AS I SEE IT Too many very angry people 09-01-2021 09:21 Millions of people who are neither that well-off nor desperately poor think the current economic arrangements are not working for them. by James Neilson
UNITED STATES Trump to skip Biden inauguration as presidency implodes 09-01-2021 09:03 US president says he won’t attend Joe Biden’s inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, his supporters mounted a violent insurrection at the US Capitol earlier this week.
UNITED STATES The United States’ credibility has been stormed 09-01-2021 08:58 The images from Washington are enough to do the work of many thousands of words for the world’s propagandists.
UNITED STATES Trump vows 'orderly transition' as US Congress certifies Biden win 07-01-2021 08:55 The United States Congress formally certified Joe Biden as the nation's next president on Thursday, dealing a hammer blow to Donald Trump whose supporters stormed the Capitol hours earlier.
UNFOLDING OF A CRISIS Day of chaos in United States as pro-Trump mob besieges US Capitol 06-01-2021 23:18 World reacts with shock and horror on Wednesday as a mob of Donald Trump supporters, encouraged by the president, stormed the US Capitol in a bid to thwart US lawmakers.
Covid-19 Pandemic Study shows pandemic threatens fragile democracies 13-12-2020 20:44 A study by Sweden-based organisation, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), found that approximately 60 percent of countries around the world have adopted health and safety measures during the Covid-19 crisis that infringe on democratic principles.
US ELECTION 2020 Ties that bind or blind: a brief history of US-Argentine relations 31-10-2020 10:31 Formal bilateral ties date back to January 27, 1823 – predating the Monroe Doctrine by over 10 months and long before Argentina was called Argentina. by Michael Soltys
LANDSLIDE IN REFERENDUM Chile abolishes constitution in groundbreaking vote for more inclusive democracy 31-10-2020 10:18 Events in Chile show us what frustrated people in democracies can achieve when they rise up.
US ELECTION 2020 Obama, in scathing Trump rebuke, warns democracy on the line 20-08-2020 03:13 Ex-US president says he had initially held out hope that Trump would grow into the job of president — but he has now concluded that Trump not only hasn't, he simply can't.
Bolivian elections Bolivia postpones general election until October 24-07-2020 13:31 Authorities push back election to October 18. Vote was originally supposed to take place in May, but has since been postponed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Global Pandemic In struggle against pandemic, populist leaders fare poorly 23-07-2020 16:03 “Fact-denying populism is being shown its limits," says German Chancellor Angela Merkel in regards to the high number of Covid-19 cases concentrated in populist led nations.
POLARISATION AT WHAT PRICE? Argentina: Great at failing miserably at democracy 11-07-2020 08:19 What level of tolerance to dissent are we willing to accept? And at which point does the discussion about who thinks what shut out the underlying debates we should be having? by Agustino Fontevecchia
BOLIVIAN POLITICAL CRISIS Bolivia president signs off on September elections despite virus fears 22-06-2020 14:43 Bolivia's interim leader Jeanine Áñez has faced criticism over her reluctance to hold a vote during the Covid-19 pandemic. Election was originally scheduled for May 3.
BRAZIL UNDER BOLSONARO Police disperse anti-Bolsonaro protesters in Brazil 01-06-2020 15:39 Police used tear gas to disperse protesters who gathered to march against President Jair Bolsonaro in São Paulo on Sunday, as well as in "Black Lives Matter" protests that took place Rio de Janeiro.
Coronavirus pandemic Coronavirus pandemic 'amplifies press freedom threats,' warns NGO 21-04-2020 14:32 The coronavirus pandemic is aggravating the press freedom crisis worldwide, with authoritarian governments deploying massive censorship devices, Reporters Without Borders (RWB) warned in its annual report released Tuesday.
Democracy in Crisis Venezuelan police fire tear gas at opposition protest 10-03-2020 15:55 Some of the protesters responded by throwing stones at the police, while others fled the scene.
Venezuela in crisis Anger as Maduro urges Venezuela's women to have six children 05-03-2020 14:05 Much-criticised president's comments come with his nation gripped by nation-wide food, clothes, and healthcare shortages.
