The Common Market of the South. Advances and limitations during its last cycle of pro tempore mandates

Abstract

The Southern Common Market (Mercosur) is an integration mechanism stablished by Latin American countries with the aim of eliminating trade barriers which limit their internal development. As consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic global impact, the government transition of some of its members and the new international dynamics, Mercosur has adopted a new concept regarding its initial projection. In this sense, during the last cycle of pro tempore mandates (2022-2023), it proposed to encourage the opening to the international market and to strengthening its political and commercial ties. However, contradictions within the organization, the variation of regional interests, as well as the interference of external actors, have led to the emergence of fissures among its members that, if an early solution is not presented, may generate a breakdown in the economic balance of Mercosur and a redirection of the integrationist policy in the region. Consequently, the indicated period frames the main advances and, at the same time, limitations of Mercosur in recent years