Global Americans Working Group on Inter-American Relations
With the generous support of the Ford Foundation, Global Americans has published five papers with recommendations for improving inter-American relations. Signed by more than 30 prominent regional policymakers, academics, and businesspeople, the papers address: trade, corruption, drug policy, educational exchanges, and the opportunities and challenges presented by extra-hemispheric powers. To read the papers, click here.
Global Americans Working Group on Inter-American Relations
With the generous support of the Ford Foundation, Global Americans has published five papers with recommendations for improving inter-American relations. Signed by more than 30 prominent regional policymakers, academics, and businesspeople, the papers address: trade, corruption, drug policy, educational exchanges, and the opportunities and challenges presented by extra-hemispheric powers. To read the papers, click here.
In response to government-sanctioned oppression, media and journalism are reinventing themselves in Venezuela
The response to the restrictive policies of Nicolás Maduro’s government has been new media on the web, joint ventures with international networks, and investigative work focusing on corruption.
On Trump’s Latin America Team: Jose Cárdenas soon to be named Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for political affairs at the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
According to a government source, Jose Cárdenas is soon to be named Deputy Assistant Secretary of State (DAS) for political affairs at the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. Cárdenas has served as Chief of Staff, Senior Advisor, and speechwriter for the Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.
An outsider candidate looms large in El Salvador’s February presidential election
Widespread discontent with corruption-plagued traditional parties might result in a historical win for Nayib Bukele, a former FMLN member who is now running on a third-party platform.
How the U.S. can better balance Chinese investment in infrastructure
The U.S. can both balance Chinese influence and help Latin American governments address environmental and social concerns by investing in the “soft" side of the infrastructure boom.
The U.S. decision to abandon CICIG in Guatemala doesn’t make moral or geostrategic sense
U.S. policy is never governed purely by moral calculations. But in the case of CICIG, it is hard to detect any concerns that remotely outweigh the U.S. interest in establishing the rule of law in Guatemala.
Migrants are the solution, not the problem
Over the years I’ve talked with hundreds of immigrants, and across all these conversations, one common thread stands out: migrants are risk takers.
¿Vamos hacia un TLCAN bilateral?
Tras un año de negociaciones, los Estados Unidos y México concluyeron la revisión del Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte (TLCAN). Pero, ¿seguimos en el entendido de que estamos ante un acuerdo trilateral o vamos hacia un acuerdo bilateral?
The G20, civil society, and democratic commitment
As many governments are questioning the value of democracy, civil society has emerged as the main force to ensure compliance with democratic principles worldwide. Still, it’s unclear how much influence it can have on November’s G20 Summit in Argentina.
Elections in Brazil: Blank and null votes are the favorite
Disillusioned with the political system because of corruption, more than half of Brazilians will stay home during elections in October.
El Salvador: A pragmatic U.S. response should follow Chinese inroads
Rather than ostracizing El Salvador, the U.S. should focus renewed attention on enhancing its support to Central American institutions working to enforce the rule of law.
When the news media is news: A new book details censorship and self-censorship in the Chávez regime
The book compiles the testimonies of more than 60 Venezuelan and foreign journalists who call out those responsible for the aggressions and violations of basic press freedoms and human rights in Venezuela.
Top five U.S. States with the fastest-growing foreign-born populations
Between 2010 and 2016, the foreign-born population grew by 15 percent or more in 15 states, most of which are concentrated in the North-Central region of the country. For August’s Top of the Month, we will look at the top five U.S. states with the fastest-growing foreign-born populations.
The false positives of Ortega’s massacre
Attacks against the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to kill the truth, hide extrajudicial executions, and impose impunity.
Gold Finger: Venezuela’s gold transactions with Turkey may point to another sign of growing Russian influence
Russian attempts to create a potential alternative global alliance may explain the increasingly strange relationship between Turkey and Venezuela.
El Salvador recognizes the PRC: Confrontation on the FMLN’s way out the door
El Salvador’s change will likely contribute to the sense of urgency of the remaining states that recognize Taiwan to follow the Salvadoran example and close a deal with the PRC before the opportunities for negotiating compensation for doing so dry up.
Argentina is walking a thin red line
One year from primary elections, the future of Argentina is torn between economic stagnation, the debate over the decriminalization of abortion, and the corruption of the Kirchner years.
Chile: Has President Sebastián Piñera’s political honeymoon come to an abrupt end?
Five months into his second presidency, Sebastián Piñera has seen his popularity drop. Unrealistic expectations over economic growth and a series of controversial statements from his cabinet members explain why.
IN THE MEDIA
Are Brazil’s political and economic systems at risk?
The confluence of economic troubles and political uncertainty in Brazil is a toxic cocktail that threatens not only the country’s laudable economic gains but its democracy.
El fin de la luna de miel
Es innegable que la desaprobación golpea al Presidente Piñera de forma muy distinta de como lo hizo con Michelle Bachelet hace cuatro años. Cuando se acabó su luna de miel, Bachelet tenía una importante reforma bajo el brazo. Hoy Piñera no ha avanzado decididamente en lograr que sus reformas se conviertan en ley.
Algo huele mal en el gobierno
Como la información que se ha hecho pública es confusa y porque la indecisión del gobierno alimenta las teorías de conspiración, ahora ya no basta que éste tenga un mensaje único y que todas las autoridades se alineen detrás de la posición oficial. Ya hay un daño para su credibilidad.
¿De qué manera la crisis migratoria venezolana desafía a América Latina?
¿Refugiados o migrantes? En la propia definición que terminen dándole los países receptores y los organismos internacionales a la salida masiva de venezolanos, está una de las claves sobre la nueva dinámica regional para abordar la crisis humanitaria en Venezuela.