Latin American And Caribbean Countries Research Articles

China-Mexico Economic Relationship in the Context of China’s Penetration in Latin America

China’s relationship with Latin America countries experienced a process of significant expansion over the past two decades. Even though Latin America was not considered as part of the BRI when it was first established, China designed its economic strategy toward the region by emphasizing investment, financial and industrial capacity cooperation, besides trade. Afterwards, China invited Latin American countries to participate in the BRI at the China–Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Ministerial Forum in Santiago in January 2018. Twenty-one Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries have signed up to the BRI. However, there are few LAC countries that have not done so, among them the region’s largest economies such as Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, although Brazil is with full AIIB membership. This paper focuses on the specific economic relations between China and Mexico, as far as Mexico is the less involved LA country into the BRI, and Mexico’s position toward China is more aligned with that of its North American partners than to the Latin American countries. This article analyzes the specific situation of Mexico, characterized by its deep integration and dependency on the US market and examines the current economic relations of China and Mexico, considering the impact of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement on the bilateral economic relations. The structure of bilateral trade between Mexico and China is also examined, using the Grubel-Lloyd Index (GLI).

The national spatial governance and planning systems in the LAC region: The structure of Brazil, Bolivia, and Cuba

The Spatial Governance and Planning System (SGPS) analysis was born in European studies, has reached a certain stage of maturity in Europe and can be adopted by researchers in other continents. Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries currently represent an interesting field to experiment with this analytical approach for several reasons. One of them is the ascertainment that LAC national SGPSs are deeply influenced by the ongoing national democratization which started after the demise of conservative right-wing authoritarian regimes, somehow belonging to the postcolonial political stream and pushed by imperialist and neocolonial pressures. By its own nature, democratization as a whole is an extremely complex, articulated, and multidimensional process that deserves to be treated ad hoc. Within democratization, this work merely considers the institutionalization of spatial governance and planning activities and processes and so, the Structure of SGPSs. Supposedly, the formation and functioning of institutions are central in the process of consolidation of a democratic state which ensures rights and redistributes resources to citizens. To do this, based on the reconstruction of the overall SGPSs of three different countries included in the doctoral thesis of the author, this article presents the analysis of the so-called “Structure” of the Brazilian, Bolivian and Cuban SGPSs. Arguably, the set of Structures of the SGPSs of these countries is especially representative of the wide range of the LAC national cases. In fact, Brazil, Bolivia, and Cuba are iconic cases of distinguished spatial configurations. Brazil, which has experienced industrialization, tertiarization and metropolisation, has become an emergent economy characterized by structured democratic public institutions. Despite a range of well-known redistributive policies, however, Brazilian society remains extremely unequal and stratified. Bolivia has experimented with the promotion of plurinationalism in political and social terms, potentially improving the reciprocal integration of different ethnic groups and cultures. Nevertheless, a great developmental delay is shown by social and economic indicators, if compared to other LAC countries. Cuba, which has experimented with its own form of socialism for decades, is still a socialist republic with tragic problems of widespread poverty in a flattened society. To analytically present the Structure of the three selected national cases, four main scopes of investigation were adopted: (i) National spatial configuration, (ii) Postcolonial legacy in spatial governance and planning, (iii) Spatial governance and planning as redistributive practices, (iv) Metropolitan governance. The identification of these scopes represented the first result of the field research carried out in 2018–2019 in those countries. Assumably, those four scopes are sufficiently comprehensive to describe the Structure of SGPS of a LAC national system and they help systematize at least the main “Structural” factors – which are described one-by-one in this article – and characterize the LAC SGPSs. The article presents the four scopes for each country, according to a case-by-case logic. After that, it analyses the four scopes simultaneously comparing the three cases. Based on the analytical comparison of the main factors from the four scopes, the article discusses a range of issues that emerged, to problematize and operate convenient generalizations on the quality and characterization of the Structure of national SGPSs.

