Latin American Weekly Report
Weekly Report - 11 October 2018 (WR-18-40)
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- ‘Bolsonaro effect’ shakes up Brazil’s political landscape
Andean
- PERU: National parties pummelled in regional elections
- VENEZUELA: Political polarisation deepens
- COLOMBIA: Human trafficker brings down municipal official
Brazil & Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: Divisions widen in ruling ANR-PC
- CHILE: Piñera presented with pollution problems
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: López Obrador slips up
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- COSTA RICA: Fiscal reform passes first hurdle
Postscript
- Bukele strolling to presidency in El Salvador?
- Quotes of the week
Jair Bolsonaro has emerged as the clear winner in the first round of Brazil’s presidential election, which took place on 7 October, although he was a few percentage points shy of the absolute majority needed to avoid a run-off vote.
Weekly Report - 04 October 2018 (WR-18-39)
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- ICJ deals blow to Bolivia’s Morales in dispute with Chile
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Farc shuns wobbling peace negotiator
- PERU: Fujimori ruling damaging for Vizcarra
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Election day looms
- ARGENTINA: PJ polarisation promising for Macri
- PARAGUAY: Economic policy comes under scrutiny
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Nafta deal hailed by authorities, but questions remain
- MEXICO: Survivors fight for Tlatelolco justice 50 years on
Central American & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: Ortega cracks down further on dissent
- TRACKING TRENDS
Postscript
- Astori pulls out of Uruguayan presidential race
- Quotes of the week
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague has issued a long-awaited ruling.
Weekly Report - 27 September 2018 (WR-18-38)
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- Diplomatic conflict over Venezuela intensifies
Andean
- COLOMBIA-VENEZUELA: Combating record coca cultivation
- PERU: Elections pick up steam
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Pressure mounts on Macri despite new IMF deal
- BRAZIL: Presidential race narrows
- URUGUAY: Tensions with military burst into open
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Federal security forces move in to Acapulco
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: Private sector under pressure
- HAITI: New government takes shape
- DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Cosying up to Beijing
Postscript
- Ecuador terminates then resuscitates intelligence agency
- Quotes of the week
The Venezuelan government explicitly accused Chile, Colombia, and Mexico on 23 September of complicity in an alleged assassination attempt on President Nicolás Maduro last month.
Weekly Report - 20 September 2018 (WR-18-37)
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- Vizcarra’s brinkmanship pays off in Peru
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Intervention in Venezuela has different faces
- BOLIVIA-REGION: Embattled Unasur gets shiny new headquarters
- COLOMBIA: New ‘chuzadas’ scandal emerges
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Divisions deepen in polarised electoral campaign
- ARGENTINA: Macri seeks budget backing amid corruption scandal
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: López Obrador uncertain about ‘pejenomics’
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Institutional crisis looms as Morales flouts ruling
- COSTA RICA: Alvarado tested by unions
Postscript
- Top Chilean judges survive institutional clash
- Quotes of the week
Peru’s President Martín Vizcarra scored a notable victory over congress this week, which should lead to the imminent approval of four significant judicial and political reforms and their subsequent presentation to the public in a referendum before the year is out.
Weekly Report - 13 September 2018 (WR-18-36)
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- Uncertainty reigns in Brazil presidential election
Andean
- PERU: Chávarry ensnared in spreading scandal
- COLOMBIA: Stepping up the war on drugs
- VENEZUELA: Overt criticism, covert talks
Brazil & Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: A ‘Santa Rosa’ political storm sweeps through
- ARGENTINA: Under pressure to find fiscal balance
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Power struggle begins
Central America & Caribbean
- REGION: Tensions with US over China
- NICARAGUA: UNSC holds meeting to address crisis
Postscript
- Chevron ruling causes political recriminations in Ecuador
- Quotes of the week
It has been a tumultuous week for Brazilian politics, even by the country’s current standards.
