The Free Market Resurgence of South America

James and Jim sit down with career international portfolio manager Hervé Van Caloen to explore shifting geopolitical trends and untapped global investment opportunities. Hervé breaks down why Latin America is pivoting away from decades of socialist policies toward free-market capitalism, and shares his first-hand perspective on rebuilding Venezuela’s economy, privatization trends, and stock market potential. The conversation also covers Europe’s rising defense and military technology spending, Japan’s multi-decade economic recovery, China's real estate crisis, and why breaking away from US-market correlation makes international diversification essential again. Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2A0qhM0... Time Stamps: 0:00 - Podcast intro and welcome 0:27 - Introducing international portfolio manager Hervé van Caloen 2:41 - International market performance vs. US tech dominance 3:45 - The Latin American pivot: Embracing free markets & ending socialism 5:42 - Geopolitical shift: US refocusing trade on the Western Hemisphere 8:10 - The Venezuela opportunity: Economic rebuilding & market potential 10:41 - Venezuelan diaspora, capital return, & economic stabilization 13:12 - Geopolitical outlook: Re-installing democracy & rule of law 16:48 - Market mechanics: Privatizations, IPOs, and market capitalization growth 19:33 - Rethinking portfolio diversification: Historical 15% international norms 20:38 - European defense spending, tech investments, & political shifts 23:06 - Military tech innovation: Drones, Ukraine's expertise, and Japan 24:36 - Automotive industry crisis: Volkswagen, China competition, & tariffs 27:32 - Poland's free market "shock therapy" & economic growth story 31:00 - Stock selection philosophy: Finding competitive moats vs. commodities 33:57 - How to position international equities in client portfolios 35:42 - Decreasing global market correlation & timing diversification 37:41 - Separate accounts vs. international ETFs & fundamental investing 41:23 - Japan's multi-decade recovery: "Lost decades", bank recapitalization, & robotics 44:43 - China's economic parallels: Real estate slump & youth unemployment 48:32 - Rebuilding Venezuela's infrastructure & tourism potential 52:24 - Three key takeaways: International tech moats & Latin America's rise 55:23 - Closing remarks & podcast outro 56:10 - Legal disclaimers For Curated Investment Help: https://www.chaslynfinancialgroup.com At Chaslyn Financial Group, we help investors maximize growth, manage wealth safely, and plan for the future. Contact us through our website for a quick consultation to see if we're the right fit for you. Investment advice is offered through Belpointe Asset Management, LLC. 500 Damonte Ranch Parkway, Building 700, Unit 700, Reno, NV 89521. #internationalinvesting #emergingmarkets #latinamerica #venezuela #wealthmanagement #defensetech #diversification #enlightenedwealthstrategies #chaslynfinancialgroup