The increase in the subway fare in Chile triggered nation-wide protests, but the price hike was the last straw in a series of events that have left Chileans burdened and weary in their everyday lives.
The roots of Chile’s protests
By Lucas Perelló /
Democracy & Elections
After economic policies backfire, Ecuador’s Lenín Moreno struggles to save his presidency… and the country’s democracy?
By Lucas Perelló /
Last week’s massive protests in Ecuador marked a turning point for Moreno, who now faces his biggest political challenge yet: build consensus to save his presidency and save Ecuador from a return of populist leadership.
Democracy & Elections
El Salvador’s CICIES is a good start, but it’s going to need a lot of work
By Lucas Perelló /
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.
Democracy & Elections
The fall of Guatemala’s Sandra Torres
By Lucas Perelló /
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 /
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 /
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 /
MENU
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 /
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 /
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 /
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.