In this episode of Sustainable LatAm, the panel dives deep into the complex geopolitical, economic, and social forces shaping Central America today. The discussion analyzes the region's political shift toward the populist right, highlighting recent elections in Honduras and Costa Rica. It alsotackles the escalating security crisis across the region. The experts examine the potential fallout from the death of El Mencho, the leader of the powerful Jalisco Nueva Generacion Cartel, and contrast the regional drug violence with the aggressive, militarized anti-crime approach taken by President Bukele in El Salvador.

Beyond regional politics, the episode explores the intensifying superpower competition between the U.S. and China for control of infrastructure and resources, using the Panama Canal ports as a prime example. Finally, the panel addresses the looming economic threat that Artificial Intelligence poses to Central America's crucial call center industry, wrapping up with their mixed predictions for the region's outlook in 2030.

Production: Sustainable LatAm

Presenters

• Andrew Thompson - International journalist & political-risk analyst with deep LatAm coverage (OBG, EIU, Latin News; ex-Head BBC Learning English).
• Alberto Souviron - International journalist and digital comms leader for EM investors; ex BBC/Newsweek/Lloyd’s Register.
• Julian Seydoux - AI-driven finance entrepreneur (FirmView AI, Fast Audit AI); ex-Moody’s/Consilium; cross-border EM & LatAm focus.

In this edition of Sustainable LatAm, we explore the monumental—and often tumultuous—Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). After a quarter-century of negotiations, is this deal finally ready to launch, or will legal challenges and internal politics hold it back?

Andrew Thompson, Alberto Souviron, and Julian Seydoux are joined by special guest Débora Toledo (International Director and Partner at Grupo Lacer) to dissect the agreement's true value. Beyond the headline GDP figures, the team discusses the strategic necessity for Europe to secure resource partners, the reality of sustainable agriculture in Brazil, and how Mercosur is actively diversifying its alliances in a shifting global order.

Production: Sustainable LatAm

Presenters

• Andrew Thompson - International journalist & political-risk analyst with deep LatAm coverage (OBG, EIU, Latin News; ex-Head BBC Learning English).
• Alberto Souviron - International journalist and digital comms leader for EM investors; ex BBC/Newsweek/Lloyd’s Register.
• Julian Seydoux - AI-driven finance entrepreneur (FirmView AI, Fast Audit AI); ex-Moody’s/Consilium; cross-border EM & LatAm focus.

In this episode, we sit down with Jose M. Linares, Senior Executive Vice President and Global Head of Corporate & Investment Banking at Banco Santander. He provides an insider’s perspective on the shifting economic tides in Latin America. We explore the changes in Bolivia, the pro-business momentum in Argentina, and the challenges and opportunities for Brazil. From the energy transition and the mineral demands of AI to the massive infrastructure deficit, Jose explains why he is more optimistic about the region today than at any point since the 1990s.

Production: Sustainable LatAm

Presenters

• Andrew Thompson - International journalist & political-risk analyst with deep LatAm coverage (OBG, EIU, Latin News; ex-Head BBC Learning English).
• Alberto Souviron - International journalist and digital comms leader for EM investors; ex BBC/Newsweek/Lloyd’s Register.
• Julian Seydoux - AI-driven finance entrepreneur (FirmView AI, Fast Audit AI); ex-Moody’s/Consilium; cross-border EM & LatAm focus.

"The world woke up to a different geopolitical map on January 4th."

In this episode, we break down the shocking events of January 3, 2026—the day the United States military launched Operation Absolute Resolve. In a daring and controversial nighttime raid, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, whisking them away to New York to face narcoterrorism charges.

But as the dust settles in Caracas, the questions are only just beginning. We dive deep into the legal, political, and economic fallout of an intervention that has no modern parallel.

We analyze

• The Legality of 'Absolute Resolve.'
• The Oil vs. Democracy Debate
• The China Factor
• Venezuelan reality: Delcy Rodríguez, the Venezuelan Army and the Oposition
• The Latin American Ripple Effect
• The Future: Risks and Opportunities

Production: Sustainable LatAm

Presenters

• Andrew Thompson - International journalist & political-risk analyst with deep LatAm coverage (OBG, EIU, Latin News; ex-Head BBC Learning English).
• Alberto Souviron - International journalist and digital comms leader for EM investors; ex BBC/Newsweek/Lloyd’s Register.
• Julian Seydoux - AI-driven finance entrepreneur (FirmView AI, Fast Audit AI); ex-Moody’s/Consilium; cross-border EM & LatAm focus.

What does the roadmap for Latin America look like in 2026? In this episode of Sustainable Latin America, we move beyond the headlines to provide a comprehensive outlook on the region’s geopolitical and economic future.

As a new "Cold War" competition intensifies between a second Trump administration and Xi Jinping’s China, Latin America is finding itself in a unique position of leverage. We analyze the "Triangular Relationship" and why 2026 is being hailed as a year of "cautious optimism" and strategic opportunity.

