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Popular politics—a heterogeneous set of grassroots demands and subjectivities antagonistic to dominant power blocs—finds itself at a crossroads in Latin America. In Argentina and Chile, progressive governments have failed to curtail a resurgent populist‐right despite, as recently as 2019, appearing to be on the brink of a new centre‐left hegemony. This paper argues that paying attention to the spatiality of popular politics demonstrates a failure to articulate popular politics within a national movement, either neglecting them (under Boric in Chile) or incorporating them in a top‐down strategy that erased particularities (under Fernández in Argentina). It does so from the vantage point of two neighbourhoods at the urban margins in Buenos Aires and Santiago. Bringing together Ernesto Laclau's work on populism together with Henri Lefebvre's relational understanding of urban space, it analyses how popular demands and subjectivities have been articulated in relation to national progressive politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Latin America has played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of Huntington's disease (HD). However, previous global reviews include limited data from Latin America. It is possible that English‐based medical search engines may not capture all the relevant studies. Methods: We searched databases in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. The names of every country in Latin America in English‐based search engines were used to ensure we found any study that had molecular ascertainment and provided general epidemiological information or subpopulation data. Additionally, we contacted experts across the region. Results: The search strategy yielded 791 citations; 24 studies met inclusion criteria, representing 12 of 36 countries. The overall pooled prevalence was 0.64 per 100,000 (prediction interval, 0.06–7.22); for cluster regions, it was 54 per 100,000 (95% CI, 34.79–84.92); for juvenile HD, it was 8.7% (prediction interval, 5.12–14.35), and 5.9% (prediction interval, 2.72–13.42) for late‐onset HD. The prevalence was higher for Mexico, Peru, and Brazil. However, there were no significant differences between Central America and the Caribbean versus South America. Conclusion: The prevalence of HD appears to be similar across Latin America. However, we infer that our findings are underestimates, in part because of limited research and underdiagnosis of HD because of limited access to molecular testing and the availability of neurologists and movement disorders specialists. Future research should focus on identifying pathways to improve access to molecular testing and education and understanding differences among different ancestral groups in Latin America. © 2024 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence describing the types and annual costs of biological treatments for psoriasis in Latin America is scarce. This study aimed to estimate the frequency of use and costs of biologic therapy for psoriasis in Colombia in 2019. Methods: This secondary data analysis uses the International Classification of Diseases terms associated with psoriasis, excluding those related to psoriatic arthritis, based on data from the registry of the Colombian Ministry of Health. We estimated the prevalence of psoriasis per 100,000 inhabitants; then, we retrieved the frequency of use of biologic therapy in patients with psoriasis and estimated the cost per year of each and overall therapies in 2019 in US dollars (USD). Results: There were 100,823 patients with psoriasis in Colombia in 2019, which amounts to a prevalence of 0.2% in the general population. Of those patients, 4.9% received biologic therapy, most frequently males (60%). The most commonly used biological therapies for psoriasis in Colombia in 2019 were ustekinumab (35.2%), with an annual cost per patient of $12,880 USD; adalimumab (26%), with a yearly cost per patient of $7130 USD; and secukinumab (19.8%), with an annual cost per patient of $6825 USD. Conclusion: This is the first study to describe the use and cost of biological therapy for psoriasis in Colombia. It provides valuable cost‐awareness information for the Colombian health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin cancer is a primary health concern in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Existing research mainly stems from North America, Europe, and Australia, with limited data from Latin America. Methods: This 56‐year (1967–2023) retrospective cohort study explores skin cancer incidence in Mexican RTRs. Our objective was to assess the long‐term incidence of malignant cutaneous neoplasms in Mexican RTRs. Results: Over 56 years, 1642 RTRs (58% male) were studied. Median follow‐up was 8.4 years; median age at transplantation was 32.6 years. Skin cancer incidence was 6.6% (95% CI: 5.5–7.9), with an incidence density rate of 6.5 (95% CI: 5.4–7.9) per 1000 person‐years and a median latency of 9.8 years. Incidence increased with longer transplantation‐related immunosuppression (TRI), with a relative risk for >30 years of TRI of 4.8 (95% CI: 2.6–9.1) for any skin cancer and 7.5 (95% CI: 3.8–14.6) for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). SCC was the most common malignancy (76.1%), followed by basal cell carcinomas (BCC), with a 3.6:1 ratio. Metastatic SCC occurred in 6.5% of skin cancer patients, with a skin cancer‐related mortality rate of 2.7%. Limitations of the study include its single‐center and retrospective design and unassessed factors such as human papillomavirus infection and sun exposure. Conclusions: Our study provides unique insights into the epidemiology of skin cancer among Mexican RTRs. It constitutes the largest cohort of skin cancer cases among RTRs in Mexico and, to our knowledge, in Latin America. Despite the lack of recognition of a high skin cancer incidence in non‐White RTRs, our 6.6% incidence underscores the need to enhance surveillance programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examine the effects of bribery on the digitization of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within Latin America. We apply neo‐institutional theory as the overarching theoretical framework to establish that bribery negatively influences digitization. We propose that firm characteristics (i.e., managerial experience and firm size) affect the firm‐level relationship between bribery and digitization. We also examine how the perceived tax burden mediates the effect of bribery on digitization. Our study is both theoretically and practically relevant. Theoretically, we are among the first to explicate the direct relationship between bribery and digitization. This novel perspective extends the information systems literature to explain digitization challenges in Latin America. For managers and policymakers, we present a path towards essential digitization for Latin American SMEs. Our empirical analysis uses secondary data from a World Bank survey of 1549 Latin American SMEs conducted over three years in six countries. Our findings show that bribery negatively influences digitization while SME characteristics positively moderate this relationship. In addition, we show that the perceived tax burden mediates the effects of bribery on digitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Short bowel syndrome is considered a low prevalence disease. The scant information available about intestinal failure in Latin America was the driving force to expand this registry. Methods: A prospective, multicenter observational registry was created for patients with chronic intestinal failure short bowel at specialized centers in Latin America. Demographics, clinical characteristics, nutrition assessment, parenteral nutrition management, intestinal rehabilitation, related complications, clinical outcome, and survival were analyzed. Results: From May 2020 to July 2023, 167 patients (115 adults, 52 children) from 20 centers were enrolled. For the adults, the mean age was 37.2 ± 18 years, 48% were female, and the mean follow‐up was 22.6 ± 18.3 months. The main etiology was surgical resections (postsurgical complications: 37%; ischemia: 25%); the mean intestinal length was 73 ± 55 cm. The complications were as follows: infections: 0.4/1000 catheter‐days; thrombosis: 0.24/1000 catheter‐days; liver disease: 2.6%. The outcomes were as follows: 28% were rehabilitated, 15% died, 9.6% were lost to follow‐up, 0.9% underwent transplant, and 45.6% continued follow‐up. For