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.
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
As the first Colombian election after the historic signing of the peace deal approaches, the good news is that the conflict has blessedly ended, but the implementation of the accord has been complicated and contentious. It does not help that the political establishment stands fractured and discredited. The risk is that the country’s unsettled politics could upend the peace.
China is increasingly relying on public diplomacy to support its economic engagement in the region. The country’s state media already plays a significant part in promoting a productive relationship with Latin America.
Son pocas las instancias en las que las dictaduras, regímenes militares, y otras autocracias perduran más de 40 años en el poder. En este caso, el cambio político nicaragüense es inevitable.
Después de ocho años de Juan Manuel Santos, Iván Duque, del Centro Democrático, tendrá la oportunidad de redefinir las relaciones con la comunidad internacional. El Espectador conversó con expertos de diez países y les preguntó sobre el futuro de la diplomacia entre sus naciones y Colombia. Michael Shifter comenta sobre la relación con Estados Unidos.
In the wake of the Car Wash corruption scandal, seven Latin American countries are heading to the polls to elect new presidents. Global Insight assesses the implications for rule of law and democracy across the continent. Michael Camilleri shares his impressions.
Michael Camilleri
Articles & Op-Eds ˙
˙ International Bar Association
Mr. Trump should be commended for coming down hard on Latin America’s strongmen. But by also resurrecting an impulse for unilateral action and indifference to the region’s needs and concerns, he is making it more difficult to help bring about the democratic change he ostensibly seeks.
President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador can capitalize on Mexico’s enormous renewable energy potential and make Mexico a leader in the fight against climate change. Although his platform offers some promising proposals, he will have to maneuver through several major obstacles.
China’s push to foster area studies development within the nation’s top educational institutions aims to better understand Latin America and the world.
Chinese-built infrastructure can indeed be a boon for Latin America, but making this happen will require no shortage of strategic thinking on the part of policymakers.
Margaret Myers
Articles & Op-Eds ˙
˙ Journal of Latin American Geography
The new Colombian government outlined an ambitious domestic agenda that calls for jumpstarting the economy, consolidating the peace, and promoting social justice. The success of this agenda will depend on many factors, among them how Ivan Duque manages the many foreign policy challenges he will face in a world marked by great uncertainty.