In recent years, the state of democratic governance in Latin America has been decidedly mixed. Discussion has turned away from elections and the leftward swings in several countries. Electoral contests are increasingly a matter of routine, and ideology has become notably less salient. The debate now centers on how leaders and institutions confront the complicated tasks of managing their economic and social affairs while representing heterogeneous societies with heightened demands and expectations.
The Inter-American Dialogue closely monitors the state of democratic governance and the rule of law in the countries of the Western Hemisphere. Our analysis, reports, and exchanges serve to encourage compliance with regional and international democratic commitments. In recent years, the Dialogue has placed emphasis on elections, press freedom, public opinion within Latin America’s growing middle class, and the implications of political shifts.
Michael Shifter, presidente del Diálogo Interamericano, y Sergio Bitar, miembro del consejo asesor de Idea Internacional e investigador del Dialogo Interamericano, participaron en una entrevista con Gustau Alegret de NTN24 para analizar las elecciones en Chile. Según Shifter, el país está pasando por una “prueba de fuego” debido a la gran incertidumbre respecto lo que va pasar y la inevitable elección del mal menor. Sin embargo, a pesar de que muchos partidos tradicionales han colapsado, Shifter señaló que los jóvenes están jugando un papel más fuerte y están cada día más involucrados en el liderazgo del país.
Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue, sits down with Latinvex to answer important questions as three major economies in Latin America – Brazil, Chile, and Colombia – approach presidential elections and other countries face crises and protests.
On November 9, 2021, the Inter-American Dialogue hosted a private meeting with members of the Colombian delegation for Compromiso Valle during their visit to Washington, DC. The private roundtable conversation included Maria Isabel Ulloa, executive director of Compromiso Valle and former Minister of Mines and Energy of Colombia, Erlendy Cuero, defender of afro-descendant victims, and Remy Calero, CEO of AseoYa.
“In Chile, I think you see what is now the established trend in Latin America — the complete crumbling of political parties with any kind of moderate centrist option. It’s being replaced by high levels of political uncertainty and enormous fragmentation.”
Cuando la represión legal y coercitiva se implementó [en Nicaragua] a partir de mayo de 2021 con el encarcelamiento de líderes políticos y precandidatos a la presidencia, salieron del país más de 80,000 personas. La migración a Estados Unidos creció de menos de 5,000 personas antes del 2018, a 60,000 este año.
