All Content: democracy & elections

Remembering Peruvian Human Rights Leader Javier Diez Canseco

Analysis & Commentary
Javier Diez Canseco will long be remembered as a tireless defender of human rights in Peru, from the darkest moments of Peru's conflict to the day of his passing.

President Obama to Meet with Central American Presidents

Topics of Discussion to Include Security and Economic Cooperation
News
The Central American stop on Obama's trip seems intended to showcase positive messages about economic growth and partnership. But Central America has some huge challenges—on dealing with crime and insecurity, and on human rights and democracy—that will inevitably be part of the story.

Post-Chávez Venezuela: Aftermath and Implications of the April 14 Elections

Video
WOLA's David Smilde spoke on Venezuela's future and the implications of the recent presidential elections. Please click here to view the video of the event.

Time for Statesmanship

Analysis & Commentary
As rhetoric in Venezuela turns heated, WOLA Senior Fellow David Smilde calls for statesmanship.

Q & A on Venezuela's Electoral Stalemate

Analysis & Commentary
WOLA Senior Fellow David Smilde, moderator of the Venezuela Politics and Human Rights blog and Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Georgia, provides expert answers to most pressing questions following Sunday's presidential election in Venezuela.

Assessing Venezuela’s Electoral Playing Field—Part One

Analysis & Commentary
WOLA Senior Fellow addresses questions about Venezuela's electoral playing field.

Venezuela Approaches Post-Chávez Presidential Elections

Follow WOLA Expert for On-the-Ground Analyses
News
WOLA Senior Fellow David Smilde is in Caracas this week monitoring the campaign and Sunday’s elections. Follow the Venezuela Politics and Human Rights blog for more.

Civil Society and the Resurgent Struggle against Impunity in Uruguay (1986–2012)

Senior Fellow Jo-Marie Burt in the International Journal of Transitional Justice
Publication
WOLA Senior Fellow Jo-Marie Burt explores the role of civil society in pursuing justice in Uruguay.

Q&A on Venezuelan Transition

WOLA's David Smilde provides insight into what comes next in post-Chávez Venezuela
News

WOLA Blog: "Venezuelan Politics and Human Rights"

A unique resource for journalists, policymakers, scholars, activists, and others interested in understanding Venezuelan politics and human rights.
Analysis & Commentary
The contributors to the blog, including WOLA Senior Fellow David Smilde, provide insights on Venezuela’s politics that go beyond the polarized pro-Chávez/anti-Chávez debate as developments unfold.

Political Transition in Venezuela: Next Steps and the Implications for U.S. Policy

Video
WOLA's David Smilde discusses the evolving political situation in Venezuela at the Wilson Center.

Fight Crime, Respect the Poor: Priorities for a Potential Post-Chavez Venezuela

Analysis in New York Times’ Room for Debate
Analysis & Commentary
The New York Times’ Room for Debate blog posted a series of brief analyses from Venezuela commentators today on what issues may arise in a post-Chávez Venezuela. WOLA director Joy Olson and Senior Fellow David Smilde weighed in, arguing that improving citizen security will be the central concern for many Venezuelans.

WOLA Congratulates Peruvian Human Rights Leader for Award

APRODEH Founder Francisco Soberón Honored by Peru's Human Rights Coordinator
Analysis & Commentary
WOLA congratulates Peruvian human rights advocate Francisco Soberón for his award recognizing his long-time dedication to human rights and social justice

Recent Corruption and Human Rights Trials in Brazil Could Signal Shift toward Justice

Analysis & Commentary
There have recently been a number of high-profile criminal cases in Brazil that have caused some to proclaim that a culture of impunity is finally giving way to a culture of accountability where criminals face justice.

Breaking Through the Echo Chamber in Venezuela

Analysis & Commentary
WOLA Senior Fellow David Smilde explains the greater significance of Venezuela's skewed polling.

Uncertainty as Venezuelan Elections Approach

Follow WOLA Staff in Venezuela for Insights and Analysis
News
Follow WOLA staff in Venezuela for up-to-date information on Sunday's presidential elections.

Venezuela's Upcoming Elections

A conversation with WOLA Senior Fellow David Smilde
Publication
Venezuela's October 7 presidential election is 17 days away. Adam talks to WOLA Senior Fellow David Smilde, who edits "Venezuelan Politics and Human Rights" (venezuelablog.tumblr.com), about the "horserace," public opinion and challenges facing President Hugo Chávez and challenger Henrique Capriles.

WOLA Blog Separates Rhetoric from Reality along the U.S.-Mexico Border

"Border Fact Check"
News
WOLA has dedicated some of our top experts to study what is really happening in the borderlands. To make WOLA’s border research readily accessible—and respond more quickly to false or misleading claims—WOLA created the Border Fact Check blog.

WOLA and Partners Stand with Fired Colombian Autoworkers

As ASOTRECOL union workers continue their hunger strike, WOLA, LAWG, and WFP rebut management's claims that no labor violations were committed
Analysis & Commentary
On August 1st, 2012, four members of the Association of Injured Workers and Ex-Workers of General Motors Colmotores (ASOTRECOL) began a hunger strike by sewing their lips shut. To date, there are seven fired workers who have sewn their lips closed, with more joining the ranks every week GM Colmotores ignores their requests to ...

Colombia at the Santos government's midpoint

A conversation with Claudia López of the Corporación Nuevo Arco Iris
Publication
August 7 was the midpoint in the four-year term of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, whose poll numbers are dropping amid perceptions of backsliding on security. Adam discusses this with Claudia López of Bogotá's Corporación Nuevo Arco Iris.