US election 2020 Mainstream Democrats express relief at Biden presidential upsurge 04-03-2020 15:57 After a strong showing in South Carolina, especially among black voters, Joe Biden kept the momentum going through Super Tuesday.
Democracy in Middle East Israeli exit polls: Netanyahu ahead, but short of majority 03-03-2020 10:31 Final outcome remains uncertain as third round of elections fails to produce a majority for either Netanyahu's Likud party or for Gantz's Blue and White party.
Democracy in Crisis New research disputes claims of Bolivia election fraud 02-03-2020 15:24 MIT Election Data and Science Lab found no statistical evidence corroborating reports by the Organisation of American States (OAS) of election fraud in Bolivia's May elections.
Democracy in Crisis 16-year-old shot at Guaidó rally as tensions rise in Venezuela 02-03-2020 13:01 Guaidó, who is recognised as the rightful leader of Venezuela by 50 nations, escaped the incident unharmed.
Handover in Uruguay Uruguay's Frente Amplio leaves office after 15 years of progressive rule 28-02-2020 16:36 Left-leaning coalition introduced a string of progressive measures – including marriage equality and the legalisation of marijuana – under president Tabaré Vázquez (2005-2010, 2015-2020) and José ‘Pepe’ Mujica (2010-2015).
HANDOVER POWER Lacalle Pou to deliver Uruguay's first conservative government in 15 years 28-02-2020 14:35 The son of former Uruguayan president Luis Alberto Lacalle will take office on Sunday, ending 15 years of rule by the left-leaning Frente Amplio coalition.
BEEB IN ARGENTINA BBC brings World Questions panel debate to Buenos Aires 28-02-2020 13:02 BBC and British Council partner up to host an interactive debate on Argentina's new government and the country's future. Learn how you can sign up for this free event.
Venezuela in Crisis Venezuela National Assembly authorises Guaidó to use frozen funds 28-02-2020 11:54 Opposition-controlled legislature released the funds so that opposition leader, who is recognised by 50 countries as the troubled nation's interim president, can continue representing the country abroad.
Democracy in Crisis Protests in Chile hit LatAm's biggest music festival 24-02-2020 09:48 Protesters, using rocks and molotov cocktails, engaged in clashes with the police during the Viña del Mar Music Festival in a demonstration against Chilean President Sebastián Piñera.
Crisis in Venezuela UN study: 1 of every 3 Venezuelans is facing hunger 24-02-2020 09:33 The study found that a total of 9.3 million people are moderately or severely food insecure, as wages stay stagnant amid unprecedented hyperinflation.
Crisis in Venezuela Lima Group urges world to help bring stability to Venezuela 21-02-2020 12:26 Foreign ministers seek international support for a return to democracy in Venezuela.
Morales in Exile Bolivia's electoral tribunal denies barring Morales 19-02-2020 14:50 The MAS leader has been exiled in Argentina since December, where he has been planning his return to political life.
Geopolitical Chess Ending Putin's support of Venezuela no easy feat for Washington 19-02-2020 13:54 For months, US officials have been warning foreign companies that they could face retaliation if they continue to do business with Maduro. Those admonishments have been aimed primarily at Russia and its oil trade with Venezuela.
Democracy in Crisis Venezuela suspends airline after Guaidó's flight home 18-02-2020 11:25 Guaidó returned this week from an international tour seeking support to oust President Nicolas Maduro, violating a travel ban.
Democracy in Crisis Denouncing US, Venezuelan troops, militias stage drills 17-02-2020 11:43 Amid rising tensions between the two nations, Maduro ordered civilians to take the streets for militia training.
Crisis in Venezuela Energised Guaidó returns to Venezuela, vowing it's 'time to move forward' 12-02-2020 11:58 Venezuelan opposition laeder, who is recognised by over 50 countries as country's interim leader, returns from an international tour courting support from various heads of state, including US President Donald Trump, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Democracy on Trial Ecuador puts ex-president on trial for campaign finance fraud 10-02-2020 12:30 Former president Rafael Correa, who is currently living in Belgium, maintains that the lawsuit is an attempt to bar him from running for a legislative position in next year's elections.
