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Latin America Faces Rightward Shift as Populists Win Elections
Confirmed
In Short: The trend is part of a broader regional shift towards the right, with seven right-wing or far-right candidates winning presidential elections across Latin America over the past 18 months.
According to a report in Foreign Affairs, the price of maize, a staple food in Central America, rose by more than 60 percent in Honduras from 2025 to 2026, contributing to economic anxiety.
The trend is part of a broader regional shift towards the right, with seven right-wing or far-right candidates winning presidential elections across Latin America over the past 18 months.
The US has been actively involved in Latin American politics under President Donald Trump, who has praised his administration’s success in South America. Trump’s national security strategy outlined how the US would interfere in the political life of countries it considers part of its sphere of influence.
In Colombia, Trump’s administration repeatedly bullied and threatened the left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, hitting him with personal sanctions and accusing him of being an “illegal drug leader.”
The US military leader recently toured Colombia following the country's joining of the U.S.-led Shield of the Americas security alliance, highlighting the ongoing efforts to enhance regional security and cooperation.
Amid this political landscape, Pope Leo XIV announced a papal journey to Latin America, set to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17, 2026. The Pope's visit will include meetings with local authorities and the diplomatic corps, as well as addressing bishops and the faithful.
The Pope's itinerary highlights the Church's role in addressing social and religious issues in the region, coming at a time when Latin America is grappling with significant political and economic challenges.
The election in Brazil is particularly significant, with Flavio Bolsonaro's campaign promising to impose order and security in the country. Some voters, like tech worker Joao Batista, 36, in the Rocinha favela, have expressed frustration with the high cost of basic goods and the failure of the left.
In contrast, opponents of Flavio Bolsonaro, such as doorman Anderson de Almeida, 45, argue that he represents a step backward and could potentially damage Brazil's sovereignty.
While the US has been actively supporting right-wing candidates in the region, the Pope's visit underscores the Church's continued role in addressing social and religious issues in Latin America.
The conclusion is that the rightward trend in Latin America reflects a broader regional dissatisfaction with current governance and economic policies, with the US playing a significant role in supporting these changes.
What this adds
The Pope's visit to Latin America will include meetings with local authorities and the diplomatic corps, as well as addressing bishops and the faithful.
The US military leader recently toured Colombia following the country's joining of the U.S.-led Shield of the Americas security alliance.
Background
Pope Leo XIV announced a papal journey to Latin America, set to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17, 2026. The Vatican released the schedule, detailing the Pope's itinerary and the themes for each country.
US President Trump signed a permanent security agreement with Greenland, while 16-year-old guitarist Nene Royal won America's Got Talent.
What's confirmed
- According to a report in Foreign Affairs, the price of maize, a staple food in Central America, rose by more than 60 percent in Honduras from 2025 to 2026, contributing to economic anxiety.
- The trend is part of a broader regional shift towards the right, with seven right-wing or far-right candidates winning presidential elections across Latin America over the past 18 months.
- The US has been actively involved in Latin American politics under President Donald Trump, who has praised his administration’s success in South America. Trump’s national security strategy outlined how the US would interfere in the political life of countries it considers part of its sphere of influence.
- The US military leader recently toured Colombia following the country's joining of the U.S.-led Shield of the Americas security alliance, highlighting the ongoing efforts to enhance regional security and cooperation.
- Amid this political landscape, Pope Leo XIV announced a papal journey to Latin America, set to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17, 2026. The Pope's visit will include meetings with local authorities and the diplomatic corps, as well as addressing bishops and the faithful.
- The Pope's itinerary highlights the Church's role in addressing social and religious issues in the region, coming at a time when Latin America is grappling with significant political and economic challenges.
- The election in Brazil is particularly significant, with Flavio Bolsonaro's campaign promising to impose order and security in the country. Some voters, like tech worker Joao Batista, 36, in the Rocinha favela, have expressed frustration with the high cost of basic goods and the failure of the left.
- In contrast, opponents of Flavio Bolsonaro, such as doorman Anderson de Almeida, 45, argue that he represents a step backward and could potentially damage Brazil's sovereignty.
- While the US has been actively supporting right-wing candidates in the region, the Pope's visit underscores the Church's continued role in addressing social and religious issues in Latin America.
- The conclusion is that the rightward trend in Latin America reflects a broader regional dissatisfaction with current governance and economic policies, with the US playing a significant role in supporting these changes.
What's still developing
- They are founding partners at Dinámica Americas, a strategic advisory firm.
- He served on the National Security Council as President Barack Obama’s adviser for the Americas from 2012 to 2015 and participated in Obama’s diplomatic opening to Cuba.
- "I admit I was convinced I would win in the first round. The game is about to start. In extra time, we will win over the Brazilian people," the 80-year-old said.
- "I am truly happy with the result," Flavio Bolsonaro said after results came through, hailing the "very real possibility" of a run-off victory.
- "Things are truly terrible. As far as I'm concerned, the left just doesn't work anymore," said tech worker Joao Batista, 36, in the Rocinha favela, saying he was fed up with the "horrible" expense of basic goods.
- Trump had said he was watching the election "very closely," but did not endorse Flavio Bolsonaro.
- "I'm very good at knockout stages." The veteran leftist has branded the election a battle between democracy and "barbarism," warning voters that Brazil's sovereignty was at stake in the face of US pressure.
- "when I got there, I switched to Bolsonaro. Just to see what happens, to see if anything changes."
- In Latin America, though, the US president has a different story to tell.
- “We’re doing very well in South America,” Trump said last month.
- A recent advert accused Flávio Bolsonaro of being “Trump’s candidate” and said the US president wants “ to colonise Brazil, take our riches, steal our future and leave us in the dust ”.
- “Some in Brazil joke that Lula’s most effective surrogate is Trump,” Brian Winter, editor in chief of Americas Quarterly, told me.