South America

G20 Under Brazil’s Presidency – A Divided House Impaired by Personal Ambitions
Analysis, Featured, South America, World

G20 Under Brazil’s Presidency – A Divided House Impaired by Personal Ambitions

While Brazil positions itself to raise the issues of Global South, President Lula has ambitions that can be considered a red flag for passing any resolution when the main summit convenes. It is crucial for the chair of a prominent international organization, seen by some as an alternative to the United Nations, to avoid extreme positions. The G20, following its progress in Delhi last year, is now facing discontent under a leadership seemingly more focused on personal ambition than recognizing the aspirations of others. Though leaders like Lula aspire to lead the global South, it is India that has taken the lead and continues to be a responsible and reliable player in the challenging geopolitical landscape. Last week, the foreign ministers of the G20 nations met for a discussion whi...
Ecuador’s Internal Security Crisis: Need For A Comprehensive Solution
Featured, South America, World

Ecuador’s Internal Security Crisis: Need For A Comprehensive Solution

The repercussions of Ecuador's crisis extend beyond its borders, affecting neighbouring countries and indirectly influencing the United States. South America's significant role in global affairs, coupled with increased migration flows from the region, amplifies the urgency of addressing the situation. In a significant development in the new year, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa declared an "internal armed conflict" against criminal groups, concurrently imposing a sixty-day state of emergency. This drastic measure comes in response to a series of alarming events, including prison escapes, riots, and targeted attacks on institutions. While the initial steps taken by the Noboa administration are commendable, the gravity of the situation necessitates urgent international support. ...
Navigating the Path to Fairness: A Close Look at Biden’s Risky Gamble in Venezuela
Featured, North America, South America, World

Navigating the Path to Fairness: A Close Look at Biden’s Risky Gamble in Venezuela

There's a reason to be cautious about Maduro's intentions as he has shown little tolerance for opposition, causing economic ruin and forcing millions to leave Venezuela. Whether Maduro genuinely allows fair elections or just benefits from oil revenue remains uncertain. The opposition, Venezuelan society, and the U.S. must hold him accountable; otherwise, the risky US plan may make things worse than before. President Biden, along with Venezuela's political opposition, is trying a new plan to deal with a country that used to be prosperous and democratic but is now struggling under a left-wing autocracy. It's a big risk, betting that President Nicolás Maduro will allow fair elections if the U.S. eases some of the sanctions it imposed. The goal is to bring back democracy to Venezuel...
Essequibo Turmoil: How the Conflict Between Venezuela and Guyana Could Impact the World and India
Analysis, Featured, South America, World

Essequibo Turmoil: How the Conflict Between Venezuela and Guyana Could Impact the World and India

Recent naval interceptions in the disputed maritime area, notably involving vessels conducting hydrocarbon prospecting studies, intensified the conflict. Guyana vehemently defended its rights in the exclusive economic zone, highlighting the precarious nature of the situation. The decision by the Venezuelan government to proceed with a consultative referendum has added a new layer to an already complex geopolitical landscape. The impact on India is diverse, notably in light of the recent resumption of oil supplies from Venezuela. In a significant turn of events, the president of the Venezuelan National Assembly has made a groundbreaking announcement, revealing plans for a consultative referendum to determine the potential annexation of the Essequibo region in Guyana. This revelatio...
The Rise of Anarcho-Capitalism: Understanding Javier Milei’s Electoral Triumph
Featured, South America, World

The Rise of Anarcho-Capitalism: Understanding Javier Milei’s Electoral Triumph

Milei, a self-described 'anarcho-capitalist,' plans to get rid of the central bank and the national currency in favour of the U.S. dollar and eliminate some of the ministries.Milei opposes cooperation with China, Brazil and Russia, favouring the United States. And his future office has already spoken out against Argentina joining BRICS in 2024.The potential consequences of Milei's policies, coupled with the challenge of managing IMF debts without Chinese assistance, underscore the fragility of the country's economic stability.  The victory of libertarian Javier Milei in the presidential election has left no one in Argentina indifferent. While some are crying over Sergio Massa's speech admitting his defeat, others are jumping into the streets shouting "Liberty, liberty!" Milei, a...
BRICS+ | Understanding the Johannesburg II Declaration
Analysis, Asia, Featured, Middle East, South America, World

