35 West

As great power competition between China and the United States intensifies, Latin America has emerged as a critical arena. Yet, discourse surrounding China’s expanding presence often falls into two reductive narratives, portraying Beijing as either a strategic “threat” or a benevolent “White Knight.” In reality, China’s regional strategy is multifaceted, spanning strategic investments in ports and digital infrastructure, access to critical minerals, and expanding security partnerships.

To explore these dynamics, Henry Ziemer sits down with Leland Lazarus, founder and CEO of Lazarus Consulting, and author of Dragon in the Americas: China’s Power, Presence, and Regional Influence. Together, they examine China’s evolving approach to Latin America, the competition between China and Taiwan for influence, the role of illicit economies, and the broader implications of Beijing’s growing regional presence.

On October 4, Brazilians cast their votes in what is shaping up to be one of the most contentious and polarized elections in recent history. Flávio Bolsonaro, the right-wing senator and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, finished ahead of incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, securing 47 percent of the vote to Lula’s 45 percent.

As the two candidates prepare for a runoff on October 25, corruption scandals, economic pressures, and competing policy visions are shaping the campaign. Meanwhile, conservative gains in Congress have reshaped the broader Brazilian political landscape, raising questions about how either candidate would govern and build legislative support.

To unpack these developments, Henry Ziemer sits down with Pedro Siemsen Giestas, a research analyst at Greenmantle and editor of Pindograma. Together they examine the factors behind Bolsonaro’s strong first-round performance, the political fallout from corruption allegations, and the issues and strategies likely to shape the final stretch of the campaign.

Paraguay is often overlooked in South America, but it is beginning to occupy a more visible place in regional economic and geopolitical conversations. With a growing economy, clean energy resources, and longstanding diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the country is trying to position itself for a new stage of development—one that goes beyond commodities and turns growth into broader opportunities for Paraguayans.

In this episode of 35 West, Associate Director Juliana Rubio sits down with Esteban Caballero, a political scientist and researcher at FLACSO Paraguay, to discuss Paraguay’s economic trajectory, the structural challenges that still shape its development, and the role international partners can play. They also examine how Paraguay’s relationship with Taiwan fits into a wider geopolitical context involving the United States and China.

As the United States places renewed emphasis on the Western Hemisphere, development finance is emerging as an important instrument of economic statecraft. Following Congress’s 2025 reauthorization and revitalization of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the agency is positioned to play an expanded role in mobilizing private capital, strengthening economic partnerships, and supporting strategic investments across the region.

In this episode, Caroline Vik, Chief Policy Officer at the DFC, discusses the agency's evolving mission, investment opportunities across the Western Hemisphere, and the challenges shaping economic development and growth throughout the region.

In February 2025, the State Department designated six Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) as part of a broader push from the Trump administration taking aim at organized crime in the Western Hemisphere. While U.S. rhetoric has continually stressed the threat posed by Mexican cartels, an overlooked component in this narrative is the fact that U.S. guns comprise the overwhelming majority of cartel arsenals. Still, the use of FTO designations opens new avenues for prosecuting firearms traffickers, most notably through the use of material support for terrorism charges.

In this episode, Henry Ziemer sits down with Jake Steisel, Senior Staff Attorney at Global Action on Gun Violence. Together, they analyze trends in U.S. firearms trafficking dynamics, as well as the legal implications of recent FTO designations and recent indictments of suspected gun traffickers. They also discuss the steps the United States and Mexico can take together to curb the supply of weapons to cartels.