Voters in Brazil and Mexico turned out for local elections Sunday. Brazil's Worker's Party, buoyed by the president's popularity, made nationwide gains while in Mexico the Institutional Revolutionary Party won legislative seats and mayoralties. Security was a top concern on election day in both countries.
Leopoldo López Mendoza, mayor of the Chacao municipality of Caracas, was favored to win the mayoralty of the Venezuelan capital until he and hundreds of other candidates were banned from running in upcoming municipal elections. In an interview, López talks about the questionable legality of the ban and the threat posed to democracy in Venezuela.
AS/COA 's Christopher Sabatini lays out the implications of Republican candidate John McCain's hesitation to meet with Spain's Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. (en español)
Just over a month after assuming office, Paraguay’s President Fernando Lugo delivered a speech at AS/COA in which he described how his presidency marked an important democratic shift in Paraguay.
During a luncheon hosted by AS/COA on September 23, Paraguay's President Fernando Armindo Lugo highlighted the political transformation that started with his election and the multiple opportunities and challenges that Paraguay faces ahead. Read his remarks in Spanish.
President of Paraguay Fernando Lugo, who assumed office in August and represents a switch from the political party that ruled for over 60 years, described the historic nature of his administration. “Paraguay has changed and we are inviting you all to be part of this new enterprise."
Just over a month after assuming office, Paraguay’s President Fernando Lugo delivered a speech at AS/COA in which he described how his presidency marked an important democratic shift in Paraguay.