Freedom of the Press Brazil judge rejects hacking accusation against Greenwald 07-02-2020 11:22 A judge in Brasilia dismissed accusations that Glenn Greenwald was involved in hacking phones of Brazilian officials, following weeks of criticism that his prosecution would infringe on constitutional protections for journalists.
IMPEACHMENT ACQUITTAL Trump celebrates impeachment victory lap over 'vicious' Democrats 06-02-2020 15:24 US president was impeached in the Democratic-led House last December, then the Senate, where Trump's Republicans hold a majority, cleared him Wednesday. The GOP candidate said he'd been "through hell" but we ended up "winning" against "vicious" Democrats.
Crisis in Venezuela Venezuela rounds up US oil executives as Guaidó visits DC 06-02-2020 11:56 In a retaliatory move, the Maduro administration detained six American oil executives in Venezuela. Their whereabouts are unknown.
Venezuelan Crisis Guaidó draws standing ovation at Trump speech 05-02-2020 12:44 The National Assembly leader recognized by 60 countries as the rightful president of Venezuela intends to return to Venezuela soon after courting support in his international tour.
Democracy in Crisis Peru's Fujimori hospitalized for neurological and lung issues 04-02-2020 14:19 His last public statement came five days ago, when his daughter, Keiko Fujimori, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for corruption charges.
Bolivia Elections Bolivia election campaign underway with Morales in exile 04-02-2020 12:34 Campaigning season has begun again in Bolivia. A cast of former presidents, including exiled Evo Morales, are gunning for power.
Crisis in Venezuela Guaidó rallies Venezuelan expats in Miami at end of tour 03-02-2020 11:46 Guaidó, who is recognised as the rightful president of Venezuela by 60 countries, has spent the past two weeks rallying support from different heads of state.
Odebrecht Corruption Peru court orders Keiko Fujimori to return to prison 30-01-2020 11:21 Citing new evidence and concern that opposition leader is a 'flight risk,' a judge ordered that she be preventatively detained for period of 15 months.
Crisis in Venezuela Colombia seeks extradition of senator arrested in Venezuela 28-01-2020 15:12 Colombian Justice Ministry has little chance to return Aida Merlano to Colombia, given its recognition of Juan Guaidó as rightful head of state.
Peru Elections No party emerging as clear winner in Peru congress elections 27-01-2020 11:38 Peruvians vote to elect 130 new members of congress that will legislate for only a year, after President Vizacarra dissolved its predecessor in September 2019.
MEDIA WARS AT&T under pressure to defy Maduro's censors in Venezuela 20-01-2020 07:00 President Maduro’s opponents want AT&T’s DirecTV unit to restore half a dozen international news channels it was required to take off air by the Venezuelan government.
Court ruling Peru court backs president's decision to dissolve Congress 15-01-2020 12:23 Nation's Constitutional Court backs President Vizcarra’s controversial 2019 decision to dissolve the nation’s legislature.
BRAZIL UNDER BOLSONARO Brazil political documentary gets Oscar nomination, angering the right 14-01-2020 07:07 The Academy Award nomination for 'Edge of Democracy,' documentary about the impeachment of then-president Dilma Rousseff, has laid bare the polarisation of Latin America's largest democracy.
Bolivia Election Crisis Bolivian senator says Evo Morales fell due to betrayals, errors 27-11-2019 16:34 Meanwhile, the interim government says it will charge the former president with 'sedition and treason,' and names the first ambassador to the United States in 11 years.
INTERVIEW Ivan Briscoe: Bolivia’s new leaders must not reverse what Morales did 16-11-2019 12:13 The situation in Bolivia is changing at a rapid clip. Here are the biggest takeaways to keep in mind as things evolve, according to the regional director of the International Crisis Group NGO.
Neighbouring country Fernández lends support to Martínez in Uruguay ahead of run-off 14-11-2019 19:17 The president-elect met with Uruguayan president, Tabaré Vázquez, in Montevideo. The two spoke about bilateral relations and recent events in Latin America.