Americas Society/Council of the Americas

10/02/2026

With just three days until Brazilians vote in the October 4 first round, TV Globo was set to host a final presidential debate. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro had originally planned to participate, but withdrew after learning his opponent, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, would not attend. With the frontrunners out and the Supreme Court questioning the debate rules, TV Globo canceled. Lula instead appeared on one of Brazil’s most popular podcasts and spoke to a live audience of young voters. Meanwhile, Flávio went live on social media to reinforce key campaign messages, such as criticism of the Supreme Court.

That means Brazilian voters will go to the polls without having watched a direct exchange between the two frontrunners, who are running neck and neck.

We asked Americas Quarterly Editor-in-Chief and AS/COA Vice President Brian Winter for a reflection on the debate debacle.

Read his full answer at the link in the bio.

10/02/2026

Thursday night was supposed to be the final presidential debate before Brazil’s October 4 first round. But both frontrunners, President Lula and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, decided not to participate.

“This debate would have been an opportunity to stir up enthusiasm. But it’s so close, they opted for caution,” says AS/COA Vice President Brian Winter.

Read his full take on the debate debacle:

“This debate would have been an opportunity to stir up enthusiasm. But it’s so close, [they] opted for caution,” says AS/COA VP Brian Winter.

10/01/2026

In 2022, the left governed most of Latin America. Four years later, the region has seen a turn to the right. Now, all eyes are on Brazil.

Leftist Lula and right-wing Flávio Bolsonaro head into the October 4 vote neck and neck. A runoff looks likely. Swipe for the big unknowns.

At 80, President Lula is seeking an unprecedented fourth term, betting, in part, on a message of defending Brazil’s sovereignty from Trump. Flávio Bolsonaro, 45, is running as the heir to his jailed ex-presidential father’s movement, with a softer tone and a hardline security plan. His challenge is winning over women and moderates.

Can candidates get out the vote?
Brazilians are jaded. Pollster Felipe Nunes of Quaest says dissatisfaction with democracy is pushing turnout down. In a race this close, voter mobilization will be decisive. Hear more on a new episode of the Latin America in Focus podcast.

Both major candidates have high rates of voters who say they will never vote for them: Lula at 52% and Bolsonaro at 51%, per AtlasIntel. And, the gender gap is stark. Women favor Lula 58% to 33%, while men favor Bolsonaro 52% to 32%.

Get ready for Sunday. Our poll tracker, candidate explainer, and podcast break down Latin America’s biggest election.
Links in bio.

09/30/2026

🇧🇷 While the two names leading Brazil’s presidential race are familiar, Quaest pollster Felipe Nunes says a lot has changed within the 159 million Brazilians who can vote on October 4.

In the latest episode, Nunes talks to AS/COA’s Luisa Leme about how the country's jaded but politically engaged electorate view the tight Lula–Bolsonaro race.

🎧Listen:

Quaest pollster Felipe Nunes explores how the country's jaded but politically engaged electorate view the tight Lula–Bolsonaro race.

09/22/2026

Latin America’s leaders join their international counterparts in New York this week for the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. Already, Presidents Trump and Lula opened the debate with diverging visions of global cooperation and the region’s role on the world stage.

From the debate floor to sideline meetings, follow along with AS/COA Online in a special UN edition of our weekly dispatch on Washington’s policy in the region: https://ow.ly/UseO50ZQmQM

09/22/2026

Latin America’s—and the world’s—attention will be focused on a major international summit this week: The meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.

See key numbers on how Beijing’s economic relations with Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Peru reveal the region’s role in the U.S.–China competition:

Beijing’s economic relations with Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Peru reveal the region’s role in the U.S.-China competition.

09/09/2026

As Secretary Rubio rallies allies in the Andes, this will be the first time he meets with new Presidents Abelardo de la Espriella of Colombia and Keiko Fujimori of Peru.

We're covering the secretary's September 8-10 tour of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and providing context for an agenda focused on security, commercial ties, and China's footprint.

Read more:

Security and China's role are on the secretary's September 8–10 agenda as he meets Presidents Abelardo de la Espriella, Daniel Noboa, and Keiko Fujimori.

08/18/2026

Disruptions in global fuel supply through the Strait of Hormuz have meant an unexpected boost for Latin America’s oil revenues in recent months.

But analysts caution that the net macroeconomic effect of the energy market crisis varies among the region’s producers and is still a little murky.

Featuring quotes from Francisco Monaldi, Luis A. Pacheco, and Diego Rivera Rivota, AS/COA Online’s Khalea Robertson charts recent trends in crude production and sales among the region’s top oil producers: https://ow.ly/wfaV50ZB0p1

08/10/2026

We are saddened by the news of the earthquake that struck Colombia.

AS/COA has longstanding ties to the country through our work convening public- and private-sector leaders to foster investment and economic opportunity. Our thoughts are with the Colombian people and all those affected.

08/03/2026

🇵🇪 Peru’s President Keiko Fujimori swore in her full 19-member cabinet soon after her own inauguration on July 28. Most of her ministers were revealed that day.

Learn more about those taking up key portfolios in Peru’s new administration, including the interior, defense, mining, and agriculture ministries:

Learn about the background and goals of the ministers supporting the new president, including Prime Minister Galarreta and Finance Minister Cuba.