Weekly Report - 06 September 2018 (WR-18-35)
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- Macri risks political future with harsh austerity measures
Andean
- ECUADOR: ‘Emperor’ overhauls national institutions
- VENEZUELA: Government denies migrant crisis as region meets
- BOLIVIA: New law on political parties proves contentious
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: PT must turn to ‘Plan B’
- BRAZIL: Government blamed for museum fire
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: López Obrador cements congressional supremacy
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: End in sight for Cicig
- HONDURAS: An inauspicious start to dialogue
- TRACKING TRENDS
Postscript
- Farc faces fracture
- Quotes of the week
Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri announced the implementation of a series of severe economic measures this week in a bid to restore market confidence in the ailing peso and credibility in his administration.
Weekly Report - 30 August 2018 (WR-18-34)
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- Mexico agrees to save Nafta, but at what cost?
Mexico & Nafta
- TRACKING TRENDS
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Glorious defeat
- PERU: End of the honeymoon
- REGION: Venezuelan exodus: a failure of regional diplomacy?
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Government ups response as tensions flare
- ARGENTINA: Cristina hit by corruption; Mauricio hit by the economy
- CHILE: Abbott in the hot seat
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- COSTA RICA-NICARAGUA: Costa Rica forced to address Nicaragua crisis
- GUATEMALA: CSJ approves request to investigate Morales
Postscript
- Uruguay takes China ties to next level
- Quotes of the week
It often looked improbable.
Weekly Report - 23 August 2018 (WR-18-33)
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- Venezuelan domestic policies drive exodus
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Duque and Uribe diverge over corruption
- PERU: Good news for Vizcarra
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: Abdo Benítez seeks to make instant impression
- ARGENTINA: Green light for raids on Fernández’s homes
- BRAZIL: Legislative troubles for next president
- CHILE: Museums at centre of political struggle
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Education reform under threat
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- REGION: Domino effect sees El Salvador embrace China
- DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Medina re-election fuels tension in ruling PLD
Postscript
- Bolivia’s Morales breaks presidential record
- Quotes of the week
Even by Venezuela’s recent standards, this has been an exceptionally challenging week both for the beleaguered public and the government led by President Nicolás Maduro.
Weekly Report - 16 August 2018 (WR-18-32)
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- PT tries ‘Plan A’ in Brazil
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Duque seeks to reinforce sovereignty
- VENEZUELA: Crisis politics of oil and money
- PERU: Vizcarra taps public support to pressure congress
Brazil & Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: New corruption case an unguided missile
- CHILE: Piñera carries out first reshuffle
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: López Obrador defends oil sector rescue programme
- MEXICO: Federal police detain CDMX crime boss
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- EL SALVADOR: Saca scandal shakes El Salvador
- NICARAGUA: Ortega forced to admit costs of crisis
Postscript
- Region reacts to Venezuelan humanitarian crisis
Brazil’s left-wing opposition Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT) registered its imprisoned leader, former president Lula da Silva (2003-2011), as the party’s presidential candidate just before the deadline closed on 15 August.
Weekly Report - 09 August 2018 (WR-18-31)
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- Maduro orders crackdown after alleged assassination attempt
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Duque takes over amid expectancy
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Fernández in eye of corruption storm
- BRAZIL: And then there were 13
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Inauspicious start to public security forums
- MEXICO: Private sector questions López Obrador appointments
Central America & Caribbean
- CUBA: Foreign investment enshrined in new constitution
- NICARAGUA: OAS ratchets up the pressure on Ortega
- COSTA RICA: Addressing the judicial crisis
Postscript
- Argentina retains abortion restrictions as Brazil embraces debate
- Quotes of the week
Two loud explosions were heard during a military parade attended by Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas on 4 August to mark the 81st anniversary of the national guard.
Weekly Report - 02 August 2018 (WR-18-30)
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- Mexico’s López Obrador accused of setting up parallel governments
Andean
- PERU: Vizcarra raises the political stakes
- COLOMBIA: Uribe U-turn on momentous decision
- VENEZUELA: Maduro implicated in billion-dollar corruption scheme
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Facebook targets MBL over fake news
- CHILE: Piñera falls short on key pledge
- ARGENTINA: Blue versus green
- PARAGUAY: Questions about electoral results resurface
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: IACHR warns of “third phase of repression”
- EL SALVADOR: Third time lucky for Bukele
Postscript
- Can López Obrador reduce violence in Mexico?
