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.
An outsider candidate looms large in El Salvador’s February presidential election
By Lucas Perelló / lucasperello /
Foreign Policy & U.S./Latin America Relations
El Salvador: A pragmatic U.S. response should follow Chinese inroads
By Jimmy McDonough / JamesNoJimmy /
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.
China
El Salvador recognizes the PRC: Confrontation on the FMLN’s way out the door
By Evan Ellis / REvanEllis /
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.
Foreign Policy & U.S./Latin America Relations
Violence in Central America: Do no harm, Mr. Trump
By Kevin Casas-Zamora /
Crime and violence in the Northern Triangle is a regional issue that requires a collective response to the structural factors driving it: weak state capacity, corruption within police forces and the judiciary, and insufficient data. Deporting refugees back to the region doesn’t help.
In the Media
Why Is Latin America the Most Dangerous Region in the World for Women?
By Jimena Galindo /
On the surface, Latin America may look like an exception to rising gender-based violence and femicide around the world, given the region’s ratification of international conventions to protect women. Yet too many Latin American states are
lagging behind in actually implementing these measures at home
Economics, Trade & Development
Trade in services: Central America’s big opportunity?
By Javier Gutiérrez / jantgut /
While global trade in services is booming, most Latin American countries continue to export basic goods. Here’s what Panama and Costa Rica did to catch up. Other countries should follow.
Economics, Trade & Development
Can demographics and policy reform help Central America’s creative industries?
By Javier Gutiérrez / jantgut /
Against grim economic news in Latin America, Central America is expected to grow by 4.3 percent this year. But that won’t be enough. Here’s how the region can grow further, leveraging its creative industries.
Research Notes
Will Zika change the region’s attitudes toward abortion?
The Zika virus has raised the issue of abortion in Latin America, where a number of countries such as El Salvador, Nicaragua and Chile restrict the right to terminate a pregnancy in all cases. Will Zika change the debate and policies on a woman’s right to choose in the Americas?
Crime
The new offensive against gangs in El Salvador
By Evan Ellis / REvanEllis /
The government of President Salvador Sánchez Cerén has launched a new, expansive (and expensive) anti-crime package targeting gang leaders, reforming prisons and establishing renewed police presence in select municipalities. Will it work?
In the Media
The gang challenge in El Salvador: Worse than you thought
By Evan Ellis / REvanEllis /
In August 2015, El Salvador registered its bloodiest month since its 1980-1992 civil war. There were 907 murders, including 52 in a single day on August 27. The country is on track to end the year with over 6,000 murders in a population of just 6.4 million, making it the most violent country not at war in the world.
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