Latin America
Latin America is a region comprising the countries and territories of the Americas where Romance languages—primarily Spanish and Portuguese—are predominantly spoken. The region encompasses Mexico, Central America, South America and parts of the Caribbean, covering about 20 million square kilometres and home to more than 650-million people. Major economies include Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Chile, with the region collectively representing a significant share of global GDP. Key economic sectors include agriculture, mining, energy, manufacturing and services, with the region rich in natural resources such as copper, lithium, oil, gas, iron ore and agricultural commodities including soybeans, coffee and beef. Latin America is characterised by diverse political systems, ranging from stable democracies to countries experiencing governance challenges, and is home to regional blocs including Mercosur, the Pacific Alliance and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. The region faces development challenges including income inequality, infrastructure gaps and vulnerability to commodity price cycles, whilst also pursuing opportunities in renewable energy, digital transformation and regional integration. Latin American countries are active participants in multilateral forums including the United Nations and engage with international partners on trade, climate action and sustainable development. The term Latin America emerged in the nineteenth century to distinguish the Romance-language territories from Anglo-Saxon North America, and the region's modern economic and political landscape has been shaped by colonial history, independence movements, industrialisation and ongoing integration into global markets.
Latin America Updates
Industrial-scale meth production poses new security risks for Nigeria
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 3rd June 2026 Southwestern Nigeria has largely been spared major security threats – now it faces a troubling convergence of drugs and terror. Nigeria’s National... →
AfDB expects Africa's economic growth to slow to 4.2% due to the Middle East crisis
By: Reuters 26th May 2026 Africa's economic growth is expected to slow slightly to 4.2% this year from 4.4% last year, the African Development Bank said, as Middle East... →
Opinion: South Africa’s doctrine gap
23rd April 2026 South Africa keeps relitigating 1994 while the world builds the next industrial order without it, writes economic commentator Itumeleng Mahabane. →
SA: Cyril Ramaphosa: Address by South Africa President, to the Global Progressive Mobilisation Plenary during working visit to Spain (18/04/2026)
20th April 2026 The resurgence in unlawful wars of aggression and genocide in places like Palestine are linked to ideologies of superiority that continue to treat... →
Global economy faces inflation and growth test amid escalating conflict in Iran – Goldman
By: Reuters 5th March 2026 A temporary surge in oil prices to $100/bbl could slow global growth by 0.4 percentage point, Goldman Sachs analysts said on Thursday, as a... →
Lessons for Africa from US military action in Venezuela
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 2nd February 2026 Had Maduro enjoyed undisputed electoral legitimacy, his capture by a foreign power would have been far more costly. America’s military removal of... →
 |
 |
1 |
 |
 |
