Weekly Report - 05 April 2018 (WR-18-13)

After an electoral process characterised by multiple twists and turns, Costa Rica’s presidential run-off delivered yet another surprise on 1 April – a landslide victory for Carlos Alvarado Quesada of the ruling centre-left Partido Acción Ciudadana (PAC).... Read More

EL SALVADOR | No VAT increase.... Read More

On paper, Peru’s newly appointed president, Martín Vizcarra, faces an unenviable task.... Read More

A riot and fire at police holding cells in the city of Valencia, Carabobo state, on 28 March, left a toll of 68 dead and many unanswered questions.... Read More

Just ahead of Venezuela’s presidential election on 20 May and of the next polls in Guyana (due in 2019), the longstanding territorial dispute between the two South American neighbours over the Essequibo region may be heating up again.... Read More

The political career of former president Lula da Silva (2003-2011) appears to be over, although his political legacy as a pioneer for social welfare will endure.... Read More

President Michel Temer has accused his adversaries of trying to “destabilise” the country through their “irresponsibility”.... Read More

Some of Argentina’s most famous football clubs have been implicated in allegations concerning the sexual abuse of minors.... Read More

With President Sebastián Piñera yet to complete a month in office, a ruling by Chile’s constitutional court (TC) last week, striking down part of the higher education reform passed by his predecessor Michelle Bachelet (2006-2010; 2014-2018), is threatening fresh unrest from students.... Read More

BRAZIL | Trade and diplomacy.... Read More

José Antonio Meade, the presidential candidate of Mexico’s ruling Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI), has challenged his presidential rivals to explain the provenance of all their assets in a public debate.... Read More

Mexico’s national human rights commission (CNDH) has accused the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) government led by President Enrique Peña Nieto of allowing violence and impunity to increase in the country during its single six-year term ending in December.... Read More

MEXICO | Unemployment.... Read More

Between Colombia’s congressional elections held on 11 March and the first round of presidential elections on 27 May the security situation continues to be cause for concern.... Read More

“Costa Rica today reaffirms its commitment with democratic institutionality; equality between men and women, and full respect for human rights.”... Read More