the children, the mean age 48 ± 52 months, 48% were female, 52% were premature. The mean follow‐up was 17.2 ± 5.6 months; the mean remaining intestinal length was 38 ± 45 cm. The leading etiologies were atresia (25%), NEC (23%), and gastroschisis (21%). The complication were as follows: infections: 2/1000 catheter‐days; thrombosis: 2.22/1000 catheter‐day; 25% developed liver disease. The outcomes were as follows: 7.7% died, 3.8% were rehabilitated, and 88.5% continued follow‐up. Conclusion: The RESTORE amendment served as a registry and educational tool for the participating teams. The aspiration is to objectively show current aspects of intestinal failure in the region and carry them to international standards. Including all Latin American countries and etiologies of chronic intestinal failure besides short gut would serve to complete this registry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Related Articles The misclassification of murders results in the invisibilization and impunity of gender‐based violence. According to Observatorio Cuidadano Nacional del Feminicidio figures in 2024, of the 3408 cases of murdered women in Mexico in 2023, only 827 were classified as feminicides. Since few cases result in punishment, women have protested for justice nationwide. The current study examines the effects of media representation of feminicide cases. Participants were randomly assigned two of four fake newspaper articles about a feminicide case, which varied based on the description of the murdered woman and the intention of the crime. Participants who received the victim‐blaming article endorsed significantly more victim‐blaming attitudes compared to participants who received the non‐victim‐blaming article. Additionally, participants who received the article where the male assailant exhibited a will to harm the victim exhibited significantly more victim‐blaming attitudes. The results highlight the need for journalists to be mindful of the narratives they construct regarding feminicide cases.Asal, Victor, and Mitchell Brown. 2010. “A Cross‐National Exploration of the Conditions that Produce Interpersonal Violence.” Politics & Policy 38(2): 175–92. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2010.00234.x.Bingham, Natasha. 2016. “Fighting for Our Cause: The Impact of Women's NGOs on Gender Policy Adoption in Four Former Soviet Republics.” Politics & Policy 44(2): 294–318. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12155.Denis, Claude. 2007. “Canadians in Trouble Abroad: Citizenship, Personal Security, and North American Regionalization.” Politics & Policy 35(4): 648–63. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2007.00078.x. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In studies on Populism, extensive discussion has mounted around whether the phenomenon represents a threat to democracy or a corrective force. In line with this concern, we examine whether the populist attitudes held by legislators are related to their opinions on the functioning of and satisfaction with three central aspects of governance: (I) democracy itself; (II) its institutions; and (III) the separation of powers. Using the ideational approach and survey information collected for the PELA‐USAL database, we first measure the populist attitudes of legislators in 12 Latin American countries. We then test through multivariate analysis two theoretical arguments: (1) that populism is relatively hostile to democracy and its institutions; and (2) that ideological extremism and the situation of the legislator in the government/opposition dynamic serve as moderators (enhancers) of that hostility. The results suggest that the populist attitudes of these legislators are indeed significantly connected to lower levels of trust and satisfaction with democracy and its institutions and that populism in combination with ideological extremism sharpens that critical perspective, while a legislator's affiliation with the ruling party or coalition in government tends to temper it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melasma is a chronic, relapsing hyperpigmentation disorder that primarily affects photoexposed areas, occurring most frequently in adult women with darker skin phototypes. The primary factors contributing to its development include sun exposure, sex hormones (e.g., pregnancy), and genetic predisposition. Melasma is highly prevalent in Latin America, where many countries lie in intertropical zones and exhibit significant ethnic diversity because of centuries of intermixing among Native Americans, Europeans, and Sub‐Saharan Africans. Nine Latin American experts formulated a DELPHI‐based consensus to develop a valuable approach for treating melasma in this diverse population. After establishing an accurate diagnosis, assessing the impact on quality of life, and determining disease severity, the consensus recommends mitigating known triggers and promoting rigorous photoprotection. Active therapy should be tailored based on individual characteristics (e.g., pregnancy status, previous treatments, skin sensitivity). Treatment options include topical depigmenting agents, systemic therapies, and procedural interventions such as laser therapy, microneedling, and chemical peels. Periodic reassessment of the treatment is essential, with strategies adjusted if targeted outcomes are not achieved. Once clinical remission is attained, patients should continue using topical depigmenting agents and maintain strict photoprotection measures to prevent recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Related Articles After several failed attempts in previous years, Brazil's Plano Real finally ended hyperinflation in 1993–1994, and a significant driver of inequality and poverty was eliminated as a result. By combining data from Congress and newspaper archives, 17 interviews, and secondary sources, this article takes a qualitative approach to explore the notion that increased electoral competition and effective coalition management enabled price stabilization. Fernando Henrique Cardoso (PSDB), the economy minister leading the plan and the winner of the 1994 presidential election, campaigned as the anti‐inflation candidate, promising newly enfranchised low‐income voters that reining in prices would boost their earnings. Meanwhile, the minoritarian executive took advantage of coalitional tools to cultivate legislative alliances and approve the plan's measures. For analytical generalization, a potential model is proposed for further investigations on the relationship between competitive elections, cross‐party cooperation, and price stability in nine other country cases within and outside Latin America.Adegboye, Alex, Kofo Adegboye, Uwalomwa Uwuigbe, Stephen Ojeka, and Eyitemi Fasanu. 2023. “Taxation, Democracy, and Inequality in Sub‐Saharan Africa: Relevant Linkages for Sustainable Development Goals.” Politics & Policy 51(4): 696–722. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12547.Segatto, Catarina Ianni, and Daniel Béland. 2018. “The Limits of Partisanship: Federalism, the Role of Bureaucrats, and the Path to Universal Health Care Coverage in Brazil.” Politics & Policy 46(3): 416–41. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12252.Zimerman, Artur, and Flávio Pinheiro. 2020. “Appearances Can be Deceptive: Political Polarisation, Agrarian Policy, and Coalitional Presidentialism in Brazil.” Politics & Policy 48(2): 339–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12345. