Americas Quarterly's New Issue: Latin America's Election Super-Cycle

New York, January 23, 2024—“In Latin America’s 2024 electoral super-cycle, voters seem likely to reward leaders who address their most fundamental needs—in some cases regardless of whether they value democracy, clean government or the rule of law,” write Americas Quarterly (AQ) authors in the magazine’s new issue, which analyzes how presidential elections in six Latin American countries will make history, test institutions, and signal meaningful new trends in the region’s politics.

In the issue’s cover story, Tamara Taraciuk Broner says that 20 of the last 22 free and fair presidential elections in Latin America dating back to 2018 have been won by the opposition. “But that trend could change this year, thanks to leaders who have enjoyed some measure of success—even if it has come at a cost,” she writes. Taraciuk Broner analyzes the cases of El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Venezuela, all of which prepare to elect presidents.

José Enrique Arrioja explores which path will Guyana take after its potentially transformative oil boom. Arrioja, AQ’s managing editor, travelled to the South American country to interview its president, numerous government officials as well as members of the opposition, civil society, the private sector, and everyday people. He saw clear signs of promise but also how the fight over oil money, and how it will be distributed among political parties and ethnic groups, is already at full tilt.

“In the economic front, Guyanese officials speak convincingly about the risks of oil. But when it comes to long-term plans, the details can sometimes seem scarce,” writes Arrioja.