Ricardo Zúniga
Ricardo Zúniga is a Founding Partner of Dinámica Americas.
He was a career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service, serving for 30 years in multiple roles, including as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Special Envoy for the Northern Triangle, and U.S. Consul General in São Paulo, Brazil, where he focused on advancing U.S. commercial relations with Brazil. Zuniga was detailed from the State Department to serve as President Obama’s principal advisor for the Americas from 2012 to 2015, during which time he worked closely with then-Vice President Biden and advised Cabinet members and other senior leaders on events in the Americas.
Ricardo was previously a member of the Advisory Board of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Latin America Program. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and served diplomatic tours in Mexico, Portugal, Cuba, Spain, and twice in Brazil.
Insights by Ricardo
Oct 2, 2025
Tulane University
Tulane University Law School’s Energy Law & Policy Center published Senior Advisor
Jimmy Story'sjoint op-ed with
Ricardo Zúniga “Energy Security and Rare Earths Elements: Brazil’s Critical Leadership in Diversifying the Global Supply Chain”,
Sep 23, 2025
O Globo
El periódico O Globo entrevistó al socio fundador
Ricardo Zúniga sobre las perspectivas de una reunión entre los presidentes Donald Trump y Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Aug 19, 2025
The Financial Times
The Financial Times quoted Founding Partner
Ricardo Zúniga on the growing threat of organized crime in the Americas
Jul 13, 2025
Folha de São Paulo
Ricardo Zúniga entrevistado sobre la intención de la administración Trump de imponer aranceles del 50% a Brasil.
May 14, 2025
Valor Econômico
Ricardo Zúniga e Christopher Garman apontam vantagens do país para se posicionar diante dos novos arranjos entre as potências mundiais durante o Summit Brazil–USA, realizado pelo Valor em Nova York.
Feb 26, 2025
Fernando Henrique Cardoso Foundation
Nick Zimmerman and
Ricardo Zuniga discuss the economic and political implications of the Trump administration’s foreign policy in Latin America and Brazil.
Jan 27, 2025
Washington Post
Juan Cruz and
Ricardo Zuniga assess the trajectory of U.S. economic policy under the Trump administration, especially U.S. tariff policy
Jan 8, 2025
CNN
Ricardo Zuniga fue entrevistado sobre qué esperar de la administración Trump en el ámbito internacional.
Jul 29, 2024
PBS News Hour
The U.S. says it has serious concerns about the election results in Venezuela after authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro declared a victory in a tumultuous presidential race. Exit polls showed a blowout win for the opposition party. Geoff Bennett discussed more with
Ricardo Zuniga.
Jul 16, 2024
Americas Quarterly
Un segundo mandato de Biden seguiría promoviendo la democracia y abordaría puntos conflictivos como Haití y Venezuela, escriben dos ex funcionarios de seguridad nacional. Coescrito por
Ricardo Zúniga y
Nick Zimmerman.
Jul 16, 2024
Americas Quarterly
A continuation of Biden's policies would promote democracy while addressing hotspots like Haiti and Venezuela, two former national security officials,
Ricardo Zuniga and
Nick Zimmerman, write.
Apr 25, 2024
A review of Biden's policies towards the region and what might change if he is reelected in November with
Ricardo Zuniga.
Feb 5, 2024
New York Times
Nayib Bukele won a second term on Sunday, riding support for his crackdown on gangs, even if the price has been restricting civil liberties.
Jan 12, 2024
Washington Post
With grim predictions of waning U.S. influence around the globe — due to China’s rise and America’s own political dysfunction — Guatemala may emerge as a rare success in promoting democracy. With quotes from
Ricardo Zúniga.
Dec 6, 2023
U.S. Institute of Peace
Guatemala’s fragile democracy faces its greatest test since the end of the conflicts in the late 20th century. Uncertainty will have significant implications for peace and prosperity. By
Ricardo Zuniga