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Housing informality in wealthy contexts is an overlooked phenomenon, particularly in the global South. This article addresses the role of public institutions in the production of housing informality among the wealthy. For this purpose, it analyses the operation of public institutions in relation to the proliferation of luxurious villas in the eastern hills of Bogotá. Three villas were selected as archetypes of informal urbanization among the elite in the eastern hills, and their stories—or informality pathways—were reconstructed through interviews, maps and policy documents. The article aims to unveil how public institutions have contributed to the creation of informal spaces, often in collusion with private entities. Specifically, public institutions demonstrated conflicting internal agencies and multi‐level fragmentation, resulting in flexible regulations tailored to fit the construction practices of the elite. These characteristics were instrumental in establishing spaces of exception for the wealthy in the eastern hills of Bogotá and will likely be mirrored in other informal settlements in the global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertility desires are fundamental to understanding contraceptive use, yet the relationship between the two remains unclear and is the subject of much debate in demography. To understand the macrolevel relationship between fertility desires and contraceptive transition in low‐ and middle‐income countries, we introduce a conceptual model that articulates the microlevel processes through which a desire to avoid childbearing translates into contraceptive use and reasons for their frequent misalignment. The model calls for a more nuanced understanding of fertility desires, differentiates between the acceptability and accessibility of contraception, and highlights the multilevel forces that shape the costs of fertility regulation. These microlevel processes are key to understanding the evolving role of changes in fertility desires and changes in the implementation of desires on contraceptive transition across time and space. We conclude these relationships are additive, multiplicative, and dynamic over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sense of place has become relevant in Latin America in recent decades. Although many scholars have looked at people‐place relationships there, language barriers have limited the international exposure of these studies. By assembling a collection of works mainly published in Spanish and Portuguese, we trace the fields of research where the concept has taken root and reflect upon the regional characteristics of sense of place. Overall, this review provides empirical insights into the human experience of place in a culturally diverse region marked by historical injustices, inequalities, and instability. These structures have created specific, often ambivalent senses of place, organized around resistance and adaptation. A more nuanced understanding of sense of place, which emphasizes the richness and complexities of people‐place connections, will help avoid oversimplification and idealization in future theories. To frame our analysis, we investigate sense of place from the perspective of humanistic geography. Overlapping with other non‐representational inquiries, the humanistic lens focuses on human‐environment relationships—encompassing experiences, behaviors, ideas, and feelings—to deepen our understanding of the intricate and multifaceted human condition and the essential role of place in human life. Our review shows that sense of place has proven helpful in shedding light on critical Latin American socio‐spatial phenomena such as mobilities, territorialities, and fear. Regionally, researchers center on marginalized and oppressed senses of place framed by longstanding structural inequalities stemming from a colonial legacy, capitalism, and neoliberalism. We highlight "geographies of terror," "diabolic places," and "necroplaces" as powerful categories that address the grim reality in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to explore perceived barriers to early diagnosis and management of oral cancer, as well as potential pathways for improvement in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Methods: This cross‐sectional study used a self‐administered online questionnaire created via the Research Electronic Data Capture platform. The survey was distributed to health professionals trained in Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Dentists with clinical and academic expertise in oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) and oral cancer. Data obtained were systematically organized and analyzed descriptively using Microsoft Excel. Results: Twenty‐three professionals from 21 LAC countries participated. Major barriers included the limited implementation of OPMD and oral cancer control plans (17.4%), low compulsory reporting for OPMD (8.7%) and oral cancer (34.8%), unclear referral pathways for OPMD (34.8%) and oral cancer (43.5%), and a shortage of trained professionals (8.7%). Participants endorsed the utility of online education (100%) and telemedicine (91.3%). Conclusion: The survey highlights major perceived barriers to early diagnosis and management of OPMD and oral cancer in LAC, as well as potential avenues for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peru is one of the most diverse countries in the world in terms of food production, but also suffers a wide range of food security challenges, including malnutrition, the impact of natural hazards, and rising food prices. People living in poverty conditions are the main victims of these problems, which trigger undernutrition, obesity, and diet‐related non‐transmittable diseases. Despite these challenges, Peru lacks historical food intake data. Therefore, in the current study, we assess the diet quality evolution in the period 2008–2021 based on apparent household purchases extracted from the National Household Survey. The results reveal significant variations in the consumption of certain food items and groups, and the consequences of these changes are discussed in environmental and human health terms. The consumption of lower environmental impact animal protein, such as chicken, eggs, and marine fish, has increased by 37%, 69%, and 29%, respectively; whereas the consumption of high environmental impact foods, such as beef and other red meat, has decreased. Moreover, consumption of less processed carbohydrate sources (e.g., legumes, fruits, and vegetables) has risen, while refined sugar and sugar‐sweetened beverages have decreased significantly (almost 45%). Regional differences were also visible; hence, cities on the Northern coast and the Amazon basin had similar consumption habits, whereas Central/Southern coastal and Andean cities had closer consumption patterns. On average, this improvement was reflected in the increase in calories (9.9%) and macronutrient intake (up to 15%), but at the socioeconomic level, food inequality persists, with consumption of many food groups below minimum thresholds in lower socioeconomic strata. This article met the requirements for a gold/gold JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates whether Latin American multinational corporations (MNCs) report higher quality of accounting reports than companies with only operations in their home countries. In addition, it explores whether the impact of internationalization on the quality of accounting information has changed since the implementation of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in the region. An emerging area of research studies the effect of firms' internationalization on accounting and finance. Nevertheless, evidence of the impact of internationalization on the quality of earnings quality is scarce. Based on a sample of public organizations listed on the main stock exchanges of Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Chile from 2000 to 2020, this study finds that companies with international operations present higher‐quality accounting reports than firms with only local operations. The impact of IFRS implementation on the quality of financial reports is significant only for companies with operations in their home countries. Latin American MNCs show a decline in the quality of accounting reports after adopting IFRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To (i) assess the prevalence, incidence, and burden of severe periodontitis and edentulism in 2021, and (ii) forecast their rates in 2050. Methods: Prevalence, incidence, and Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) for severe periodontitis and edentulism in 2021 were gathered globally, covering 204 countries, seven super regions, and 21 regions from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study. Prevalence, incidence, and YLDs due to periodontitis and edentulism to 2050 were projected using mixed‐effects models with the socio‐demographic index as the main covariate. Results: In 2021, over 1 billion people were affected by severe periodontitis (1066.95 million; 95% UI: 896.55–1234.84), with a global age‐standardized prevalence of 12.50% (10.53–14.49). South Asia had the highest prevalence rate, at 17.57% (14.73; 20.14). Edentulism affected 353 million people globally (300.60–416.20), resulting in an age‐standardized prevalence of 4.11% (3.50; 4.83). The highest edentulism prevalence was found in Latin America and the Caribbean, at 7.39% (6.44; 8.39). By 2050, more than 1.5 billion people (+44.32%) are