- Quotes of the week
Just one month after winning Mexico’s presidential elections and four months before he takes office, President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador is being accused by some within the political opposition of a naked power grab under the pretext of combating corruption.
Weekly Report - 26 July 2018 (WR-18-29)
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- The old politics is not dead yet
Andean
- PERU: Crisis of the judiciary continues
- COLOMBIA: Uribe waves goodbye to the senate
- TRACKING TRENDS
Region
- TRADE BLOCS: Joint way forward for Pacific Alliance and Mercosur?
Brazil & Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Controversy over the armed force and domestic security
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: López Obrador presents priority economic projects
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: Ortega takes aim at the Church
- HONDURAS: Crucial test for Honduras’s justice system
Postscript
- López Obrador ally facing dissolution in Mexico
- Quotes of the week
Party conference season is underway in Brazil (it will run to 5 August) and this year it is all about nominating presidential candidates for the elections due on 7 October.
Weekly Report - 19 July 2018 (WR-18-28)
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- López Obrador puts flesh on the bones of plan to transform Mexico
Andean
- PERU: Grappling with a growing scandal
- COLOMBIA: Duque forms cabinet
- VENEZUELA: Maduro launches mission impossible
Brazil & Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Weathering economic storm
- BRAZIL: Gomes targets the Boeing-Embraer deal
- CHILE: Corruption cases spell fresh trouble for ruling elite
- BRAZIL: Evangelical mayor under fire
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: Setback for Ortega as OAS issues firm resolution
- HAITI: Fresh crisis as PM quits over fuel price rises
- EL SALVADOR: Bukele fights for right to run for presidency
Postscript
- Purge of Ecuador’s state institutions deepens
- Quotes of the week
Mexico’s President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador went on holiday this week to recuperate after an arduous electoral campaign, but not before providing details of initiatives he insists will produce the most sweeping change to the country since the Revolution a century ago.
Weekly Report - 12 July 2018 (WR-18-27)
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- Ecuador’s presidential conflict triggers regional diplomatic realignment
Andean
- PERU: Scandal hits the judiciary
- COLOMBIA: Duque will face multiple security challenges
- VENEZUELA: Uncertain outcome for rebellion by political prisoners
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Judges go to war over Lula habeas corpus
- BRAZIL: Senate approves data protection bill
- ARGENTINA: Cracks appear in Cambiemos coalition
- PARAGUAY: Abdo Benítez lays foundations for new government
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: López Obrador makes key political appointment
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: Ortega’s intransigence laid bare
- PANAMA: Varela delivers final balance sheet
- TRACKING TRENDS
Postscript
- Bolivia’s Morales accused of moving against key opponent
- Quotes of the week
The fallout from the acrimonious political dispute between President Lenín Moreno and his predecessor Rafael Correa (2007-2017) is no longer confined to Ecuador.
Weekly Report - 05 July 2018 (WR-18-26)
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- López Obrador sweeps all before him to dominate Mexican politics
Andean
- VENEZUELA: ‘Little protests’ spreading
- COLOMBIA: ELN peace talks face difficulties
- PERU: Teachers’ strike crumbles
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Bolsonaro ahead, but are the polls reliable?
- BRAZIL: What are Marina Silva’s chances?
- CHILE: Government stung by ‘legislative drought’ criticism
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: Nicaragua’s military under pressure
- HONDURAS: Attorney general’s election sparks controversy
- NORTHERN TRIANGLE: Migration overshadows Pence’s Guatemala visit
- TRACKING TRENDS
Postscript
- Paraguay’s Cartes presents final state-of-the-nation address
- Quotes of the week
Andrés Manuel López Obrador has done it at the third time of asking – and in some style.
Weekly Report - 28 June 2018 (WR-18-25)
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- Policy change on coca eradication in Colombia?
