Topic: Michael Shifter

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Latin America Monitor To lead Venezuela, Maduro will need to channel his inner Chavez

Vice President Nicolas Maduro, a staunch leftist known for his quiet demeanor, must adopt some of the brash style of President Hugo Chavez, who died today, if he's going to win the next election.
Havana scraps exit visas, but most Cubans won't be going abroad

The new law will cut down on bureaucratic barriers for Cubans who want to leave the country, but for many the benefits will likely be more psychological than practical.
How will the FARC-Colombia peace talks impact Latin America?

Ridding Latin America of the FARC could mean a better business climate, reduced tensions between Colombia and its neighbors, and space for the rise of a new left in Colombia.
Why Mexico and Paraguay are embracing controversial parties of the past

Both countries voted out single-party systems that ruled their nations for most of the 20th century. But now both are looking to bring back the very same systems they were so relieved to see fall.
Democracy in Paraguay: at work or under threat?

After Fernando Lugo's impeachment last week, many question the state of democratic institutions not only in Paraguay, but Latin America as a whole.
Latin America Monitor Is ideology dead in Latin America?

There is no longer a strong unifying ideology in Latin America, writes guest blogger James Bosworth.
Imagining Cuba after Chávez

Venezuela provides Cuba with up to $15 billion a year, which helps offset the US embargo. But there is the real possibility Chávez may not win or survive another six-year term as president.
Can Colombia's Santos unify the Americas?

Building consensus is important as the Americas struggle with high crime and violence. At this weekend's Summit of the Americas in Colombia, all eyes are on President Santos.
Latin America Monitor Report: US should minimize military aid to Central America, strengthen courts, police

A new Council on Foreign Relations report examines criminal violence in Central America.
FARC hostage release raises hopes for Colombia peace talks

The release of all hostages is a condition for opening talks with the FARC to end decades of internal conflict in Colombia, but analysts say peace talks won't begin any time soon.
Biden in Honduras: US drug policy under scrutiny

Even staunch US allies in the Americas are urging a debate on drug policy – including legalization – amid spiraling violence in their countries.
Latin America Monitor US expels Venezuelan diplomat as Ahmadinejad makes Latin America tour

Venezuela's consul general to Miami was expelled today amid accusations that she assisted with a cyberattack – coordinated by Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela – against the US.
US foes unite: Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega cozies up to Iran's Ahmadinejad

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran will be the guest of honor at the inauguration of Nicaragua's newly-reelected president, Daniel Ortega.
A year of drift in US-Latin American relations

This year should have been a stellar one for US-Latin American relations, marked by trade deals and Obama's high popularity in the region. Instead, 2011 held a sense of distance between the regions.
With Hugo Chávez in Cuba for chemotherapy, who's running Venezuela?

Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez has for the first time agreed to delegate some power to Vice President Elías Jaua while he is treated in Cuba, but analysts warn of a looming power struggle.
Hugo Chávez's triumphant return to Venezuela

Just days after announcing that he was being treated for cancer in Cuba, Chávez made a surprise return to Venezuela yesterday. He's just in time for today's bicentennial celebrations.
Chávez' supporters ask: How can our superman be ill?

To his supporters, Hugo Chávez is far more than just a president.
Peru election highlights decline of Latin America's hard-core left

The rebranding of left-leaning populist Ollanta Humala ahead of today's Peru election shows the wide spectrum of leftism in today's Latin America and how the most radical fold has started to wane.
After Haiti inauguration, carnival performer-turned-president looks to rebuild

Haiti's President Michel Martelly, a political novice backed by the US, was inaugurated this weekend. In a country long failed by its leaders, many Haitians seem optimistic that he can succeed.
Venezuela-Colombia ties remain strong despite Chávez's reported links to FARC

Newly published findings that Venezuela financed the FARC rebel group in Colombia seem unlikely to harm growing economic and diplomatic links between the two countries.
How Colombia's President Santos made peace with the judiciary

Colombia's legal reforms are key for securing passage of a new US-Colombia free trade agreement. President Juan Manuel Santos is meeting today with President Obama to discuss the issue.
Ecuador to oust US ambassador over WikiLeaks spat. Who's next?

Ecuador is expelling US Ambassador Heather Hodges over critical comments in a WikiLeaks cable. Her ouster follows the resignation last month of the US ambassador to Mexico over another controversial cable.
Lost amid Chávez's rants on Libya, a quieter Latin American foreign policy

Hugo Chávez's offer to mediate between his embattled Libyan friend and rebel factions was quickly dismissed. Meanwhile, other Latin American nations are taking a unified approach to foreign affairs.
Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega renominated for president, despite term limits

Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega is finishing his second term in office, the maximum allowed under the Constitution. But on Saturday he accepted the Sandinista Party's nomination to run again.
Hugo Chávez tightens his grip in Venezuela. Can US do anything about it?

With the US focused on other parts of the world, Latin American neighbor Hugo Chávez has tightened his hold on power. The next Congress may press Obama to act, but what are his options?