With former President Alberto Fujimori returning to Peru to stand trial for corruption and human rights abuses, AS/COA looks at his impending trial. A new update also examines the country’s overall economic performance, including potential ramifications of discontent in the mining industry.

Chile, Mexico, and Peru are among the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum members that met at the annual meeting. What was achieved in Australia and how will Peru manage its role as the next APEC Summit host? 

Unlike previous economic shocks, more stable regional economies may help insulate Latin America from global market volatility. At a recent AS/COA roundtable, experts emphasized the importance of continued surpluses and improved international reserves to short-term debt ratios. 

This month, AS/COA provides an update on the status of trade legislation and the farm bill. With Congress on recess for the next month, forward movement will have to wait for September.

As the U.S. presidential campaign gets underway, AS/COA takes stock of public vs. private political party financing across the Americas. Television advertising is the largest campaign expenditure, but many countries provide a minimum of free TV and radio time. 

Jeffrey Puryear, Vice President for Social Policy at the Inter-American Dialogue, and Laura Moodey, Director for Education Policy at Fundacion IDEA, emphasize the link between accountability and improving the region’s education quality. Accountability hinges on promoting standards, information, consequences, and authority.

The success of microfinance has prompted commercial banks to view low-income client loans as smart business. Speakers at our roundtable discussion outlined potential challenges and possible solutions to ensuring the sustainability of Latin America’s microfinance boom.