Andean
- VENEZUELA: EU widens sanctions
Brazil & Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Macri’s respite brief
- BRAZIL: Pence visit achieves little
- BRAZIL: Dirceu release: a precedent for Lula?
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: No easing of electoral violence as campaign closes
- MEXICO: Anaya loses coalition support
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: New talks begin amid renewed violence
- COSTA RICA: Fiscal reforms fuel tensions
- TRACKING TRENDS
Postscript
- Paraguay close to resolving historic Argentine dispute
- Quotes of the week
Coca leaf cultivation (and the associated cocaine production) has reached record levels in Colombia, already the world’s largest producer.
Weekly Report - 21 June 2018 (WR-18-24)
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- Duque triumphs in Colombia but congress holds key
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Cabello gets seat at top table again
Brazil & Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Heads roll as Macri battles to regain control
- BRAZIL: Army sounds out politicians
- URUGUAY: In the grip of insecurity
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Anaya launches final counterattacks
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: Crisis intensifies as Masaya announces “self-rule”
- PANAMA: Panama-China relations one year on
- HONDURAS: Maccih causes stir with fresh allegations
Postscript
- Ecuador’s Moreno unveils border-security plan
- Quotes of the week
Iván Duque will become Colombia’s 33rd president on 7 August.
Weekly Report - 14 June 2018 (WR-18-23)
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- Mexico’s López Obrador hits home straight in cruise control
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Petro needs huge surge to deny Duque
- PERU: Going gets tough for Vizcarra
- ECUADOR: Correa probe exacerbates political divisions
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Uncertainties continue to dog October elections
- ARGENTINA: IMF deal beset with political difficulties
- CHILE: Piñera’s “gender agenda” rings hollow
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Morales under fire over volcano response
- NICARAGUA: Ortega plays for time
- TRACKING TRENDS
Postscript
- Venezuelan opposition sent mixed message
- Quotes of the week
An air of resignation prevailed in Mexico’s third and final presidential debate throughout much of which Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the clear frontrunner, sported a smile.
Weekly Report - 07 June 2018 (WR-18-22)
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- Ortega digs in his heels as Nicaraguan violence spirals
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Maduro’s overture overwhelmingly rejected
- PERU: Tuesta’s departure reveals government vulnerability
- COLOMBIA: Questions about transitional justice
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Strike ends but political upheaval continues
- BRAZIL: Brazil tightens data protection laws
- ARGENTINA: Government taken to task over economy
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: First shots fired in trade war with US
- MEXICO: López Obrador tries to mend fences with private sector
Central America & Caribbean
- EL SALVADOR: Sánchez Cerén puts brave face on FMLN struggles
- COSTA RICA: Alvarado goes straight for fiscal deficit
- HAITI: Moïse shores up Taiwan ties
Postscript
- Castro chairs Cuban commission to change constitution
- Quotes of the week
“The worst massacre in peace times”.
Weekly Report - 31 May 2018 (WR-18-21)
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- Colombia’s Duque the favourite after first round victory
Andean
- ECUADOR: Moreno conducts sweeping change
- VENEZUELA: Making sense of Maduro
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: The lorry drivers’ revolt
- ARGENTINA: Setback for Macri over utility tariffs
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Vote-buying alarm raised
- MEXICO: Business sector reacts to rampant insecurity
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: “Democracy” proves a sticking point in national dialogue
- COSTA RICA: Getting to grips with security
Postscript
- Peru’s Vizcarra cancels Tullow Oil contracts
- Quotes of the week
Colombia’s immediate future may lie on the right of the political spectrum.
Weekly Report - 24 May 2018 (WR-18-20)
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- Abstention mars Maduro victory but what’s next for Venezuela?
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Fraud allegations mark close of campaigning
- PERU: Vizcarra administration starts to make its mark
- BOLIVIA: Gas field sparks regional tensions
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Economy starting to falter?
