Canning Paper | Natural disasters in Latam and the Caribbean

On the rise: Natural disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean: Canning Papers

07th Aug 2018

In March 1812 Simón Bolívar, the future liberator of South America, stood in the rubble of his hometown, Caracas. The Venezuelan capital had been levelled by an enormous earthquake and aftershock and as he led the rescue efforts, Bolívar announced: “If nature itself decides to oppose us, we will fight and force her to obey!” Two hundred years later, Latin American governments are still struggling to predict, mitigate and respond to natural disasters.

Introduction

In the last two years alone, the region has seen massive earthquakes in Ecuador and Mexico, fatal mudslides in Colombia, one of the most destructive tropical storms on record in Hurricane Maria, and the destruction of whole Guatemalan villages with the eruption of the Fuego Volcano. Data suggests that natural disasters are, indeed, becoming increasingly common. Latin America’s geography and geology make it prone to a wide array of threats which have their origins both in the ground beneath and the sky above.

More recent canning papers

Latin America in a changing geopolitical climate

Despite being geographically remote from Latin America, both China and Russia continue to play important roles in the region, in Russia’s case by focusing diplomatic attention on several countries that have difficult relations with the United States, and in China’s case through deep economic engagement.

Becoming a member at Canning House

By joining as an individual member you’ll have the opportunity to access our wide range of public events at a discounted rate, as well as additional benefits such as online access to in-depth reports, webinar recordings and This Week in Latin America news articles.

Find out more about our membership plans

Introduction

More recent canning papers

Latin America in a changing geopolitical climate

Becoming a member at Canning House

Sign up to our newsletter