Argentina

Belize

Bolivia

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Cuba

Honduras

Mexico

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Venezuela

Economics

The leaders of Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Venezuela met virtually and agreed to take steps to facilitate commercial trade, La Jornada reported April 5.

Latin America: Left-Wing Governments Ally to Reduce Food Inflation

Politics

Bolivian opposition leader and Santa Cruz Gov. Luis Fernando Camacho was arrested Dec. 28 for refusing to testify in an ongoing case relating to the 2019 political crisis in Bolivia, Deutsche Welle reported Dec. 28.

Bolivia: Governor of Agricultural Hub Arrested

Workers in the Bolivian department of Santa Cruz initiated an indefinite strike in an effort to pressure the government into moving the national census forward from 2024, El Pais reported Oct. 22.

Bolivia: Agricultural Hub Santa Cruz Launches Indefinite Strike

Security

Security Challenges in Latin America

Military & Security

Bolivian opposition groups continued their strike against controversial money laundering law 1386 on Nov. 14 despite Bolivian President Luis Arce’s proposal to repeal the law, Deutsche Welle reported Nov. 15.

Bolivia: Opposition Strike Continues Despite Proposed Repeal of Law 1386

The candidates from Bolivia’s Movement for Socialism (MAS) party lost all four gubernatorial races in La Paz, Tarija, Pando and Chuquisaca during the second round of elections, Deutsche Welle reported April 11, citing preliminary results. 

Bolivia: MAS Party Candidates Lose in Four Governor Races 

Tens of thousands of Bolivians took to the streets March 15 in the capital of La Paz and the major cities of Cochabamba, Sucre, Trinidad and Santa Cruz to protest the detention of former interim President Jeanine Anez, France 24 reported March 16. 

Bolivia: Nationwide Protests Follow the Arrest of Former Interim President

Bolivia’s former interim president Jeanine Anez and at least two other former ministers were arrested on charges of sedition, terrorism and conspiracy conducted in the wake of the country’s contested 2019 election, the BBC reported March 13. 

Bolivia: Former Interim President Arrested for Sedition, Terrorism and Conspiracy

Sub-Saharan Africa

Less than one week ahead of Bolivia’s presidential elections on Oct. 18, opinion polls show that the race between the top two candidates is tightening and a high percentage of voters remain undecided, Reuters reported Oct. 12. 

Bolivia: Polls Indicate Close Race One Week Ahead of Presidential Election

Snapshots

El Salvador

United States

Israel

Palestinian Territories

People attend a rally in support of Israel in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Oct. 22, 2023. 

Social Issues

Anger over the conflict could temporarily strain Israel and the U.S.'s relations with left-wing governments in the region, while countries with large Jewish or Arab populations may see more security-related incidents.

Latin America's Response to the Israel-Hamas War 

Assessments

China

Germany

Chilean President Gabriel Boric (right) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (left) pose after holding a joint press conference at the Palacio de La Moneda in Santiago, Chile, on Jan. 29, 2023. 

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

To reduce its reliance on Chinese-made batteries, Germany is seeking to increase its presence in Latin America's ''Lithium Triangle.''

In Search of Lithium, Germany Eyes Partnerships With Chile and Argentina

Guidance

Uganda

Ecuador

Peru

Japan

Philippines

South Korea

Iran

Turkey

India

A motorist passes a sign for the 8th Congress of the Cuban Communist Party on April 6, 2021, in Havana. The Party will convene April 16-19 against the backdrop of broader Cuban discontent over a deteriorating economic situation,

U.S.-Iran Relations

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended Stratfor articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Economic Data From China and More Indirect U.S.-Iran Talks

Ghana

Senegal

Hong Kong SAR, China

Protesters fight gendarmes on March 5, 2021, near their barracks in the Colobane neighborhood in Dakar, Senegal, during clashes following the arrest of the main opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko. Sonko will face a court hearing on March 8 related to rape charges against him that Sonko and his supporters claim are entirely political.

The Weekly Rundown: The Mainland Seeks More Control Over Hong Kong, a Possible Senegalese Crackdown

Americas

Paraguay

A member of the airport police stands guard as a forklift unloads a container full of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine from a plane in Ezeiza, Argentina, on Jan. 16, 2021. 

COVID-19

The delays will likely lead to further social unrest, economic strain and anti-government sentiment in countries across the region. 


