Matteson Ellis, Member at Miller & Chevalier, discussed the outlook for corruption and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in Brazil and Mexico. Brazil's Lava Jato (Car Wash) anti-corruption task force was recently disbanded after seven years of significant cases. "Indications are that, in 2021, Brazil might not experience the same volume of headline enforcement actions that have become common place in recent years…But recent efforts by President Bolsonaro to undermine and decapitate Lava Jato-related investigations will certainly have an impact," Ellis said. 

In Mexico, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador backtracked on campaign promises to battle corruption, and FCPA enforcement actions involving the country have slowed. "It will be a surprise if 2021 sees significant FCPA cases involving Mexico… Mexico is still considered one of the highest risk jurisdictions in the region for corrupt practices," Ellis said.