Domingo Brief β The return of Lula, Chile's electric vehicles, & Ecuador gets friendlier with China
π¦π·π¨π±π¨π΄π²π½π΅π¦π΅π· 7 Latin American firms spent the week in Las Vegas as they attended CES 2023, the worldβs most influential consumer electronics trade show. Spanning sectors as diverse as home security and the metaverse, the companies β two of which also attended CES 2022 β represented Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico (x2), Panama, and Puerto Rico.
π§π· Luiz InΓ‘cio Lula da Silva has become President of Brazil for a record-setting third time, taking office during a massive inauguration ceremony on the first day of 2023. While outgoing president Jair Bolsonaro was not in attendance, the inauguration included high-profile guests such as the King of Spain, Chinese Vice President, and just about every single South American president.
Latinometrics: Often known simply as Lula, the 77-year-old former metalworker and trade unionist is now the oldest person to assume the presidency of Latin Americaβs largest country. He previously served as president from 2003-2010 before spending 580 days in prison between 2018-2019 on corruption charges that were later overturned.
What to expect? Lula spent all campaign season touting his prior record as president β his first term famously saw 20 million people rise out of severe poverty and Brazil become the worldβs eighth-largest economy. He is expected to focus once more on poverty reduction, combatting deforestation, and boosting Brazilβs prestige on the world stage.
π¨π± Astara Chile has partnered with leading electric vehicle manufacturer BYD to distribute electric cars and accelerate the countryβs green transition, beginning in the first quarter of this year. The alliance has big implications for Chileβs automotive fleet, which already counts over 430 electric BYD buses operating in Santiago.
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