Search Results for: risk spotlight

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 »

AMERICAS Debt Servicing and Unrest in the Americas For numerous economies in the Americas, where entire political and ideological legacies have risen and fallen at the whim of global markets, the concept that events on the other side of the world can define their reality at home is nothing new. In 2022 this is as… Read more »

AMERICAS Protests Return to Panama as Government Proposed Social Security Reforms Protesters were once again in the streets in Panama as negotiations continued between the government and protest leaders regarding potential reforms to the Caja de Seguro Social (Social Security Fund), also known as the CSS. The CSS is responsible for managing insurance programs for… Read more »

AMERICAS Targeted Killings in Antigua Guatemala’s city of Antigua is experiencing an apparent spike in violent crime after six people were killed in three separate incidents over the span of thirteen days in late September. While as of mid-October no further killings have been reported, the September spike represents a significant increase in violent crime… Read more »

AMERICAS Upcoming Presidential Election in Brazil After four years with Jair Bolsonaro as President, Brazil is scheduled to hold elections on Sunday, October 2 to select a new President. This vote, which also elects the National Congress and take place simultaneously with state legislative/executive elections, looms large as two controversial candidates compete to be reelected…. Read more »

AMERICAS Domestic Spending and Global Factors Force Economic Crisis on Argentina On 28 July it was announced that Argentina was about to swear in its third Minister of Economy in less than a month. The announcement comes after the original minister resigned citing a lack of political support and the second was removed just three… Read more »

AMERICAS Protests and Root Causes in Ecuador On 28 June Guillermo Lasso, Ecuador’s first center right President elected in close to two decades, narrowly avoided being impeached after just over a year in office. What precipitated that vote, which saw 80 national assembly representatives support the measure (just 12 shy of the 92 needed to… Read more »

AMERICAS New President, New Colombia? On Sunday, June 19, Colombia held its Presidential runoff elections. The election pitted two very different populists against each other, with both considered anti-establishment by traditional Colombia political elites. Gustavo Petro received more than 50% of the vote over challenger Rodolfo Hernandez and will become Colombia’s next President. Petro’s election… Read more »