- ARGENTINA: Dujovne makes IMF progress as Macri struggles
- PARAGUAY: Heads roll over beef scandal
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: López Obrador riled but not rattled
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: IACHR report ups pressure on Ortega
- El SALVADOR: Another former president to face trial
Postscript
- UK seeks to revive regional relations
- Quotes of the week
Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro was re-elected on 20 May until 2025 which, if he serves out his term, would mean 26 straight years of Bolivarian governments.
Weekly Report - 17 May 2018 (WR-18-19)
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- Macri seeks to buttress support for IMF deal
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Could oil fiasco produce Maduro shock?
- COLOMBIA: ELN declares electoral ceasefire
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- CHILE: Piñera declares war on bureaucracy
- BRAZIL: New lead in Franco investigation
- BRAZIL: Petrobras wins out over politics
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: López Obrador makes misstep
- MEXICO: Meade takes initiative on security issues
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: Ortega sends out mixed signals as talks start
Postscript
- Cuba and EU hold milestone meeting
- Quotes of the week
Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri did his level best this week to assuage the concerns of businessmen and opposition politicians about the decision to return to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for financial assistance, and to drum up support for his government at its most challenging time.
Weekly Report - 10 May 2018 (WR-18-18)
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- Spectre of crisis looms over Argentina again as Macri turns to IMF
Andean
- COLOMBIA: New home for ELN dialogue found
- VENEZUELA: Maduro tries to buy way to record 10m votes
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Housing crisis a key electoral issue
- BRAZIL: Supreme court lifts parliamentary immunity
- CHILE: Austerity plans expanded despite recovery
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: López Obrador and big business at loggerheads
- MEXICO: No containing electoral violence
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- COSTA RICA: Alvarado takes office
- GUATEMALA: Morales ends speculation over new AG
- TRACKING TRENDS
Postscript
- Ecuador’s Moreno shakes up army command
- Quotes of the week
A sombre President Mauricio Macri appeared on national television on 8 May to make the announcement he perhaps most dreaded upon taking office in December 2015: Argentina will seek financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Weekly Report - 03 May 2018 (WR-18-17)
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- Ecuador’s Moreno shakes up security strategy
Andean
- PERU: Cabinet clinches congressional clearance
- COLOMBIA: Santos denies peace process unravelling
- VENEZUELA: Maduro takes up arms in economic war
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Temer enters lame duck territory
- PARAGUAY: Fraud allegations mark post-election period
- URUGUAY: Legal marijuana market not making the grade
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: López Obrador turns screw on rivals
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: Truth commission fails to convince
- DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Taiwan ditched for China
Postscript
- Haiti’s Lafontant undertakes cabinet reshuffle
- Quotes of the week
Ecuador’s President Lenín Moreno showed his ruthless streak this week by jettisoning his interior and defence ministers.
Weekly Report - 26 April 2018 (WR-18-16)
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- Castro anoints successor in Cuba
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: Nicaragua explodes
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Parties rally to Vargas Lleras but not people
- VENEZUELA: Electoral campaign gets underway
Brazil & Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: Voting for continuity, but unconvincingly
- BRAZIL: Narrowing the pool of electoral candidates
- ARGENTINA: Macri bows but does not succumb to tariff pressure
- CHILE: Piñera tables contentious migration reform
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Anaya wins debate but will it help his cause?
Postscript
- Peru’s Vizcarra faces first challenges
- Quotes of the week
Miguel Díaz-Canel was appointed as the new president of Cuba by the 605-seat national assembly on 19 April.
Weekly Report - 19 April 2018 (WR-18-15)
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- Region unites against corruption and on Venezuela
Andean
- COLOMBIA-ECUADOR: Uniting to fight a common enemy
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Temer’s cabinet of continuity
- BRAZIL: Countdown until elections
- ARGENTINA: Strikes return to Buenos Aires
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: New airport takes centre stage in campaign
- MEXICO: CNTE takes stance against Meade
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- HONDURAS: Nasralla pulls out of dialogue
- GUATEMALA-BELIZE: One step closer to resolving longstanding dispute?
- TRACKING TRENDS
Postscript
- Could the Dominican Republic be the next to fall?
