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Peru’s President Keiko Fujimori reaches 100 days in office this week. Already, her approval rating has seen a 17-point drop as Peruvians grow impatient for solutions to security challenges and the threat of El Niño.
In the latest #LatAmFocus, political analyst and researcher @eljorobado explores what has—and hasn't—changed in the new administration’s crime-fighting strategy, and why El Niño poses “a huge challenge for the social support of Fujimorismo.”
Listen to the full episode, where Meléndez also covers the executive’s shifting relations with Congress and Fujimori’s pragmatic approach to balancing relations with the United States and China: bit.ly/3WTxPc1
Listen and subscribe on Apple 🍏: bit.ly/3WTxPc1 Spotify 🟢: bit.ly/3UpOGCE or wherever you get your podcasts.
"I'm not sure that Flavio Bolsonaro is going to find the audience to be quite as receptive as he's hoping, either in Brazil or in the rest of South America," @BrazilBrian told Stephanie Sy of @NewsHour about the politician fleeing to the U.S. after his election loss.
See the interview: as-coa.org/articles/brian-wi…
It was a privilege to host Gabriel GarcĂa Luna, attorney general of Guatemala, in partnership with @AmChamGT, on October 28 for a roundtable discussion with private-sector leaders, congressional staff, and leading civil society organizations.
The conversation focused on efforts to strengthen Guatemala’s judicial institutions, reinforce the rule of law, and foster a stable and attractive investment environment. Attorney General GarcĂa Luna also highlighted the importance of Guatemala’s close cooperation with judicial and law enforcement counterparts in the United States and across the region to address corruption and transnational criminal threats.
"El cambio para Nicaragua va venir en gran medida desde adentro, con decisiones de los propios nicaragĂĽenses", dijo Kevin Sullivan, de AS/COA, a @cefeche, durante una entrevista en el canal de YouTube de @confidencial_ni sobre las relaciones entre Estados Unidos y Nicaragua.
Vea: as-coa.org/articles/kevin-su…
🇵🇪 Three months into her term, President Keiko Fujimori has her work cut out for her in tackling Peru’s security issues and a potential super El Niño, all while confronting a polarized, newly bicameral Congress.
In this episode of #LatAmFocus, political analyst @eljorobado unpacks the key issues defining Fujimori’s early agenda as she approaches the 100-day mark of her presidency.
Listen: ow.ly/oRwc51027oc
Listen and subscribe on Apple 🍏: bit.ly/3WTxPc1 Spotify 🟢: bit.ly/3UpOGCE or wherever you get your podcasts.
COA was honored to host Ecuador's Ambassador to the U.S. Luis Bakker Villacreses of @EmbajadaEcuUSA for a private dinner on October 27 in Washington, marking our first engagement with the diplomat following his September presentation of credentials.
AS/COA Vice President Amb. Kevin Sullivan moderated a rich discussion that underscored the strength of the U.S.-Ecuador relationship and touched on bilateral security cooperation, regional efforts to combat transnational criminal and terrorist organizations, and investment opportunities in mining, infrastructure, and other key sectors.
We thank Ambassador Bakker, DCM @SoledadPenaP, and our members for this productive exchange. We look forward to facilitating more engagement around opportunities in Ecuador.
In this week's dispatch, we cover Flávio Bolsonaro’s post-election flight to Miami and the U.S. response to his runoff loss. Plus, with MarĂa Corina Machado’s return home, what’s the status of the plan for Venezuelan elections?
Also in this edition:
➡️ A3C forum in Santo Domingo builds on rising hemispheric security cooperation
➡️ UN votes on Cuba embargo end
➡️ Key Rubio advisor leaves post and Milei changes sanctions
Read: as-coa.org/articles/trump-la…
✏️ @charrisontweets and @CarinZissis
What role can Latin America play in an increasingly complex global landscape? On October 27, AS/COA welcomed former Chilean President @mbachelet and Executive Secretary of @cepal_onu @JoseMSalazarX to exchange insights on the topic.
The conversation highlighted key findings from the UN Commission on Latin America’s Geopolitical Future, exploring how the region can navigate shifting global dynamics, including U.S.-China relations, artificial intelligence, and emerging security challenges.
The discussion was moderated by AS/COA Vice President of Policy and Americas Quarterly Editor-in-Chief @BrazilBrian, who also served as a member of the UN commission.
"O caminho para uma reconciliação entre Washington e BrasĂlia vai ser difĂcil mesmo", diz @BrazilBrian em entrevista a William Waack, da @CNNBrasil, sobre as relações Brasil-EUA apĂłs a vitĂłria de Lula.
Assista à entrevista completa: as-coa.org/articles/brian-wi…
COA was honored to welcome Peruvian Minister @ElmerCuba_B of @MEF_Peru and Julio Velarde, president of @bcrpoficial, for an October 27 private roundtable with COA members on Peru’s economic outlook, fiscal and monetary policy, and investment climate.
The roundtable provided a candid setting for an open exchange between government and business leaders, allowing participants to share perspectives on Peru's economic priorities, challenges, and investment opportunities.
Council of the Americas’ Trade Advisory Group welcomed Courtney Smothers, deputy assistant U.S. trade representative for Latin America, for a discussion on the Agreements on Reciprocal Trade and their implications for U.S. trade and commercial relations across the Americas.
Moderated by AS/COA Vice President Amb. Kevin Sullivan, the October 27 conversation examined the bilateral agreements with Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Guatemala. The discussion also touched on the status of implementation, how economic security fits into the frameworks, and what lies ahead for trade relationships across the hemisphere.
We extend our appreciation to Courtney Smothers for her participation and to Kate Kalutkiewicz of McLarty Associates for her valuable contributions to the program. Thanks to our Trade Advisory Group members for joining us in Washington for this substantive exchange.
"The question of why [the United States and Brazil], with such different political histories and socioeconomic structures, have of late walked such similar paths has set off vigorous debate," writes @BrazilBrian in his recent op-ed for @nytimes.
Read: as-coa.org/articles/brian-wi…
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva went from being the underdog in Brazil’s October 25 presidential runoff to beating right-wing rival Senator Flávio Bolsonaro by 4.5 million votes.
@luisaleme looks at key takeaways from the election to understand what’s to come in Lula’s fourth term in office: as-coa.org/articles/how-lula…
This year’s BRAVO Business Awards honorees will share what it takes to lead through crisis and business transformation in exclusive one-on-one fireside chats at the 2026 Council of the Americas Symposium.
📖 A CEO’s Playbook for Leading Through Crisis, with Roberto Alvo, CEO, LATAM Airlines
🤝 Banking Beyond Digital: Innovation, Leadership & the Human Connection, with Tarciana Medeiros, CEO, Banco do Brasil
Join 500+ of Latin America’s leading CEOs, investors, business leaders, and policymakers in Miami on November 19 for a full day of conversations with key figures shaping the region’s economy. #BRAVObiz #COASymposium
🔗 Register: as-coa.org/events/2026-coa-s…
On October 21, Council of the Americas convened a dialogue in Mexico City with Mexico’s Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources @aliciabarcena, who discussed the country’s environmental and sustainable development agenda.
The program explored how the private sector can partner with the government and contribute investment, innovation, and solutions to further Mexico’s environmental goals.
We thank Secretary Bárcena, her team, and our members for a productive exchange. COA looks forward to continuing to strengthen dialogue and collaboration with the Government of Mexico!
Trump has put Latin America front and center in his foreign policy. How is that playing out in congressional races across the United States?
AS/COA Online looks at how U.S. actions on trade, immigration, Cuba, and Venezuela are factoring into the midterms.
Read: as-coa.org/articles/what-wil…