Russia Delays Vaccine Shipments, Stalling Latin America’s Inoculation Efforts

Bolivia's president-elect, Luis Arce, celebrates his electoral victory during a rally in El Alto, Bolivia on Oct. 24, 2020. 

Arce’s administration will struggle to garner the political support and foreign investment needed to revive the country’s pandemic-rattled economy.

A Tall Order Awaits Bolivia’s New President

Media

Podcasts

In this episode of the Essential Geopolitics podcast from Stratfor, a RANE company, a conversation about crossroads. In the next three weeks, the Americas will experience three significant elections: The U.S. presidential election, a referendum to decide whether Chile will draft a new constitution, and a general election in Bolivia to elect a new president and congress.

Essential Geopolitics: The Americas at the Crossroads

Columns

On Security

Russia

Russian and Venezuelan defense ministers meet in Moscow. 

Cyber

Russia's Internal Struggle

The Fight for Russia’s Borderlands

As it seeks to counter U.S. interests in Latin America, Russia is turning to an old playbook. But instead of arming Marxist groups with weapons, this time Moscow's arming anti-government protesters with rhetoric.

Could There Be a Cold War Reboot in Latin America?

Global Perspectives

Sudan

France

Algeria

Lebanon

Contributor Perspectives

Protesters in Santiago, Chile, run from riot police on Nov. 19, 2019. Mass protests are happening in a growing number of countries for different reasons and with different goals.

From Hong Kong to Chile to Lebanon, mass protests are breaking out as governments defend a status quo that many people increasingly reject.

A Rebellious World Is Taking It to the Streets

The country's divisions create an uncertain path forward with future economic prospects possibly hanging in the balance.

Bolivia: A Shaky Transition Lies Ahead After Morales Steps Down

A demonstrator throws a tear gas canister during a demonstration against Bolivian President Evo Morales on Nov. 5, 2019, in La Paz, Bolivia.

Ongoing political uncertainty and protests over Bolivia's recent presidential election could limit the country's ability to exploit its abundant natural resources.

Bolivia's Election Hangover Looks Likely to Linger

Stratfor Threat Lens

As Bolivia's Evo Morales readies for another presidential run, he will be reluctant to be seen as capitulating to Santiago's demands for restarting port access talks.

Chile, Bolivia: Politics Will Likely Keep Talks Over Bolivian Sea Access at Bay

Bolivia is a landlocked country that borders five South American countries: Chile to the west, Brazil to the east, Peru to the north and Argentina and Paraguay to the south. Bolivia's lack of sea access poses a major geographical challenge, as the country struggles to integrate itself into the global economy. As a result, Bolivia's major trade partners are its neighbors, Brazil and Argentina.     Bolivia's history is full of major territorial defeats. The country lost its sea access to Chile after the War of the Pacific, which was fought from 1879 to 1884. Bolivia has also suffered territorial losses to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Peru. While the country has settled its border disputes with most of these countries, it still claims the territory it lost to Chile. Every Bolivian administration has prioritized attempts to gain access to the Pacific Ocean.     Bolivia is extremely divided geographically and ethnically; the Andes mountains divide the   country's lowlands and highlands, making it one of the most politically unstable countries in South America. The highlands are predominantly made up of indigenous groups, mostly the Aymara and Quechua peoples, while lowlands residents are mostly Mestizo. The core of Bolivia's highlands is the La Paz metropolitan area, where the city of El Alto is also located. The core of Bolivia's lowlands is Santa Cruz, which is the country's richest department.     The disconnect between the highlands and lowlands has resulted in strong regionalism in the country. Political groups from the more developed departments located in the lowlands, where most of Bolivia's agricultural and natural gas production take place, have historically demanded more autonomy from the central political authority located in La Paz. 

SITUATION REPORTS

Latin America: Left-Wing Governments Ally to Reduce Food Inflation

Bolivia: Governor of Agricultural Hub Arrested

Bolivia: Agricultural Hub Santa Cruz Launches Indefinite Strike

Bolivia: Opposition Strike Continues Despite Proposed Repeal of Law 1386

Bolivia: MAS Party Candidates Lose in Four Governor Races

Bolivia: Nationwide Protests Follow the Arrest of Former Interim President

Bolivia: Former Interim President Arrested for Sedition, Terrorism and Conspiracy

Bolivia: Polls Indicate Close Race One Week Ahead of Presidential Election

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