Climate drivers of migration and neglected tropical disease burden in Latin American and Caribbean immigrants: A pilot study in Atlanta, Georgia

IntroductionClimate change has negatively impacted the agricultural and socioeconomic infrastructure of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries leading to conditions that promote human migration. It has also led to emergence and reemergence of infectious diseases. This pilot study aimed to identify climate-related drivers of migration and to describe the burden of climate-sensitive neglected tropical diseases (NTD) in immigrants living in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. MethodsFirst generation immigrants from LAC countries living in the Atlanta-metro area were recruited between May and December 2021. Participants completed a survey concerning demographics, socioeconomics, living conditions in their country of origin and living conditions in Atlanta, and motivations for migration. Blood and stool samples were collected to identify Chagas disease and soil-transmitted helminths, and skin exams screened for leprosy and leishmaniasis. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariable analyses of this dataset looked at the association between a climate-driven motivation to migrate and geographic and socioeconomic factors. ResultsFifty-seven individuals were recruited representing 11 LAC countries of origin. Most originated from Central America (n = 32; 56 %) and Mexico (n = 13; 23%). Forty-two participants reported a change in climate or weather in their country of origin prior to moving and direct climate drivers of migration (e.g., floods, drought, etc.) were identified by 12 participants (21.1%). Infectious diseases screening found one definitive case of Chagas (2.5%) out of 40 blood samples screened. Food insecurity was significantly associated with a climate-related factor for migrating: aOR = 6.3 (95 % CI 1.1, 35.5). ConclusionsWhile most participants did not directly identify “climate change” as a reason for migration, our study reveals many factors such as food insecurity, agricultural occupations, and region of origin that may underlie climate-motivated migration. Finding one case of Chagas was also noteworthy and shows the need for improved surveillance for this important NTD.

Schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiases and sanitation in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic reviewRelación entre la prevalencia de esquistosomiasis y geohelmintiasis y las condiciones sanitarias en América Latina y el Caribe: una revisión sistemática

To investigate the relationship between the prevalence of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis with variables related to access to water, sanitation and solid waste in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. A systematic review was performed in the LILACS, PubMed, Web of Science, and SciELO databases. Studies published between 1950 and August 2021, with an ecological design and a focus on population groups (states, municipalities and/or districts), having the prevalence of infection by Schistosoma mansoni, Ancylostoma sp., Necator americanus, Ascaris lumbricoides or Trichuris trichiura as primary variable and access to water, sewage and/or solid waste as explanatory variables were included. Open access articles with full text available in English, Spanish, or Portuguese were considered. The risk of bias and the quality of the studies were assessed according to the Joanna Briggs Institute manual. Of 2 714 articles, nine were eligible, published between 1994 and 2021 and covering 22 LAC countries and 14 350 municipalities. All articles had moderate methodological quality. Environmental variables indicated an association between water supply and solid waste collection with schistosomiasis; water supply with ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm; and sewage with ascariasis and hookworm. Except for one article, which had regional coverage for LAC, all the others were developed in Brazil. There is a clear need to expand research on the association between household and collective health conditions and parasitic diseases for all endemic countries in LAC to support environmental strategies to control these diseases.

Factors associated with healthy aging in Latin American populations

Latin American populations may present patterns of sociodemographic, ethnic and cultural diversity that can defy current universal models of healthy aging. The potential combination of risk factors that influence aging across populations in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries is unknown. Compared to other regions where classical factors such as age and sex drive healthy aging, higher disparity-related factors and between-country variability could influence healthy aging in LAC countries. We investigated the combined impact of social determinants of health (SDH), lifestyle factors, cardiometabolic factors, mental health symptoms and demographics (age, sex) on healthy aging (cognition and functional ability) across LAC countries with different levels of socioeconomic development using cross-sectional and longitudinal machine learning models (n = 44,394 participants). Risk factors associated with social and health disparities, including SDH (β > 0.3), mental health (β > 0.6) and cardiometabolic risks (β > 0.22), significantly influenced healthy aging more than age and sex (with null or smaller effects: β < 0.2). These heterogeneous patterns were more pronounced in low-income to middle-income LAC countries compared to high-income LAC countries (cross-sectional comparisons), and in an upper-income to middle-income LAC country, Costa Rica, compared to China, a non-upper-income to middle-income LAC country (longitudinal comparisons). These inequity-associated and region-specific patterns inform national risk assessments of healthy aging in LAC countries and regionally tailored public health interventions.

