Latin America

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The Marea Verde: How Latin American Women Have Changed the Definition of Security

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The Marea Verde: How Latin American Women Have Changed the Definition of Security

The Marea Verde (Green Wave) is a feminist movement that emerged in Argentina and spread across Latin America, addressing gender-based violence (GBV), femicide, and reproductive rights. Symbolised by the green handkerchief, it achieved key victories like the legalisation of abortion in Argentina (2020), Colombia (2022), and Mexico (2023), reframing women’s safety and autonomy as central to human security. The movement has influenced international policy, driving GBV recognition in the United Nations (UN) Universal Periodic Review and shaping gender-sensitive approaches to conflict resolution, such as Colombia’s 2016 peace agreement. Despite significant opposition from conservative forces, religious institutions, and state pushback, the Marea Verde continues to grow, proving the transformative power of collective action in challenging systemic inequality and advancing a more just, inclusive future.

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Bolivia’s Political Turmoil

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Bolivia’s Political Turmoil

This article examines the persistent political instability in Bolivia and underscores the critical need to address its deep conflicts stemming from the profound division of the ruling party and the political polarisation. By analisyng key events and prominent figures, the article seeks to offer a thorough understanding of the ongoing turmoil and the governance challenges it presents.

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Colombian Internal Conflicts: A Tortuous Pathway Towards Peace

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Colombian Internal Conflicts: A Tortuous Pathway Towards Peace

Colombia has been dealing with longstanding internal conflicts provoked by both structural and immediate causes. Against this backdrop, the current government led by Gustavo Petro has adopted an innovative approach to deal with increasing levels of violence and the proliferation of armed groups. This article proposes an early assessment of the first year of Petro’s mandate, highlighting the results he achieved as well as the main challenges he is facing. 

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The Surge in Executive Power Across Latin America: A New Wave of Autocracies?

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The Surge in Executive Power Across Latin America: A New Wave of Autocracies?

In 1991, Samuel P. Huntington espoused the concept of ‘democratic waves,’ in which he highlighted the democratisation of Latin America, among other regions, during the so-called ‘third wave.’ However, the rightward shift in politics and the expansion of executive powers for many presidents in the region may signal a reversal that will lead to new illiberal democracies on the continent. President Bukele consolidated his power in El Salvador through a prolonged state of emergency to fight las pandillas, while President Noboa is using the narco crisis to extend military power in Ecuador. In Argentina, President Milei is using the country's difficult economic situation to disempower the Argentinian Congress. This epidemic of autocratisation, also known as democratic backsliding, threatens the survival of liberal democratic values on the continent, casting the region's future in doubt.