projected to have severe periodontitis, and over 660 million (+84.40%) to be edentulous. In the same year, 19.67% (130.23 million) of the edentulous people worldwide will be located in China. Severe periodontitis is expected to move up one position, and edentulism nine positions, among the most impactful Level 4 diseases/conditions affecting YLDs worldwide by 2050. Conclusion: Severe periodontitis and edentulism remain major public health challenges in 2021, with the number of affected individuals projected to rise significantly in the coming decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the early 2000s, Latin America witnessed a resurgence in debates concerning the state's economic role, coinciding with a political transformation as new parties emerged to power. Existing literature on the "return of Industrial Policy" in the region largely offers a descriptive perspective, bypassing the intricacies of policy typifications and their associated political foundations. This paper addresses these gaps with two main contributions: First, it posits that the state's proactive economic interventions in Latin America were not comprehensive, but instead divided into two distinct channels: the sectoral and the macroeconomic. Second, by employing a fuzzy‐set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) of 59 democratic Latin American administrations, the paper delves into the political dynamics that underlie each channel. A detailed comparative analysis between Brazil and Chile serves as a focal point, illuminating their notable policy divergence. The research concludes that labor‐supported parties are predisposed toward adopting active developmental roles, especially in contexts lacking complex economic structures. However, even incomplete strategies require the presence of robust developmental institutions and is contingent upon a government's capability to establish developmental coalitions and countervail opposing interests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objective Methods Results Conclusion Little is known about the relationship between parkinsonism or Parkinson's disease (PD) and frailty in Latin America.The study aimed to determine the cross‐sectional and prospective associations between parkinsonism and PD with frailty in a large multi‐country cohort in Latin America. Frailty was assessed using three different models to explore which definitions are more appropriate to screen for frailty in a PD population.12,865 older adults (aged ≥65 years) from the 10/66 population‐based cohort study in six Latin American countries were analyzed. Logistic regression models assessed the cross‐sectional association between parkinsonism/PD with baseline frailty. Individual country analyses were combined via fixed‐effect meta‐analysis. In non‐frail participants who were followed up for 4 years, Cox proportional hazards regression models assessed the prospective association between parkinsonism/PD with incident frailty accounting for competing risk of mortality.At baseline, the prevalence of parkinsonism and PD was 7% and 2%, respectively, and the prevalence of frailty varied across the three models with rates of 18% for frailty phenotype, 20% for frailty index and 30% for multidimensional frailty model. PD was associated with baseline and incident frailty after accounting for age, sex, and education: odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for frailty were 2.49 (95% CIs 1.87–3.31), 2.42 (95% CIs 1.80–3.25), and 1.57 (95% CIs 1.16–2.21), and cause‐specific hazard ratios were 1.66 (95% CIs 1.07–2.56), 1.78 (95% CIs 1.05–3.03), and 1.58 (95% CIs 0.91–2.74). Similar results were found for parkinsonism.Parkinsonism and PD were cross‐sectionally and prospectively associated with frailty in Latin America. Routine screening for frailty in PD patients may aid earlier detection of those at greater risk of adverse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer is the fourth leading cause of death in adolescents and young adults (AYA) worldwide. Although successful treatment of cancer in AYA has increased in recent years in most of the world, this is not true for many low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) where over 80% of all AYA live. This study investigated the needs of AYA with cancer in parts of Latin America (LATAM) through the perspectives of non‐physician health care providers and partners. Methods: Semi‐structured interviews (in Spanish) were conducted with non‐physician partners from Mexico, Peru, Central America, and the Caribbean over Zoom. Participants were recruited through previously identified local physicians and international non‐physician professionals working in these countries. Transcripts were coded and key themes identified until thematic saturation was reached (Atlas.ti). Findings: Thirty participants representing eight countries were interviewed, providing 1202 min of transcript data. Data were organized into barriers, facilitators, and strategies to improve the delivery of health care for AYA with cancer in LATAM at the patient‐ (e.g., financial barriers, continued schooling), parent‐ (e.g., limited medical literacy, advocacy), and hospital‐level (e.g., structural barriers, increasing funding). Interpretation: There are many similarities in the barriers and facilitators to AYA care between LATAM and high‐income countries (HIC); however, some characteristics are more unique to LATAM, for example, strict age restrictions for pediatric care and abandonment of therapy. As LATAM countries continue to build cancer control programs, there is an opportunity to consider our identified barriers, facilitators, and strategies to address the unique needs of AYA with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sovereignism is said to be on the rise: defending a nation's political autonomy, international borders, and cultural identity and protecting the domestic economy from the perils of globalisation are core demands. What about Latin America? To what extent are sovereignist claims a key component of Latin American parties' platforms and rhetoric? How do these vary according to national contexts and ideological foundations? Is sovereignism truly novel in the region? This article, relying on qualitative analyses of party manifestos from six different countries, as well as on data from the Manifesto Project, aims to map Latin American sovereignism in its different dimensions (political, economic, cultural, international) according to country and party families. As our data show, claims for defending or achieving ‘sovereignty’ are a key component of the (mostly left‐wing) populist idiolect in the region. The Latin American extreme right tends to adopt a sovereignist rhetoric to justify a traditional pro‐market agenda. The article overall calls for a problematisation of the concept of ‘sovereignism’ by proposing a stronger cross‐regional perspective. There are different ‘varieties of sovereignism’ depending on whether state sovereignty is primarily viewed as something to be restored or, alternatively, to be achieved (as is the case in South America). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychosocial research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ+) populations from Latin America is relatively recent. Initially, research focused mainly on prejudice, using qualitative techniques. Studies on LGBTIQ+ populations, using more sophisticated psychosocial theories such as those of Herek or Meyer, began in the mid‐1990s. This study deals with surveys and scales based on non‐probabilistic samples, LGBTIQ+ populations being the first studied. In the early 2000s, queer and/or LGBTIQ+ theories were introduced, and research has been much more interdisciplinary. This paper describes the theoretical frameworks used in LGBTIQ+ research in Latin America and examines distinctions in the findings from Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. Future research must involve cross‐cultural studies, systematic or scoping reviews, and studies on non‐binary populations. Finally, the conditions for reimaging LGBTIQ+ research in Latin America are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes Argentina−China relations based on the actions of the Argentine provinces between 2014 and 2023. The focus is on the double periphery provinces and the initiatives with Chinese actors, observing the transformations produced within the Argentine federal state and in the interstate relationship between the two countries. The methodological approach is qualitative with case studies through a sample of three provinces located in the double periphery of Argentina: Catamarca, Jujuy, and Salta. This study encompasses the period from the initiation of Comprehensive Strategic Relations between Argentina and China in July 2014, extending up to 2023, coinciding with the conclusion of President Alberto Fernández's term in office. