Ash Khayami
@ashkhayami4.bsky.social
Latin America Analyst @fitchsolutions 🇦🇷🇧🇴🇨🇴🇩🇴🇪🇨🇬🇹🇵🇷 | New York City | columbiaSIPA & haverfordedu alum | Views are my own; Likes ≠ endorsements
‘The financial losses could be as much as 2% or 3% of the state’s gross domestic product […] “Prices in Culiacán are inflated & way higher than what the average person can pay,” said one member of a local business group. “We live with this ‘narco-inflation’ without even realizing it.”
bit.ly/432WXwt
bit.ly/432WXwt
As Sinaloa Cartel War Rages On, An Economy Bleeds Dry in Culiacán, Mexico
After eight months of relentless Sinaloa Cartel infighting, Culiacán and surrounding areas are confronting historic economic losses.
bit.ly
May 18, 2025 at 12:33 PM
‘The financial losses could be as much as 2% or 3% of the state’s gross domestic product […] “Prices in Culiacán are inflated & way higher than what the average person can pay,” said one member of a local business group. “We live with this ‘narco-inflation’ without even realizing it.”
bit.ly/432WXwt
bit.ly/432WXwt
As students of (LatAm) politics, we know better than to heavily buy into any one political leader’s personal appeal or ‘legend.’ Everyone in power is flawed & vulnerable to the allure of corruption.
For me, Pepe was as close as we get to the exception…
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/o...
For me, Pepe was as close as we get to the exception…
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/o...
José Mujica, Leftist President of Uruguay Known for Humility, Dies at 89
www.nytimes.com
May 14, 2025 at 11:13 AM
As students of (LatAm) politics, we know better than to heavily buy into any one political leader’s personal appeal or ‘legend.’ Everyone in power is flawed & vulnerable to the allure of corruption.
For me, Pepe was as close as we get to the exception…
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/o...
For me, Pepe was as close as we get to the exception…
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/o...
Reposted by Ash Khayami
I can't tell you how absolutely livid I feel about the fact that, while I'm checking in with Los Angeles friends to make sure they and their homes are safe, certain Republican senators are going on TV and explaining with shitty little grins how LA had it coming and doesn't deserve relief aid.
January 13, 2025 at 11:04 PM
I can't tell you how absolutely livid I feel about the fact that, while I'm checking in with Los Angeles friends to make sure they and their homes are safe, certain Republican senators are going on TV and explaining with shitty little grins how LA had it coming and doesn't deserve relief aid.
Reposted by Ash Khayami
the all but official position of the republican party is that voting for democrats disqualifies you from federal disaster assistance
Rep. Warren Davidson on California federal disaster relief: "If they want the money, then there should be consequences where they have to change their policies ... CA wants the money without changing the policies that are making the problem worse & I don't see how Rs could possibly support that."
January 10, 2025 at 3:55 PM
the all but official position of the republican party is that voting for democrats disqualifies you from federal disaster assistance
Don’t let that 3% fool you… its been in single digits for a while. Boluarte is protected on the streets by a loyal, repressive security apparatus, in the legislature by a corrupt congress, and economically by investors quite content with a favorable mining sector (GDP outlook is fairly strong too).
Inquiry launched in Peru after alleged prostitution ring uncovered in Congress
Inquiry launched in Peru after alleged prostitution ring uncovered in Congress
Prosecutors look into sex-for-votes scandal after killing of Congress lawyer leads to investigation of her former boss
Prosecutors in Peru are investigating a sex-for-votes scandal in the country’s Congress after uncovering an alleged prostitution ring…
www.theguardian.com
December 25, 2024 at 1:19 PM
Don’t let that 3% fool you… its been in single digits for a while. Boluarte is protected on the streets by a loyal, repressive security apparatus, in the legislature by a corrupt congress, and economically by investors quite content with a favorable mining sector (GDP outlook is fairly strong too).
worth a listen before it goes up behind the paywall: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The Sunday Read: ‘The Alienation of Jaime Cachua’
Podcast Episode · The Daily · 12/22/2024 · 30m
podcasts.apple.com
December 22, 2024 at 2:29 PM
worth a listen before it goes up behind the paywall: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Ash Khayami
1/7
China Daily says that now that last week's "Central Economic Work Conference identified the 'vigorous promotion of consumption' as the top priority for 2025", Beijing will "roll out an array of targeted measures to...
www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202412/20/...
China Daily says that now that last week's "Central Economic Work Conference identified the 'vigorous promotion of consumption' as the top priority for 2025", Beijing will "roll out an array of targeted measures to...
www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202412/20/...
