Mafalda, Quino’s beloved comic strip from Argentina—first published in 1964—has conquered the world, appearing in at least 25 languages. Six decades on, she is finally reaching Anglophone audiences, translated into English for the first time. Award-winning translator Frank Wynne speaks on his experience translating Mafalda into English, noting the challenges of preserving Quino's subtle humor and political commentary across cultures and languages and explaining why the beloved icon remains a perfect companion for today's turbulent times.

Read Mafalda: Book 1: https://archipelagobooks.org/book/mafalda-book-one/

Read Kamchatka, by Marcelo Figueras: https://groveatlantic.com/book/kamchatka/

Read The Mouse and its Child, by Russell Hoban: https://russellhoban.org/1967/01/01/title-the-mouse-and-his-child/

The music in this podcast was the classic milonga "El conventillo," performed by the Chúcara Trío. You also listened to Argentine harmonica player Santiago Álvarez. These were performed for the Americas Society “En Casa” series.

Visit AS/COA’s YouTube channel to see over 500 videos of music from across the Americas. And if you like the soundtrack of this podcast, find out about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.org and consider becoming a member of Americas Society for preferential access to all concerts at 680 Park Avenue in New York, as well art exhibitions, book talks, and more exciting events.

Send us feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.org

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Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.

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Tucked inside the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill is a proposed tax of 3.5 percent on remittances that could have major consequences for how much money Latin American immigrants can send home to their loved ones—and how they send it. “Immigrants are going to absorb that tax in order to keep sending money to their families [or] they could change the channels they use,” says René Maldonado, coordinator of CEMLA’s remittances program and consultant for the IDB’s migration unit.

In this episode, Maldonado talks with AS/COA’s Carin Zissis about shifting remittance trends in the region, how immigrants have adapted to maintain an economic lifeline, and the potential impact of the current political climate on future remittance flows.

For more of our coverage on the impact of Trump’s policies in Latin America, visit as-coa.org/trump to keep up to date with migration, trade, and more.

And to learn more about the IDB’s research on remittances, read the 2024 report co-authored by Maldonado and check out their blog, La Maleta Abierta.

The music in the podcast is “Sonora y sus ojos negros” by Suspenso del Norte and “Lamentos do Morro” by Felipe Reis for Americas Society’s “En Casa” concert series. Find out about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.org.

Share your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society.  Becoming a member gives you preferential access to music performances, art gallery, book events, our magazine Americas Quarterly, and more.

Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org. Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.  

Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.

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“Brazil has historically been a driving force of regional integration,” points out Laura Trajber Waisbich, Deputy Director of Programs at the Igarapé Institute. And under the administrations of President Lula da Silva, the country has leveraged its size and diplomatic credibility to not only assert its own agency on the world stage, but also advocate for the needs of the Global South. The place for that? Multilateral organizations. In a year when Brazil hosts both the BRICS Summit and the COP30, Waisbich explores how Brazil navigates global divides and domestic pressures to spur action on climate and more.

The music in this podcast was “Acaçá” composed by the Brazilian giant Dorival Caymmi, and performed by Ternoar group for Americas Society “En Casa” concert series. Find out about upcoming concerts at musicoftheamericas.org.

Share your love for Latin America: Join Americas Society. Becoming a member gives you preferential access to music performances, art gallery, book events, our magazine Americas Quarterly, and more. https://www.as-coa.org/memberships/engage-americas-society

Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast and send us feedback at latamfocus@as-coa.org.
Share and subscribe at Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect those of Americas Society/Council of the Americas or its members.

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