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Mac Margolis

Former Bloomberg Opinion Columnist

Mac Margolis is a former Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Latin and South America. He is the author of “The Last New World: The Conquest of the Amazon Frontier.”

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PURSUITS_WEB_Brazilian Gospel

Forget Samba. Gospel Is the Soundtrack Behind a New Brazil

Latin America’s largest country is looking increasingly evangelical — a shift in faith that’s reshaping culture and power.

February 13, 2026

February 13, 2026

Forget Samba. Gospel Is the Soundtrack Behind a New Brazil

Latin America’s largest country is looking increasingly evangelical — a shift in faith that’s reshaping culture and power.

PURSUITS_WEB_Brazilian Gospel

November 15, 2025

November 15, 2025

The Brazilian Novelist Getting Gen Z into Books

Raphael Montes, master of horror fiction, is reaching young non-readers with sordid tales of doom and gloom.

PURSUITS_WEB_The Gore from Ipanema

September 30, 2024

September 30, 2024

Gang Violence Is Moving to the Amazon’s Fast-Growing Cities

As the drug trade piggybacks on environmental plunder, a spike in homicides is borne by the rainforest region’s neglected urban areas.

ONE TIME USAGE

July 1, 2024

July 1, 2024

The Amazon Rainforest Is Urban, Too

South America’s vast rainforest isn’t just flora and fauna. Tens of millions of people live in cities that are neglected and overlooked.

The Amazon Rainforest Is Urban, Too

March 8, 2023

March 8, 2023

OpinionMac Margolis

Rio de Janeiro Needs More Than a Party Now

Cariocas have a post-pandemic opportunity to rewrite the rules for a more durable, equitable and urban future.

Rio de Janeiro Needs More Than a Party Now

June 2, 2021

June 2, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

Brazil Needs More Than Green Energy to Thrive

Latin America’s biggest economy needs a more resilient and diverse energy grid to spark a real economic recovery.

PARAGUAY-BRAZIL-ITAIPU

May 21, 2021

May 21, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

Brazilian Soccer Fans Give Boot to Bolsonaro’s Favorite Brand

The Flamengo Regatta Club brings politics onto the pitch by signing up President Jair Bolsonaro’s darling retail brand as a sponsor.

Brasileirao Series A: Sao Paulo v Flamengo Play Behind Closed Doors Amidst the Coronavirus (COVID - 19) Pandemic

May 20, 2021

May 20, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

Chile’s Voters Open Pandora’s Box on New Charter

A crushing government defeat at the polls gives control of a constitutional rewrite to leftists and independents.

Chile’s Voters Open Pandora’s Box on New Charter

May 10, 2021

May 10, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

As Goes Colombia, So Goes Latin America?

As fiscally strapped governments struggle to cope with the pandemic, festering grievances over poor services and broken political promises are spilling out into the streets.

As Goes Colombia, So Goes Latin America?

May 7, 2021

May 7, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

Latin American Candidates Seek Divine Intervention

Politicians from left and right are embracing an evangelical agenda, sharpening divisions and encouraging the populist temptation.

Latin American Candidates Seek Divine Intervention

April 29, 2021

April 29, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

Brazil Breeds a New Kind of Billionaire

New faces at the top are part of an emerging economy built on digital technology and fueled by customers from the neglected classes.

Brazil Breeds a New Kind of Billionaire

April 22, 2021

April 22, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

Brazil Has Climate Summit Shot at Redemption

Once a driver of deforestation, the state of Mato Grosso shows you don’t have to slash and burn the Amazon to thrive.

TOPSHOT-BRAZIL-FIRE-DEFORESTATION-AMAZON-PROTEST

April 16, 2021

April 16, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

There’s No App to Beat Covid in Latin America

Tech wizardry can’t overcome the underlying political and social problems that have hampered the continent’s pandemic fight.

There’s No App to Beat Covid in Latin America

April 9, 2021

April 9, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

Argentina Can’t Afford to Delay Economic Reforms

By dragging out negotiations with the International Monetary Fund until after midterm elections this fall, it risks derailing economic recovery.

ARGENTINA-HEALTH-VIRUS-ECONOMY-DEBT

March 31, 2021

March 31, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

Venezuela’s Refugees Are an Asset, Not a Problem

Instead of victimizing them, its neighbors should tap their energy and talent and help to spur a regional economic recovery.

Venezuelan Immigrants Work In The Streets Of Colombia

March 26, 2021

March 26, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

Brazil’s Business Class Reconsiders Bet on Bolsonaro

But a polarized public may be in no mood for buttoned-down centrism, especially with the political rebirth of fiery ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Brazil’s Business Class Reconsiders Bet on Bolsonaro

March 18, 2021

March 18, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

Latin America’s Economies Need About a Billion Jabs in the Arm

The trajectory of any economic rebound for the region will be traced by the syringe.

CHILE-HEALTH-VIRUS-VACCINES

March 10, 2021

March 10, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

Lula’s Comeback Is Just What Brazil Didn’t Need

The overturning of his convictions has roiled the country’s judiciary, energized political ambulance chasers, inflamed partisan passions and jumpstarted the 2022 presidential race.

Lula Da Silva Gives Press Conference After Convictions Against Him Annulled

March 4, 2021

March 4, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

In Lockdown Brazil, Everyone Is Watching Big Brother

The long-running reality show has become an arena for the country’s culture wars, and a magnet for advertisers.

In Lockdown Brazil, Everyone Is Watching Big Brother

February 25, 2021

February 25, 2021

OpinionMac Margolis

A Millennial Authoritarian Wins Over El Salvador

This weekend’s legislative elections could make President Nayib Bukele his country’s most powerful leader in a generation.

EL SALVADOR-HEALTH-VIRUS-VACCINE-BUKELE