Latam October 20, 2021 LATAM: Pandemic status and outlook Latam, Politics Mario Marconini, Nicholas Watson Covid-19 caseloads have been dropping across Latin America and the Caribbean in recent weeks. During October, South America has accounted for under 6% of new global daily cases versus 35-40% in June. The improving picture is encouraging but there are several... Read More...
Latam October 19, 2021 MEXICO: Political considerations behind electricity reform Mexico, Politics Nicholas Watson The political noise surrounding President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO)’s electricity sector reforms persists even if little significant movement has occurred since it was unveiled on 1 October. The reform, which would restore the state-run CFE electricity utility to... Read More...
Latam October 19, 2021 LATAM PULSE Emerging Markets, Latam, Politics editorial Mario Marconini, Nicholas Watson This week, Chile marks two years since the outbreak of protests just as the constituent assembly born out of that unrest starts to debate the content of a new constitution. In Peru, a new stage of Pedro Castillo’s presidency... Read More...
Latam October 13, 2021 ARGENTINA: Gridlock likely and governability crisis possible after mid-terms Argentina, Politics Nicholas Watson The governing Front for All (FdT) coalition will struggle to avoid a damaging defeat in November’s partial mid-term elections. The government is hoping to limit its losses with unabashed clientelism, but FdT power struggles and highly problematic economic conditions militate... Read More...
Latam October 12, 2021 CHILE: Presidential race favors leftist Boric but voter indecision still high Chile, Politics Nicholas Watson A second candidates’ debate took place last night, 11 October, just under six weeks from the first round of the presidential election on 21 November, and with the leftist Gabriel Boric enjoying a consistent poll lead, albeit with voter... Read More...
Latam October 11, 2021 LATAM PULSE Emerging Markets, Latam, Politics editorial Nicholas Watson This week, Chile‘s President Sebastian Pinera faces a bumpy ride as he seeks to defend himself from allegations arising from the “Pandora Papers” leak; at the same time, another presidential debate takes place later today. In Mexico, President Andres... Read More...
Latam October 7, 2021 PERU: Cliff edge avoided, but governability and moderation may still be elusive Peru, Politics Nicholas Watson President Pedro Castillo made seven changes to his cabinet yesterday, 6 October. The reshuffle promotes more moderate leftists largely at the expense of ministers who answer to the Peru Libre (PL) party boss Vladimir Cerron. The highly controversial Prime... Read More...
Latam October 5, 2021 CHILE: Presidential race under shadow of constitutional debate Chile, Politics Nicholas Watson While the recent leak of financial records (“Pandora Papers”) continues to affect President Sebastian Pinera – and by extension the center-right presidential candidate Sebastian Sichel – Chile’s constitutional debate has deeper implications. Holding presidential and legislative elections while the... Read More...
Latam October 4, 2021 LATAM PULSE Emerging Markets, Latam, Politics editorial Mario Marconini, Nicholas Watson This week, Mexico‘s electricity sector counter-reforms are in the legislature, where they could muffle recent speculation about the battle to eventually succeed President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO). Political tensions in Peru are rising. In Ecuador, talks between the... Read More...
Latam September 30, 2021 PERU: Contradictions and confusion Peru, Politics Nicholas Watson Prime Minister Guido Bellido’s threat to nationalize the consortium that operates the Camisea natural gas field unless it agrees to pay higher taxes is unsettling – though not for what might seem the most obvious reasons. Camisea is a... Read More...
