Listen Now

> Audio from a video panel. Visual aids are explained throughout, and presentations can be made available by the individual panelists. The video recording of the event is also available on Latin American Intersection's and LAI Host Michael Scadden's social media. YouTube link also provided below < A discussion between organizational leaders on investment in island food and energy security innovation in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean: - Opportunities, risks, and incentives - Developing Resilient Systems - Navigating the policy environment - Building collaborations   -Stakeholder outcomes and ROI Panelists: - Rodrick Miller, CEO of Invest Puerto Rico - Yara Nagi, Operations Director of Agritecture - James Ellsmoor, Founder of Island Innovation & Solar Head of State Moderator: - Michael Scadden, Latin America & Caribbean Business and Social Impact Strategist 'After-Panel' with Kendall & Lisa Lang, Entrepreneurs who founded Fusion Farms in Mayaguez Puerto Rico and established a proven business model for Hurricane-Protected Vertical Indoor Aquaponics systems.   Connect with our speakers and their organizations: www.investpr.org www.agritecture.com www.islandinnovation.co & www.solarheadofstate.org www.fusionfarms.ag Latin American Intersections is available on any podcast app   *Apologies for any connectivity issues noticeable in the video **This is the first in a series of conferences, with introduction to the topics by individuals selected for broader experience. Future panels will include a variety of local people, businesses, and policymakers to discuss their challenges and success stories --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/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. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/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. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/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. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/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 threats, and at the other end of the crisis, there may be opportunities in the Latin America and Caribbean region, for investors and for communities. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/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. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/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. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/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... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

A lot is happening in Venezuela as an opposition leader is recognized as interim president by much of the international community. Listen in as John, Brian, and Mike weigh in with both optimism and caution in this freestyle discussion. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

Luis Guillermo Solis Rivera, president of Costa Rica from 2014 - 2018, discusses policies and investments that helped shape and promote the development of renewable energy infrastructure in the country. Despite the many challenges Costa Rica produced 98% of its energy from renewables, and now is expanding policies to decrease the use of fossil fuels in transportation. Could Costa Rica’s model be adopted and adapted by other countries, especially in Central America. What are some of the opportunities and challenges for investors interested in the country’s energy sector? Let’s find out... --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

Dr John Polga-Hecimovich, Professor of Political Science at the U.S. Naval Academy and Brian Fonseca, Director of the Jack D. Gordon Institute of Public Policy at Florida International University bring us an update on Venezuela and insights into the China-Venezuela relationship. A big thank you to Kazim Sultan of 5adb0iMusic, who is working diligently to improve our audio as we develop our production techniques. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

On this episode of Latin American Intersections we will be discussing Chinese investment in Latin American infrastructure; and to help me explore this topic I’ve asked Dr. Jorge Heine to bring us his insights. Dr. Heine is a Public Policy Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, also referred to as the Wilson Center. He’s also the former ambassador of Chile to China as well as India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. A big thank you to Kazim Sultan of 5adb0iMusic, who is working diligently to improve our audio as we develop our production techniques --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

Maureen Meyer of the Washington Office on Latin America joins us today to discuss the experiences and challenges of Central Americans that face a grueling journey once they’ve decided to flee their home countries. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

India’s engagement with the LAC region is often overlooked and while much smaller than China’s is growing comparably. Do India’s businesses and government have a larger strategy like China’s? What’s India’s relationship with the Venezuelan oil sector like? Find out all this and more with Dr. Evan Ellis, Latin American Research Professor at the U.S. Army War College and Senior Non-resident Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. A big thank you to Kazim Sultan of 5adb0iMusic, who is working diligently to improve our audio as we develop our production techniques. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

Dr John Polga-Hecimovich joins us on this episode to talk about Venezuelan politics and the relationship of the Maduro regime with the Veneuelan military. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support

Get ready for unique insights and perspectives on Latin America and the Caribbean --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/latampodcast/support