Analysis

Among the elections in Latin America in 2022 is Brazil’s October presidential vote, in which President Jair Bolsonaro is facing a tough fight for re-election against former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. // File Photo: Brazilian Government.

What Will Next Year Bring in Latin America’s Politics?

With elections coming up in 2022 in Brazil, Colombia and Costa Rica, which countries in Latin America and the Caribbean will be the political hot spots to watch next year? What political trends will be the strongest in the coming year, and what traits will countries’ political trajectories have in common? Is authoritarianism and polarization likely to worsen in the region in 2022, and what factors would influence that?

Peter Hakim, Katya Rimkunas, R. Evan Ellis, Lisa Haugaard

Latin America Advisor ˙

Santiago Canton speaks at a NED award event Video

The 2021 NED Democracy Award: Honoring Central American Civil Society

On October 20, 2021, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) honored four civil society organizations with their 2021 Democracy Award. Santiago Canton, director of the Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program at the Dialogue, took part in the first panel for the event, “Democracy and Governance in Central America: Defending Civic Space and Independent Media for Democratic Accountability.”

Santiago Canton

Event Summaries ˙ ˙ National Endowment for Democracy

event card Conversation with Feliciano Reyna

A Conversation with Feliciano Reyna on Negotiations to Resolve the Crisis in Venezuela

On September 30, 2021, the Inter-American Dialogue co-hosted the online event “A Conversation with Feliciano Reyna on Negotiations to Resolve the Crisis in Venezuela” in collaboration with the Institute for Policy Studies, the Washington Office on Latin America, and the Latin America Working Group.

Pamela Troconis

Event Summaries ˙

Collage of speaker headshots Video

20 Years of the Democratic Charter in the Americas

On September 9, 2021, the Inter-American Dialogue hosted a virtual event “20 Years of the Democratic Charter in the Americas”. The panel discussed the current state of the Democratic Charter 20 years after its signature.

Pamela Troconis

Event Summaries ˙

Bukele conversa con diplomáticos de Estados Unidos en Guatemala

Canton: “El Salvador isn’t a democracy anymore”

In an interview for El Faro, Santiago Canton, speaks about the situation of democracy in El Salvador and the recent ruling from the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Chamber authorizing consecutive presidential reelection.

Santiago Canton

Interviews ˙ ˙ El Faro

Gabriel Borić and Sebastián Sichel

Will Newcomers Shake Up Chile’s Political System?

A Latin America Advisor Q&A featuring experts’ views on Chile’s presidential primaries of July 18.

Beatrice Rangel, Patricio Navia, Carla Alberti, Peter M. Siavelis

Latin America Advisor ˙

The four panelists, moderator, and opening speaker for the event Video

Deplatforming Trump: Implications for Latin America

On January 27, 2021, the Inter-American Dialogue partnered with Luminate to host the webinar “Deplatforming Trump – Implications for Latin America.” The panel discussed regulation and moderation of online content and speech, its specific challenges in Latin America, and possible regulatory approaches that can ensure that digital environments uphold democratic norms and abide by international human rights standards.

Sofía Corzo

Event Summaries ˙

Margaret Myers Video

Myers: “China is focusing activity in a few strategic sectors”

In an interview BBC’s The Real Story, Margaret Myers considered prospects for US-China-Latin America relations in the coming years, taking into account global trends and the Biden administration’s likely take on China’s growing global role. 

Margaret Myers

Interviews ˙ ˙ BBC The Real Story

Trump Rally in Washington DC

Reactions from Our Members to the Armed Insurrection in Washington, DC

As President Michael Shifter said in a recent statement: “the tragedy that took place on January 6 is also a stark reminder of how important it is to have responsible leadership to protect the rule of law.” Dialogue Members were quick to condemn the events that unfolded in the US Capitol.

Michael Shifter

Shifter: “Ortega perhaps has some wishful thinking, and he may have a rude awakening”

Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue, spoke with Frederic Puglie of The Washington Times about the current situation in Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The conversation also explored how the incoming Biden administration will deal with the leaders of these left-leaning countries. 

Michael Shifter, Frederic Puglie

Interviews ˙ ˙ The Washington Times

Michael Shifter Video

Shifter: “Biden will also have a hard line on Venezuela”

Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue, participated as a panelist on CGTN’s World Insight program. The discussion focused on the results of Venezuela’s National Assembly elections and their implications for the country’s political future. The conversation also explored potential negotiation scenarios between the opposition and Maduro government while analyzing the future of US foreign policy toward Venezuela in the incoming Biden administration. 

Michael Shifter

Interviews ˙ ˙ CGTN

Moderator: Michael Camilleri, Panelists (Right to Left): Laura Zommer, Arturo Valenzuela, Felipe Estefan, and Ilona Szabó. Image of Peruvian protestor sign reading “somos la generación que hará caer a los corruptos”. Video

Democracy in a Post-Pandemic Latin America

On December 2, 2020 the Inter-American Dialogue partnered with Luminate to host the webinar “Democracy in a Post-Pandemic Latin America.” Panelists discussed the current state of democratic institutions in the region, the role of disinformation, as well as the findings of Luminate’s new public opinion research on shifting perceptions on democracy during the pandemic.

Azul Hidalgo Solá

Event Summaries ˙

Event Card: Costa; McClintock; Oganes Video

What Next for a Troubled Peru?

On November 13, the Inter-American Dialogue hosted the event “What Next for a Troubled Peru?” to discuss the impeachment of Peruvian president Martín Vizcarra. The event addressed Peru’s political crisis in the context of the economic and public health crises the country has already been facing. 

Carmen Colosi

Event Summaries ˙