Search Results for: risk spotlight

AMERICAS Severe Drought Severs Global Trade as Panama Canal Reduces Capacity This past October marks the driest on record for the Panama Canal, an interoceanic waterway that is reliant on fresh water to operate. The severe lack of water for the Panama Canal has caused a major traffic jam to occur on both the Atlantic… Read more »

AMERICAS Political Unrest and Transitions in Latin America  In the dynamic landscape of Central and South American politics, nations often find themselves at crossroads, grappling with the dual challenges of political transition and societal unrest. While these challenges manifest differently across countries, the themes of governance, justice, and societal response remain consistently intertwined. For instance,… Read more »

AMERICAS Atlantic Hurricane Season This month marks the midpoint of hurricane season in the Atlantic, which has the potential to be one of the most active hurricane seasons in recent decades. The hurricane season has not only been active but also powerful. For the first time since the 1950s, there have been two Category 3… Read more »

AMERICAS Indigenous Leaders from the Amazon Basin Gather in Brazil Brazil is perhaps best known for its Amazon Rainforest, yet only about 50% of the Amazon is in Brazil. The Amazon is known for its tropical flora, fauna, and biodiversity, yet forgotten is the immense diversity of its native population and the varied threats they… Read more »

AMERICAS Strong El Niño Event Expected for 2023  Often misunderstood and globally impactful, El Niño, the naturally occurring phenomenon that warms the waters off the Pacific Coast of South America, is due to begin this year and will likely have major effects across the globe. Under normal circumstances, the Pacific experiences a consistent movement of… Read more »

AMERICAS Second Attempt at South American Integration In a continent historically divided among itself, where political ideologies can manifest in extreme shifts to the right or left side of the political spectrum and where regional rivalries are plentiful, there is an ongoing, revitalized attempt to create a South American regional block. If successful, a South… Read more »

AMERICAS Haiti’s Crisis: A Humanitarian Disaster in the Western Hemisphere In a country where elected officials are not elected, the police are ineffective and outgunned, and the ports and major highways are controlled by gangs with more influence and power than the central government, it is hard to imagine what a more cliche Hollywood dramatized… Read more »

AMERICAS Increased Volcanic Activity in Colombia April started with the slow awakening of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia, which began to spew ash and has shown increased levels of seismic activity, indicating an eruption may be imminent. Many travelers to the continent are aware of the dangers of the vast Amazon rainforest; however,… Read more »

AMERICAS Disastrous Weather in Brazil Ends Carnival Early Carnival in Brazil, a festive and internationally recognized week of celebration made especially famous by colors and opulent street festivities, was met with disaster in February 2023. In the southern state of São Paulo, a seemingly unassuming rainstorm developed that would ultimately lead to a state-wide disaster… Read more »

AMERICAS Political Unrest Paralyzes Peru On December 7, 2022, Peru’s President Pedro Castillo was impeached and arrested for attempting to dissolve congress and rule by decree. The move was broadly condemned by political allies and enemies alike in Lima and labeled by many as a coup attempt. His former vice president Dina Boluarte now serves… Read more »