Will Cuba Be the Next Egypt?

Posted by , 7th February 2011

Fidel CastroMary Anastasia O’Grady
2/7/2011

Developments in Egypt over the last two weeks have prompted O’Grady to think of Cuba and ask why a similar rebellion against five decades of repression there still appears to be a far-off dream. Part of the answer is in the relationship between the Castro brothers–Fidel and Raúl–and the generals. The rest is explained by the regime’s significantly more repressive model. Castro has bought loyalty from the secret police and military by giving them control of the three most profitable sectors of the economy–retail, travel, and services. In Cuba there are no opposition political parties, no access to the Internet, and rapid response brigades enforce the party line. Despite their unceasing efforts, Cubans can only dream about the freedoms Egyptians enjoy as they voice their grievances.

O’Grady writes ‘The Americas’ for the Journal.

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A democratic test for Venezuela

Posted by , 20th December 2010

Hugo ChavezJackson Diehl
12/20/2010

Leopoldo Lopez, an optimistic political challenger of Hugo Chavez, is well aware of the regime’s unhesitating manipulation of elections: Lopez was once banned from the gubernatorial ballot by government fiat. Nonetheless, he remains hopeful that Venezuelans are mobilizing to unseat Chavez in 2012. A major key to the opposition’s electoral success is support from the United States. But Lopez does not see “a clear policy” from the Obama administration that indicates a focus on a democratic transition in Venezuela. Diehl says this will have to change if the opposition is to continue having hope of voting out Chavez and ushering in democracy.

Diehl is deputy editorial page editor of The Post. He is an editorial writer specializing in foreign affairs.

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The End of Bolivian Democracy

Posted by , 24th November 2009

Mary Anastasia O’Grady
11/23/2009

Evo - BoliviaA dictatorship that fosters the production and distribution of cocaine is not apt to enjoy a positive international image. But when that same government cloaks itself in the language of social justice and emphasizes the enfranchisement of indigenous people, it wins world-wide acclaim. This is the case in Bolivia, where O’Grady says elections scheduled for December 6 will mark the official end of its democracy. While the US and the OAS obsess over Honduras’s legal removal of an undemocratic president, Bolivia’s President Morales has fortified his narco-dictatorship. O’Grady traces Morales’ rise and performance in office, stating that South America’s latest dictator is not the ideological communist that many fear. Akin to a mob boss, he rose to power by protecting the coca business and is now set to oversee the end of Bolivian democracy.

O’Grady writes ‘The Americas’ for the Journal.

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Opinion summaries provided by Opinion Source, an organization with which Safe Democracy is associated

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Interamerican relations: Obama’s approach to Latin America

The major changes the “new Washington” has brought to the world of foreign policy in relation to the American continents

Posted by , 16th July 2009

obama-chavezSix months of Obama’s mandate have gone by and the beginning of his ever so mentioned “change” is starting to come to life. Apart from the expressive warm feelings between Obama and Hugo Chavez- the photograph which depicts Obama’s hand outstretched firmly to hold Chavez’s, a strong statement of the fact that Venezuela no longer poses a threat to the U.S- there are basically three main events which give us the magnitude of this change.

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Chávez digs a deeper hole for Venezuela

Venezuela’s society suffers from an increase in corruption and repression

Posted by , 9th July 2009

chavezThe Venezuelan model shows signs of economic exhaustion and lack of functionality. The repression intesifies.

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Argentina loses its international strength

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner: great expectations, skimpy results

Posted by , 2nd July 2009

argentina-president-cristina-kirchner-claims-falkland-islands-inalienable2Fernández de Kirchner must put aside the diplomatic arrogance full of grand proclamations and responsibly face up to a foreign policy in which the results coincide with Argentina’s strategic guidelines. A preliminary assessment of her performance leaves big question marks and a feeling of deception.

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Honduras suffers a violent coup d’etat: A step backwards for institutionality

President Zelaya arrested by the army and exiled to Costa Rica

Posted by , 2nd July 2009

zelayahonduras1Within a democracy, one cannot give any type of legitimacy to a coup d’etat. For Latin America, this coup in Honduras serves as proof of the extent at which it troubles this region to accept that democracy can only work within boundaries and through laws.

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Narcotrafficking: Is Mexico a “failed State”?

The United States’ responsibility in a matter of hemispheric security

Posted by , 7th May 2009

cocaina1In order to make progress in the fight against narcotrafficking, the distribution of drugs, as well as the sale of arms and their exportation to Mexico, must be reduced, just as money laundering in the United States must be combated.

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Human Rights: Fujimori sentenced to 25 years in prison

There can indeed be justice in Peru

Posted by , 23rd April 2009

fujimoricarcelThe fact that Fujimori has been tried in a public trial, with all of the guarantees of the law, should be cause for Peruvians to be proud.

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