[REPORT] Hugs No More, Bullets Galore? Mexico’s Security Policy One Year Into Sheinbaum’s Presidency

Overview of Claudia Sheinbaum’s first-year security policy, addressing the improvement of inherited tools and the persistent disjunction between reported outcomes and public perception.

The Far-Right’s Shocking Campaign in São Paulo’s Mayoral Race

Pablo Marçal’s campaign for mayor of São Paulo in 2024 highlights the intersection between digital populism and far-right politics, reflecting a global trend in which political outsiders take advantage of digital platforms to reshape electoral dynamics.

Who Votes in Brazil? Social and Economic Determinants of Participation

In Brazil, voting is mandatory for most of the adult population. Even so, between 2014 and 2024, the abstention rate showed a growth trend, reaching 29.26% in the second round of the 2024 elections, according to data from the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). To better understand these factors, we conducted a statistical analysis using data from the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), complemented by data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), which included a linear regression to identify the most influential variables affecting voter turnout rates.

A Coup Foretold: Brazil Confronts the Depths of a Plot to Kill Lula

Brazil’s federal police have uncovered an alleged plot involving military officers to assassinate President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President-elect Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes in December 2022. The plan, referred to as “Green and Yellow Dagger,” proposed replacing the elected government with a military-led administration. Several suspects with Special Forces backgrounds have been arrested. Meanwhile, former President Jair Bolsonaro is under investigation by the Supreme Court in connection with a wider probe into anti-democratic actions following the 2022 election.

Down to the Rubbish: How Media Built Brazil’s Celebrity Judges

Over a decade of corruption trials has thrust Brazil’s judiciary into the spotlight. Can celebrity judges stay independent?

Brazil’s Supreme Court: Democracy in Crisis?

As Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) grows in power, its role has become an increasingly divisive topic. Confrontations with former President Jair Bolsonaro, as well as several of his allies, have kept the Court at the forefront of public discourse. While supporters view the STF as safeguarding a democracy under attack, critics argue that the Court has overstepped its mandate and amassed too much authority.

What’s going on in Argentine Intelligence?

The increase in unconventional threats to state security highlights the need for intelligence systems capable of facing challenges such as organized crime, cyberattacks, terrorist acts, radicalized groups, and more. In this context, the role of the Argentine Intelligence System holds significant importance. How is this intelligence system structured and regulated in Argentina, and what is its current situation?

Brazil’s historic G-20 tax proposal could mark a turning point for the global taxation scenario

As the globe struggles with worldwide issues, such as climate change, growing inequality and the need to finance the energy transition, new taxation schemes are discussed. Brazil’s G20 proposal seeks to transform the global tax framework into a more progressive one. This November, global leaders will have a chance to expand upon these ideas and to deliver on a propositive and determined tax vision for the future.

Galípolo’s appointment and the political stakes of Central Bank autonomy in Brazil

Amid growing debates about Brazil’s economic policy, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has indicated to his allies that he does not intend to make public demands on economist Gabriel Galípolo, his nominee to take over as president of the Central Bank from January 2025. This position shows a change in the relationship between Lula and the Central Bank. It is worth remembering that this is Lula’s first appointment after the institution gained operational autonomy in 2021. Galípolo’s appointment and tacit support for stricter interest rate policies raise questions about why Lula, historically critical of the Central Bank’s autonomy, is now adopting a more open and moderate stance.