BRICS+ | Understanding the Johannesburg II Declaration

BRICS+ can play an effective role in facilitating diverse engagement and work for the common interests of all members provided the ambition of one nation is not allowed to jeopardise the growth agenda of other nations. President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of China Xi Jinping, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pose for a BRICS family photo during the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 23, 2023. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS BRICS formally declared that Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, UAE and Ethiopia will become full members as the group changed its name from 'BRICS' to 'BRICS+'. For Russia, it is an impor...
Brazil pampering China – Is Lula trying to become a middleman between US and China?
Analysis, Asia, Featured, South America, World

Brazil pampering China – Is Lula trying to become a middleman between US and China?

Lula will work to increase trade and investment with China and use multilateral fora like BRICS to uphold neutrality in the age of strategic rivalry. Lula's suggestion that Brazil and other developing nations mediate for peace is a crucial component of his outreach in China. By advocating that Ukraine abandon Crimea in order to achieve peace, he angered Ukriane and many in the West. The effect of Brazil assuming the role of a middleman between the United States and China will be for the entire world to see as it gets ready to host the G-20 conference in 2024. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the president of Brazil, travelled to China last week to fortify ties with that country, which is its largest trading partner. Lula further aimed to garner support for his improbable eff...
Peru Anti-Government Protests – Struggle for Political One-upmanship
Featured, South America, World

Peru Anti-Government Protests – Struggle for Political One-upmanship

The trigger for the large-scale anti-government protests was the events of Dec. 7, 2022, that saw now-ousted President Pedro Castillo embark on what has been described as an attempted coup. Whether it was a "coup" is subject to debate. Castillo's supporters say he was trying to head off a different type of coup, one instigated by Congress. Castillo – a leftist, Indigenous former teacher from the country's south – tried to shut down a Congress intent on impeaching him over corruption claims and accusations of treason. He called on the military to support him, and his intention was to form a constituent assembly to reform the country's constitution. However, his plan didn't work. The military countered Castillo's ploy while the Congress refused to be dissolved and went ahead with its...
Brazil Riots – Cause, Consequence and Road Ahead for Brazil and Lula
Featured, South America, World

Brazil Riots – Cause, Consequence and Road Ahead for Brazil and Lula

January 9, 2023, saw a major turnaround in Brazilian politics as a huge number of Bolansaro supporters stormed the Brazilian parliament and the Supreme Court. The storming of the country's democratic institutions comes months after Jair Bolansaro's election loss against veteran leader Luiz Inacio Silva (LULA) in the tightly contested October elections. Bolansaro's election loss was a huge upset for his supporters. Bolsonaro, who was elected to power in 2018, was a big hope for far-right politics in Brazil and Latin America. He promised reforms to improve the economy,  safeguard the Amazon rainforests, and lead Latin America which caught the attention of the world, particularly the United States, as Trump considered Bolsonaro a major ally. Such was the uniformity be...
The USA’s volte-face on Venezuela – Advantage Venezuela or a pawn to tide over the oil crisis? 
Analysis, Featured, North America, South America, World

The USA’s volte-face on Venezuela – Advantage Venezuela or a pawn to tide over the oil crisis? 

With the US resuming its oil operations in Venezuela, this article aims to understand the reasons, aftermath, and geopolitics of the US easing sanctions on Venezuelan Oil. Venezuela, a country situated in the northern part of Latin America on the shades of the Andes and which holds the world's largest reserves of oil, is known for its economic and political instability. It shares an unwelcome relationship with Washington with a history of differences with various regimes of Venezuela, including the incumbent one. But the relations took an interesting turn as the United States decided to resume its oil operations in Venezuela recently. The United States has also said that it would look to reduce the sanctions imposed on Venezuela and has also stated that this move won't...