In this episode on The LatinNews Podcast, we are joined by Marla Dukharan, economist and advisor on the Caribbean, who discusses the financial challenges Caribbean nations face due to increasing climate disasters, the role of international aid, and potential solutions like insurance and fiscal responsibility. The conversation delves into the Bridgetown Initiative, which aims to improve access to concessional financing. While acknowledging the initiative's intent, Marla raises concerns about its reliance on debt as a primary solution. She argues that without addressing the underlying fiscal vulnerabilities, such initiatives may fall short in delivering meaningful change. Marla reflects on the broader shifts in the global financial landscape regarding climate adaptation. She notes the growing recognition of climate issues among international financial institutions, yet stresses that progress is not happening quickly enough. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Illegal gold mining in the Amazon is about far more than what happens at the extraction site. In this episode of The LatinNews Podcast, Richard McColl speaks with Melina Risso, Research Director at the Igarapé Institute in Brazil, about the networks that allow illegally mined gold to enter legitimate markets and move across borders. They discuss the growing involvement of organised crime and local elites, regulatory gaps across the Amazon, and how stronger controls and new tracing technologies could help keep illicit gold out of global supply chains. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of The LatinNews Podcast, host Richard McColl speaks with Glaeldys González, Andean Region Analyst at International Crisis Group, about the challenges facing Colombia at the beginning of President Abelardo de la Espriella's administration. The recent earthquake provides an immediate test for the new government, adding further pressure to an already serious humanitarian situation. Beyond the emergency response, attention is turning to President de la Espriella's security agenda, which includes forced coca eradication, the capture of criminal leaders and plans to construct ten megaprisons. Richard and Glaeldys discuss the influence of President Nayib Bukele's security model and the legacy of former president Gustavo Petro's Total Peace policy, as Colombia once again shifts its approach to armed and criminal groups. The episode also considers closer relations with the United States, changing political alliances across the region and tensions with Nicaragua. The discussion draws on International Crisis Group's new report, From Total Peace to Iron Fist: Colombia's Risky Turn to Hard Security, and considers the limits of a mano dura strategy in a country where criminal groups have become increasingly fragmented and adaptable. Security operations are only part of the picture, with territorial development, stronger state institutions and dialogue remaining central to any longer-term response. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of the LatinNews Podcast, we speak with investigative journalist Jennifer Ávila, co-founder of Contracorriente, about the current political and social landscape in Honduras. We discuss the challenges facing President Nasri Asfura's administration, the influence of US policy on migration and security, the return of former president Juan Orlando Hernández, and the country's evolving political dynamics. The conversation also explores organized crime, violence against women, and Honduras' role as a testing ground for new political and economic ideas. Follow Jennifer Ávila's work at www.contracorriente.red (http://www.contracorriente.red) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Critical minerals are becoming central to the global economy, underpinning everything from electric vehicles and renewable energy to advanced manufacturing and national security. Latin America possesses some of the world's largest reserves of copper, lithium and other strategic minerals, placing the region at the centre of an increasingly competitive global landscape. But resource wealth alone is no guarantee of long-term prosperity. Can Latin American countries strengthen governance, attract investment and capture greater value from the energy transition while managing environmental and social challenges? In this episode of The LatinNews Podcast, Richard McColl speaks with Professor Cynthia Sanborn, Director of the Centro de Estudios sobre China y Asia-Pacífico (CECHAP) at the Universidad del Pacífico in Peru. Together, they examine the region's critical minerals sector, the governance challenges surrounding resource development, China's growing role in Latin America, and what will determine whether the region can become a global leader in the industries of the future. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Keiko Fujimori has secured the presidency at the fourth time of asking, bringing an end to one of the country's longest-running political stories. After years of presidential impeachments, institutional confrontation and economic uncertainty, expectations are high that her government could usher in a period of greater stability. But significant challenges remain. Can Fujimori build the political consensus needed to govern? Will her administration revive investor confidence and unlock Peru's mining potential? And how will Lima navigate an increasingly competitive international environment shaped by both Washington and Beijing? In this episode of The LatinNews Podcast, Richard McColl speaks with Dr John Crabtree, Research Associate at the Latin American Centre at the University of Oxford and editor of Mining and the Peruvian State: Social and Environmental Sustainability. Together, they examine the election result, Peru's political outlook, the prospects for economic reform, the future of the mining sector, and what a Fujimori presidency could mean for Peru's place in Latin America and beyond. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the complex political and security landscape of Guatemala with expert Tiziano Breda. We discuss recent developments, challenges in governance, gang violence, and the influence of international actors, providing insights into the country's future prospects. When President Bernardo Arevalo took office in 2023, many were hopeful for a fresh start in Guatemalan politics. However, his administration has faced numerous obstacles, including constant legal threats and political maneuvering aimed at undermining his authority. The former Attorney General, Consuelo Porras, has been particularly aggressive in her attempts to nullify the election results and impede Arevalo's legislative agenda. Tiziano Breda, Senior Analyst for Latin America and the Caribbean for ACLED (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data) speaks to the LatinNews podcast about the deterioration in security in Guatemala, the current government's move to a more hardline stance on crime and the country's relationship with the United States. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode explores the complex security and political landscape of El Salvador under President Nayib Bukele, featuring insights from expert José Salguero. We discuss the history of gang violence, the security policies implemented, and the implications for democracy and regional influence. Nayib Bukele's rise to power was marked by promises of security and stability. However, as Salguero points out, the current security situation cannot be attributed solely to Bukele's policies. Instead, it is a culmination of various factors, including previous government actions and historical trends. Looking ahead, the question remains: will El Salvador ever exit this state of exception? Salguero suggests that the historical context reveals a pattern in which authoritarian regimes maintain power by manipulating public fear and securing compliance through promises of stability. Hailing from El Salvador, José Salguero is a PhD candidate at the Philipps University of Marburg, a Development Economist and Peace and Security Researcher. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Ecuador is undergoing a profound political and security transformation. Once regarded as one of the more stable countries in Latin America, it now faces escalating violence, institutional strain and growing political tension. In this episode of The LatinNews Podcast, Richard McColl speaks with Samuele Mazzolini, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Global Fellow and researcher at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and FLACSO Ecuador, about the forces reshaping Ecuador under President Daniel Noboa. The discussion examines the rapid expansion of organised crime, the fragmentation of local gangs, the limits of the government’s security strategy and the broader weakening of state institutions. We also look at Noboa’s increasingly confrontational political style, tensions with Colombia, and the growing role of the United States in Ecuador’s security landscape. As insecurity spreads beyond the country’s traditional hotspots and public frustration rises, the episode asks a broader question: what has happened to Ecuador’s stability, and where is the country heading next? Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of The LatinNews Podcast, we explore recent political developments in Mexico, including US indictments of Mexican politicians, the influence of organised crime, and the implications for Mexico-US relations. Guest expert Tony Payan provides deep insights into the complex web of politics, crime, and international pressure. Tony Payan, PhD, is the Claudio X. Gonzalez Fellow in US-Mexico Studies, the Françoise and Edward Djerejian Fellow for Mexico Studies, and the executive director of the Claudio X. González Center for the US and Mexico at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. He is also a professor of social sciences at the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico. We look at events rapidly unfolding in Mexico and put them into context for President Sheinbaum as the country approaches elections in 2027 and amid signs of strain within the Morena party. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.