- Quotes of the week
The two-day Summit of the Americas (SOA), hosted by Peru on 13 and 14 April, resulted in the ‘Lima Commitment’, a 57-point statement on combating corruption and strengthening democracy.
Weekly Report - 12 April 2018 (WR-18-14)
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- Lula, Brazil’s leftist icon, falls
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Santrich arrest tests solidity of peace process
- VENEZUELA: Vaccinating against failure
- ECUADOR: Correa in the firing line
Brazil & Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: Reunited Colorados eye retaining presidency
- ARGENTINA: PJ subjected to hostile takeover
- CHILE: Piñera takes action on main public demand
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Trump fuels tension by militarising border
- MEXICO: ‘El Bronco’ given go-ahead
Central America & Caribbean
- HAITI: Military appointments stoke controversy
- PANAMA: Relations with Venezuela hit new low
Postscript
- Peru prepares to spearhead anti-corruption crusade
- Quotes of the week
Following a telenovela-style build-up, Brazil’s former president Lula da Silva (2003-2011) handed himself over to police this week to face 12 years in jail.
Weekly Report - 05 April 2018 (WR-18-13)
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- Alvarado Quesada makes history in Costa Rica
Central America & Caribbean
- TRACKING TRENDS
Andean
- PERU: Can Vizcarra’s cabinet square the circle?
- VENEZUELA: Police cell deaths highlight criminal justice crisis
- VENEZUELA: Essequibo dispute provides a political wild card
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: End of the line for Lula
- BRAZIL: Temer back on the defensive
- ARGENTINA: Football rocked by sexual abuse claims
- CHILE: Students threaten fresh unrest
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Meade throws down challenge to rivals
- MEXICO: Reproved over human rights
- TRACKING TRENDS
Postscript
- Security issues still daunting in Colombia
- Quotes of the week
After an electoral process characterised by multiple twists and turns, Costa Rica’s presidential run-off delivered yet another surprise on 1 April – a landslide victory for Carlos Alvarado Quesada of the ruling centre-left Partido Acción Ciudadana (PAC).
Weekly Report - 28 March 2018 (WR-18-12)
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- Peru’s Vizcarra gears up for challenges ahead
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Duque steals a march on rivals
- ECUADOR: Moreno eyeing big shake-up
- VENEZUELA: Maduro launches petro, relaunches bolívar
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: What was Cambridge Analytica doing in Brazil?
- BRAZIL: Change in fortunes for Lula?
- URUGUAY: Deepening ties with Finland
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Future of economic policy under debate
- MEXICO: Disappearance cases put Jalisco on high alert
Central America & Caribbean
- EL SALVADOR: Ortiz given tough FMLN rescue mission
- GUATEMALA: Morales withdraws military from citizen security
- COSTA RICA: Polls provide few clues ahead of run-off
Postscript
- Chile’s Piñera wrestles with age-old disputes
- Quotes of the week
Martín Vizcarra delivered a confident inaugural address after being sworn-in as Peru’s new president on 23 March.
Weekly Report - 22 March 2018 (WR-18-11)
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- Scandal-hit Kuczynski resigns to avoid impeachment
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Maduro performs purge as petro pummelled
- COLOMBIA: Farc dissidents provide major headache
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Highs and lows of the Lula caravan
- BRAZIL: Getting crowded in the centre
- ARGENTINA: Looking to get tough on drug trafficking
- CHILE: Piñera sparks first tensions with opposition
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: New police search powers provoke polemic
- MEXICO: Presidential candidates promise sweeping reform
Central America & Caribbean
- HONDURAS: UN hails start of dialogue process
- TRACKING TRENDS
Postscript
- G-20 meeting passes off successfully for Argentina’s Macri
- Quotes of the week
Peru’s President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski tendered his resignation on 21 March, the day before he was scheduled to appear before congress and fight a second attempt to impeach him in the space of three months.
