Rich Brown

MAS faces an existential threat in upcoming Bolivian elections If the leftist party can't manage 5% of the vote they will be disbanded. We talk about elections, economic crisis & the future of the body politic PODCAST w @amuyaskthwa for paid subscribers piratewireservices.com/p/mas-faces-an…

🇭🇳 | What is the relationship between the extractives industry, official corruption, and environmental destruction? Stay tuned for our latest investigation, which will be published this week and explores these dynamics in western Honduras.

🌐El tráfico de madera no es un delito local. Es un negocio internacional donde conviven falsificadores, empresarios y funcionarios corruptos. 🌳Y mientras ellos lucran, la Amazonía boliviana desaparece tronco a tronco. amazonunderworld.org/es/selva-en-fu…

🎙️Nuestra serie “The Shadow of El Dorado” fue nominada como mejor pódcast de periodismo en los Future of Media Awards 2025. Una historia sobre la dinámica del oro ilegal en Segovia, contada desde el corazón de Colombia. Escúchela aquí: f.mtr.cool/ecwklxvxnw

🌱 Desde Amazon Underworld te invitamos a este espacio virtual liderado por nuestro fundador y codirector @BramEbus , donde compartirá hallazgos clave de cómo el narcotráfico impacta la Amazonía junto a tres destacadas expertas en el tema. Inscríbete: 🔗docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

A record low number of migrants came to the US-Mexico border in June, dating back to 1960s levels. But it's equally as notable that Mexicans & Central Americans again represent the vast majority of arrivals--as they did prior to 2022. More @MigrationPolicy takeaways here⬇️

The Trump administration is embracing confrontation in Central America—especially Panama—to counter Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, and risks alienating local govts. Another great piece from @matyoukee: americasquarterly.org/article/u-s-pr…

indigenous Wampis guards were ambushed while confronting illegal gold miners in Peru’s Amazon, days after the govt pulled out of a joint patrol. No injuries, but shots were fired. The Wampis say they’re being left to defend their territory alone. 🔗 apnews.com/article/peru-i…

Brazil’s two heads of Congress, almost as powerful as the president if not equally so, showing united front in defending national “sovereignty” in standoff against Trump. Both are center-right/right figures

My latest for @AmerQuarterly is a data-driven article on the Amazon, featuring an interactive map of the Pan-Amazon region, a snapshot of the Brazilian Amazon, and a spotlight on Belém ahead of the COP30 summit this November. americasquarterly.org/article/amazon…

In a new op-ed for @nytimes, professor of Holocaust and genocide studies @bartov_omer explains why he believes "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people," something Israel denies: nytimes.com/2025/07/15/opi… Back in December, I spoke with Professor Bartov about…

NEW: The 30th UN Climate Change Conference—known as COP30—will take place this November in Belém, Brazil. Will it mark a new approach to climate action? Read the cover story by Beto Verissimo and Juliano Assunção. buff.ly/E9DOhgy

NEW: As Brazil prepares to host COP30, one proposal stands out. What’s on the table at the UN climate summit? AQ’s latest special report is out today. Read it here: buff.ly/pa5aqv9

NEW: What does Trump's new threat of 30% tariffs mean for Mexico? Analysts @Antonio_OrtizM, @DiegoTMEC, @heydeesmeet and Ernesto Revilla weigh in: americasquarterly.org/article/reacti…

🎙️NEW: Colombia enters election season amid increasing violence. @SergioGuzmanE joins @BrazilBrian on the AQ Podcast to explore what’s ahead for Colombia's economy, Petro's relationship with Trump, the security situation, and the 2026 presidential race: americasquarterly.org/article/aq-pod…

Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador & Peru just wrapped up Operation Green Shield, a rare joint Amazon crackdown on illegal mining, logging & wildlife trafficking — with support from the UAE. apnews.com/article/amazon…

What will Trump's 50% tariff on Brazil mean for Brazil's politics and its relationship with the US? @fermagnotta, @OliverStuenkel and @BrazilBrian share their analysis: americasquarterly.org/article/reacti…

how the world’s top trading partners have changed, 2000 v 2024

NEW: President Trump announced a 50% tariff on all goods from Brazil, citing Brazil's trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro. AQ asked analysts to share their reaction: americasquarterly.org/article/reacti…

I don't see an easy way out of the Trump vs Lula confrontation following today's 50% tariff announcement. Trump's previous battles with Petro, Sheinbaum and Mulino de-escalated relatively quickly, but those are countries with very US-connected economies & security relationships…