Violence lurks in nearly all of Latin America’s major cities. Even capitals that have traditionally been considered peaceful are coming to resemble hotspots such as Reynosa, Tijuana, Port-au-Prince, Rio de Janeiro, and Cali.
Categoría: Project Syndicate
Mexico’s Democracy Is at Stake in 2024
Over the course of two centuries of independence, Mexico has elected its leaders democratically on only four occasions. Whether the presidential election in June will be fair and free is questionable, given that the playing field is heavily tilted in favor of the ruling party’s candidate.
La sombra de Allende en el Chile de hoy
Conmemorar un golpe de Estado puede ser difícil, sobre todo en América Latina, donde los golpes y los caudillos militares que suelen venir a continuación han sido cosa frecuente. El levantamiento del 11 de septiembre de 1973 que derrocó al presidente democráticamente electo de Chile Salvador Allende podría pasar por uno entre tantos.
Allende’s Shadow in Today’s Chile
Commemorating a coup d’état can be difficult, especially in Latin America, where coups, and the military caudillos that often follow, have been commonplace. The September 11, 1973, putsch that overthrew the democratically elected Chilean President Salvador Allende could be considered one of many.
Chile Says No to Revolution
The popular rejection of Chile’s proposed new constitution was expected. Its magnitude was not.
Colombia Turns Left
Jun 24, 2022JORGE G. CASTAÑEDA At a time of deep frustration with the status quo, the reasons for Gustavo Petro’s victory in Colombia’s presidential runoff are not difficult to discern. But it is much less clear whether Petro will be able to implement his ambitious reform agenda. MEXICO CITY – Gustavo Petro, a veteran left-wing… Seguir leyendo Colombia Turns Left
The Battle for Boric’s Soul
Dec 22, 2021JORGE G. CASTAÑEDA In Caracas, Havana, Mexico City, and Buenos Aires, the standard-bearers of Latin America’s radical left have celebrated the result of Chile’s presidential election, apparently viewing the millennial leftist as one of them. But they might end up being disappointed. MEXICO CITY – Chile has long been something of a bellwether… Seguir leyendo The Battle for Boric’s Soul
Latin America’s Summer of Discontent
The assassination of Haiti’s president and protests in Cuba this month are in line with a long tradition of summertime crises in the Caribbean. But this year’s political unrest is likely to have more far-reaching effects than previous bouts of instability. MEXICO CITY – In the Caribbean, summer is when things happen. As the weather heats… Seguir leyendo Latin America’s Summer of Discontent
The Post-Pandemic Safety Net
Apr 5, 2021JORGE G. CASTAÑEDA The coronavirus pandemic has sparked a rebirth of Keynesianism and the welfare state in Western Europe, Japan, Canada, and parts of Latin America, and changed the terms of US debate in ways that previously seemed almost unthinkable. Three examples show how the narrative is changing. MEXICO CITY – With the… Seguir leyendo The Post-Pandemic Safety Net
Sin título
From Riots to Reform in America Jun 3, 2020JORGE G. CASTAÑEDA Mass protests and rioting following the killing of yet another African-American by a white police officer have compounded multiplying crises in the United States. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, a looming economic depression, and persistent racism, the American social contract has never been in more… Seguir leyendo Sin título