Weekly Report - 15 March 2018 (WR-18-10)
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- Colombian congressional result should propel Vargas Lleras into contention
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Edgy Maduro cracks down on dissent
- ECUADOR: Moreno rises above institutional power clash
Brazil & Southern Cone
- CHILE: Piñera reprises reins of power
- BRAZIL: Gomes joins the fray
- ARGENTINA: Tensions with the industrialists
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Anaya defiantly registers candidacy
Central America & Caribbean
- EL SALVADOR: FMLN pummelled in congressional elections
- GUATEMALA: Police chief ejection reignites transparency concerns
Postscript
- Latest Mexican intervention smacks of desperation
- Quotes of the week
The majority of Colombia’s political parties could claim a victory of some sort in the congressional elections on 11 March but the biggest winner was Germán Vargas Lleras, whose right-of-centre party, Cambio Radical (CR), excelled.
Weekly Report - 08 March 2018 (WR-18-09)
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- Electoral violence takes new form
Andean
- PERU: Kuczynski dependent on Kenji for survival
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Proposed US trade restrictions raise fears
- ARGENTINA: Teachers test Macri’s nerve
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Corruption battle working in López Obrador’s favour
- MEXICO: Following the Kushner track
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- HAITI: At odds with the UN
- PANAMA: Opposition pre-electoral manoeuvring starts
- TRACKING TRENDS
Postscript
- Assured Macri opens Argentine congress
- Quotes of the week
The threat posed by illegal armed groups to elections in Colombia might have diminished, but the present electoral process is still shaping up as one of the most violent and aggressive in years.
Weekly Report - 01 March 2018 (WR-18-08)
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- Temer goes head-to-head with Bolsonaro in Brazil
Andean
- COLOMBIA: ELN attack has electoral impact
- VENEZUELA: Falcón breaks ranks to oppose Maduro
Brazil & Southern Cone
- PARAGUAY: Legal challenges shake up electoral contest
- URUGUAY: Vázquez in the spotlight over nepotism
- ARGENTINA-BOLIVIA: Health costs cool relations with Bolivia
- CHILE: Piñera makes gubernatorial appointments
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: No go for Peña Nieto-Trump meeting
- MEXICO: Anaya under fire
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- COSTA RICA: Manoeuvring under way ahead of run-off
- TRACKING TRENDS
Postscript
- Chile’s Bachelet makes final foreign trip
- Quotes of the week
Brazil’s President Michel Temer is armed with a new political strategy.
Weekly Report - 22 February 2018 (WR-18-07)
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- Progress and setbacks in anti-impunity efforts in Northern Triangle
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Maduro tables economic and political solutions
- PERU: Kuczynski bogged down
- COLOMBIA-VENEZUELA: Dangerous frontiers
- COLOMBIA: Uribe faces new witness-tampering claim
Brazil & Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Honours even as Moyano takes on Macri
- ARGENTINA: Andorra account forces resignation
- BRAZIL: Military tighten grip in Rio
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Six will contest presidency
- MEXICO: Cartel Jalisco poses new threat
Central America & Caribbean
- EL SALVADOR: Pre-electoral surveys augur badly for FMLN
Postscript
- The rise and fall of Brazil’s Luislinda Valois
- Quotes of the week
Guatemala’s former president Alvaro Colom (2008-2012) was arrested last week, becoming the country’s fourth leader to be accused of corruption by the United Nations-backed anti-impunity commission in Guatemala (Cicig) and the attorney general’s office (AG).
Weekly Report - 15 February 2018 (WR-18-06)
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- López Obrador lays down marker in Mexico
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Are electoral threats diminishing?
- VENEZUELA: Maduro undeterred as pressure builds
- PERU: Clashing with Corte-IDH
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- ARGENTINA: Macri and Moyano go head to head
- BRAZIL: Carnival gets political
- BRAZIL: Setback for the bullets, beef and bible caucus
- CHILE: Fallout from ‘Operación Huracán’ makes waves
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- NICARAGUA: Ortega under pressure over corruption
Postscript
- Referendum triumph could come at a cost for Ecuador’s Moreno
- Quotes of the week
Mexico’s pre-campaign ahead of presidential and congressional elections on 1 July is over.
