In the last weeks, the media has mentioned the return to the Monroe Doctrine in Latin America due to the current tensions between President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, as well as the American bombing of Venezuelan ships in the Caribbean. In several press articles, journalists even mention a “Donroe Doctrine” (The New York Times, 2025).

In his latest album, “Debí tirar más fotos,” Puerto Rican reggaetonero (reggaeton singer) Bad Bunny denounced American colonialism as well as the mass tourism that the island has been experiencing for several years. This is not the first time that Benito denounces the living conditions and the difficult political situation of the island through his music. 

On May 12, 2025, in an interview with Bloomberg, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that Colombia would join China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), becoming the twenty-first Latin American country to integrate the project. Is the Belt Road Initiative a driver of industrial development for Latin America?

In Latin America, the commodities boom refers to the rise of commodity prices (energy, agricultural products, minerals and fuels) that occurred at the beginning of the 21st century. The supercycle drove economic growth and prosperity in the region. The living standard improved significantly as a new middle class emerged. 

Discover all the latest information and data available on Bolivia: GDP, population, unemployment, inflation, political regime...

Venezuela possesses the world's largest oil reserves. In 2018, the CIA estimated these reserves at over 300 billion barrels. Well…despite an economic growth rate of 5% in 2024, in Venezuela, more than half of the population lives below the poverty line and the annual inflation rate exceeds 200%. Due to the political situation, it is not easy to find official data…however, 7.9 million Venezuelans have left the country hoping to find refuge elsewhere. Why is that?