Latin America (Video)

The United States and other foreign countries have imposed crippling sanctions against the governments of Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro and Cuba's Miguel Diaz-Canel due to the rule of their authoritarian leaders. Those countries are seeking support elsewhere including with some of the adversaries of the U.S. government. Nicaragua has re-established ties with China in an effort to subvert the economic pressure imposed by the United States. Richard Feinberg hosts a discussion with Cynthia Arnson, Francisco Monaldi, and John Polga-Hemovich on which governments are supporting authoritarian leaders in Latin America. Series: "Institute of the Americas" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 38109]

Mexico is the 10th most populous country, 15th largest economy in the world, and is connected with the United States through its geographic border and strong economic, cultural, and historical ties. California was once Mexico, so it is no surprise that there have been centuries of migrant flows throughout the region. The two countries share nearly 2,000-miles of border, are partners in trade and commerce, and share a fluid binational culture. However, this symbiotic and mutually beneficial US-Mexico relationship has not been part of the national narrative for many decades. Series: "Design at Large" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Business] [Show ID: 38221]

Authoritarianism is a form of government characterized by the rejection of political plurality, the use of strong central power to preserve the political status quo, and reductions in the rule of law, separation of powers, and democratic voting. Latin America has seen the rise of authoritarian states in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Institute of the Americas President and CEO Richard Kiy moderates a discussion with Alberto Vollmer and Richard Feinberg discussing fresh thoughts and ideas regarding current U.S. policies toward authoritarian states. The panel also considers what can be done to keep the current regimes in check and prevent other states in Latin America from falling under authoritarian rule. Series: "Institute of the Americas" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 38108]

Growing up in Bakersfield, California, Manuel Vargas had parents who instilled the value of education and learning in him at an early age. Starting his academic career at a local community college, he found his way to UC Davis and then graduate school and a Ph.D. program. He is now a professor at UC San Diego and his research focuses on the history of philosophy in Latin America. He shares what life is like as a professor and his advice for prospective and current college students. Series: "Education Channel" [Humanities] [Education] [Show ID: 37938]

The international community and the United States, under both Republican and Democratic Administrations, have failed, by almost any measure, to effectively address the re-emergence of authoritarianism in the Western Hemisphere. The forthcoming virtual forum is being organized in an effort to better understand the roots and resilience of these regimes (especially in Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua) and the rapidly evolving international context that facilitates their survival, particularly in light of the Russian/Ukrainian conflict. The forum aims to elicit fresh perspectives to inform future policies of the U.S. government, other international actors, and engaged civil society organizations. The Institute of the Americas is organizing this forum in an effort to help catalyze fresh thinking on U.S. policy vis-à-vis authoritarian states in the Americas in anticipation of the United States’ hosted IX Summit of the Americas scheduled in Los Angeles, CA in early June. Series: "Institute of the Americas" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 38107]

Autocrat, dictator, and socialist. These are just some of the terms that could be used to describe three of Latin America's most controversial leaders - Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, and Cuba's Miguel Diaz-Canel. Despite several elections which in some cases have seen opponents win, they remain in power. This is a cause for concern as other countries such as El Salvador begin to see the erosion of democratic institutions. With the three leaders not on good terms with the Biden administration, they have not been extended invitations to the IX Summit of the Americas. Richard Feinberg moderates a panel of Javier Corrales, William LeoGrande, and Victor Shih to discuss why these three leaders are still in power. Series: "Institute of the Americas" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 38106]

In September, the Lopez Obrador administration sent an initiative to Congress aimed at amending the constitution and completely restructuring the electric sector and market. The administration has set forth specific criticisms of the prevailing market structure, particularly with regards to the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE). The Institute of the Americas authored white paper, “Clean Energy Cost-Savings: A Study of Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE),” provides an assessment of the impacts both in terms of CFE’s financial outlook and emissions profile. The purchase of clean energy through the auctions in order to obtain the corresponding CEL certificates has allowed CFE to avoid variable generation costs at its thermoelectric plants, which would have been far higher than the cost of purchasing the clean energy. Indeed, the amount saved can be estimated based on fossil fuel use avoided and cost of the emissions that would have been generated, as we review in detail. Series: "Hemisphere in Transition" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 37621]

El Instituto de las Américas presenta el foro “Relaciones Bilaterales Estados Unidos-Ecuador Post COVID: Reconstruyendo Mejor Juntos” para ayudar a catalizar un mayor compromiso del sector privado, de inversión y desarrollo económico en Ecuador. El foro incluye presentaciones de altos funcionarios de la Administración Lasso sobre la agenda comercial y económica de Ecuador, así como las relaciones bilaterales entre Estados Unidos y Ecuador en cuanto a energía y cambio climático, y el impacto de COVID-19 en el sistema educativo del país. Series: "Hemisphere in Transition" [Public Affairs] [Spanish Language] [Show ID: 37422]

El Instituto de las Américas presenta el foro “Relaciones Bilaterales Estados Unidos-Ecuador Post COVID: Reconstruyendo Mejor Juntos” para ayudar a catalizar un mayor compromiso del sector privado, de inversión y desarrollo económico en Ecuador. El foro incluye presentaciones de altos funcionarios de la Administración Lasso sobre la agenda comercial y económica de Ecuador, así como las relaciones bilaterales entre Estados Unidos y Ecuador en cuanto a energía y cambio climático, y el impacto de COVID-19 en el sistema educativo del país. Series: "Hemisphere in Transition" [Public Affairs] [Spanish Language] [Show ID: 37421]

El Instituto de las Américas presenta el foro “Relaciones Bilaterales Estados Unidos-Ecuador Post COVID: Reconstruyendo Mejor Juntos” para ayudar a catalizar un mayor compromiso del sector privado, de inversión y desarrollo económico en Ecuador. El foro incluye presentaciones de altos funcionarios de la Administración Lasso sobre la agenda comercial y económica de Ecuador, así como las relaciones bilaterales entre Estados Unidos y Ecuador en cuanto a energía y cambio climático, y el impacto de COVID-19 en el sistema educativo del país. Series: "Hemisphere in Transition" [Public Affairs] [Spanish Language] [Show ID: 37420]