REGIONAL EYE

Latin America: The New New World

Is Latin America doomed to be ruled by caudillos? Does political turmoil in Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador mean that Latin America’s democratic revolution has run its course? How important are regional trading blocs? Whatever happened to "Liberation Theology"? Whither Cuba after Fidel Castro?

Edited by Roberto Guareschi who was the managing editor of the newspaper Clarín in Buenos Aires for 13 years. He is currently a writer and university lecturer. These monthly commentaries make Latin American affairs comprehensible to a global public.

RECENT COMMENTARIES

FEATURED COMMENTARIES

Southern Resilience

Paulo M. Levy Series: Latin America

2012-01-17

Latin America’s resilience in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis has been remarkable. But, as the world economy faces renewed uncertainty, the region must find new strategies to reduce the impact of potentially volatile financial markets and protracted stagnation in the world’s richest economies.... read

Comments: 1 Recommended: 1 Read: 7102

The Political Economy of Peace

Graciana del Castillo Series: Latin America

2012-01-12

January 16 marks the 20th anniversary of the peace agreement between El Salvador’s government and the FMLN guerrillas. El Salvador’s experience provides key lessons that should serve as a model for other transitions to peace.... read

Comments: 1 Recommended: 0 Read: 7398

Daniel Ortega’s New Kind of Coup

Carlos F. Chamorro Series: Latin America

2011-12-09

Amid accusations of fraud and expressions of serious doubt by international observers, Daniel Ortega’s re-election as Nicaragua’s president constitutes a new kind of “incumbent” coup – one that establishes a dangerous precedent for Latin America. What to do about it poses a grave dilemma for Nicaragua's neighbors.... read

Comments: 0 Recommended: 0 Read: 12014

Endgame for Evo?

Roberto Laserna Series: Latin America

2011-11-16

The populist government of Bolivian President Evo Morales seems to be heading into an inflation-fueled tailspin. Indeed, by refusing to change course on key economic policies, Morales is alienating many of the voters who brought him to power.... read

Comments: 0 Recommended: 0 Read: 13724

Where are Latin America’s Terrorists?

Richard Weitz Series: Latin America

2011-11-09

The Colombian army’s killing of Alfonso Cano, head of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), will not eliminate that country’s largest guerrilla group anytime soon. But it does partly illustrate why international terrorism has not established a major presence in Latin America.... read

Comments: 3 Recommended: 0 Read: 5762

Cristina Kirchner’s Choice

Roberto Guareschi Series: Latin America

2011-10-24

Bolstered by economic stability, Argentine President Cristina Kirchner’s easy re-election confirms that she can govern a complex, contentious, and at times self-destructive society without her husband, Néstor. The question now is what kind of leader she will want to be in today’s more difficult domestic and international context.... read

Comments: 3 Recommended: 0 Read: 9087

Venezuela without Chávez?

Socorro Ramirez Series: Latin America

2011-09-09

Like all cancer patients, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez faces three scenarios: a quick cure, prolonged treatment, or an early death. Whichever way it goes – even if Chávez really is recovering as quickly as he would have us believe – talk in Venezuela about the post-Chávez era has already begun.... read

Comments: 0 Recommended: 0 Read: 10938

The Drug-War Femicides

Patsilí Toledo Series: Latin America

2011-08-09

It is increasingly dangerous to be a woman in Mexico and most of Central America, where women are being murdered with alarming frequency – a byproduct of the "war" on drug trafficking. Unfortunately, none of the initiatives to reduce the rate of femicide proposes steps that would end the war that is fueling the violence.... read

Comments: 1 Recommended: 0 Read: 10727

Will Brazil’s Good Times Roll On?

Teresa Ter-Minassian Series: Latin America

2011-07-05

Brazil's economy was among the first to rebound strongly from the recent financial crisis, and it has since maintained impressive growth. But, while the country has emerged as Latin America’s clear leader and a key global player, the good times will last only if it addresses a host of mounting economic-policy challenges.... read

Comments: 2 Recommended: 0 Read: 10983

Ollanta Humala’s Limited Options	Roberto Guareschi
The big question in Latin America today is this: Will Peru’s newly elected President Ollanta Humala orient his country toward Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez and his radical allies? Or will he choose the path taken by Brazil’s former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the region's other moderate politicians?... read

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The Mugabe of Latin America

Carlos F. Chamorro Series: Latin America

2009-02-10

Daniel Ortega unintentionally inaugurated an era of electoral democracy in Nicaragua when he lost power in 1990. Now, two years into his presidential term, Ortega's Sandinistas stand accused of rigging the country' local elections in order to ensure the adoption of a constitutional amendment that will allow him to run again.... read

