“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.
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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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Competing engagement between Washington and Beijing is nothing new in Latin America, where both countries have sought out economic partnerships. But with a new U.S. administration and shifting macroeconomic conditions in China, has the U.S.-China calculus shifted for governments across the region? Managing Director of the Institute for America, China, and the Future of Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins Margaret Meyers explains the shifting state of play in the U.S.-China competition, the Trump administration’s approach, and the view from Beijing to understand the changing picture for the region's leaders.

Get more insight on Trump and Latin America in our guide: https://www.as-coa.org/content/trump-administration-latin-america

The music in this episode is “Mamãe Oxum,” performed by Alexandre and Douglas Lora for Americas Society. Find out about upcoming concerts at: musicoftheamericas.org

Access other episodes of Latin America in Focus at www.as-coa.org/podcast
Send us feedback at: latamfocus@as-coa.org

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

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

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Peru has cycled through seven presidents in the last 10 years. Four of them were impeached or resigned before they could be. The country’s current president, Dina Boluarte, even with a 4 percent approval rating, has been able to finish her term with scheduled elections for April 12 2026. With one year to deliberate, what will be top of mind for Peru’s jaded electorate?

In this episode, electoral analyst Javier Albán breaks down the institutional factors that have contributed to Peru’s political morass and the types of candidates he expects to emerge from the 43 registered political parties.

Then, Bloomberg’s Lima Bureau Chief, Marcelo Rochabrún discusses the dynamics among the executive, legislative, and judicial powers, and the issues that will define the electoral campaign as well as the next presidential term, such as a rise in violence and extortions that have shaken the country.

If you want to learn more about Peru’s elections and economy in the year ahead, check our website www.as-coa.org

Council of the Americas will be in Lima on May 26 to discuss opportunities in the country with leaders of the private and public sectors.

Keep up to date on all of the region’s votes this year with our election guide. You will find more podcasts, articles, poll trackers, and expert commentary at as-coa.org/2025elections

The music in this episode is “Piano Station”, by Bianca Gismonti Trio for Americas Society. 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.

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

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