Americas Quarterly

The latest edition of The Americas This Week features Brenda Estefan on Mexico's challenges with Trump 2.0, a profile of Ricardo Monreal by Nick Burns, Guilherme Casarões on why Bolsonaro may need his "Trump" card, and analysis of Yamandú Orsi's victory in Uruguay's presidential election. 

NEW: Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others have been formally indicted on charges related to alleged plans for a violent coup d’état. And yet, Bolsonaro may still be able to return to power, thanks in part to his "Trump" card, writes Guilherme Casarões: "Many in bolsonarista circles believe their alliance with the United States, plus movements in the Brazilian Congress that were already underway, is the master plan that will still allow Bolsonaro to run again in 2026." https://lnkd.in/eugEAR4S

NEW: From threats of tariffs to plans for mass deportations, Mexico is preparing to confront the reality of Trump 2.0. Brenda Estefan takes stock of the monumental challenges ahead for Mexico as it plans negotiations on security, migration and business with the Trump administration: https://lnkd.in/eY4D6rvd

NEW: Yamandú Orsi has won Uruguay's presidential election. Top experts share their analysis of what his victory means for the future of the country's politics and economy. Read reactions from Ernesto Revilla, Amparo Mercader and Verónica Pérez Betancur: https://lnkd.in/erkwwm9P

NEW: As head of the lower house in Mexico’s Congress, Ricardo Monreal is leading Morena’s sweeping overhaul of the country’s laws. Nick Burns takes stock of Monreal’s political career, his rocky relationship with other Morena figures, and what’s ahead for the powerful legislator: https://lnkd.in/e_RTvU3b

The latest edition of The Americas This Week features Rich Brown on what Trump 2.0 could mean for Latin America's remittance flows, Luis Fernando Mejía on the fiscal implications of Colombia's decentralization, Mauricio Santoro on the G20 in Rio and more.

NEW: Colombia’s Congress is discussing a sweeping constitutional reform that would increase revenue transfers to municipalities and departments, fulfilling a long-sought aspiration by mayors and governors for further autonomy and decentralization in the country. Most lawmakers and local authorities support the proposal, but despite the enthusiasm, the reform risks placing the nation’s fiscal accounts on an unsustainable path, writes Luis Fernando Mejía. #colombia #decentralization #fiscalpolicy https://lnkd.in/ef-GQEvB

NEW: For decades, remittances have been a critical pillar of Latin American and Caribbean economies, representing a lifeline for the poorest families and a major boost for the region’s middle classes, writes Rich Brown. A record $159 billion was received last year, up from $62 billion a decade ago. But now the landscape may change. During his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump promised to deport millions of undocumented workers and restrict legal immigration to the U.S. to reset the nation’s migration policy, potentially reducing the number of senders and the amount of money flowing to the region. Meanwhile, proposals to tax remittances are gaining traction in Washington and some state legislatures. The combination of policies could significantly reduce the flow of remittances, undermining economic growth and potentially provoking instability in a region caught in a protracted low-growth trap, economists and analysts told AQ. #remittances #trump #uslatinamerica https://lnkd.in/eYJKmEHf

NEW: Starting today, Brazil is hosting the G20 Summit of international leaders in Rio de Janeiro. It’s a crowning diplomatic highlight of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s third presidential term. But it also lays bare several problems he is facing, both in foreign policy and Brazilian domestic politics, writes Mauricio Santoro. Lula is dealing with fierce right-wing opposition at home and has made little progress in his ambitious bid to serve as an intermediary in global conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The summit is a marquee venue for addressing issues like inequality and hunger that are dear to Lula, and achievements like a global anti-hunger alliance could come out of this summit. However, other priorities, like reform to multilateral institutions, implementing a global tax on billionaires, and promoting climate action, seem increasingly overshadowed by the imminent return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency. #brazil #foreignpolicy #g20 https://lnkd.in/g3Fb89Mt

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Florida Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, making him potentially the first Latino to hold the position. The three-term senator, a son of Cuban immigrants, was born in Miami and was highly influential on Latin America policy during Trump’s first administration. That influence is now likely to grow. He has consistently spoken out against dictatorships in Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. He has also criticized some of Latin America’s leftist leaders for their positions on Venezuela and China’s presence in the region. Read Emilie Sweigart's roundup of Rubio's public comments on Latin America, which hints at how he might direct the U.S.'s foreign policy. #latinamerica #uspolicy https://lnkd.in/efaj4QVu