Targeted measures to boost consumption
China will roll out an array of targeted measures to simultaneously boost consumption and deliver tangible benefits to the people after policymakers signaled a shift in prioritizing the expansion of d...
www.chinadaily.com.cn
December 20, 2024 at 6:54 AM
1/7
China Daily says that now that last week's "Central Economic Work Conference identified the 'vigorous promotion of consumption' as the top priority for 2025", Beijing will "roll out an array of targeted measures to...
www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202412/20/...
China Daily says that now that last week's "Central Economic Work Conference identified the 'vigorous promotion of consumption' as the top priority for 2025", Beijing will "roll out an array of targeted measures to...
www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202412/20/...
Reposted by Ash Khayami
In November, something happened at the US-Mexico border, almost certainly for the first time ever. You have to look closely at the chart to see it.
More migrants came to official border crossings, usually with CBP One appointments (green), than were apprehended elsewhere by Border Patrol (blue).
More migrants came to official border crossings, usually with CBP One appointments (green), than were apprehended elsewhere by Border Patrol (blue).
December 20, 2024 at 12:15 PM
In November, something happened at the US-Mexico border, almost certainly for the first time ever. You have to look closely at the chart to see it.
More migrants came to official border crossings, usually with CBP One appointments (green), than were apprehended elsewhere by Border Patrol (blue).
More migrants came to official border crossings, usually with CBP One appointments (green), than were apprehended elsewhere by Border Patrol (blue).
“…evidence suggests that the TdA has had trouble expanding in places with competitive criminal markets and where state coercive capacity is strong.”
www.americasquarterly.org/article/how-...
www.americasquarterly.org/article/how-...
How Much of a Threat is Tren de Aragua in the U.S.?
The Venezuelan prison gang was a frequent theme in Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric on immigration. But its reach in the U.S. is exaggerated.
www.americasquarterly.org
December 15, 2024 at 6:24 PM
“…evidence suggests that the TdA has had trouble expanding in places with competitive criminal markets and where state coercive capacity is strong.”
www.americasquarterly.org/article/how-...
www.americasquarterly.org/article/how-...
Reposted by Ash Khayami
This story is uh, insane www.cbsnews.com/news/police-...
December 5, 2024 at 12:52 PM
This story is uh, insane www.cbsnews.com/news/police-...
Hard to tell if this is good for the odds of peace. I’m probably more optimistic than most.
Still, these groups are deeply embedded in their localities and still have strong revenue streams.
Lasting peace is still several years away most likely.
insightcrime.org/news/whatint...
Still, these groups are deeply embedded in their localities and still have strong revenue streams.
Lasting peace is still several years away most likely.
insightcrime.org/news/whatint...
What an Internal Split Means for Colombia’s Second Marquetalia
A rift within the Second Marquetalia underscores the fragility of alliances among illegal groups and highlights the challenges the Colombian government faces when negotiating with diverse organization...
insightcrime.org
November 30, 2024 at 10:45 PM
Hard to tell if this is good for the odds of peace. I’m probably more optimistic than most.
Still, these groups are deeply embedded in their localities and still have strong revenue streams.
Lasting peace is still several years away most likely.
insightcrime.org/news/whatint...
Still, these groups are deeply embedded in their localities and still have strong revenue streams.
Lasting peace is still several years away most likely.
insightcrime.org/news/whatint...
Reposted by Ash Khayami
This suggestion by Mark Cuban caught my eye; might work, certainly worth floating, but I think insufficiently cynical. Opposition to phasing out coal isn't about jobs; it isn't even, mostly, about profits. It's a front in the culture war. 1/
One thing I proposed was to completely buy out the coal industry. For about 36b , you could buy all the coal plants (at a nice profit for owners ), give their customers 5 to 10 yrs to transition and give all employees full pay till retirement.
Take out coal and other paths get simpler
Thoughts?
Take out coal and other paths get simpler
Thoughts?
November 30, 2024 at 12:47 PM
This suggestion by Mark Cuban caught my eye; might work, certainly worth floating, but I think insufficiently cynical. Opposition to phasing out coal isn't about jobs; it isn't even, mostly, about profits. It's a front in the culture war. 1/
An 11% budget uptick is unsustainable. Subsidies may keep prices low (for a bit) but it will drive continued shortages too.
The govt can either start a painful adjustment on its own terms, or it can wander into an unavoidable econ crisis that will be much more painful.
apnews.com/article/boli...
The govt can either start a painful adjustment on its own terms, or it can wander into an unavoidable econ crisis that will be much more painful.
apnews.com/article/boli...