Disparities in breast cancer mortality among Latin American women: trends and predictions for 2030

BackgroundBreast cancer is among the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) women, but a comprehensive and updated analysis of mortality trends is lacking. The objective of this study was to determine the breast cancer mortality rates between 1997 and 2017 for LAC countries and predict mortality until 2030.MethodsWe retrieved breast cancer deaths across 17 LAC countries from the World Health Organization mortality database. Age-standardized mortality rates per 100,000 women-years were estimated. Mortality trends were evaluated with Joinpoint regression analyses by country and age group (all ages, < 50 years, and ≥ 50 years). By 2030, we predict number of deaths, mortality rates, changes in population structure and size, and the risk of death from breast cancer.ResultsArgentina, Uruguay, and Venezuela reported the highest mortality rates throughout the study period. Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua reported the largest increases (from 2.4 to 2.8% annually), whereas Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay reported downward trends (from − 1.0 to − 1.6% annually). In women < 50y, six countries presented downward trends and five countries showed increasing trends. In women ≥ 50y, three countries had decreased trends and ten showed increased trends. In 2030, increases in mortality are expected in the LAC region, mainly in Guatemala (+ 63.0%), Nicaragua (+ 47.3), El Salvador (+ 46.2%), Ecuador (+ 38.5%) and Venezuela (+ 29.9%).ConclusionOur findings suggest considerable differences in breast cancer mortality across LAC countries by age group. To achieve the 2030 sustainable developmental goals, LAC countries should implement public health strategies to reduce mortality by breast cancer.

Needs, Roles, and Challenges of Young Latin American and Caribbean Neurosurgeons

Barriers to neurosurgery training and practice in Latin American and Caribbean countries (LACs) have been scarcely documented. The World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies Young Neurosurgeons Forum (YNF) survey sought to identify young neurosurgeons' needs, roles, and challenges. We present the results focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed the YNF survey responses from LACs, following online survey dissemination through personal contacts, social media, and neurosurgical societies' emailing lists between April and November 2018. Data analysis was performed using Jamovi version 2.0 and STATA version 16. There were 91 respondents from LACs. 3 (3.3%) respondents practiced in High-Income Countries, 77 (84.6%) in Upper Middle-Income Countries, 10 (11%) in Lower Middle-Income Countries, and 1 (1.1%) in an unclassified country. 77 (84.6%) of respondents were male, and 71 (90.2%) were under 40. Access to basic imaging modalities was high, with access to computed tomography (CT) scan universal among the survey respondents. However, only 25 (27.5%) of respondents reported having access to imaging guidance systems (navigation), and 73 (80.2%) reported having access to high-speed drills. A high GDP per capita was associated with increased availability of high-speed drills and more time dedicated to educational endeavors in neurosurgery, such as didactic teaching and topic presentation (p< 0.05). This survey found that neurosurgery trainees and practitioners of Latin America and the Caribbean face many barriers to practice. These include inadequate state-of-the-art neurosurgical equipment, a lack of standardized training curricula, few research opportunities, and long working hours.

Monkeypox in Latin America and the Caribbean: assessment of the first 100 days of the 2022 outbreak

ABSTRACT During the 2022 monkeypox (mpox) epidemic’s first 100 days, 99 non-endemic countries, including 25 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, reported >64,000 cases. We aim to assess the cases’ introduction, epidemiological profile, initial response, transmission dynamics, and main challenges ahead among LAC countries during the first 100 days of the mpox 2022 epidemic. We used mixed methods, including desktop research and open data analysis. The 2022 mpox epidemic has progressed consistently through LAC, with Brazil and Peru combining for over 80% of the confirmed LAC cases. Although Brazil reports the highest mpox case counts (n = 4472), Peru reports the highest incidence (41 confirmed cases per 1 million inhabitants). Initially, LAC missed the opportunity to focus on the high-risk population, including the people living with HIV (PLHIV) and gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (GBMSM). Moreover, the main challenges ahead include stigmatization, vaccine inequity, barriers to accessing diagnostics, and complete isolation. Furthermore, we estimated that Colombia, Brazil, the United States, and Peru are the world frontrunners in mpox duplication time (estimated between 6.4 and 8.8) and effective reproductive number (estimated between 2.7 and 3.8). In addition, Brazil reported its first case of inverse zoonosis in a dog and Peru its first autochthonous MPXV lineage, B.1.6. LAC has become the epicenter of the 2022 mpox epidemic, with Brazil and Peru emerging as the new mpox hot zones. Therefore, LAC countries must join efforts to control this epidemic and overcome the challenges of vaccine inequity and stigmatization.

