A discussion with Dr. R. Evan Ellis, a subject matter expert affiliated with the US Army War College, CSIS, and FIU's Gordon Institute of Public Policy:

- Recent developments in the PRC's engagement with Latin American and Caribbean countries

- The commercial, social, and strategic implications

- Industries and sectors of focus for China's interests

- Private sector risk exposure and mitigation

- How Chinese interests align with other extra regional geopolitical actors

- How the US government, local national governments, and the private sector are responding or could respond to Chinese influence in the region

- How local communities or the average person in the region is or could be impacted

Support this podcast:

https://linktr.ee/ocelotlgroup

Connect with Dr. R. Evan Ellis:

https://revanellis.com/

https://x.com/REvanEllis

https://substack.com/@evanellis

Connect with Michael Scadden:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mscadden/

https://x.com/mjscadden

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latampodcast/support

Amanda & Michael team up again, this time to discuss Israeli diplomacy and engagement in Latin America with former Israeli diplomat Mike Driquez, who served as Deputy Ambassador to Costa Rica and later Deputy Consul General to several US states including Florida and Puerto Rico. They cover a range of topics in this discussion including:

- Historical connections in the region

- Technology diplomacy in sectors such as agriculture, cybersecurity, and water resource management

- Cultural diplomacy and public perception

- Possibility of outreach to Latin American communities with Palestinian, Lebanese, and other Middle Eastern heritage

- Diversity of representation in Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to include diplomats of Arab, Druze, and Jewish heritage

- Differences in managing diplomatic relations in the US vs Latin America and navigating the uniqueness of Puerto Rico as a US territory

Support this podcast: https://linktr.ee/ocelotlgroup

Follow & support Great Work with Amanda Peterson:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/greatworkpodcast

Connect with ambassador Mike Driquez:

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedriquez⁠

Follow Amanda Peterson on X:

https://x.com/amandatalks__

Connect with Michael Scadden:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mscadden/

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latampodcast/support

Until the recent series of conflicts in the Middle East, the average person in other parts of the world was only vaguely aware of Hezbollah at all. Even now with the organization in the spotlight most people are shocked to learn of its longtime presence in Latin America, and the scope of its activities there. This includes influence operations, terror plots, money laundering, and collaborations with cartels.

In this episode, cohosted with the Great Work podcast, we discuss the history, present, and future of Hezbollah in Latin America with Emanuele Ottolenghi. As a leading expert on the topic, Emanuele helps us explore how Hezbollah’s activities affect everything from risk exposure for the private sector, to national security interests, to the very real threat of its planned terror attacks on Jewish communities in the region.

Support this podcast: https://linktr.ee/ocelotlgroup

Follow and support the Great Work podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/greatworkpodcast

About Emanuele Ottolenghi:

https://www.fdd.org/team/emanuele-ottolenghi/

https://x.com/eottolenghi

Follow Amanda Peterson on X: https://x.com/amandatalks__

Connect with Michael Scadden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mscadden/

Additional Resources:

Foundation for the Defense of Democracies https://www.fdd.org/

Center for a Secure Free Society https://www.securefreesociety.org/

Gordon Institute for Public Policy https://gordoninstitute.fiu.edu/

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latampodcast/support

Hector Pomales, Founder/CEO of Farm in the City PR and Michael Scadden of Ocelotl Group discuss CEA as a key component of food security in island resiliency for the Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, and the need for private capital to catalyze the adoption of the technology and the establishment of local entrepreneurship in the sector. Visit Farm in the City PR’s website at www.farminthecitynow.com & Ocelotl Group at www.OcelotlGroup.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latampodcast/support

Adam Isacson joins us today to help us understand the challenges, successes, and pitfalls of local, US, and international aid and security programs in Colombia. We discuss lessons learned and how leveraging multi sector partnerships (private, government, academic, military, NGO), and developing the right leaders, may improve the results of security and humanitarian aid efforts and accelerate development goals in Colombia and across the region. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latampodcast/support

Dr. Evan Ellis joins us again, this time to discuss Chinese influence and investment in Latin America and the Caribbean, and how the COVID19 crisis may accelerate China’s presence given the regions circumstances. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latampodcast/support

We return with John Polga and Brian Fonseca to discuss what's new with Venezuela in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic, as the U.S. simultaneously indicts Nicolas Maduro  and offers a road to lifting sanctions in consideration of the health challenges Venezuelans may face. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latampodcast/support

James McKeigue, Managing Editor of LatAm Investor magazine, joins us from Guayaquil, Ecuador where the UK-based James is currently sequestered as the region faces another in a long line of challenges: COVID19. James shares insights into the region's current status as the world manages the COVID19 outbreak, and leaders at all levels look at ways to manage the economic impacts of worldwide shutdowns. Between the challenges, and at the other end of the crisis, there may be opportunities in the Latin America and Caribbean region, for investors and for communities.

--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latampodcast/support

James Ellsmoor, Director of Solar Head of State and Founder of Island Innovation, has a unique way of communicating and promoting the use of renewables on islands around the world: installing solar photovoltaic systems on government buildings and officials’ residences. Listen in as he talks about the progress and opportunities behind the adoption of renewable energy in the Caribbean. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latampodcast/support

The University of Puerto Rico is a central hub of education, innovation, and community support across the island. Listen in as university Chancellor Wilma Santiago and student council President Angeli Rivera of the UPR Mayagüez campus discuss the university’s role in the ongoing development of Puerto Rico, it’s contributions to the U.S. private and public sector, and the challenges it faces over a year after Hurricane Maria. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latampodcast/support

Brian, John, and Mike follow up on recent events in Venezuela, and the momentum that may be the downfall of the Maduro Regime... --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latampodcast/support