Cities are now home to more than 80% of the region’s population. How can better urban policies release their potential to benefit millions of people? 

President Nicolás Maduro extended the state of economic emergency in Venezuela and ordered that idled factories be seized.  The Venezuelan opposition announced that it will maintain pressure for his recall.

Following the controversial impeachment proceedings of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, the interim administration of Michel Temer has appointed fiscal conservative and former Central Bank president under President Lula, Henrique Meirelles as Finance Minister.

Campaigning under the banner of neoliberal ideals such as poverty alleviation and economic development, Brazil’s Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT) has benefitted the wealthy through a variety of financial incentives and lack of transparency.