Regional Food Supply Update

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

The rise in food prices are generating concern across the globe. AS/COA looks at how rising prices are affecting Latin American, as well as regional responses to meet increased demand and combat food shortages. ... Read More

Bolivia's Widening Gap

Tuesday, April 29, 2008  |  Carin Zissis

Concerns about violence and Bolivian unity mount as the eastern, energy-rich province of Santa Cruz prepares to hold a referendum on whether to become autonomous. Three other provinces plan similar votes.  ... Read More

The Food Crisis and Latin America

Thursday, April 24, 2008  |  Carin Zissis

As the Western Hemisphere experiences the consequences of rising food prices, experts and leaders seek to identify the crisis' source as well as solutions. A debate over biofuels has emerged with the food price hikes.  ... Read More

The Pemex Debate

Tuesday, April 15, 2008  |  Carin Zissis

Opponents of Pemex’s energy reform package say it will pave the way for the company’s privatization. Yet proponents say Pemex will remain state-owned while the reform will help the firm meet an urgent need to boost production.  ... Read More

Building a Sustainable Biofuels Strategy

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Pablo Reyes, Director of the Center for Latin American Strategic Studies in Bogota, calls for careful policy planning for biofuels. He writes that governments and industry. "International cooperation is essential for the biofuels industry to move forward," he writes. ... Read More

Latin America's Competitive Challenge

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

The hemisphere-wide commodity-led boom is unlikely to improve competitiveness without sweeping reforms in the areas of infrastructure, institutions, and human capital, according to Jerry Haar of Florida International University. His new book, Can Latin America Compete? Confronting the Challenges of Globalization, will be launched at AS/COA. ... Read More

The Politics of Energy Reform

Monday, March 31, 2008  |  Nicole Spencer and Mateo Samper

President Felipe Calderón presented a much-anticipated energy reform proposal to Mexico's Congress on April 8. Politics and questions about private investment will determine the fate of the bill. ... Read More

Hard Talk Forum: Does Ethanol Make Economic and Environmental Sense?

Monday, March 31, 2008  |  Americas Quarterly Spring 2008

Bruce Dale, Professor, Michigan State University, and David Pimentel duel over the economic and environmental sense of biofuels. ... Read More

China's Hunger; Latin America's Commodities

Friday, March 21, 2008  |  Carin Zissis

Experts say China's appetite for commodities helps insulate Latin America against the sluggish U.S. economy. Others point to ways the region can take advantage of the windfall through reforms and infrastructure development. ... Read More