Navigating the Impact of Renewable Energy, Trade Openness, Income, and Globalization on Load Capacity Factor: The Case of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) Countries

Considering relatively high but recently decreasing environmental quality in the LAC countries with regard to the world, this study uncovers the progress of environmental quality, which is proxied by load capacity factor (LCF). In this context, the study considers renewable energy, trade openness, income, and globalization as explanatory indicators; uses data from 1990 to 2018; applies pooled mean group autoregressive distributed lag (PMG-ARDL) approach as the main model; and performs panel Toda-Yamamoto (PTY) causality test as robustness model. This is important because the LAC countries have ecological reserves, whereas many countries have an ecological deficit. For this reason, the investigation of the LAC countries has significance for the environmental quality in the world. Also, this study has novelty in terms of examining LAC countries and using the LCF as the environmental quality. The results present that (i) renewable energy has an improving impact on the LCF in both the short run and the long run; (ii) trade openness has a stimulating impact on the LCF in the long run; (iii) however, globalization and economic growth have a degrading impact on the LCF in the long run. Hence, it can be drawn from the results that renewable energy and trade openness have a critical impact on preserving and developing environmental quality. In line with the empirical findings, it can be proposed that LAC countries should utilize renewable energy effectively, improve trade volume through trade openness, increase renewable energy technology import, and expand the use of renewable energy in foreign trade activities. Thus, effective renewable energy and foreign trade policies can promote the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the LAC countries.

Building bridges through cultural adaptation: Examining the initial impact of a culturally adapted parent training intervention for the Chilean context.

Child exposure to maltreatment and neglect constitutes a significant public health problem throughout Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. Although evidence-based parent training (PT) interventions constitute an empirically demonstrated alternative to prevent child maltreatment and neglect, multiple implementation barriers have prevented the large-scale dissemination of evidence-based PT interventions across LAC countries. This selective prevention study consisted of an exploratory quasi-experimental design implemented in Chile, aimed at examining the initial impact of a culturally adapted version of the evidence-based PT intervention known as GenerationPMTO©. The parenting intervention was adapted in a previous pilot study, according to a rigorous model of cultural adaptation. Based on self-reports completed by 281 caregivers, when compared to baseline measurements, significant improvements at intervention completion were observed in the majority of caregivers' parenting practices, as well as child internalizing and externalizing problematic behaviors. This study provides promising initial empirical evidence that efficacious PT interventions developed in the US can be transported to Latin American contexts, as long as they are thoroughly adapted to achieve high contextual and cultural relevance. The rates of child maltreatment across LAC countries constitute an urgent and permanent call for strongly promoting this line of prevention research.

Situational diagnosis of policies in Latin American and Caribbean countries for the use of fluoride and reduction of sugar consumption.

Policy evaluation and guidance on fluoride use and sugar consumption in Latin American and Caribbean countries (LACC) may provide a scientific evidence basis for policymakers, dental professionals, civil society organizations and individuals committed to improving public oral health. A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the extent of implementation of policies/guidelines on fluoride use, and sugar consumption in LACC. The study had two stages. First a questionnaire covering four major areas was developed: fluoridation of public water supplies; salt fluoridation; fluoride dentifrices, and sugar consumption. Then, the questionnaire was applied to collect data among representative participants in public oral health from LACC. Ninety-six participants from 18 LACC answered the questionnaire. One-hundred seventy documents were attached, and 285 links of websites were provided by the respondents. Implementation of policies and guidelines on water and table salt fluoridation and processed and ultra-processed food consumption were found in most countries, with some issues in the consensus and coverage. Thus, differences were identified in the extent of implementation of public oral health strategies on sugar consumption and fluoridation among the countries. There is no consensus on the policies in LACC to reduce sugar consumption and for the use of fluoride. A few policies and guidelines were applied in isolated countries, with a variety of strategies and standards. For future actions, it will be important to encourage the development of strategies and public policies within countries, and to evaluate the effectiveness of existing policies in reducing dental caries and in improving oral health in LACC.

The COVID-19 Pandemic in Latin American and Caribbean countries: Gender Differentials in Labor Market Dynamics

Abstract We study gender differences in changes in labor market dynamics before the pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic in four Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries: Brazil, Chile, Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Specifically, we look at differences in labor market states and at differences in the transitions of workers across labor market states. To identify the pandemic's impact, we compare labor market stocks and labor market flows for a number of balanced panels of workers during the pandemic and before the pandemic. We find that the pandemic has negatively affected employment and labor market participation of both men and women, but that the effect is significantly stronger for women, magnifying the already large gender gaps observed in LAC countries. The main channel generating this stronger impact is the increase in child care work performed by women with school-age children.

