On April 19, the Inter-American Dialogue in partnership with the Open Contracting Partnership hosted an event titled “Open Contracting and Latin America’s Corruption Fight.” This discussion, which was moderated by Michael Camilleri, featured panelists Lea Giménez, Minister of Finance in Paraguay, and George Neumann, Senior Manager at the Open Contracting Partnership. This conversation explored the merits and challenges of open contracting and other public transparency initiatives, focusing on the Paraguayan example in regional context.
On April 18, the Inter-American Dialogue in partnership with the OECD Development Centre, CAF—Development Bank of Latin America, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the European Commission, and the Inter-American Development Bank, held an open discussion on how building transparent and effective institutions in Latin America can lead to economic growth and development in the region.
The unraveling of UNASUR—perhaps the most ambitious attempt at Latin American integration in recent times—is another sign that Latin America’s much-vaunted solidarity has splintered.
On April 24, the Inter-American Dialogue in partnership with Reports Without Borders (RSF) and the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression (RFOE) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) hosted an event titled “Freedom of Expression in the Americas: Persistent Threats and Emerging Challenges.” This discussion, which was moderated by Michael Camilleri, featured panelists Edison Lanza from IACHR, Margaux Ewen from RSF, Viviana Krsticevic from the Center for Justice and International Law, and Tracy Wilkinson from the Los Angeles Times. This conversation aimed to analyze persistent threats, emerging challenges, and potential solutions for protecting freedom of expression in the Americas.
For years, Nicaraguans seemed to tolerate the growing authoritarianism of President Daniel Ortega in exchange for stability and growth. That pact is now crumbling.
On April 20, the Inter-American Dialogue in partnership with the Brookings Global – CERES Economic and Social Policy in Latin America Initiative (CERES), hosted the Minister of Finance of Chile, Felipe Larraín Bascuñán, for an open conversation on the economic challenges and choices facing Chile.
Macri has repeatedly said that he will maintain his course and not yield to what he calls the political opportunism of the opposition. But if he is to lead a true alternative to the left- and right-wing populist tendencies that have ruled Argentina for decades, Macri’s gradualism must pick up the pace and start showing results.
Why has there been so much violence and carnage now in Nicaragua, which had enjoyed decades of relative calm? Will the Ortega family dynasty fall, and will authorities be held accountable for the deaths and repressive tactics that they are accused of by human rights activists? What will it take to appease protesters? Why has Nicaragua’s state-run pension system run out of money?
If Nicaragua’s teetering democracy is to stand a chance, the country’s disparate opposition groups must unify behind an agenda for negotiations with Mr. Ortega. Their aim should be to re-establish the rule of law through the strengthening of independent, democratic institutions. Their long-term goal should be the removal of Mr. Ortega — but through the ballot box.
On May 3, the Inter-American Dialogue in partnership with the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT) hosted an event titled “Inside Perspectives on Possible Scenarios in Venezuela”. This discussion, moderated by Michael Camilleri, featured panelists Margarita López Maya from Tulane University, Michael Penfold from the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración, and Orlando Ochoa, an independent economist and consultant. The conversation explored the situation in Venezuela and offered possible scenarios for the near term including their expected risks, opportunities, and trend lines.
On May 3, the Inter-American Dialogue hosted Ecuador’s Ambassador to the US, Francisco Carrión, and US Ambassador to Ecuador, Todd C. Chapman, for the first edition of Ambassador Dialogues.
An innovative program developed by the Argentine Ministry of Education and the Varkey Foundation is preparing school directors to be effective leaders.
Cuba has a new head of state in President Miguel Díaz-Canel. However, the residual power of the revolutionary generation means the rejuvenation of the island’s political elite is only getting started.
Ricardo Barrios
Articles & Op-Eds ˙
˙ Australian Institute of International Affairs
What is behind the slide in the Argentine peso, and what more can the central bank do to address the problem? Is Macri making the right move by seeking help from the IMF, or will he pay a political price at home for embracing the Washington-based lender? Is Argentina at risk of falling into a full-blown financial and economic crisis this year?
Thomas Morante, Barbara Efraim, Horacio Verbitsky, Marcelo O. de Jesús