Key Topics Covered:

• The 2026 Election Marathon: A look at the high-stakes presidential races in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, and what the "Blue Tide" (market-friendly shift) means for investors.
• The Energy & AI Nexus: Why Latin America’s rare earth minerals and energy grids are now the "fuel" for the global AI revolution.
• Trade Wars & "The Great Auction": How regional leaders are balancing US trade pressures against China’s massive infrastructure investments.
• The Mercosur-EU "Last Stand": An update on the 25-year-old trade agreement—will it finally cross the finish line or be abandoned for good?
• Economic Resilience: Why 3% growth is actually a victory, and which countries (like Argentina and Brazil) are standing out in the 2026 forecast.

Timestamps:

• [00:01:45] – US Strategic Review: Latin America as a 2026 priority.
• [00:11:30] – The 2026 Forecast: Comparing GDP growth to the "lost decade."
• [00:17:45] – Election Calendar: Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Costa Rica.
• [00:23:50] – The EU-Mercosur update: The "Third Way" for regional sovereignty.
• [00:36:45] – Closing Thoughts: Why 2026 is a year of "cautious optimism."

Production: Sustainable LatAm

Presenters

• Andrew Thompson - International journalist & political-risk analyst with deep LatAm coverage (OBG, EIU, Latin News; ex-Head BBC Learning English).
• Alberto Souviron - International journalist and digital comms leader for EM investors; ex BBC/Newsweek/Lloyd’s Register.
• Julian Seydoux - AI-driven finance entrepreneur (FirmView AI, Fast Audit AI); ex-Moody’s/Consilium; cross-border EM & LatAm focus.

The U.S. National Security Strategy released on Friday is a major statement of intent — one that sets the tone for the administration’s worldview and signals a more assertive approach toward the Western Hemisphere.

Here is a brief AI-generated audio summary of what the new NSS represents for Latin America. The takeaway is clear: this strategy marks a seismic shift, placing the region far higher on Washington’s strategic map — from critical minerals and energy transitions to governance, security cooperation, and countering external influence.

While the audio may contain inaccuracies, it captures the core direction of travel.

In an upcoming episode, we'll dive deeper into the implications of this shift at Sustainable LatAm.

Production: Sustainable LatAm

Presenters

• Andrew Thompson - International journalist & political-risk analyst with deep LatAm coverage (OBG, EIU, Latin News; ex-Head BBC Learning English).
• Alberto Souviron - International journalist and digital comms leader for EM investors; ex BBC/Newsweek/Lloyd’s Register.
• Julian Seydoux - AI-driven finance entrepreneur (FirmView AI, Fast Audit AI); ex-Moody’s/Consilium; cross-border EM & LatAm focus.

Los últimos resultados electorales en América Latina, especialmente al sur de la región, reflejan un giro hacia la derecha o la centro derecha. ¿Por qué? ¿Esta tendencia hacia la derecha llega para quedarse o es solo el reflejo del desgaste de los gobiernos progresistas? Analizamos aquí, la magnitud de esta nueva marea conservadora, su alcance y los desafíos que enfrenta.

The latest election results in Latin America, particularly in the south of the region, reflect a shift towards the right or centre-right. Why? Is this rightward trend here to stay, or is it merely a reflection of the fatigue surrounding progressive governments? Here, we analyse the magnitude of this new conservative tide, its scope, and the challenges it faces.

Production: Sustainable LatAm

Presenters

• Andrew Thompson - International journalist & political-risk analyst with deep LatAm coverage (OBG, EIU, Latin News; ex-Head BBC Learning English).
• Alberto Souviron - International journalist and digital comms leader for EM investors; ex BBC/Newsweek/Lloyd’s Register.
• Julian Seydoux - AI-driven finance entrepreneur (FirmView AI, Fast Audit AI); ex-Moody’s/Consilium; cross-border EM & LatAm focus.

La llegada de Rodrigo Paz a la presidencia de Bolivia marca un cambio histórico en el país. Luego de alrededor de dos décadas de gobierno del Movimiento al Socialismo, con hegemonía total, el país optó por una corriente de centro-derecha. Sin embargo, ¿qué significa este cambio de dirección? ¿Qué país recibe Rodrigo Paz? ¿Cuáles son las perspectivas reales de cambio en medio de una de las peores crisis económicas que ha vivido el país?

Production: Sustainable LatAm

Presenters

• Andrew Thompson - International journalist & political-risk analyst with deep LatAm coverage (OBG, EIU, Latin News; ex-Head BBC Learning English).
• Alberto Souviron - International journalist and digital comms leader for EM investors; ex BBC/Newsweek/Lloyd’s Register.
• Julian Seydoux - AI-driven finance entrepreneur (FirmView AI, Fast Audit AI); ex-Moody’s/Consilium; cross-border EM & LatAm focus.