'Everything is expensive!' Bolivia faces a shocking economic collapse
Across what was once South America’s second-largest producer of natural gas, everyone is searching for fuel.
apnews.com
November 30, 2024 at 8:26 AM
An 11% budget uptick is unsustainable. Subsidies may keep prices low (for a bit) but it will drive continued shortages too.
The govt can either start a painful adjustment on its own terms, or it can wander into an unavoidable econ crisis that will be much more painful.
apnews.com/article/boli...
The govt can either start a painful adjustment on its own terms, or it can wander into an unavoidable econ crisis that will be much more painful.
apnews.com/article/boli...
“In life there is a time to arrive and a time to leave ...”
Mujica’s tempered, realistic, & even self critical views are a reflection & basis for the stability seen in Uruguay. His leftist peers who refuse to give up power would do well to learn a thing or 2 from him
batimes.com.ar/news/latin-a...
Mujica’s tempered, realistic, & even self critical views are a reflection & basis for the stability seen in Uruguay. His leftist peers who refuse to give up power would do well to learn a thing or 2 from him
batimes.com.ar/news/latin-a...
Mujica: Left’s return to power in Uruguay is ‘a farewell prize’
José ‘Pepe’ Mujica is perhaps the most famous Uruguayan in the world, but that doesn't faze him. “I'm not a phenomenon; I'm an ordinary guy with some eccentricities,” says the 89-year-old former presi...
batimes.com.ar
November 30, 2024 at 8:15 AM
“In life there is a time to arrive and a time to leave ...”
Mujica’s tempered, realistic, & even self critical views are a reflection & basis for the stability seen in Uruguay. His leftist peers who refuse to give up power would do well to learn a thing or 2 from him
batimes.com.ar/news/latin-a...
Mujica’s tempered, realistic, & even self critical views are a reflection & basis for the stability seen in Uruguay. His leftist peers who refuse to give up power would do well to learn a thing or 2 from him
batimes.com.ar/news/latin-a...
Reposted by Ash Khayami
1/7
According to the FT, "China’s long-term bond yields have fallen below Japan’s for the first time, as investors bet that the world’s second-biggest economy will become bogged down by the deflation that has long afflicted its neighbour."
www.ft.com/content/d299...
According to the FT, "China’s long-term bond yields have fallen below Japan’s for the first time, as investors bet that the world’s second-biggest economy will become bogged down by the deflation that has long afflicted its neighbour."
www.ft.com/content/d299...
Chinese bond market grapples with ‘Japanification’
Deflation fuels ‘inexorable’ slide in China’s long-term sovereign bond yields below Japan’s for the first time
www.ft.com
November 29, 2024 at 8:40 AM
1/7
According to the FT, "China’s long-term bond yields have fallen below Japan’s for the first time, as investors bet that the world’s second-biggest economy will become bogged down by the deflation that has long afflicted its neighbour."
www.ft.com/content/d299...
According to the FT, "China’s long-term bond yields have fallen below Japan’s for the first time, as investors bet that the world’s second-biggest economy will become bogged down by the deflation that has long afflicted its neighbour."
www.ft.com/content/d299...
Reposted by Ash Khayami
Armed men from ELN intercepted an armored SUV escorted by Colombian police in Norte Santander on Friday morning that was carrying around $600,000.
After a shootout with police, they managed to flee with all the money
After a shootout with police, they managed to flee with all the money
November 23, 2024 at 2:13 PM
Armed men from ELN intercepted an armored SUV escorted by Colombian police in Norte Santander on Friday morning that was carrying around $600,000.
After a shootout with police, they managed to flee with all the money
After a shootout with police, they managed to flee with all the money
Reposted by Ash Khayami
Who Are These Federal Workers Trump Wants to Fire? www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
November 23, 2024 at 9:19 PM
Who Are These Federal Workers Trump Wants to Fire? www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...
“Local networks continue to smuggle goods like food from Colombia into Venezuela, exploiting stark price disparities between the two countries. […] smuggled potatoes are sold at lower prices, bypassing quality controls and posing serious health risks to Venezuelan consumers.”
bit.ly/3Ze2oIb
bit.ly/3Ze2oIb
Smuggling Adapts to Reopening of the Colombia-Venezuela Border
Each night at Colombia’s Cúcuta border city, illegal dirt tracks connecting the city to Venezuela become highways for smuggling.
bit.ly
November 22, 2024 at 1:04 PM
“Local networks continue to smuggle goods like food from Colombia into Venezuela, exploiting stark price disparities between the two countries. […] smuggled potatoes are sold at lower prices, bypassing quality controls and posing serious health risks to Venezuelan consumers.”
bit.ly/3Ze2oIb
bit.ly/3Ze2oIb
“The document Tuesday contained no indication that any attempt to carry out an assassination on Lula or Alckmin was put into motion. However, investigators found messages and documents indicating that the plotters were monitoring and following de Moraes at the time.”
apnews.com/article/braz...
apnews.com/article/braz...
