Latin America – The Underestimated Partner

Latin America – The Underestimated Partner

• Editorial of the issue: “Latin America – The Underestimated Partner”

  In a changing global order, Latin America is gaining strategic relevance for Europe. Geopolitical tensions, economic interests and competition with global powers are reshaping the region’s importance. What opportunities does this create for closer cooperation, and what obstacles remain?

  by Caroline Kanter

• An Interview with María Corina Machado

  “A People Determined to Be Free Cannot be Stopped”

  At the beginning of 2026, the US intervened militarily in Venezuela, taking strongman Nicolás Maduro out of the country. However, the authoritarian regime in Caracas remained largely intact, now under the leadership of Delcy Rodríguez. Opposition leader María Corina Machado had been excluded from the 2024 presidential election by Maduro. Edmundo González, at that moment something of a political nobody and the candidate who ran in her place – nevertheless clearly won the election. However, the regime falsified the result and retained de facto power. Machado – who had been living in hiding in her own country – managed to leave Venezuela covertly, travelled to Oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize at the end of 2025, and has been living in exile ever since. In this interview with International Reports, conducted on 8 May 2026, Machado talks about the situation in her country, what should happen next, and why this also concerns us in Germany and Europe.

  by Sören Soika

• The Trump Administration’s Latin America Strategy

  From Monroe to Donroe

  US strategy towards Latin America is increasingly shaped by security concerns. Migration, drug trafficking and organised crime dominate, and are primarily addressed through military means. What impact does this approach have on the region’s stability?

  by Hardy Ostry

• The EU–Mercosur Agreement

  Fresh Momentum for European–Latin American Relations

  The EU–Mercosur Agreement is as hailed as a milestone as it is contested. Between economic opportunities, criticism and global competition, much is at stake for businesses, agriculture and the EU’s international role. Can the deal deliver growth without deepening political and environmental tensions?

  by Patricia Enssle

• Why a Lithium Partnership with Bolivia Is Strategically Crucial for Germany and Europe

  If Not Now, When?

  Bolivia holds the world’s largest lithium reserves, and is opening up politically to international partnerships. At the same time, Europe faces increasing pressure to reduce its raw material dependence. Is a strategic alliance with global impact emerging or do risks and uncertainties prevail?

  by Christina Stolte

• “A Lot of People in Brazil Want a Political Middle Ground”

  An Interview with Maximilian Hedrich

  Brazil is heading into pivotal elections shaped by antagonistic political camps and a fragmented centre. While economic concerns and security issues dominate, a convincing alternative between left and right remains elusive. What dynamics are shaping the vote, and what does that mean for Europe?

  by Sören Soika, Magdalena Falkner

• The “Fifth Wave” of Transnational Organised Crime in Latin America

  Shadow Economy and Extra-legal Governance

  Transnational organised crime has evolved into a globally networked system that infiltrates, and in some cases replaces, state structures. With the emergence of a potential “fifth wave”, technology, influence and economic power are becoming even more central. What risks does this pose for Europe, and how can they be addressed?

  by Pablo Zeballos

• Mexico and the Changing Dynamics of Migration

  From a Country of Emigration to a Migration Hub

  Migration in Mexico is closely intertwined with US policy. Stricter border controls and the externalisation of migration governance are reshaping dynamics. What does this mean for Mexico?

  by Johannes Hügel, Nikolaus Rischbieter

• How Spain and Portugal Are Positioning Themselves as Bridges between Europe and Latin America

  The Ibero-American Axis

  Latin America is becoming a key arena of global power shifts. In this context, Spain and Portugal position themselves as strategic intermediaries between Europe and the region. How stable is this “Iberian bridge”, and does it always serve the general European and German interests?

  by Martin Friedek, Ludger Gruber

• Latin America’s View of Asia Based on the Example of the Pacific Alliance

  In Search of New Alliances

  Through the Pacific Alliance, various Latin American states seek to strategically align their economic integration with the Asia-Pacific region. Flexible structures and open markets offer opportunities, but geopolitical competition and structural imbalances pose challenges.

  by Andreas Michael Klein