Weekly Report - 08 February 2018 (WR-18-05)
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- Spectre of Monroe haunts Tillerson on regional swing
Andean
- ECUADOR: Moreno beats Correa but now needs to deliver
- COLOMBIA: Prioritising protection of community leaders
- VENEZUELA: Forced into devaluation
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Brazil’s judicial overreach
- ARGENTINA: Chocobar incident sparks debate on crime
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: New archbishop faces big challenges
Central America & Caribbean
- COSTA RICA: Costa Rica’s first round reveals new political landscape
- PANAMA: Varela faces judicial setback
Postscript
- April election date for Venezuela as talks fail
- Quotes of the week
After one year in the job, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson went on his first major trip through the region between 1 and 7 February.
Weekly Report - 01 February 2018 (WR-18-04)
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- Past and future of Colombian armed conflict overlap
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Opposition clutches at straws
- PERU: Family rift splits Fujimorismo
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Guardians of the State expanding
- CHILE: Piñera’s cabinet raises eyebrows
- ARGENTINA: Macri leads by example in state cost-cutting
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Meade looks to take the initiative
- TRACKING TRENDS
Central America & Caribbean
- HONDURAS: Hernández takes office against troubling backdrop
- COSTA RICA: Major twist ahead of polling day
Postscript
- Probe sheds light on death of Brazilian judge
- Quotes of the week
“We will create the conditions for a new Colombia,” ‘Timochenko’ (Rodrigo Londoño Echeverri), formerly the maximum leader of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Farc), announced during the official launch of his presidential candidacy on 27 January.
Weekly Report - 25 January 2018 (WR-18-03)
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- Maduro bets on early elections to exploit opposition divisions
Andean
- COLOMBIA: Political realignments cause pre-electoral tension
- PERU: Kuczynski’s woes continue
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Court dismisses Lula’s appeal
- CHILE: Pope’s visit marred by controversy
- URUGUAY: Autoconvocados flex their muscles
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Homicides and oil pipeline theft surge
Central America & Caribbean
- GUATEMALA: Morales at half way point
- CUBA: Deputies to choose Castro’s successor nominated
Postscript
- Ecuador’s Moreno on course for big victory
- Quotes of the week
Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro is calling snap elections eight months ahead of schedule.
Weekly Report - 18 January 2018 (WR-18-02)
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- Argentina’s Macri prepares for showdown with unions
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Maduro bolstered by opposition rift
- ECUADOR: Ruling party succumbs to schism
- COLOMBIA: UN expresses concern over peace process progress
- TRACKING TRENDS
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: Reclaiming Brazil’s middle ground
- PARAGUAY: Death of EPP hostages opens new security debate
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: Politics turned upside down
Central America & Caribbean
- EL SALVADOR: A bad week for relations with The White House
- HONDURAS: Hernández urges talks as violence flares up
Postscript
- Security dominates Costa Rican electoral debate
- Quotes of the week
“Don’t twist the lion’s tail.” This warning was issued by one of Argentina’s most powerful trade union leaders, Luis Barrionuevo, this week.
Weekly Report - 11 January 2018 (WR-18-01)
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- Peru’s Kuczynski faces backlash over Fujimori pardon
Andean
- VENEZUELA: Maduro picks up unwanted records
- COLOMBIA: ELN peace talks suspended
- BOLIVIA: Morales pledges health sector overhaul
Brazil & Southern Cone
- BRAZIL: The exodus continues
- BRAZIL: Góias: a tragedy foretold
- ARGENTINA: Adjusting economic targets, monetary policy?
- URUGUAY: Vázquez confronts conflictive start to year
- TRACKING TRENDS
Mexico & Nafta
- MEXICO: López Obrador buoyed by rivals’ travails
Central America & Caribbean
- HONDURAS: Hernández prepares to take office
Postscript
- Paraguay legalises medicinal marijuana
- Quotes of the week
Peru’s President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski’s momentous decision to pardon former president Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) will not just define his political legacy but also impact the country’s international image.