News of democracy

Thiel bought a house in Argentina – democracy left it empty

Today 16:40 The answer to Peter Thiel's scepticism about democracy is not to defend liberal democracy more loudly. It is to make it work well enough that citizens have compelling reasons to defend it.

Editorial

Fifty years after

21-03-2026 00:08 We should remember every day that 50 years ago there was a military dictatorship and count our blessings for a democracy equally capable of electing leftist populism and the far-right libertarian administration now ruling.

50th anniversary of coup

Poll shows strong rejection of dictatorship on 50th anniversary of coup

21-03-2026 00:01 Survey finds 71% of Argentines hold negative view of dictatorship, only 7% positive; Broad support for human rights trials ahead of March 24 coup anniversary rallies.

by James Grainger

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF COUP

Argentina’s Church leaders says ‘never again’ as coup anniversary nears

19-03-2026 16:14 One cannot move forward without memory, say Church leaders in communiqué marking 50th anniversary of the March 24, 1976 coup; Bishop warns against authoritarianism and calls on state to “defend democracy” and the most vulnerable.

INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO

Benigno Alarcón Deza: ‘Over 80% of Venezuelans are clamouring for political change’

24-01-2026 07:08 Venezuelan political scientist, resident in Caracas, on the drift towards authoritarian government under Hugo Chávez, the impact of oil and the 2024 election, the strength of its opposition leaders and a potential return to democracy.

by Jorge Fontevecchia

CRISIS IN VENEZUELA

Trump’s move on Venezuela splinters region over possible strike

03-11-2025 13:29 President Nicolás Maduro’s calls for Latin American solidarity have largely fallen on deaf ears; New poll shows significant number of people in region see US military intervention as best shot at restoring Venezuelan democracy.

BRAZILIAN POLITICS

In divided Brasília, some celebrate Bolsonaro conviction, others fume

12-09-2025 11:17 Bolsonaro sentenced to 27 years in prison after being convicted of plotting to claw back power from his elected successor Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva through force in 2022.

ESPIONAGE & FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

SIDE: from the sewers to the forces of heaven

31-05-2025 06:38 Until now, the path taken by Javier Milei’s “forces of heaven” is no different from their predecessors.

by Javier Calvo

Editorial

Enemies of the state

31-05-2025 06:36 Instructions against those who “erode … the political and institutional structure of the country” can be carried to the extreme of converting any criticism of the administration into a crime against the state – more to be expected from Communism than anarcho-capitalism.

Intelligence services

Milei denies targeting critics after intelligence plan leak

30-05-2025 14:45 Leaked national intelligence plan raises concerns over potential surveillance of journalists, experts, social leaders and opposition figures; Argentina’s government issued statement denying SIDE agents will persecute critics.

ELECTIONS 2025: BUENOS AIRES CITY

City election reveals Argentina’s new democracy

19-05-2025 15:49 The internal rivalry within the right has finally been settled with Milei’s victory on Macri’s home turf.

by Eduardo Fidanza

POLITICS IN BRAZIL

Brazil's Bolsonaro ordered to stand trial for attempted coup

26-03-2025 22:26 Brazil's Supreme Court orders former president Jair Bolsonaro to stand trial on charges of plotting a coup after failing to win re-election in 2022.

AS I SEE IT

Demography should help the US keep China at bay

15-03-2025 07:46 Despite the fact that demography has always been China’s not so secret weapon, in recent years it has become a major problem that seems certain to put a premature end to the imperial dreams of Xi and his immediate successors.

by James Neilson

GOVERNMENT COUP

Brazil prosecutor charges Bolsonaro over failed coup plot

19-02-2025 14:47 Brazil's attorney general charged ex-president Jair Bolsonaro for an alleged coup attempt, including approval of a plan to poison his political rival amidst the 2022 election.

ANGER IN CARACAS

Anger in Caracas as G7 backs Venezuelan opposition candidate

27-11-2024 22:04 Edmundo González Urrutia announces that he intends to travel to Caracas on January 10 to take office as president of Venezuela.

ANALYSIS

Too stable? Uruguay's model election masks problems

27-11-2024 10:00 Election day passed off peacefully in Uruguay, with the losing candidate accepting defeat gracefully. But underneath the surface, Argentina's neighbour faces a raft of issues, including growing disenchantment with the political system.

EXPLOSIONS IN BRASÍLIA

Brazil investigating Supreme Court bomb attack as 'terrorist act'

14-11-2024 14:06 Blast which were set off outside of the Brazilian supreme court are now being investigated by security authorities as a potential terrorist act.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Brazil, Spain struggle to shake criticism as Maduro enablers

25-09-2024 18:06 At a recent United Nations gathering, Brazilian President Lula and Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez faced scrutiny for their ambiguous stance on Nicolás Maduro's regime in Venezuela.