An old foe. No doubt, inflation is back. Central banks across Latin America are trying to tame it while leaders seek to reassure their citizens about rising prices. 

In a Latin America in Focus episode that’s part history lesson, Otaviano Canuto, a fellow at the Policy Center for the New South and former World Bank vice president, talks with AS/COA Online’s Luisa Leme about how the region can learn from the past to avoid a macroeconomic meltdown. Listen to the episode.

You can subscribe to Latin America in Focus at Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

It’s a go for Petro. In a runoff that saw record turnout, Gustavo Petro, the former Bogotá mayor and ex-guerrillero, snagged the win to become Colombia’s first leftist president. Will he be able to achieve his agenda? Read about the results and what’s to come.

History was made in more ways than one as Petro’s running mate Francia Márquez is destined to become the country’s first Afro-Colombian vice president. Learn more about who she is and what her leadership means for the country.

Great Expectations. Gabriel Boric, Chile’s millennial president, marked his first 100 days in office on June 19. He’s tried to meet the high expectations of voters, but he’s had to face economic woes, security issues, and a looming constitutional rewrite. Read an overview covering his presidential start.

If I could turn back time. Brazil's ex-President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva governed during a commodity boom and established himself as a popular leader. Now, he’s running for president again on a promise to bring the good times back. Writing in Foreign Affairs, AS/COA Vice President Brian Winter profiles the leader and evaluates his nostalgic appeal. 

Check Lula’s presidential prospects in our regularly updated Brazil election poll tracker.

Homework. The Summit of the Americas, held earlier this month in Los Angeles, generated a slew of sideline deals and accords. Writing in World Politics Review, AS/COA Senior Director Steve Liston outlines the Summit’s initiatives while noting that the United States fell short on launching a hemispheric vision at the event.

What’s coming up in Latin America? 

• July 4: Chile finalizes its draft constitution. Read about the process and the document’s key articles.

THEY SAID WHAT?

• In one of his first acts as president-elect, Gustavo Petro made contact with Caracas about reopening the border. (El Espectador)
• Mexico’s new oil refinery’s cost doubles to as much as $18 billion. (Bloomberg)
• Argentina’s presidents keep redesigning the currency. Here’s why. (The New Republic)
• What was the digital tool Rodolfo Hernández used to make it into Colombia’s runoff? Spoiler: it wasn’t TikTok. (Rest of World)

Uruguay’s position, for the third year in a row, in the 2022 Capacity to Combat Corruption Index. It’s the fourth edition of the tool published by AS/COA and Control Risks, evaluating 15 Latin American countries’ capacity to detect, punish, and prevent corruption.

5th

The Dominican Republic's placement in the index—the biggest jump of all countries measured. The index credits reforms, such as a new law that promotes transparency in public contracts, by the Abinader government.


13th

Guatemala’s ranking, above only Bolivia and Venezuela. The country experienced the steepest drop of any country this year in its score due to the firing and exiling of top anti-corruption figures.

Access the full index in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.