Governance in the Americas amid global polarisation

In this context he implored the democratic world to not abandon the people of Venezuela to the dictatorship. Recent movements have sought to increase polarisation in global politics and create an 'us and them' narrative. The President was keen to warn against this trend and called for increased unity and respect for the institutions of the state. He was particularly alarmed by the role of social media in spreading fake news that has worsened this problem.

He went on to explain his belief that the current position in Ecuador, and the world at large, would necessitate tough and radical decisions in order to protect democratic institutions. Above all, there would need to be a continued commitment to and respect for the rule of law.

The conversation turned to the issue of corruption amongst states in the region. President Lasso explained that this is a deep-rooted problem in Latin America with a complex context. The President worried that the political class were more concerned with power than serving the people. This corruption has caused an erosion of trust in the governments of the region which endangers democracy.

The region has also been historically plagued by endemic violence and organised crime. The President explained that in a global narcotics context Ecuador is used as a trafficking region to serve demand in North America and Europe. Violence has been increasing as the narcotics trade has developed to be controlled by increasingly localised gangs. President Lasso was confident that this problem has solutions: international co-operation within and without Latin America promises a more effective approach. In particular, he highlighted the importance of unified sanctions and the use of extradition against narco-criminals.

Despite the effects of organised crime and corruption, the President wants to overcome the negative perception of Latin America and showcase the region’s investment opportunities. In the industries of energy, mining, petroleum, and tourism Latin America offers investors significant returns in the coming years.

Moving to a more international context, the President discussed the role of China and the US in Latin America. President Lasso positioned himself as a defender and exponent of western democracy, and argued that Ecuador must remain on that path. Yet, his presidency was characterised by a pandemic in which the majority of vaccine doses in Ecuador were supplied by China, not the USA. In addition, Trump’s recent approaches to Latin America, particularly Ecuador’s northern neighbour, Colombia, have been aggressive and focused on making deals. In this context, President Lasso maintained that a relationship with China was pragmatic. His closing message was the we are in an era of change, and only just experiencing the first stage.

Canning House extends its thanks to President Lasso for an insightful event and we wish him the best for his upcoming engagements in the UK and USA.