Repercussions of COVID-19 on psychiatric inpatient care in Latin America and the Caribbean

ObjetiveTo characterise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychiatric hospitalisations in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. MethodsDescriptive study. 85 semi-structured interviews were conducted with health workers involved with psychiatric hospitalisations in general hospitals (GHs) and specialised psychiatric hospitals (SHs) from 18 LAC countries. The interviews were done between 8 May and 30 June 2020. The data were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. ResultsAn initial decrease in the demand for hospitalisation is reported, attributed to the population’s fear of approaching health services as well as restrictions on mobility. Stricter criteria for hospitalisation were reported with a double focus on the acute within the acute. The length of hospitalisations were mixed, with both increases and decreases in GHs and SHs. The therapeutic offer was drastically reduced, and interaction between hospitalised people and their support networks was restricted. ConclusionsIn the COVID-19 context, hospitalisation seems to be not the last but the only alternative for psychiatric treatment. The decrease in the number of beds in SHs could be a positive aspect for the reform of psychiatric care, but it is questioned since this reduction also occurs in GHs.

Expanding APHON's Pediatric Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Provider and Instructor Program to Spanish-Speaking Countries: Pilot Series Development and Evaluation.

Background: To address the need for standardized, comprehensive chemotherapy/biotherapy education in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON) Pediatric Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Provider and Instructor program courses were culturally adapted, translated to Spanish, and piloted. The process of course adaptation and implementation are described. A Context, Input, Process, Product model outcomes evaluation determined: (a) differences in pass rates by test version and pilot location, (b) predictors of pass rates, (c) course appropriateness for nurses' education and practice levels, and (d) strategies for course improvements. Methods: The Spanish APHON Pediatric Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Provider program was piloted four times and the Instructor program twice with nurses from Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and Spain. Statistical analysis identified factors associated with pass rates. Results: Of the 203 students in four Spanish APHON Provider program courses, data from 108 students (three pilots) were analyzed (one unplanned pilot excluded for missing data). Significant predictors of pass rates included: pediatric oncology frontline nurses (OR = 9.86; 95% CI [2.56, 65.23]; p = .004), nurses dedicated to an inpatient or outpatient unit (non-rotating) (OR = 6.79 [1.29, 51.98]; p = .033), and graduation from a 5-year nursing program (OR = 5.92; 95% CI [1.30, 33.15]; p = .028). Discussion: The Spanish APHON Pediatric Chemotherapy/Biotherapy program was determined appropriate for nurses' education and practice levels in LAC countries. Through the APHON Spanish language instructor network, pediatric oncology nurses in LAC countries have increased access to standardized, comprehensive chemotherapy/biotherapy education.

Mass Media Use to Learn About COVID-19 and the Non-intention to Be Vaccinated Against COVID-19 in Latin America and Caribbean Countries.

BackgroundThe Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region has been one of the regions most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with countries presenting some of the highest numbers of cases and deaths from this disease in the world. Despite this, vaccination intention is not homogeneous in the region, and no study has evaluated the influence of the mass media on vaccination intention. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the use of mass media to learn about COVID-19 and the non-intention of vaccination against COVID-19 in LAC countries.MethodsAn analysis of secondary data from a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) survey was conducted in collaboration with Facebook on people's beliefs, behaviors, and norms regarding COVID-19. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated to evaluate the association between the use of mass media and non-vaccination intention using generalized linear models of the Poisson family with logarithmic link.ResultsA total of 350,322 Facebook users over the age of 18 from LAC countries were included. 50.0% were men, 28.4% were between 18 and 30 years old, 41.4% had a high school education level, 86.1% lived in the city and 34.4% reported good health condition. The prevalence of using the mass media to learn about COVID-19 was mostly through mixed media (65.8%). The non-intention of vaccination was 10.8%. A higher prevalence of not intending to be vaccinated against COVID-19 was found in those who used traditional media (aPR = 1.36; 95%CI: 1.29–1.44; p < 0.001) and digital media (aPR = 1.70; 95%CI: 1.24–2.33; p = 0.003) compared to those using mixed media.ConclusionWe found an association between the type of mass media used to learn about COVID-19 and the non-intention of vaccination. The use of only traditional or digital information sources were associated with a higher probability of non-intention to vaccinate compared to the use of both sources.

The Effect of Financial Inclusion and Competitiveness on Financial Stability: Why Financial Regulation Matters in Developing Countries?