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The worldwide expansion of female educational opportunities in recent decades has prompted demographers to assess the frequency with which women marry up (hypergamy) or down (hypogamy) with regard to education. A series of articles documented dramatic and nearly universal declines in hypergamy over time and across female educational advantage. However, this previous work investigated hypergamy only in the context of unequal educational pairings, excluding couples with equal levels of education (homogamy) from their analyses. Here, we argue that the prevalence of hypergamy should instead be assessed in relation to all marriages. We apply this approach to the case of Latin America, where women have made important gains in schooling relative to men. Using census microdata spanning 105 birth cohorts in 16 countries, we demonstrate that, rather than declining, hypergamy has increased in most countries over time and remains relatively stable across female educational advantage. Meanwhile, the prevalence of educational homogamy has declined considerably in most countries and across the axis of female educational advantage, an important trend that emerges only when homogamy is incorporated into the analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Venezuelan exodus represents the largest known displacement of people in recent Latin American history. The regional crisis caused by this mass Venezuelan migration drove the development of multiple interagency initiatives (such as the R4V platform) as well as academic attempts to keep track of outflow intensity. However, little is known about the age and gender composition of the emigrants since most existing literature to date has focused primarily on total volume and country‐specific shares of migration outflows. This study examines the demographics of recent outflows from Venezuela, the chronology of associated changes, and the demographic implications for those remaining in the country. Official counts of Venezuelan‐born populations compiled in seven main destinations are used to estimate annual outflows by age and gender from 2011 to 2021. Changes in the demographic composition of emigration are traced using parameters of the Rogers–Castro model, specifically the children‐to‐labor force dominance, and by decomposing the age contributions to the annual gross migraproduction rate. In the early phase of the crisis (2014–2017), emigration flows had high child dependency ratios. As the crisis entered its most acute phase (peaking in 2019), the mean age of migrants increased. Outward migration has resulted in the current Venezuelan population having 20 percent fewer women of reproductive age and 17.8 percent fewer individuals of working age. Consequently, the share of the population aged 60 or older has increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deadly violence has drastically increased in Latin America, posing a serious threat to women's sexual and reproductive health. Previous research has documented both increases and declines in youth‐to‐adulthood transitions associated with exposure to violence globally. However, there has been a lack of comparative studies focusing on multiple life‐course transitions. This study investigated the impact of community violence on women's life‐course transitions in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Guatemala. Drawing on nationally representative surveys and homicide statistics, fixed effects models are employed to estimate the correlation between women's exposure to community violence and the intensity, timing, and sequencing of their critical life events: first cohabitation and childbirth. The results revealed that exposure to violence was associated with an increase in the quantum and tempo of transitions to first cohabitation and birth in Colombia. Competing risk models showed that community violence correlated with the sequencing of cohabitation and birth in the Dominican Republic, as identified by an increase in precohabiting fertility. There was suggestive but inconclusive evidence of an association between community violence and transitions to first birth in Guatemala. In conclusion, community violence indeed predicts women's youth‐to‐adulthood transitions in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and potentially Guatemala, with repercussions for the subsequent life experiences of individuals and entire cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although executive functions (EFs) have been identified as a cornerstone of cognitive development, knowledge of this fundamental ability in children is based primarily on research with North American and Western European samples of middle to high socioeconomic status (SES). In this article, we highlight advances in research on developmental EFs from Latin American regions, an understudied area that provides a unique context important to understanding EFs. Our narrative review suggests the potential for both universality (e.g., increasing cohesion and longitudinal stability among EFs' task performance, general positive associations with age, and other social and cognitive abilities) and cultural specificity in EF development (i.e., contributions of SES, educational environments, parenting styles, and cultural values). It is important to consider the development of EFs outside of typically examined samples—and specifically within Latin American countries—to understand more thoroughly these abilities and to generate interventions that consider cultural context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Latin America faces a significant public health challenge due to the high prevalence of obesity and its associated diseases. Metabolic and bariatric surgery is effective and safe to treat obesity when other treatments fail; however, its implementation in Latin America remains unsatisfactory. This review explores the current status, challenges, and innovations of metabolic and bariatric surgery in Latin America. We searched peer‐reviewed journals in English and Spanish for relevant articles published between 1998 and 2023. We found that more than 20% of the Latin American population is affected by obesity. Unfortunately, only a limited number of patients have access to metabolic and bariatric surgery due to high cost, limited availability, and shortage of specialists. The review found that ongoing clinical trials are being conducted in Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Venezuela, indicating some regional progress. However, published studies remain low in number compared with other regions. Furthermore, we summarized the clinical outcomes, risks, and perioperative assessments associated with metabolic and bariatric surgery. We discussed potential strategies to enhance the availability and affordability of this intervention. This review emphasizes the significance of metabolic and bariatric surgery in addressing the obesity pandemic, specifically for Latin America, and proposes directions for future research and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mortality from congenital heart disease has decreased considerably in the last two decades due to improvements in overall health care. However, there are barriers to access to healthcare in Latin America for this population, which could be related to factors such as healthcare system, policies, resources, geographic, cultural, educational, and psychological factors. Understanding the barriers to access to care is of paramount importance for the design and implementation of policies and facilitate the provision of care. