![A camera system in Colombia reflects the increasing government use of spyware in Latin America despite weak legal frameworks to prevent abuses.](https://www.americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-Spyware-300x200.jpeg)
Surveillance Technology Is on the Rise in Latin America
Officials scrambling to address crime—and, sometimes, spy on opponents—are turning to surveillance technologies with little oversight.
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AQ Podcast: China’s Learning Process In Latin America
Rebecca Ray on how patterns of trade and investment in Latin America have evolved in recent years.
![The Mexican army destroys guns as part of attempts to stop increasing gun flows to Mexico and Latin America.](https://www.americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Guns-image-300x200.jpeg)
Behind a Rise in Latin America’s Violent Crime, A Deadly Flow of Illegal Guns
Weapons diverted from the U.S. and from militaries are plaguing the region. Governments can do more to combat the phenomenon.
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AQ Podcast: Explaining Chile’s U-Turn
Patricio Navia on why the political pendulum seems to have swung right in Chile
![](https://www.americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/AQPodcast_Heduvan050323-300x199.jpg)
AQ Podcast: The Importance Of Paraguay
Following Santiago Peña’s victory in presidential elections, a look at how Paraguay impacts the rest of the region, how it fits into the U.S.-China competition and why Paraguayan voters chose more of the same
![Interview about the new wave of leftist leaders in Latin America](https://www.americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/AQPodcast_Stuenkel_081722-300x199.jpg)
AQ Podcast: Lula’s Foreign Policy and What It Means for Latin America
Oliver Stuenkel on Brazil’s potential to be a regional leader, and recent controversies including comments over Ukraine
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AQ’s Spring Playlist: A “Most Unconstitutional” New Album Roundup
This selection of recent releases features desert-inspired guitars from Ecuador, folk wisdom from Chile and tongue-in-cheek Brazilian wordplay.
![Government troops march toward a battle they would lose to a commander who then abolished Costa Rica's military.](https://www.americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AQ0223_LONGVIEW_THUMB-300x183.jpg)
Why Did Costa Rica Really Abolish Its Military?
Politics, not pacifism, led the country to eliminate its armed forces in a decision that still resonates today.
![](https://www.americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AQ0223_COUNTRYLEDEART-300x183.jpg)
Thinking Abroad: Latin America’s Foreign Policies
AQ tracks priorities in external relations, including positions on Venezuela and China, in eight countries.
![](https://www.americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AQ0223_ONEYR_THUMB-300x183.jpg)
One Year Later: Slow Progress on a Key Migration Initiative
A year after AQ’s report on the Summit of the Americas, an agreement on migration risks missing the chance for true regional cooperation.
![](https://www.americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AQ0223_SEGAL_THUMB-300x183.jpg)
Susan Segal: Lula’s Opportunity to Lead the Region
Brazil’s president is in a unique position to direct the region towards an integrated and productive future, writes AS/COA’s president.
![MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 18: The president of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador led a protest rally during the commemoration of the 85th anniversary of the oil expropriation, thousands of people gathered in the main square in Mexico in Mexico City, on March 18, 2023.](https://www.americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AQ0223_PELLICER-300x183.jpg)
Why Mexico Is a Quiet Presence on the World Stage
Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s insular foreign policy, in the region’s second-largest economy, is a missed opportunity.
![](https://www.americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GettyImages-1043567870-300x200.jpg)
How Jimmy Carter Transformed U.S.-Latin America Relations
The former U.S. president’s strategy of tough engagement balanced human rights with national interest.
![](https://www.americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/AQPodcasJuanCruz010423-300x199.jpg)
AQ Podcast | Argentina’s Elections And Reasons For Hope
As Argentina’s elections approach in October, a political risk consultant argues that despite the current crisis, there are reasons for optimism in the medium term.
![](https://www.americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/GettyImages-1247852983-300x200.jpg)
The New Pink Tide’s Favorite Economist
Presidents in Colombia, Argentina and Chile are fans of Mariana Mazzucato, who thinks the state can harness potential for innovation.