Americas This Week – January 19, 2019

Each day, 21votes gathers election and political news from a different region of the world. We explore the Americas on Saturdays. Click the map pins.

El Salvador Presidential - February 3, 2019

The Associated Press reports: “Authorities in El Salvador say the nation’s street gangs have stepped up killings to put pressure on candidates in the Feb. 3 presidential election. Minister of Justice and Public Safety Mauricio Ramirez Landaverde says the gangs appear to be trying to pressure candidates to grant them the kind of truce deal they had in 2012.”

Bolivia Presidential and Legislative - October 2019

Bolivia’s left-wing populist president Evo Morales has been in power for thirteen years, and has won three elections widely described as fair. In 2016, he lost a referendum that would have allowed him to run for a fourth term. Last year, the courts, with judges Morales himself had appointed, threw out the referendum results.

Bolivians are pushing back. The Economist reports: “The grassroots 21f movement, named after the date in February when the referendum was held, has staged strikes and demonstrations since the constitutional court’s ruling.”

Bolivia will hold primaries for the first time ever on January 27. The opposition disagrees with the primaries, arguing that they give Morales’ candidacy a patina of legitimacy. The opposition is far from united – up to six others across the ideological spectrum plan to challenge Morales.

Argentina Presidential and Legislative - October 27, 2019

Bloomberg reports: “Argentine President Mauricio Macri’s poll ratings rebounded at the end of 2018, according to the latest survey by Buenos Aires-based consulting firm Isonomia. Macri’s approval rating in December was almost back to the level it started the year, the poll shows, after a 2018 marked by recession, soaring inflation and a currency crisis. Macri’s positive image bounced back to 51 percent at year-end after bottoming out at 37 percent in June.”

Macri visited Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, and the two agreed to reduce Mercosur tariffs.

Nicaragua General - November 6, 2016

Nicaragua’s crisis continues. In April 2018, protests erupted, and the subsequent brutal crackdown has led to over 300 deaths and 500 arrests, and thousands have left the country. President Daniel Ortega is systematically working to silence all voices of dissent, including from his former Sandinista colleagues. Ryan Berg from the American Enterprise Institute calls for Magnitsky-style sanctions on Nicaragua’s leaders, writing: “As Nicaragua’s crackdown on protestors enters a decisive phase, U.S. policy should aim to deepen the rift between the ruling couple and push for early elections.”

Upcoming Elections
On deck: El Salvador presidential (February 3); Guyana snap parliamentary (soon – exact date not set yet); Panama presidential and legislative (May 5); Canada Alberta province general (on or before May 30 – exact date not set yet); Guatemala general (June 16); Bolivia presidential and legislative (October); Haiti parliamentary (October); Canada, Prince Edward Island province general (on or before October 7 – exact date not set yet); Canada general (on or before October 21 – exact date not set yet); Argentina presidential and legislative (October 27); Uruguay presidential and legislative (October 27); Dominica legislative (December)

El Salvador Presidential – February 3, 2019
The Associated Press reports: “Authorities in El Salvador say the nation’s street gangs have stepped up killings to put pressure on candidates in the Feb. 3 presidential election. Minister of Justice and Public Safety Mauricio Ramirez Landaverde says the gangs appear to be trying to pressure candidates to grant them the kind of truce deal they had in 2012.”

Bolivia Presidential and Legislative – October 2019
Bolivia’s left-wing populist president Evo Morales has been in power for thirteen years, and has won three elections widely described as fair. In 2016, he lost a referendum that would have allowed him to run for a fourth term. Last year, the courts, with judges Morales himself had appointed, threw out the referendum results.

Bolivians are pushing back. The Economist reports: “The grassroots 21f movement, named after the date in February when the referendum was held, has staged strikes and demonstrations since the constitutional court’s ruling.”

Bolivia will hold primaries for the first time ever on January 27. The opposition disagrees with the primaries, arguing that they give Morales’ candidacy a patina of legitimacy. 

The opposition is far from united – up to six others across the ideological spectrum plan to challenge Morales.

Argentina Presidential and Legislative – October 27, 2019
Bloomberg reports: “Argentine President Mauricio Macri’s poll ratings rebounded at the end of 2018, according to the latest survey by Buenos Aires-based consulting firm Isonomia. Macri’s approval rating in December was almost back to the level it started the year, the poll shows, after a 2018 marked by recession, soaring inflation and a currency crisis. Macri’s positive image bounced back to 51 percent at year-end after bottoming out at 37 percent in June.”

Macri visited Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, and the two agreed to reduce Mercosur tariffs.

Past Elections
Nicaragua General – November 6, 2016
Nicaragua’s crisis continues. In April 2018, protests erupted, and the subsequent brutal crackdown has led to over 300 deaths and 500 arrests, and thousands have left the country. President Daniel Ortega is systematically working to silence all voices of dissent, including from his former Sandinista colleagues. Ryan Berg from the American Enterprise Institute calls for Magnitsky-style sanctions on Nicaragua’s leaders, writing: “As Nicaragua’s crackdown on protestors enters a decisive phase, U.S. policy should aim to deepen the rift between the ruling couple and push for early elections.”

 

 

A Nicaraguan protestor in April 2018. Photo credit: Voice of America (public domain)

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