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the perception of barriers to access to health care on parents/guardians of children with congenital heart disease in selected Latin American countries. Methods: A descriptive, cross‐sectional study, in which parents/guardians or primary caregivers of children with congenital heart disease was recruited to participate and surveyed. Once the informed consent process had been completed, a set of paper‐based scales was used to collect data, namely socioeconomic and demographic information, the Barriers to Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs Questionnaire, and the General Health Questionnaire. Results: In total, 286 participants completed the surveys, with an average age of 34.81 years and 73.4% being female. Mean score of overall barriers was 54.45 (minimum score 39, maximum score 195, higher scores show greater perception of barriers). In Mexico, the parents/guardians of children perceived fewer barriers to access (46.69), while Peru is the country where the most barriers were perceived (69.91). Nonpoor participants showed higher overall barrier perception scores (57.34) than poor participants (52.58). The regression analysis demonstrated the overall perception of barriers was positively associated with individual and social factors, such as educational level, contract status, household monthly income, and psychological well‐being and with the country of the participants. Conclusions: Multiple factors are associated with the perception of barriers to accessing health care for children with congenital heart disease, including socioeconomic status, expectations, psychological well‐being, and structural factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines information technology (IT) adoption effects on the performance of small and medium enterprise (SMEs) in emerging markets and developing economies and how the locational challenges faced by rural SMEs could be reduced by IT adoption. Using 8466 firm‐level data from the 2022/2023 World Bank enterprise survey from 13 countries, across Europe and Central Asia, Latin America, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Sub‐Saharan Africa, we used the entropy balancing technique and tested the effects of IT adoption on the relationship between remoteness and firm performance. Our results show that IT adoption positively affects firm performance and moderates the remoteness‐performance relationship, indicating that IT adoption reduces the rural penalty faced by remote firms. These findings imply that modern firms with sophisticated production methods outperform traditional ones; therefore, adopting information technology would benefit traditional rural firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research delves into the formation of labor values in Latin America, exploring the complex interaction between socio‐demographic characteristics (gender, age, and educational level), well‐being (happiness, health, and life satisfaction), and macroeconomic factors (wealth, equity, and labor market stability). With microdata drawn from the World Values Survey, the study employs Logit and Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition models to analyze data from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru during 2005–2019. It uncovers the significant influence of worker happiness on labor values, especially among self‐employed individuals, and highlights happiness as a critical factor in varying labor values related to different well‐being dimensions. These insights reveal the intricate determinants of work values in the region, providing valuable implications for talent management and policy development aimed at fostering sustainable development through positive labor values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aims to examine the impact of board composition on the ESG performance of Latin American companies. 390 companies located in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, between 2016 and 2021, were analyzed. The board size, gender diversity, independence of the members and the duality of the executive director and chairman of the board were used as characteristics of the board of directors. Through symmetrical (panel data regression) and asymmetrical (fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis) approaches, the findings showed that larger, more diverse and more independent boards contribute positively to higher ESG performance. The presence of duality in the position of executive director and chairman of the board of directors was not a relevant driver, both for ESG performance and for its dimensions in isolation. This study has important theoretical, managerial and governmental implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we perform estimates of vulnerability to multidimensional poverty for 17 Latin American countries at three points of time: 2005/2006, 2012, and 2017. We use a Multidimensional Bayesian Network Classifier model to estimate the conditional probability of being multidimensionally poor and then we use these probabilities and the standard downside semi‐deviation as the risk parameter to identify the vulnerable households. Despite significant reductions over the study period, in 2017 approximately 150 million people—excluding Guatemala, Nicaragua and Venezuela for which we do not have recent data—remained vulnerable to multidimensional poverty. We also observe that vulnerability to poverty is reduced at a much slower rate than poverty itself, revealing that achievements in SDG1 can be quite fragile. We perform a decomposition and find that as poverty decreases, risk‐induced vulnerability becomes relatively more important than poverty‐induced vulnerability. However, the poor‐vulnerable still constitute the core vulnerability group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Latin American and Carribean (LAC) are currently experiencing a rapid aging of their population, coupled with a significant burden of oral diseases. Despites this, there is a scarcity of evidence regarding the manner in wich geriatric dentistry is being taught in dental schools across LAC. So, the objective of this study is to investigate the current status of geriatric dentistry education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in selected LAC dental schools. Methods: An electronic questionnaire was developed and emailed to all 539 dental schools in 19 LAC countries. The questionnaire recorded activity levels, contents and methodology of geriatric dentistry education as part of dental degree programmes. Reminders by email and telephone calls were used to encourage non‐responders to complete the questionnaire. Results: In total, 317 schools from 17 countries responded to the questionnaire (response rate: 58.8%). Geriatric dentistry was taught in 54.6% of the schools at the undergraduate level and in 6.9% at the postgraduate level. Thirty two percent of the schools had a programme director trained in geriatric dentistry. Geriatric dentistry was taught as an independent course in 14.5% of the schools. Dry mouth, periodontal disease, denture‐related conditions and prosthodontic management, oral mucosal disease and age‐related changes of the orofacial complex were the most frequently covered topics. Clinical teaching of geriatric dentistry was reported by 26.5% of the schools, with 38.0% providing clinical training in outreach facilities. Conclusions: Geriatric dentistry education remains incipient in LAC, with only one in every four dental school offering it as a standalone course. There is an urgent need to further develop geriatric dentistry education in the continent, including further research to develop a minimum geriatric dentistry curriculum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: The diagnostic criteria for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG‐IgG)‐associated disease (MOGAD) were published in 2023. We aimed to determine the performance of the new criteria in Latin American (LATAM) patients compared with the 2018 criteria and explore the significance of MOG–IgG titers in diagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of LATAM (Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia) adult patients with one clinical MOGAD event and MOG‐IgG positivity confirmed by cell‐based assay. Both 2018 and 2023 MOGAD criteria were applied, calculating diagnostic performance indicators. Results: Among 171 patients (predominantly females, mean age at first attack = 34.1 years, mean disease duration = 4.5 years), 98.2% patients met the 2018 criteria, and of those who did not fulfill diagnostic criteria (n = 3), all tested positive for MOG‐IgG (one low‐positive and two without reported titer). Additionally, 144 (84.2%) patients met the 2023 criteria, of whom 57 (39.5%) had MOG‐IgG+ titer information (19 clearly positive and 38 low‐positive), whereas 87 (60.5%) patients had no MOG‐IgG titer. All 144 patients met diagnostic supporting criteria. The remaining 27 patients did not meet the 2023 MOGAD criteria due to low MOG‐IgG (n = 12) or