Throughout its history, El Salvador has had to fight authoritarian regimes more than once. President Nayib Bukele promised to be different, but his actions are proving to be just as big a threat to the country’s democracy.
Presidential authoritarianism: A threat to the health of democracy
By Juan Carlos Sánchez /
Venezuela
Transitional justice and the Democratic Transition Framework for Venezuela
By Ofelia Riquezes & Frank O. Mora /
Without the proper judicial and prosecutorial reforms, the transitional justice provisions included in the U.S.’s transition framework for Venezuela will prove ineffective and worse, erode confidence in the possibilities of justice.
Democracy & Elections
In Bolivia, a contested race to choose Morales’ successor
By Lucas Perelló / lucasperello /
Authorities in Bolivia have postponed general elections until further notice amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The presidential contest has turned into a three-way race.
Democracy & Elections
What the Democratic presidential candidates are saying about Latin America (an ongoing series)
With two democratic presidential candidates remaining, more focus needs to be put on how they look to engage Latin America and the Caribbean.
Democracy & Elections
Election week in Latin America, will they bring out chaos or change?
By Jimena Galindo and Victoria Gaytan /
Elections in five countries last week are changing the political landscape of the region. Will these new governments bring about positive change or feed into the chaos spreading across Latin America?
Democracy & Elections
AMLO: Transforming politics at democracy’s cost
By Patricio Provitina /
AMLO’s attempts to turn MORENA into the country’s dominant political force and his own populist governing style is concentrating power in the executive branch and threatening Mexico’s young democracy. A year after historic elections, was this the political change voters had in mind?
Democracy & Elections
Presidential hegemony and democratic deterioration
By Armando Chaguaceda / MENU
Countering democratic backsliding driven by powerful executives is as relevant as eliminating corruption, the deficit of the rule of law and the scourges of inequality and violence that plague Latin America’s democracies. Yet the latter issues still dominate public debate.
Democracy & Elections
The Nicaragua crisis: Ortega digs in amidst a long-lasting stalemate
By Salvador Martí /
Reconstructing democracy and restoring social trust in Nicaragua is going to take significant time and effort. The current climate of political instability, economic crisis and international hostility make it impossible for Daniel Ortega to continue governing. So, what options are there?
Venezuela
Under AMLO, Mexico’s government becomes an enabler
By Victoria Gaytan / VickyGO /
A Grupo de Lima founding member and a champion of restoring democracy in Venezuela under previous administrations, Mexico under AMLO has scaled back its support for human rights defense in the region.
Democracy & Elections
Guyana at Risk: Ethnic politics, oil, Venezuelan opportunism and why it should matter to Washington
By Evan Ellis / REvanEllis /
A no-confidence vote in the parliament has triggered new elections, at a time—not coincidentally—that the country is grappling with how to manage its oil windfall. The U.S. can help.