: The Rise of Latin America’s 21st Century Strongman
Grant provides an informative retrospective on the Pink Tide era.
Chile’s populist moment?
“Chile’s compromise constitution may not satisfy anyone, but failure will satisfy no one.” While ignoring the reality of the government’s limitations would move the country further towards populism, ignoring the peoples’ demands could “reignite the streets.”
Bolivia: A pivotal moment for Populism and the pandemic response
Several factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have contributed to the possible return of populism in Bolivia. What implications does this have for the Latin America and the country’s relations with the United States?
Mexico’s AMLO: A New Chavez or Lula?
Investors are anxious about whether Mexico’s next president will be more like Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez or Brazil’s Lula.
Angry Mexico
Instead of voting for a candidate with concrete policy proposals to improve a difficult situation, many Mexican voters seem to ready to say “screw the system—and everything else along with it.”
In Costa Rica, uncertainty looms over Sunday’s presidential election
In a country long known as one of Latin America’s most stable democracies, a socially conservative outsider is leading polls ahead of Sunday’s first-round vote.