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LatAm Dialogue

LatAm Dialogue

LatAm Dialogue 15 episodes Latest May 18, 2026

Looking for a quick way to understand Latin America’s biggest stories? You’re in the right place. LatAm Dialogue is a podcast designed to keep English-language audiences up to date on the region. Each month, Sonja and Isabel — along with occasional guests — research and discuss the biggest news and trends shaping Latin America. Episodes are kept short, making them the perfect way to stay informed. Enjoy listening!

Episodes

Peru's elections, a big trade deal and Cuba in crisis May 18, 2026 00:29:52 This episode explains Peru’s recent high-stakes elections, the signing of a major EU-Mercosur trade deal, and takes a deep dive into Cuba’s ongoing energy crisis, which has made daily life on the island increasingly difficult.
EP11: In focus- LGBTQ+ rights in Latin America Apr 13, 2022 00:27:38 We are back with LatAm Dialogues season 2! To kick off this season, we have this in focus episode on LGBTQ+, and specifically transgender, rights in Latin America. First, we speak to Tom, who is writing his thesis on the transmasculine community in Cuba, about where the region is in terms of rights for LGBTQ+ individuals. We then had the pleasure of having Liam on the podcast, a Cuban LGBTQ+ activ
EP12: Russia's relationship with Latin America and the effects of the invasion of Ukraine on the region May 4, 2022 00:32:36 Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent war have dominated headlines around the world in recent weeks. In this episode, LatAm Dialogue's team looks into Latin America's historical relationship with Russia with the help of Andre Pagliarini, a professor in Latin American history. We then discuss with Bryan, a political risk analyst from Cuba, what Latin America's immediate response to the in
EP 4: In focus- political crackdowns in Nicaragua Jul 12, 2021 00:36:36 Over the past month, Ortega has arrested over 26 members of his opposition in the lead up to elections in November. In this episode, Latam Dialogue's Sonja and Isabel interview two young activists in Nicaragua who explain the context and history that has led to this blatant effort to undermine democracy. 
EP 5: Cuba's first mass protests since the Revolution and the assassination of Haiti's president. Jul 25, 2021 00:22:06 In this episode, Sonja interviews Bryan, a Cuban freelance political risk analyst who helps explain why the protests in Cuba happened now and what it has been like in Havanna over the past few weeks. In the second half, Isabel and Sonja discuss the shocking assassination of Moise, Haiti's president on the 7th of July and the political context of one of the world's poorest countries. 
EP14: Mining in Latin America Mar 8, 2023 00:28:16 This episode focuses on Latin America's mining industry and the opportunities but also the negative consequences it has brought the region. Sonja Rijnen, LatAm Dialogue's editor-in-chief, interviews Tom Gatehouse, author of soon-to-be-published book 'The Heart of Our Earth: Community resistance to mining in Latin America'.
EP 9: Argentina's political crisis & elections and the Pandora Papers Nov 2, 2021 00:31:01 In a few weeks, Argentina will hold mid-term legislative elections. This comes after primaries that were held in September and weeks of political crises. In this episode, LatAm Dialogue editor, Lucas, runs us through what has been happening in the country. After this, Sonja and Isabel discuss the revelations of the Pandora Papers and what this means for Latin America. 
EP 10: All important elections in Chile and Honduras Dec 18, 2021 00:32:18 Towards the end of November 2021, both Chileans and Hondurans went to the polls to elect their new Presidents. In the first half of this episode, Isabel discusses these all-important elections in Chile with Carolina, a political activist living in Santiago. It is said that Chileans are more polarised than ever and this Sunday, the 19th of December, they will vote in the second round between two ve
EP 2: Mexico's massive elections and Lasso's inauguration in Ecuador Jun 10, 2021 00:29:18 In this episode, the team at LatAm Dialogue discuss the significance and implications of Mexico's midterm elections in which 93 million people were eligible to vote. Importantly, we discuss the preliminary results and their meaning for president AMLO. In the second part of the episode, Sonja and Carlos discuss the inauguration of Guillermo Lasso, Ecuador's first right-wing president in over a deca
EP 3: El Salvador adopts Bitcoin as a legal tender and Peru's elections Jun 25, 2021 00:33:32 In a world-first, under the leadership of President Bukele, El Salvador passed a law making Bitcoin an official currency in the country. In this episode, we explain what this actually means and what some of the benefits but also drawback this will have for the country. In the second half, we discuss the results of Peru's presidential election held in the beginning of June. 
EP13: Human Rights Defenders in Latin America Oct 10, 2022 00:27:10 In this episode of LatAm Dialogues, we focus on the situation for human rights defenders in Latin America where it has become increasingly dangerous to protect human rights. We are lucky enough to have the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor as our guest. She also founded the NGO Front Line Defenders and is a global expert on this topic. 
EP 8: In focus- abortion rights and the feminist movement in Latin America Oct 6, 2021 00:33:28 Earlier this month, in a historical ruling celebrated by feminists all over the world, Mexico's supreme court decriminalised abortion. In this episode, Sonja and Isabel discuss in more detail what this new legislation actually entails. In the second half of the podcast, Lucas talks with two activists from Latin America about abortion rights and feminist movements more broadly in Argentina, Uruguay

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