Title: Latin America Research Seminar (LARS) ProPELAC Student Research Showcase

Peter Clanton explored the divergence between perceptions of China in Paraguay and the reality of its economic engagement. He illustrated that support for Chinese engagement rests on rural-urban divides and that economic engagement is not necessarily a driving factor in perceptions of China across the country. 

Lucía González Camelo analyzed the dynamics between the government of Guyana and the private oil extraction sector, exploring their implications for the country’s social, political, and economic transformation. She examined the delegation of state-building responsibilities to private multinational corporations, a pattern rooted in the country’s colonial history. She also highlighted key policies, such as the 2016 Petroleum Agreement and the 2021 Local Content Law, that aim to promote local job creation, community development, and environmental protection. Finally, Lucia discussed the challenges of economic diversification and the importance of sustainable governance to ensure long-term benefits for the country.

Grace Fay analyzed the significance of Argentina’s bilateral currency swap with China and its implications for the country’s economic landscape and ongoing legal and debt struggles. She concluded that if the currency swap is ignored or abolished altogether, the financial, economic, and political backlash from China might shift Argentina into an even worse economic reality than that with which President Milei began.

The presentations ended with an audience Q&A that allowed students and faculty to engage with the students’ research and provide their feedback.