lack of titer antibody access (n = 15), associated with the absence of supporting criteria. The 2023 MOGAD criteria showed a sensitivity of 86% (95% confidence interval = 0.80–0.91) and specificity of 100% compared to the 2018 criteria. Conclusions: These findings support the diagnostic utility of the 2023 MOGAD criteria in an LATAM cohort in real‐world practice, despite limited access to MOG‐IgG titration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical studies in innovation management often draw on data collected in particular regions, mostly in Western economies, and imply universal applicability of the findings across regions. Given the relevance of innovation for economic progress and structural and cultural differences among regions, there is surprisingly little knowledge available on whether the knowledge developed from Western firms can be transferred to emerging economies. This dearth of knowledge is especially notable for the early phases of innovation processes. Rapid iterations between knowledge creation and learning are critical at the front end of innovation (FEI), a phase that, in turn, is crucial for innovation success. In a recently published article, Peña Häufler and co‐authors developed the concept of rapid validity testing (RVT) and found support for its positive relation with innovation performance. Since the authors draw on a sample of Western firms, we explore whether the concept of RVT and its performance relevance remain valid across regional contexts. The data for this study stem from a sample of 1625 respondents from 232 firms in Europe and Latin America. Our findings advance our understanding of innovation management practices in different contexts, informing future research on the approach and relevance of assessing the effect of different contexts on central measures for improving innovative capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do legislators, many of whom hold policy positions that are not consistently conservative or progressive, position themselves on the left–right ideological scale? Analyzing data from the Parliamentary Elites in Latin America (PELA) survey, this paper leverages combinations of moral and economic policy positions to determine the weight—germaneness—of each policy on that scale. Using bi‐ and multivariate models on a database of about 5000 legislators, we confirm the importance of economics but also find that moral issues can be germane to the left–right placement of many of the region's legislators. The relative germaneness of the policies is inconsistent for legislators of the left and right. The left is more heterogeneous because moral policies are less germane to their identification. However, many centrists hold conservative economic and moral views, blurring the tie between policy and ideological positions. We confirm that contextual factors can sharpen the issue‐to‐ideology relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we provide a concise historical summary tracing the evolution of radiocarbon dating techniques in Mexico and Central America. We explore the contributions of early pioneers who first employed radiocarbon dating methods, leading to the establishment of a Mexican accelerator mass spectrometry laboratory. The study highlights its pivotal role in shaping chronological frameworks for archaeological investigations in Mexico. Additionally, we describe two noteworthy case studies—Chiquihuite Cave and Golondrinas Chasm—as exemplars of successful applications of radiocarbon dating and Bayesian analysis in contemporary archaeological practices in Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) institutionalisation by Mexico (2020) and Chile (2023), this study analyses their differentiated responses to empirically assess FFP's promised potential to achieve autonomy in foreign policymaking. Through a thematic analysis, we examined the official stances towards the war, diplomatic interactions, and specific cooperation policies proposed or supported by the two countries. The results are twofold: (1) theoretically, FFP challenges conventional theories on international relations and foreign policymaking by fostering a nuanced understanding of the war thus creating conditions for developing autonomous discourses and policies, and (2) empirically, FFP has practical limitations evidenced in Mexico and Chile's heterogeneous – and sometimes unexpected – responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a gap in the understanding of the barriers to cancer screening participation and complying with downstream management in the Community of Latin American and Caribbean states (CELAC). Our study aimed to assess barriers across the cancer screening pathway from the health system perspective, and interventions in place to improve screening in CELAC. A standardized tool was used to collect information on the barriers across the screening pathway through engagement with the health authorities of 27 member states of CELAC. Barriers were organized in a framework adapted from the Tanahashi conceptual model and consisted of the following dimensions: availability of services, access (covering accessibility and affordability), acceptability, user–provider interaction, and effectiveness of services (which includes governance, protocols and guidelines, information system, and quality assurance). The tool also collected information of interventions in place, categorized in user‐directed interventions to increase demand, user‐directed interventions to increase access, provider‐directed interventions, and policy and system‐level interventions. All countries prioritized barriers related to the information systems, such as the population register not being accurate or complete (N = 19; 70.4%). All countries implemented some kind of intervention to improve cancer screening, group education being the most reported (N = 23; 85.2%). Training on screening delivery was the most referred provider‐directed intervention (N = 19; 70.4%). The study has identified several barriers to the implementation of cancer screening in the region and interventions in place to overcome some of the barriers. Further analysis is required to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions in achieving their objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article studies the connections between lessor landowners, land grabbing and land financialization in contemporary capital accumulation. Drawing upon extensive empirical research conducted in Uruguay, which combined database analysis and in‐depth interviews, the paper provides key insights to understand why land leasing has become a central strategy of ground rent appropriation among different types of landowners at the beginning of the 21st century. Our main results show that the leasing strategy is a combination of tenant‐capitalists' expansion, social differentiation and demographic processes of the small landowning capitals displaced from production that rent out their lands, the process of land financialization through large institutional investors, which deploy a land banking strategy, and the optimization of land exploitation among landowner‐capitalists. Moreover, our results highlight the importance of prioritising the study of landowners as a class in itself and the different forms of ground rent appropriation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objective Methods Results Conclusion There has been debate over whether the existing World Health Organization (WHO) criteria accurately represent the severity of maternal near misses.This study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of two WHO clinical and laboratory organ dysfunction markers for determining the best cutoff values in a Latin American setting.A prospective multicenter cohort study was conducted in five Latin American countries. Patients with severe maternal complications were followed up from admission to discharge. Organ dysfunction was determined using clinical and laboratory data, and participants were classified according to severe maternal outcomes. This study compares the diagnostic criteria of Latin American Centre for Perinatology, Network for Adverse Maternal Outcomes (CLAP/NAMO) to WHO standards.Of the 698 women studied, 15.2% had severe maternal outcomes. Most measured variables showed significant differences between individuals with and without severe outcomes (all P‐values <0.05). Alternative cutoff values suggested by CLAP/NAMOs include pH ≤7.40, lactate ≥2.3 mmol/L, respiratory rate ≥ 24 bpm, oxygen