Following a state of emergency to fight against gangs, El Salvador has taken another serious step in undermining press freedoms.
South America articles on Democracy Chronicles
News about the struggle for better democracy across North and South America (not including the United States) in this highly diverse and quickly changing region. Also see our World Democracy section or our articles on Central America or on giants Brazil and Mexico.
Chile Swears In Former Student Leader As Youngest President
Gabriel Boric became the youngest person to be sworn in as President of Chile, promising to make Chile “a dignified and just country.”
Support For Democracy Is Waning Across The Americas
Across North, Central and South America, and parts of the Caribbean, only 63% of the public expressed support for democracy in 2021.
Latin America Needs More Than Elections To Solidify Democracy
The pervasive presence of crime and corruption has made progress in areas like the rule of law, threatening democracy in Latin America.
A Path To Venezuela’s Re-Democratization?
Experts feel that re-democratization in Venezuela will require a negotiating process leading to free and fair presidential elections.
The Revival Of Participatory Budgeting In Argentina
Argentina’s National University of Rosario (NUR) has an innovative participatory budgeting initiative that gives people power over money.
In Latin America’s New Cold War, Will China Lift Up Autocrats?
HE Ou Jianhong and Nayib Bukele of El Salvador recently traded praises raising questions about China’s motives in Latin America.
Governance Must Trump Ideology in Latin America’s Elections
Forget all the talk about the region’s “pink tide” and focus on which candidate is most likely to lift the greatest number of boats.
Facts And Figures: Calculated Repression In Venezuela
Venezuela’s political landscape is not improving. Maduro’s government is not doing well in improving livelihoods, preferring repression.
Defending Latin American Human Rights and Democracy Activists
Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) continue to face challenges across Latin America today.