Rising to the Challenge: Can Latin America Escape Its Past?

Rising to the Challenge: Can Latin America Escape Its Past?
Supporters of presidential candidate and former President Michelle Bachelet wave flags during a victory rally in Santiago, Chile, Dec. 15, 2013 (AP photo by Jorge Saenz).

Electoral democracy is flourishing across Latin America. But if the region has eagerly embraced pluralism to decide policy, many problems must still be addressed, ranging from insecurity and corruption to balancing economic growth with environmental concerns. This report covers the full spectrum of Latin America’s challenges.

Mexico

Mexico’s Energy Reform: A Major First Step on a Very Long Journey
By Jed Bailey
Jan. 3, 2014

Rise of Self-Defense Groups Highlights Mexico’s State-Level Security Challenges
By Benoît Gomis and Jerónimo Mohar
Jan. 24, 2014

Mexico’s Scaled-Backed Gendarmerie Force No Security Panacea
By Nathaniel Parish Flannery
Aug. 1, 2014

Central America and the Caribbean

Border Disputes, Political Tensions Threaten Needed Cooperation in Central America
By Christine Wade
Sept. 15, 2014

Despite U.S. Efforts, Root Causes of Migration Crisis Prevail in Central America
By Michael Allison
July 21, 2014

El Salvador’s New President Must Deal With Wreckage of Gang Truce
By Michael Allison
June 2, 2014

With Solis, Costa Ricans Signal Readiness for Change
By Christine Wade
May 20, 2014

The Party and the Army: Civil-Military Relations in Cuba
By William M. LeoGrande
June 26, 2014

Brazil

As Election Tightens, Brazil Seeks a President—but Also Its Way
By Eric Farnsworth
Oct. 2, 2014

U.S., Brazil Search for Equilibrium in an Unstable Relationship
By Eric Farnsworth
Sept. 27, 2013

World Cup Puts Spotlight on Domestic Challenges for Brazil’s Rousseff
By Christopher Sabatini and Ryan Berger
Jan. 28, 2014

Brazil Plane Crash Spawns Two-Woman Presidential Race
By Frida Ghitis
Aug. 21, 2014

With Brazil in Spotlight, Rio’s Favela Pacification Program at a Crossroads
By Nicholas Barnes
June 9, 2014

The Andean Countries

Santos’ Re-election No Guarantee for Colombia Peace
By Eric Farnsworth
June 19, 2014

Santos’ Re-election Puts Colombia’s Left in Spotlight
By Christopher Lee
July 1, 2014

Security Diplomacy Centerpiece of Colombia’s Foreign Policy
Interview with Arlene Beth Tickner
Sept. 5, 2014

In Venezuela, Party Divisions Are Maduro’s Greatest Challenge Yet
By Frida Ghitis
July 3, 2014

Venezuela’s Ideologically Diverse Opposition Faces Coordination Challenges
Interview with Michael McCarthy
May 27, 2014

To Reduce Dependency on the U.S., Venezuela Cultivates China
By Timothy Gill
May 12, 2014

U.S. Learning to Live With Strained Ecuador Ties
By Christopher Sabatini
Jan. 7, 2014

In Need of Investment, Peru Rolls Back Environmental Standards
By Paul Shortell
July 28, 2014

After the Gold Rush: Peru’s Crackdown on Illegal Mining
By David Dudenhoefer
Sept. 2, 2014

Peru Sends Mixed Signals on Drug Policy
By Coletta A. Youngers
June 16, 2014

Shifts in Cultivation, Usage Put Bolivia’s Coca Policy at the Crossroads
By Coletta A. Youngers
Dec. 5, 2013

The Southern Cone

In Chile, Presidential Election Outcome Certain, Future Less So
By Chris Sabatini
Nov. 14, 2013

Chile’s Bachelet Tacks Center to Pursue Needed Reform at Home
By Eric Farnsworth
Aug. 11, 2014

Chile Bombings Threaten Nonviolent Anarchist Movement’s Gains
By Frida Ghitis
Sept. 25, 2014

Supreme Court’s Argentina Debt Ruling Will Reverberate in Emerging Markets
By Daniel McDowell
June 23, 2014

Argentina Looking to Cement Its Role as Nuclear Power
Interview with Irma Arguello
July 22, 2014

Mujica’s U.S. Visit Underscores Uruguay’s Outsized Regional Importance
By Eric Farnsworth
May 16, 2014