saturation ≤ 96%, PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 342 mmHg, platelet count ≤189 × 109 × mm3, serum creatinine ≥0.8 mg/dL, and total bilirubin ≥0.67 mg/dL. No significant differences were found when comparing the diagnostic performance of the CLAP/NAMO criteria to that of the WHO standards.The CLAP/NAMO values were comparable to the WHO maternal near‐miss criteria, indicating that the WHO standards might not be superior in this population. These findings suggest that maternal near‐miss thresholds can be adapted regionally, improving the identification and management of severe maternal complications in Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article traces trends of income inequality in Mexico City from 1770 to 1930 by measuring the gaps between urban real estate rents and unskilled wages. The article presents the first long‐term series of real estate values and rental income for Mexico. One series summarizes the price of an apartment in tenement housing (the prevalent type of popular housing in Mexico), while the other relies on newspaper ads, notarial records, and other sources to estimate property values and rental yield (rental revenue relative to property values). From these wage and rental income series, we calculate rental–wage ratios that are broadly representative of the income gaps between the wealthy and unskilled workers. We find that, at the end of the eighteenth century, inequality moderately increased, followed by a more egalitarian period in the first half of the nineteenth century, and a ballooning in the last quarter of the nineteenth century that persisted into 1930. While inequality receded after the insurrection in the 1810s, it remained high after the Mexican Revolution. We hypothesize that inequality was sensitive to economic growth, and that generalized violence did not universally temper inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Do women perceive corruption differently from men and why? Using elite survey data from over 3000 Latin American legislators nested in 49 country‐years, we explore who perceives corruption as an important national problem. We find that women legislators place more importance on corruption than men. We further examine three potential mechanisms to understand why: support for effective states, power marginalization, and corruption salience. We explore whether these mechanisms work through pathways of moderation or mediation. We find little support for hypotheses that gender interacts with these factors, but we do find that gender mediates who supports effective states and who is marginalized from power. In both the moderation and mediation analyses, we continue to find an underlying, robust effect of being a woman on rating corruption's importance. Thus, while debate over mechanisms remains, gender is foundational to explaining elites' corruption perceptions. Women consistently perceive corruption as more important than men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the ambivalent stance of Latin American governments towards Russia's actions in Ukraine. Using Proyecto Élites Parlamentarias de la Universidad de Salamanca (PELA‐USAL) data, it explores ideological self‐placement, Putin's approval and alliance preferences among Latin American Members of Parliament, highlighting the influence of anti‐imperialism and multilateralism on their international alignments and support for Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on approximately 4000 face‐to‐face interviews with lower house members from seventeen Latin American countries, this article demonstrates how partisan considerations shape legislators' preferences for power‐sharing institutions. Distributive models argue that reforming parties derive preferences based on potential advantages in power allocation, yet the role of individual legislators remains underexplored. The evidence reveals that legislators favor institutional arrangements that maximize their party's influence. Representatives from larger parties prefer electoral rules that reduce the number of parties in the House, while incumbent lawmakers support a stronger executive. Notably, party positions often shift following changes in electoral fortunes: Parties become more favorable of proportional representation after losing seats and advocate for reinforced congressional authority upon leaving office. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the continent continues to reel from the effects of a seemingly distant conflict, certain Latin American diplomatic actors have surprised their partners abroad by issuing calls for mediation to end the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. While these proposals have often been dismissed as naïve or cynical, I argue that they ought to be understood in the context of a decades‐long Latin American uneasiness with notions of alignment in international relations. To understand the conundrums of this continental foreign policy strategy, I contextualise the history and theory of this uneasy project of active neutrality or non‐indifference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognizing the prolonged, uneven, and evolving nature of the Covid‐19 pandemic, this study provides one of the first dynamic, multilevel perspectives of women's fertility intentions in response to the pandemic and its multifaceted impacts. We examine how evolving individual‐ and community‐level Covid‐19 risk mechanisms and socioeconomic and life‐course conditions are associated with continuity and change in women's fertility intentions. We combine individual‐level panel data from a population‐based sample of women aged 18–34 in Pernambuco, Brazil in 2020 and 2021 with corresponding administrative data from 94 municipalities. We use multinomial logit regressions to model continuity and change in fertility intentions across waves. We then estimate fixed effect models to highlight the time‐varying determinants of changing fertility intentions while accounting for unobserved, time‐invariant individual factors. We find that high and/or increasing individual and community‐level Covid‐19 exposure is associated with a greater likelihood of abandoning initial childbearing plans and a greater likelihood to maintain intentions to forego versus to intend having additional children. We advance the literature by highlighting how individual‐level Covid‐19 infection risk perceptions matter for fertility intentions, net of community‐level exposure, and the necessity of dynamic perspectives for understanding how fertility intentions have changed (or not) in response to the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why have most Latin American countries – traditionally pro‐Atlantic and staunch defenders of non‐intervention – remained conspicuously neutral during the Ukraine War? We argue that in an increasingly bipolar context, fence‐sitting produces clear strategic gains through partner‐diversification and bargaining power. However, this strategy becomes riskier with polarisation and, at a certain point, these risks may upset benefits. We formalise this argument and examine the foreign policy trajectories of several Latin American countries in the context of the Ukraine War to illustrate how their room for diplomatic flexibility has shrunk with polarisation. As a corollary, we think of scenarios where the costs of fence‐sitting can outweigh its advantages, forcing the region to align. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years in Latin America, a small number of contributory social protection programmes have been extended on a voluntary basis to cover migrant workers, with affiliation financed by these workers' remittances. That remittances offer a means to finance social protection programmes demonstrates the possibilities presented by international migration not only as regards improving social protection coverage but in contributing towards achieving target 1.3 of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda. This article addresses voluntary insurance programmes introduced in Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico for nationals working abroad and by means of which the families of such international migrant workers can also access health care and benefits in their home countries. In turn, international migrant workers on returning home can gain eligibility for a contributory retirement pension and disability benefits if they satisfy eligibility as well as the contribution conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]