Fútbol over all. It’s been a busy time in Peru. President Pedro Castillo dodged a second impeachment attempt. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights blocked a move to release ex-President Alberto Fujimori. But interest in both stories paled in comparison with the thrill over Peru’s win against Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier. 

"It’s a huge source of excitement, while everything related to politics seems to be stuck in a loop of dysfunction,” says Lima-based journalist Mitra Taj in a Q&A on Peru’s recent political twists.

Anyone’s race to win. Costa Rica’s April 3 presidential runoff pits former World Bank official Rodrigo Chaves against ex-President José María Figueres. The candidates, both tainted by scandals, will need to work with a divided legislature to take on mounting economic challenges. And they’re polling neck-and-neck. Check out our poll tracker for more. 

Visit AS/COA Online’s 2022 Election Guide.

What’s coming up in Latin America? 

• April 6: Book launch of Things Are Never So Bad That They Can’t Get Worse: Inside the Collapse of Venezuela with author William Neuman, former New York Times Andes bureau chief.

• April 10: Mexico’s presidential recall referendum. Hear more in our most recent episode of the Latin America in Focus podcast.

THEY SAID WHAT?

• Mexico’s AMLO announced plans for a reform involving changes to electoral institutions and a reduction of legislative seats. (Expansión)
• El Faro’s Óscar Martínez talks with El Hilo about El Salvador’s recent wave of violence and the Bukele government’s response. 
• Gabriel Boric pledges loan forgiveness and less testing in proposed reforms of Chile's education system. (The Economist)
• Ecuadoran President Guillermo Lasso vows to circumvent Congress after his reforms stall. (The Brazilian Report) 
• Colombian real estate startups want to expand across Latin America. (Rest of World)

• Guatemala continues to struggle to get Covid-shuttered schools reopened. (NPR)
• How  Russia used social media to promote its Sputnik V vaccine in Latin America. (Carnegie)

Rise of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar this year
 

Rise of the Uruguayan peso
 

Rise of the Brazilian real

While the dollar has strengthened against most global currencies, Latin America’s currencies from Colombia to Chile are appreciating in value for reasons such as rising commodity prices. (The Wall Street Journal)