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Homophobia in Mexico

Marina Castaneda Series: Latin America

2003-06-16

It never fails. After I've given a lecture or a course on homosexuality, explaining at length why it can no longer be considered an illness, the questions are always the same: "What are the symptoms?" "Can it be cured?" "How can one prevent it in one's children?" Even, occasionally, "Is it contagious?" ... read

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The Gangs of Central America

Jose Miguel Cruz Series: Latin America

2005-05-10

Central America’s presidents recently met in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to devise a united policy to deal with the region’s rampaging street gangs. Honduran President Ricardo Maduro, himself elected on a campaign slogan of Zero Tolerance, summed up their collective wisdom: “The gangs have internationalized and we are going to respond with force, with a strong hand.” ... read

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Pinochet’s Trial, Chile’s Dignity

Jorge Arrate Series: Latin America

2005-01-05

The court battle on whether or not to punish former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet is now over. After prolonged reflection on medical reports regarding Pinochet’s health, Judge Juan Guzmán found him mentally fit to stand trial on nine counts of kidnapping and one count of homicide. Chile’s Supreme Court has now upheld that indictment. All of those crimes were committed during "Operation Condor," a Latin America-wide program among the continent’s dictators to physically eliminate their opponents on the left. ... read

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Latin America’s Dysfunctional Democracy

Denise Dresser Series: Latin America

2005-07-29

In Latin America, many people live with outstretched hands. Throughout the Hemisphere, paternalistic governments accustom people to receiving just enough to survive instead of participating in society. Across the region, politicians that writer Octavio Paz once referred to as “philanthropic ogres” create clients instead of citizens, people who expect instead of demand.... read

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Latin America at a Crossroads

Raúl Alfonsín Series: Latin America

2006-01-01

Last year witnessed a decisive turn in Latin America. A growing number of countries in the region now seem determined to pursue their interests regardless of what the United States desires.... read

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Latin America’s Education Deficit

Sebastián Edwards Series: Latin America

2005-08-17

China’s decision to end its decade-old policy of pegging the Yuan to the dollar has been greeted in Latin America with enthusiasm and optimism. It is argued across the continent that a more flexible exchange rate for the Yuan will reduce China’s unfair advantage in international markets. This, we are told, will make Latin America’s exports of manufactured goods more competitive internationally.... read

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Latin America’s Forbidden Debates

Dante Caputo Series: Latin America

2005-02-05

Twenty-five years ago, only Colombia, Costa Rica, and Venezuela were reasonably stable Latin American democracies. Today, what might be considered electoral democracies are found throughout the region. Indeed, at no time since independence has there been such a proliferation of democracy in Latin America. ... read

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Will the US “Lose” Latin America?

Sebastián Edwards Series: Latin America

2005-11-06

On November 4-5, the fourth Summit of the Americas took place in Mar del Plata, Argentina. The heads of state of the hemisphere’s democratic countries met to discuss economic, political, and social issues – and to lose another opportunity to create a new and healthier relationship between the United States and its Latin American neighbors. ... read

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Rescuing the Amazon Forests	Vinod Thomas
Developing countries are blessed with some of the world’s most precious natural resources. But that blessing can also be a curse – and not just for oil-rich countries, with their distorted economies and politics. ... read
Mexico's Machismo Machine	Marina Castaneda
Monica rummages frantically in her bag as we dine at a Mexico City restaurant. She pulls out her cell phone and checks for messages. "Is anything wrong?" I ask. "No, it's nothing," she smiles, "just my husband. He becomes upset if he calls and I don't answer. I'm always supposed to have my cell phone on--he likes to know where I am." "You mean he likes to keep track of you," I say, and she laughs. ... read

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REGIONAL EYE

SPECIAL SERIES

PROJECT SYNDICATE

REGIONAL EYE

Latin America: The New New World

Southern Resilience

The Political Economy of Peace

Daniel Ortega’s New Kind of Coup

Endgame for Evo?

Where are Latin America’s Terrorists?

Cristina Kirchner’s Choice

Venezuela without Chávez?

The Drug-War Femicides

Will Brazil’s Good Times Roll On?

The Mugabe of Latin America

Homophobia in Mexico

The Gangs of Central America

Pinochet’s Trial, Chile’s Dignity

Latin America’s Dysfunctional Democracy

Latin America at a Crossroads

Latin America’s Education Deficit

Latin America’s Forbidden Debates

Will the US “Lose” Latin America?

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