Lucas Perelló, Author at Global Americans

Democracy & Elections

El Salvador’s CICIES is a good start, but it’s going to need a lot of work

By Lucas Perelló / lucasperello / September 10, 2019

If president Bukele does not address the issues of legitimacy and autonomy of his OAS-guaranteed graft commission, he risks gambling with the CICIES’ credibility and future.

The fall of Guatemala’s Sandra Torres

By Lucas Perelló / lucasperello / September 6, 2019

Sandra Torres’ arrest comes less than a month after she competed in Guatemala’s presidential run-off election. Her fall reveals what the fight against corruption will look like in a post-CICIG era.

Democracy & Elections

In Guatemala, Giammattei’s presidency is off to a weak start

By Lucas Perelló / lucasperello / August 12, 2019

Conservative Alejandro Giammattei was elected Guatemala’s new president in a second-round vote last Sunday. With minimum support in Congress and low voter turn, his presidency seems to offer more politics as usual, leaving much-needed reform out of the near future to solve Guatemala’s most pressing issues.

Democracy & Elections

In Honduras, new evidence sheds light on the close ties between the National Party and drug trafficking

By Lucas Perelló / lucasperello / August 7, 2019

New evidence has surfaced that former and sitting presidents, Porfirio Lobo and Juan Orlando Hernández may have benefitted from drug trafficking. Their eventual extradition to the U.S. seems like a real possibility. But is the country’s opposition ready to take over?

Democracy & Elections

In Guatemala, a presidential election in disarray

By Lucas Perelló / lucasperello / June 6, 2019

Corruption and an unpopular president have paved the way for a crowded field of mostly unknown presidential hopefuls. After the country’s Constitutional Court ruled against two top contenders, the election shifted from a relatively safe bet to an uncertain race.

Democracy & Elections

In a closer-than-expected race, Laurentino Cortizo wins Panama’s presidency

By Lucas Perelló / lucasperello / May 6, 2019

Panama’s presidential election quickly shifted from a safe bet to a close race. Nito Cortizo will hold the office for the next five years, but because of the narrow results his presidency is off to a weak start.

Democracy & Elections

In Panama, corruption looms over May presidential elections

By Lucas Perelló / lucasperello / April 4, 2019

The corruption-plagued Varela (2014-2019) presidency will likely result in the election of Laurentino Cortizo and the return of the Revolutionary Democratic Party to the Palacio de las Garzas.

Democracy & Elections

In a strong rebuke to traditional parties, Nayib Bukele wins the Salvadoran presidency

By Lucas Perelló / lucasperello / February 4, 2019

Salvadorans voted for a populist maverick as their next president. But low voter turnout and a lack of friends in Congress promise to weaken the mandate of the president-elect.

Democracy & Elections

In a familiar scenario in the region, Salvadorans upset with traditional parties are betting on a political maverick

By Lucas Perelló / lucasperello / January 16, 2019

Nayib Bukele, a former FMLN member now running as a third-party candidate, is expected to win the first round on February 3rd. The question now is whether or not he will amass sufficient support to avoid a runoff on March 10th.

Democracy & Elections

An outsider candidate looms large in El Salvador’s February presidential election

By Lucas Perelló / lucasperello / September 13, 2018

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.