ISDS Case Map
Latin America
In 2020, foreign investors filed at least 51 known cases demanding huge sums from governments struggling to fight a historic pandemic.
Latin America's battle with COVID-19 hampered by investment arbitration cases.
The emergence of the so-called “Frugal Five” led by Austria and Netherlands, has blocked so far the European Union recovery plan, with a massive injection of funds, and forebodes hard times to finally reach the implementation of an EU trade agreement with Mercosur.
Honduran environmental activist Berta Cáceres was a strong voice against free trade and fought for the Lenca people's right to live on their sacred land.
Wealthy corporations may use trade courts to keep public health measures from cutting into their profits.
Many countries, particularly in the global south, are in the process of joining the Energy Charter Treaty despite the sweeping powers it grants to foreign investors.
The hard work of protecting water and land from the long-term harms associated with gold and silver mining takes place daily on the frontlines of tenacious struggles throughout Latin America and around the world.
In more than two-thirds of the mining-related lawsuits against governments in the region, communities have actively organizing against the mining activities.
We analyzed 38 multi-million dollar claims brought by the mining industry using ISDS and other investment protection laws; in over half, communities are fighting to protect Indigenous territory, water, and more.
After sponsoring juntas until well into the 1990s, the US went after Central and South America with “free trade” deals before once again working with extremists.