This study aims to assess the effect of financial inclusion and competitiveness on banks’ financial stability, considering the moderating role of financial regulation. To do so, we compare the effects of these variables in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. Our results suggest that inclusion enhances bank stability in SSA and LAC countries, and financial regulation contributes to increasing financial stability in LAC countries, while we find no statistical significance in the effect of financial regulation on financial stability in SSA countries. Moreover, competitiveness negatively impacts financial stability, and financial regulation moderates the negative effect of competitiveness on financial stability in SSA and LAC countries. We also find that financial inclusion reduces credit risk in SSA countries, and for LAC countries financial inclusion increases credit risk and reduces bank profitability. Regarding the practical implications, this study shows that fostering financial inclusion in the countries under study contributes significantly to improving the welfare of households and especially to the stability of the financial system. The present study allows expanding of the scarce literature by examining the effect of financial inclusion and market structure on financial stability in two different samples, consisting of 41 countries in the SSA region and 31 countries in the LAC region, throughout 2005–2018.

Migración de retorno en Latinoamérica y el Caribe: Una revisión sistemática exploratoria

The following article determines the scope and nature of the empirical evidence, that is,academic articles on migrants returning to Latin Americanand Caribbeancountries. Using Systematic Exploratory Reviewsmethodology, 23 empirical studies published in indexed journals were included.The data were synthesized using descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis. Most of the participants are migrants from Mexico (n=19) and the return country is the United States (n=20). Four emerging categories were identified: a) health and well-being,b) social, political,and cultural context,c) addictions,and d) return reasons.The phenomenon under study shows innovation due to the limited scientific literature that analyzes return migration. It is concluded that people returning to their places of origin face unfavorable economic, political,and health situations.

Water consumption by agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean: impact of climate change and applications of nuclear and isotopic techniques

The main aim of this review is to examine agricultural water consumption in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) regions to understand how climate change will impact water availability and how the application of nuclear and stable isotope techniques can be used as tools for improving water use efficiency (WUE) for crop production. The status of agricultural water management in some LAC countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay, is also reviewed. In the LAC region, water consumption for agricultural irrigation ranged between 35% and 86% of the total available water. However, the WUE is very low in some LAC countries. Although the region, in general, has adequate water resources, there is still a need to improve WUE to increase the productivity of agricultural water. The impact of climate change in some LAC countries may lead to intensification and expansion of agricultural activity. In these areas, the WUE can be improved through soil and water conservation, minimizing soil evaporation (E), as well as through better irrigation management, especially by using an integrated approach on an area-wide basis to manage all land use activities and farming systems within an agricultural catchment. Nuclear and stable isotope techniques using Keeling Plot or IMB methods can play important roles in improving WUE in agriculture in LAC countries by providing information related to soil water losses for improving irrigation systems.

Inter-regionalismo UE-ALC durante a pandemia de COVID-19

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has shown a variety of responses from countries of the two regions, ranging from denialism to regional health cooperation. This article aims to assess how these reactions have impacted European Union (EU) and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) inter-regional relations, considering multiple and sometimes incompatible approaches taken by national and regional actors. The article contends that the existence of contrasting approaches – coupled with previous institutional and political challenges faced by the EU and LAC regional organisations – have undermined the convergence of national health policies into regional ones, and the promotion of multilateral responses and institutions in a post-pandemic world. First, focus is given to the main characteristics and institutional features of contemporary EU-LAC relations, usually conceived as a multidimensional and multi-tier relationship. Second, it introduces how EU and LAC countries and regional organisations have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating distinct ways that EU-LAC actors have engaged with the outbreak and the main challenges and successes for regional cooperation in this respect. Lastly, the main developments and challenges for EU-LAC overall relations in pandemic times are indicated, highlighting how EU-LAC actors have attempted to cooperate in order to develop a more positive and sustainable inter-regional partnership for the future.

Solar photovoltaic technology in isolated rural communities in Latin America and the Caribbean

The main characteristics of photovoltaic (PV) energy and its current development in Latin American and Caribbean countries (LAC); its impact on the electrification of homes, health institutions, and schools in isolated or difficult-to-access communities; and, the advantages thereof are presented and discussed by replacing the use of traditional fuels such as firewood and kerosene in order to improve inhabitants ’health as well as reducing CO2 emissions. Countries like Nicaragua, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile stand out for their growing PV energy development in the region. A case study of the electrification process by PV systems shows very positive changes are manifested in terms of improving the quality of life of the inhabitants, and especially their physical and mental health state. In addition, CO2 emission reductions from electrifying 216 houses in the nine communities reach an annual amount of 2,164.19 t/yr, reducing firewood consumption by 2,123.39 t/yr and kerosene consumption by 40.80 t/yr However, LAC countries must adopt laws and regulations that regulate the use of PV energy, with an emphasis on recycling systems at the end of their life cycle.