Rebuilding Hemispheric Consensus
A reform agenda for the Organization of American States.
Analysis
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Ecuador’s Surprising Transition
On February 12, the Inter-American Dialogue hosted César Montúfar for an open discussion, moderated by Michael Shifter, about Ecuador’s current political climate. Montúfar is an academic, former member of Congress, a prominent political analyst, and the primary accuser in a recent trial against former vice-president Jorge Glas.
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The United States and Mexico in the Trump Era
On February 6, the Inter-American Dialogue, in partnership with Tulane University and Colegio de Mexico, hosted an all-day conference on US-México relations. This forum convened academic and policy experts from both countries to discuss the challenges and dynamics underpinning economic, migration, and security policies in the Trump administration.
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Piñera’s Second Term
On February 15, the Inter-American Dialogue hosted an event titled “Piñera’s Second Term” to discuss the implications and challenges of president-elect Piñera’s second term. This event was moderated by Michael Shifter with speakers Robert Funk (Universidad de Chile), Gabrielle Trebat (McLarty Associates), and Sergio Urzua (University of Maryland). The speakers discussed the social, political, and economic implications of Piñera’s victory and forthcoming challenges.
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Inside MS13: Separating Fact from Fiction
On February 16, the Inter-American Dialogue in partnership with Insight Crime and American University’s Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) hosted an event titled “Inside MS13: Separating Fact from Fiction” to discuss the findings of a recently published report. This discussion, which was moderated by the Dialogue’s Michael Shifter, featured panelists Steven Dudley from InSight Crime, Hector Silva Avalos from CLALS, and Vanda Felbab-Brown from the Brookings Institution. The conversation focused on dispelling the myths behind the MS-13 and how historical experiences can inform government responses.
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Is “Fake News” a Real Problem in Latin America?
On February 22, the Inter-American Dialogue in partnership with Reporters Without Borders, the Faculty of Law at the Universidad de los Andes, and NTN24 hosted an event moderated by Juan Carlos Iragorri from NTN24, that featured Catalina Botero (Universidad de los Andes), Claudia Trevisan (O Estado de S. Paolo), and Daniel Sepulveda (US Department of State, retired). The conversation focused on the implications of fake news on the region’s upcoming elections and long-term impacts on its democracies.
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Brazil’s Election and Latin America’s Volatile Politics
On February 27, the Inter-American Dialogue partnered with Americas Quarterly (AQ) to host an event moderated by the Dialogue’s Michael Shifter with the participation of Brian Winter from AQ, Monica de Bolle from the Peterson Institute of International Economics, and Roberto Simon from FTI Consulting. This discussion drew from AQ’s January issue, Latin America First?, which explored underlying themes in the region’s election super-cycle. The speakers also addressed the political and economic circumstances facing Brazil’s presidential elections.
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Alvarado vs. Alvarado: Costa Rica’s Conservative Backlash
On February 7, the Inter-American Dialogue hosted a conversation with Kevin Casas-Zamora, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Inter-American Dialogue and former Vice President of Costa Rica; and Juan Carlos Hidalgo, policy analyst for Latin America at the Cato Institute, to interpret the results of the first round in the Costa Rican elections.
After Raul: What Next for Cuba’s Political Economy?
On February 22, the Inter-American Dialogue in partnership with the Brookings Institution’s Latin American Initiative hosted an event to discuss the political and economic challenges Cuba will face amidst a presidential transition. This event was moderated by Michael Shifter with panelists Richard Feinberg from the Brookings Institution and William LeoGrande from American University.
Michelle Bachelet’s Underappreciated Legacy in Chile
Chile’s President Bachelet leaves office after a second term widely seen as disappointing. But her influence was more transformative than many recognize.
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Trump promoverá su agenda en América Latina en su visita a Perú y Colombia
El presidente Donald Trump participará en la Cumbre de las Américas en Perú el 13 y 14 de abril. Después viajará a Colombia, en una visita que según la Casa Blanca resalta el compromiso del mandatario con la región. Juan Carlos López de CNN en Español analiza esta agenda con Michael Shifter.
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Nombramiento de Pompeo, Toledo y Odebrecht, elecciones en Colombia
En esta edición de Club de Prensa, Michael Shifter comenta sobre el despido de Rex Tillerson y nombramiento de Mike Pompeo, las acusaciones contra Alejandro Toledo, y las elecciones presidenciales en Colombia.
Can Trump Succeed at the Summit of the Americas?
Before the president’s trip to Lima—his first to the region—the administration should take a close look at why US credibility in Latin America is at historic lows.
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Venezuela’s Prospects for Stability and Democracy
On February 23, Michael Shifter participated in a panel as part of the symposium “Venezuela: Charting the Future” hosted by Georgetown University. The discussion addressed prospects for political reconciliation, the reestablishment of democracy and human rights, and the role of the international community.
Security for Sale
The rapid rise of the private security industry is an inevitable byproduct of high levels of crime and violence in the region, and brings a new set of challenges to citizen security in Latin America.