Brazilian police arrest 5 officers in alleged 2022 coup plot to kill President Lula, others
Brazil's federal police have arrested five officers accused of plotting a coup that included plans to overthrow the government following the 2022 elections and kill then-President-elect Luiz Inácio Lu...
apnews.com
November 20, 2024 at 3:55 AM
“The document Tuesday contained no indication that any attempt to carry out an assassination on Lula or Alckmin was put into motion. However, investigators found messages and documents indicating that the plotters were monitoring and following de Moraes at the time.”
apnews.com/article/braz...
apnews.com/article/braz...
“Indeed, the shift […] could very well be a blip that was part of a nationwide reaction to the high price[…] that accompanied a once-in-a-century pandemic, which led to similar rightward political shifts in other developed countries.”
www.brookings.edu/articles/tru...
@brookingsinst.bsky.social
www.brookings.edu/articles/tru...
@brookingsinst.bsky.social
Trump gained some minority voters, but the GOP is hardly a multiracial coalition
Analyses of 2024 election exit polls claim that President-elect Donald Trump’s strong showing has transformed his party’s base into a new, powerful multiracial coalition.
www.brookings.edu
November 19, 2024 at 1:06 PM
“Indeed, the shift […] could very well be a blip that was part of a nationwide reaction to the high price[…] that accompanied a once-in-a-century pandemic, which led to similar rightward political shifts in other developed countries.”
www.brookings.edu/articles/tru...
@brookingsinst.bsky.social
www.brookings.edu/articles/tru...
@brookingsinst.bsky.social
“The militias, meanwhile, maintain ties to the state, in particular the police, which means they can control territory with far fewer foot soldiers. Their contacts also offer a level of impunity, according to Maria Isabel Couto (Fogo Cruzado Institute).”
insightcrime.org/news/inside-...
insightcrime.org/news/inside-...
Inside the Battle for Rio de Janeiro: Red Command Versus Militias
In Rio de Janeiro, the balance of power may be shifting from militias to one of the city’s oldest criminal groups.
insightcrime.org
September 16, 2024 at 1:25 AM
“The militias, meanwhile, maintain ties to the state, in particular the police, which means they can control territory with far fewer foot soldiers. Their contacts also offer a level of impunity, according to Maria Isabel Couto (Fogo Cruzado Institute).”
insightcrime.org/news/inside-...
insightcrime.org/news/inside-...
“Guyanese authorities, working with information from the US […] discovered an illegal airstrip where they seized 4.4 tons […]
The record discovery dwarfs the total 85 kilograms of cocaine seized in 2023 and the 1.6 tons seized in total since the beginning of 2020”
insightcrime.org/news/increas...
The record discovery dwarfs the total 85 kilograms of cocaine seized in 2023 and the 1.6 tons seized in total since the beginning of 2020”
insightcrime.org/news/increas...
Increased Foreign Presence Around Guyana Is Helping Net More Cocaine
An enormous cocaine seizure in Guayana highlights the authorities’ reliance on foreign assistance in netting large quantities of cocaine.
insightcrime.org
September 8, 2024 at 8:13 PM
“Guyanese authorities, working with information from the US […] discovered an illegal airstrip where they seized 4.4 tons […]
The record discovery dwarfs the total 85 kilograms of cocaine seized in 2023 and the 1.6 tons seized in total since the beginning of 2020”
insightcrime.org/news/increas...
The record discovery dwarfs the total 85 kilograms of cocaine seized in 2023 and the 1.6 tons seized in total since the beginning of 2020”
insightcrime.org/news/increas...
—One case involves the general director and other officials at Haiti’s National Solid Waste Management Service. The report states that [a $1.7 disbursal] only 45% of the fuel bought was used for the agency’s daily operations.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Haiti unveils new corruption cases against high-level officials even as impunity persists
Haiti's anti-corruption agency is accusing high-ranking government officials of crimes ranging from illicit enrichment to abuse of office
abcnews.go.com
September 8, 2024 at 1:28 PM
—One case involves the general director and other officials at Haiti’s National Solid Waste Management Service. The report states that [a $1.7 disbursal] only 45% of the fuel bought was used for the agency’s daily operations.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...