Through the Ballard Global Alliance, Ballard Partners has been growing its global presence. Launched in 2024, the alliance is a pioneering network of public affairs and government relations firms based in key international markets. In drawing on the regional expertise of each firm, the collaboration enables clients to benefit from seamless cross-border advocacy.
The Ballard Global Alliance was initially comprised of international firms from Japan and the UK. It has since expanded, welcoming members from Canada, South Korea, mainland Europe, and Australia.
Latin America is also well represented, with four of the 10 international members of the Ballard Global Alliance hailing from the region. The first of these to join the Ballard Global Alliance was Global Nexus. Together with Ballard Partners, which was founded by Brian Ballard in 1998, the Mexico City–based firm has been creating the Bi-Weekly Latin American Snapshot.
The Bi-Weekly Latin American Snapshot provides updates and analysis on news across Latin America. In the most recent edition, released on March 31, Ballard Partners and Global Nexus delivered insights on developments in Chile, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and elsewhere. Let’s take a country-by-country look at the report and learn why, through the Ballard Global Alliance, Ballard Partners is well positioned to respond to developments in the region.
Chile and Peru
Oil rises have surged in Chile following President José Antonio Kast’s decision to suspend the Fuel Price Stabilization Mechanism. In combination with global oil prices spiking in response to conflict in the Middle East, the move has caused gasoline to rise by as much as 32 percent and diesel to jump by more than 60 percent. With oil prices not yet thought to have reached their highest level, Chile’s Central Bank has increased the country’s inflation forecast by 0.8 percent.
Meanwhile, in Peru, a decade of political instability looks poised to continue as the country enters a highly fragmented presidential election. More than 35 candidates are in the race, and none has achieved a majority or even a significant plurality. Over the last 10 years, the country has had nine presidents, a reflection of the public’s widespread dissatisfaction with the political system.
The Ballard Global Alliance’s newest member, Azerta, is equipped to navigate the fraught environments in both Chile and Peru. Based in the Chilean capital but also active across Peru, Azerta draws on its deep relationships across the region to build public affairs and strategic communications campaigns aimed at ensuring that clients achieve their goals.
Brazil
Ahead of the upcoming presidential election, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has chosen Vice President Geraldo Alckmin to once again serve as his running mate. Alckmin maintains key relationship in Brazil’s business sector, and his selection is a sign that President Lula is looking to build a broad governing coalition.
Like Alckmin, Esfera maintains key relationships with business figures, as well as with governmental and institutional leaders. Translated to mean the “Sphere,” Esfera strives to use its unique position at the intersection of multiple sectors to bring balance to South America’s largest country.
Argentina
In the wake of President Javier Milei leading a successful push to pass the Labor Modernization Law, a legal challenge has resulted in the provisional suspension of many of its reforms. Ruling on a lawsuit filed by the General Confederation of Labor, a labor judge determined that a number of the law’s articles either violated the constitution, infringed on worker protections, or unfairly weakened unions.
As Argentinians await the fate of the reforms, Cefeidas Group is prepared to navigate the ongoing complexity. Based in Buenos Aires, Cefeidas Group aims to leverage its regional insights to solve problems for organizations with interests in Argentina and elsewhere in Latin America.
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