The Latin America Advisor's editorial team has produced more than 300 editions of the publication this year for subscribers at many of the world's most respected companies, as well as leading universities and government agencies on four continents.

I am delighted to share a dozen issues our team felt covered especially important developments during 2019, a remarkable year for Latin America and the Caribbean. We wish all of our readers happy holidays and a peaceful new year.

— Erik Brand, Publisher

Do Protests in the Region Have a Common Thread?

Nov 6  |  Latin America Advisor

Over the past month, massive and often unforeseen protests have exploded across Latin America and the Caribbean, with riots in Ecuador, Haiti, Chile and Bolivia making headlines for weeks. Are there common trends that can be identified among the different protests sweeping the region, or is each more specific to the country’s own circumstances? Are demonstrations likely to spill over or inspire unrest in other countries? What  consequences do the protests have for policymaking in the near term, and what legacy will they have beyond this year, especially in terms of how governments respond to social demands in the future? Will more populism in the region be the result?

Has Mexico’s Gov’t Ceded Control to Drug Traffickers?

Nov 1  |  Latin America Advisor

Mexican security forces on Oct. 17 captured and then released one of country’s most powerful drug lords, Ovidio Guzmán, a son of jailed kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, after apparently being overpowered by heavily armed combatants who laid siege to the western city of Culiacán for hours. With nearly a year in office, what have been the consequences of López Obrador’s security strategies, and is he losing ground to drug cartels?

What Do Fernández's Cabinet Picks Say About How He'll Govern Argentina?

Dec 13  |  Latin America Advisor

Alberto Fernández on Tuesday took office as Argentina’s president, bringing Peronism back to power in Argentina. What can Argentines expect from Fernández’s government? What do his cabinet picks say about the direction his government is likely to take? How much will his policies differ from those of the previous administration, and does Fernández have the right plans to address Argentina’s economic woes?

How Successful Was Bolsonaro's Trip to Washington?

March 21  |  Latin America Advisor

Jair Bolsonaro visited Washington for the first time as Brazil’s president this week and on Tuesday discussed issues including trade ties, military cooperation and the ongoing turmoil in Venezuela with U.S. President Donald Trump. What came of the visit, and how might it affect Brazil-U.S. relations going forward? What are the most important areas of cooperation between the two countries, and what issues remain major sticking points? What is motivating Bolsonaro’s policy toward the United States, and how much of a turnaround will it be from the approach of past Brazilian administrations?

Can Venezuela’s Political Standoff End Peacefully?

Feb 21  |  Latin America Advisor

In what ways could mediation play out and bring a peaceful end to the standoff in Venezuela? How likely is wide-scale bloodshed, civil war or international military intervention to occur?

Will Slower Growth in China Put Latin America at Risk?

Aug 23  |  Latin America Advisor

The growth of China’s industrial output cooled in July to a 17-year low, the government’s National Bureau of Statistics said. The weakening economic conditions come as China is engaged in a trade war with the United States. Ecuadorean President Lenín Moreno expressed hopes that the United States and China would resolve their dispute, saying that when big countries fight, smaller ones pay the price. How is China’s cooling economy and the trade war affecting Latin American countries? 

Should the U.S. Congress Give Venezuelans Protected Status?

Feb 8  |  Latin America Advisor

How likely is it that Venezuelans will be granted TPS in the near future, and which factors could influence that decision? How, if at all, could the measure affect Venezuelan migration trends?

How Can Latin America Become More Productive?

May 16  |  Latin America Advisor

Low productivity has been the primary culprit for Latin America’s limited capacity to transform productive resources into high-quality goods and services, according to a report released by CAF-Development Bank of Latin America. What are the reasons behind Latin America’s persistently low productivity rates, and what consequences do they have on the region’s overall growth?

Will 5G Services Live Up to the Hype in Latin America?

April 2  |  Latin America Advisor

In February, Chile officially announced its plans to begin an auction process as it seeks to soon roll out 5G cellular network connectivity nationwide. While 5G services can bring benefits such as improved data speeds and more efficient energy use, the expected costs involved with building out 5G technology have been higher than anticipated, according to a McKinsey study published last year.

Will Title III Suits Freeze Out Foreign Investment in Cuba?

March 18  |  Latin America Advisor

The United States earlier this month backed away from a threat to allow Cuban exiles to file suit in U.S. courts against foreign companies operating in Cuba under the Title III clause of the Helms-Burton Act, opting for a narrower change in policy that is limited to Cuban enterprises controlled at least in part by the military, the intelligence services or security forces. What do the new changes related to Title III mean for Cuba and international investors?

Is Tax Policy a Good Way to Make Latin America Healthier?

Feb 6  |  Latin America Advisor

Five years ago, both Mexico and Chile imposed new taxes on sugary drinks in efforts to fight obesity. The moves have been part of a trend among government officials to impose so-called “sin taxes” on products deemed to have negative health effects, such as alcohol and tobacco. Have sin taxes led to improved health outcomes in the countries that have been most aggressive in using them?

Can South America Capitalize on Its Lithium Reserves?

Feb 27  |  Latin America Advisor

Bolivia announced a major lithium deal on Feb. 6, picking China’s Xinjiang TBEA group to take a 49 percent stake in a $2.3 billion lithium project with YLB, the state lithium company. Meanwhile, a delegation from a consortium of Indian state-owned companies recently visited South America’s “lithium triangle” spanning Chile, Argentina and Bolivia to explore opportunities in exploiting the resource, which is expected to be in increasingly high demand for uses such as electric vehicle batteries. How well are the South American countries engaging international investors in their lithium development strategies?

How Revolutionary is the E.U.-Mercosur Trade Agreement?

July 8  |  Latin America Advisor

After 20 years of on-and-off again talks, the Mercosur trade bloc, consisting of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, and the European Union have reached an agreement to strengthen commercial ties. The deal would form one of the world’s largest free trade areas and includes the elimination of nearly 90 percent of tariffs on both sides. How significant is the Mercosur-E.U. trade deal, and what are its most important provisions? Which sectors in the South American countries stand to gain or lose the most from the agreement? What challenges will the deal face before its final approval, and to what extent could presidential results in Argentina and Uruguay in October affect its implementation?

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