21st century authoritarianism: Russia and Venezuela’s control over information and civil society

Ecuador

Policymaking

21st century authoritarianism: Russia and Venezuela’s control over information and civil society

By Iria Puyosa / April 23, 2019

Aspiring autocrats in Latin America and around the world are increasingly taking pages from the playbooks of the Chávez/Maduro regime in Venezuela and Vladimir Putin in Russia.

From Global Americans

South America: 2030 Trends

December 14, 2018

The reports examine five specific areas—transnational security challenges, institutional capacity, economic growth, demographics, and technology—and how they will shape politics, economic and U.S. relations in South America by 2030.

From Global Americans

Ten highlights from Global Americans in 2018

December 14, 2018

We combed through all of our publications from 2018 and selected what we thought were the best ten articles that captured the trends and events of the past year.

Foreign Policy & U.S./Latin America Relations

Russia in Latin America: Geopolitics and pragmatism

By Roberto Mansilla Blanco / November 28, 2018

In recent years, Vladimir Putin’s Russia has become increasingly strategically interested in Latin America. Despite clear geopolitical goals, the Kremlin’s relationship with the region has been marked by pragmatic realpolitik.

Human Rights & Multilateral Organizations

The UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution on Venezuela. Here’s why that’s noteworthy

By William Naylor / wm_naylor / October 3, 2018

Though it’s unlikely to change anything, this is the first time the body has passed a resolution on Venezuela. There was also one shocking yes vote.

Democracy & Elections

Lenin Moreno and the struggle for the soul of Ecuador’s (and Latin America’s) left

By Evan Ellis / REvanEllis / August 2, 2018

While a significant portion of the Latin American left continues to be driven by an anti-U.S., personalistic agenda, Lenin Moreno represents a principled branch of that left. The U.S. can and must learn to deal with leaders like him in a constructive fashion.

Politics

Does inequality drive corruption and unethical behavior?

By Benjamin Waddell / May 31, 2018

Like their conservative predecessors, left-leaning presidents in Latin America have shown a tendency to fall for the vice of corruption. Recent studies argue the causes stem from more than just an absence of ethics but also high levels of inequality.

Democracy & Elections

Lenín Moreno is transforming Ecuador’s presidency. Can he transform Ecuador’s democracy?

By William Naylor / wm_naylor / January 26, 2018

Ecuador still has a long way to go to recover from a polarizing ten years under populist Rafael Correa, but the first eight months of Lenín Moreno’s presidency have re-confirmed the importance of succession and regularly held elections.

Democracy & Elections

Ecuador under President Moreno: Rethinking the U.S. relationship

By Evan Ellis / REvanEllis / May 26, 2017

President Moreno may not be a newfound ally for the U.S., but he is a reminder that today the greatest challenges to U.S. interests in the region aren’t ideological but criminality, poor governance and populism.

Democracy & Elections

Ecuadorians elect a new president but questions over the process remain

By Andrés Felipe Osorio Quevedo / April 20, 2017

The controversies swirling around the victory of Lenin Moreno’s narrow victory demonstrate why it’s important to have credible professional electoral observers.