![Supreme Electoral Court Justice Benedito Goncalves, left, speaks with Supreme Federal Court President Cármen Lúcia Antunes Rocha in court in Brasilia in June at the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/GettyImages-1258940875-1-300x200.jpg)
Courts, a Last Line of Defense for Latin American Democracies
Judiciaries have, with some exceptions, been a check on leaders trying to concentrate power.
![As Chile marks the anniversary of the September 11, 1973 coup, Augusto Pinochet’s ghost still hovers over contemporary Chilean politics in unexpected ways.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Pinochet-300x201.jpg)
50 Years Later: He Haunts Us Still
As Chile marks the anniversary of the September 11, 1973 coup, Augusto Pinochet’s ghost still hovers over contemporary Chilean politics in unexpected ways.
![BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - JUNE 14: Presidential Candidate of La Libertad Avanza Javier Milei gestures before an interview in the political TV show A Dos Voces on June 14, 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Argentina's presidential election will take place on October 22, 2023. (Photo by Tomas Cuesta/Getty Images)](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1498579836-300x200.jpg)
Argentina’s Election and its “Barrani” Moment
The rise of an alt-right libertarian movement led by Javier Milei points to more than just the failure of politics as usual.
![Workers carry a lectern inside Brazil's presidential palace, preparing for the two-minute speech given by President Bolsonaro after his defeat in the October 30 election.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/GettyImages-1244410887-300x200.jpeg)
Latin America in 2023: Five Trends to Watch
Instability, anti-incumbent voting and a tough macroeconomic environment are here to stay.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/AQ0422_LEADrev-300x199.jpg)
NEW AQ: Is Latin America’s Millennial Generation More Authoritarian—or Democratic?
Millennials account for about a quarter of the population, and are rising into positions of power. A special report explores how they may change politics forever.
![General Freire salutes Bolosnaro during a celebration at Army headquarters in Brasilia.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/GettyImages-1240087579-300x200.jpeg)
The Imminent Election Crisis in Brazil
Still trailing in polls, Bolsonaro seems determined to stay in power. AQ’s editor-in-chief examines potential scenarios for the confrontation ahead.
![Colombian President Gustavo Petro is inaugurated amid fears that he will not respect the institutions of Colombia's democracy.](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/GettyImages-1413521673-300x200.jpeg)
Could Democracy Backslide in Colombia?
The country’s oil industry may hold the answer.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GettyImages-997212160-300x200.jpeg)
Three Reasons to Be Optimistic About Central American Democracy
Youth movements, women and international cooperation show the way to escape the region’s dire situation.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AMLOBIDEBOLS-300x199.jpg)
How Biden’s “Democracy Summit” Might Actually Benefit the Americas
Debates should focus on home-grown threats to democracy such as inequality, fake news and the militarization of politics – rather than outside challenges.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/GettyImages-CRNicaraguaProtest-300x194.jpg)
Nicaragua: How Latin America Reacted
From condemnation to praise, many of the region’s biggest players weighed in on Sunday’s election.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ArceCastilloLasso-1-300x199.png)
Latin America’s Anti-Incumbent Wave Will End in Tears
From Chile to Colombia, voters are looking for change – regardless of what it will bring.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GettyImages-1021533594-1-300x208.jpeg)
Nicaragua: Crónica de una muerte anunciada
Ortega ha ido desmantelando la democracia por más de una década. El es alentado por la impunidad.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GettyImages-1021533594-300x208.jpeg)
Nicaragua: Chronicle of a Death Foretold
Ortega has been dismantling democracy for more than a decade. He is emboldened by impunity.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Bachelet-for-Rubio-300x199.jpg)
Today’s Latin America Has No Female Presidents. It’s Not Going Well.
COVID-19 has reminded us – again – of the need for women leaders.
![](https://americasquarterly.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FH-lead-art-300x200.jpg)
How the Pandemic Is Accelerating Democracy’s Decade-Long Decline in the Americas
A deeper look at Freedom House data showing slow erosion in freedoms.