Friday Reading List - 6 February 2026
•February 6, 2026
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Why It Matters
Understanding these intertwined political, economic, and security trends is crucial for anyone tracking U.S. influence and the rise of autocratic forces in the Western Hemisphere. The episode’s timely synthesis of elections, drug‑related violence, and great‑power competition offers insight into how regional stability and investment climates may evolve in the coming years.
Friday Reading List - 6 February 2026
Good morning from Vienna, VA. The ice storm hit on 26 January. The schools still have delayed openings today because the buses struggle to drive through it. How can the US dominate the hemisphere when it can’t manage a little DC-area snow?
This week’s articles and newsletters
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WPR - Will Trump’s Pressure Campaign Bring Cuba to the Table?
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Wednesday - Petro’s meeting with Trump went better than Machado’s
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Thursday - Pro-Democracy vs Pro-Autocracy mobilizations in Latin America
The Tuesday newsletter and Friday list of links remain free and without a paywall. Please subscribe to support this newsletter and receive additional content. Every week, paying subscribers receive Wednesday’s newsletter about US policy in Latin America and Thursday’s newsletter about Latin American politics and security. It’s $90 per year for individuals and $350 per year for institutions.
Thanks for reading.
Reading List
World Politics Review - The Trump Corollary and the Fracturing of Latin America
Bloomberg - At a Panama Summit, a More Pragmatic Latin America Emerges
NYT - It’s Not the Cartels That Worry Claudia Sheinbaum
El Financiero - 78% de mexicanos rechaza propuesta de fuerzas militares de EU en nuestro país: Encuesta EF
FT - Mexico in Trump’s sights as drug ties to Venezuela loom large
MCCI - Red de factureras ligada a Bermúdez Requena obtuvo más de 2,300 millones en contratos públicos
Reuters - Mexico arrests mayor of Tequila for extorting distillers in alleged cartel scheme
CSIS - Nearshoring Without Growth: Why Investment Uncertainty Is Holding Mexico Back
Bloomberg - Lula Plans “Anti-Establishment” Message for 2026 Brazil Election, Folha Reports
Bloomberg - Trump’s View of Colombia Leader Swings From ‘Sick’ to ‘Terrific’
WSJ - A Cocaine Boom Ruptured the U.S.-Colombia Alliance. Can It Be Repaired?
NYT - He Can’t Stop Needling Trump, Even Days Before a White House Meeting
Back Channel - Will Petro stand up to Trump on climate?
Bloomberg - For Colombia’s Richest Man, Maduro’s Ouster Means More Candy for Venezuela
Economist - Why so many Colombians fight in foreign wars
La Silla Vacia - Saab y De la Espriella: fechas que enredan la desmarcada del candidato
Americas Quarterly - Rodrigo Paz’s Defiant First 90 Days
Bolivia Brief - Bolivia Bets on Debt
AP - Where is Evo Morales? Bolivia’s ex-leader vanishes from public view for nearly a month
Reuters - Top Democrat on Senate committee asks Treasury to end $20 billion swap line to Argentina
WSJ - Milei Hunts for Over $250 Billion That Argentines Have Hidden in Secret Stashes
FT - Guatemala says it can win ‘war’ on gangs
Guardian - Costa Rica heads to polls amid fears of authoritarian turn
Economist - The Panama Canal is a hinge point in Donald Trump’s new order
Bloomberg - China Denounces Ruling by Panama Court to Void CK Hutchison’s Port Contracts
Bloomberg - China Is Losing More Than Just Two Ports in Panama
Sulaco Times - Panama Ports Ruling: First Thoughts
Americas Quarterly - Haiti’s Political Crisis Deepens Amid a Slide Into Criminal Governance
Crisis Group - U.S. Gunboats Patrol Haiti’s Waters amid Wrangling over a New Government
Economist - After years of despair, Haiti has a sliver of hope
Chatham House - Haiti’s vicious circle: Funding is needed to end the violence. But the violence means the funding doesn’t come
NPR - ‘La cosa’: In Cuba, this single phrase carries coded truths - Worth a few minutes of your time to listen to this
Folha - Apesar de Trump, Cuba não será uma Venezuela
El Pais - Cuba’s growing fuel shortages: ‘This feels apocalyptic’
FT - Cuban doctors’ departure from Venezuela saps Havana of vital revenue
Irish Times - Could Digicel bondholder-owners be preparing for a sale? - Implications for Caribbean telecoms.
Caballeros - Putting the (Mine)Cart Before the Horse
AP - Flooded by cheap Chinese goods, Latin America is fighting back to protect its industries
InfoBAE - De los satélites a la soberanía: la silenciosa estrategia espacial de China en América Latina
The Atlantic - The Logical End Point of ‘America First’ Foreign Aid
WSJ - ‘Spy Sheikh’ Bought Secret Stake in Trump Company
Washington Post - As West goes after Russia’s oil fleet, Moscow fears for its war funding
Venezuela stuff
Caracas Chronicles - Mapping Paths for Regime Transformation in Venezuela
Persuasion - Rubio Wants Democracy, Trump Wants Oil
Atlantic Council - Memo to the president: Steps to secure a prosperous, US-aligned Venezuela
Politico - Venezuelan opposition leader says elections could be held in under a year
AP - A glimmer of hope for democracy in Venezuela as opponents test the limits of free speech
Wired - The Information Networks That Connect Venezuelans in Uncertain Times
FT - Venezuelan business looks to post-Maduro opportunities
Stimson - Was Venezuela Worth It?
Bloomberg - The US and Venezuela Are Both Pursuing a Devil’s Bargain
WSJ - The $100 Billion Bet on Venezuelan Oil Relies on a Broken State Company
Confidencial - Monaldi: EE. UU. controla economía petrolera de Venezuela, pero son improbables grandes inversiones
NYT - Near a Refinery for Venezuelan Oil, U.S. Residents Say: Please Buy Our Homes
Reuters - US refiners struggle to absorb sudden surge in Venezuelan oil imports
CFR - The Year Ahead in Commodity Markets - Lots of Venezuela energy commentary in this
Goodman - Twitter comment on a PDVSA legal case
Globe and Mail - Canadian miners near victory in case of gold deposits seized in Venezuela
WSJ - How a Silicon Valley Startup Became a Crypto Lifeline for Venezuela
Thanks for reading
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](https://boz.substack.com/p/pro-democracy-vs-pro-autocracy-mobilizat)
The graphic above is from Thursday’s newsletter.
Have a good weekend!
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