On July 25, El Diario Reforma, published a letter from Alejandro Rámirez Magaña to the CNTE (Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación). In this letter, Rámirez Magaña speaks out against the CNTE by indicating that "their worst crime has been to steal the future of the country's most marginalized children and teenagers." Read the complete letter. 

In the last edition of Americas Quarterly, Latin American political figures and business leaders were asked: “What would you tell the next U.S. president about Latin America?”. As the only Mexican business leader selected, Blanca Treviño, reminded the next U.S. president that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us and in order to reap benefits, U.S.-Mexico partnership is key. Read the complete letter.

On August 1, Colombian Secretary of Energy, Juan José Aranguen will join Enrique Pescarmona and the rest of the IMPSA family to celebrate the company's present state. After a rocky two and a half years, Pescarmona has been able to restructure a debt of $1050 million and continue on with production. 

During his recent trip to Guatemela, where he met with Jimmy Morales, the country's president, and various high-level government workers, Luis Alberto Moreno, asked Guatemalan leaders to create a "stronger fiscal muscle" in order to solve some of the country's biggest challenges, such as health and education. 

Silvia Tcherassi is "a woman in which tradition and innovation find the perfect equilibrium through design and luxury". In this month's Harper's Bazaar, we get to know her on a more personal level through a list of her favorite things. 

Grupo LALA wants to conquer the Latin American market. The Mexican company already produces in Mexico, Guatemala, the United States and Nicaragua. This month it expanded to Costa Rica with the acquisition of a production plant and an alliance with Coopeleche and Florida Bebidas. 

For Roberto Murray, corporate social responsibility is "not something that you do, but how you do it." In other words, it should be an adopted philosophy for everything that the company does so that the private sector becomes a positive contributor to the country's development.  

Jorge Errázuriz, member of the Pacific Alliance Business Summit, discussed the alliance's strengths after this year's meeting which took place on June 30 in Frutillar, Chile. He reassured that the Pacific Alliance "is an entity that unites the public and private sectors." 

During his recent participation in the Pacific Alliance Summit, Carlo Solari, admitted that Argentina's new business environment opens the door to many new potential investments. Falabella has forecasted a $4,038 million investment towards the country in the next four years.

Jorge Errázuriz, member of the Pacific Alliance Entrepreneurial Forum, talks about the importance of the alliance, now in its fourth year, and the short- and long-term impacts of Brexit. According to him, "[the Pacific Alliance] is, by far, the most successful Latin American regional treaty that has ever existed". Watch the Interview

The biggest infrastructure expansion project in Latin America is now complete with the June 26 inauguration of the newly renovated Panama Canal. Writing in El Pais, Inter-American Development Bank President Luis Alberto Moreno reflects on how this project will redefine Panama's future and change the Western Hemisphere's perspective on commercial integration. 

Starting in September, thousands of people will be able to take a course on leadership from Ismael Cala. The international journalist just announced a partnership with Andrés Moreno's Next University where he will lead an intensive course aimed at teaching the essential tools of being a great leader and achieving your goals. 

On June 23, the 11th Ayudando a Quienes Ayudan award ceremony took place. This initiative from Kriete's Gloria Foundation rewards foundations and organizations which have had an impact in their communities. Executive Director, Roberto Kriete stated in his speech that "[the night's] theme is to not lose hope...we have to motivate NGOs to keep working and giving people rays of hope".

José María Figueres Olsen discusses global warming, the ocean's future, business and his possible future candidacy for the Costa Rican presidency in 2018 with RT's Diana Deglauy. Watch the interview

On June 25, Enrique García, president of the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), spoke to EFE about the expansion of the Panama Canal and peace in Colombia. He said that these are "two good news" which "give the solidity to generate a sustainable, high, efficient and inclusive growth in Latin America".

Cinépolis and Alejandro González Iñárritu have announced a new partnership which will bring artistic cinema to the Mexican public through the cultural center: Zaï. Alejandro Rámirez Magaña, CEO of Cinépolis, told Forbes México: "We are in the last steps of defining the concept in order to decide where [in Mexico City] Zaï will be and who will be in charge of the architectural project". 

During this year's "Foro Forbes Mujeres Poderosas Liderazgo 3.0," Blanca Treviño, CEO of Softtek, shared her three recommendations for rising entrepreneurs: 1) feel capable and make a commitment, 2) do not give anyone the chance to block you and 3) focus on your strengths. 

Juan Pablo Swett, president of La Asociación de Emprendedores de Chile (Asech), will be stepping down and his new successor will be announced the first week of July. On the short list is Alejandra Mustakis, founder of Medular, Stgo MakerSpace & iF, who commented that "having taken on an important social role as an association creates several challenges for the new president..."  

Carlos Julio Ardila, program co-chair of the World Economic Forum on Latin America that took place June 16-17, 2016 in Medellin, Colombia, states that "the forum will leave a mark on Medellin and the country."  Some key issues discussed at the forum this year were the Fourth Industrial Revolution, economic growth in Latin America and the battle against corruption. 

When asked what startup he believed would be the next "PedidosYa," Ariel Pfeffer had no trouble in quickly responding with GPS Gay, a social network platform for the LGBTQ community. He believes this Uruguayan startup is "extremely interesting" and has all of the necessary characteristics to grow worldwide.